ECONOMY, JOBS, AND CONSUMER PROTECTION
Florida has one of the highest levels of income inequality and the highest inflation rate in the country, leaving families behind. Despite this, Tallahassee continues to push disastrous economic policies, perpetuating alarming levels of income inequality and granting excessive sway to corporate monopolies. Nate is committed to an economic platform that champions competitive markets, empowers workers, supports small business, and demands immediate action.
Nate will fight for:
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The implementation of robust anti-trust legislation to increase market competition, unleash innovation, and create a fair economic landscape.
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Legislation that strengthens unions, ensuring that workers have the collective power to negotiate fair wages and better working conditions.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND INSURANCE
As Florida’s homeowners and renters fall between the cracks, lawmakers scoop up millions of dollars in contributions from insurance companies. Insurance premiums in Florida are four times higher than the national average – at $6,000 compared to $1,700 – and have risen by over 40% in 2023. Addressing this issue involves providing support to homeowners rather than shielding insurance agencies from litigation. The challenges posed by over-development in Oviedo and other parts of HD37 add fuel to the fire. Striking a balance between development and environmental conservation is crucial. Nate will advocate for true affordable housing, sustainable development, and improved public transit infrastructure to foster equitable and resilient communities in Florida.
As a State Rep, Nate will:
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Strengthen consumer’s ability to hold their insurance provider accountable
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Advocate for legislation that produces a stable and competitive reinsurance market
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Provide funding for transit projects and transit-oriented development
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Give local governments greater flexibility to expand affordable housing access
REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM AND QUALITY HEALTHCARE FOR ALL
Florida is the 4th most expensive state for healthcare and Floridians with employer-provided family coverage pay the highest premium out of any other state, at nearly $7,100. If the American healthcare system were a country, it would rank 13 in greenhouse gas emissions, causing 9% of air pollutants, leading to respiratory infections, heart disease, and strokes. Our healthcare system faces a dual crisis of environmental impact and exorbitant costs. Instead of dealing with the fact that 52% of Floridians skipped out on going to the doctor because of high costs, politicians in Tallahassee decided to put lives at risk by passing an extreme six-week abortion ban and refusing to expand Medicaid.
In Tallahassee, Nate will:
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Fight to restore reproductive freedom in Florida and codify the rights to reproductive healthcare access
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Strive for accessible healthcare for all Floridians and advocate for the expansion of Medicaid and Medicare in Florida
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Work with colleagues to reduce administrative burdens for physicians
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Incentivize renewable energy and offer locally farmed foods in hospitals
RIGHTS TO CLEAN AIR AND CLEAN WATER
Only 4% of energy produced in the Sunshine State is renewable energy, lagging far behind the national average of roughly 20%. Nate will prioritize expanding renewable energy across the state, lowering utility bills for Florida residents, improving our water quality, and reducing the risk of natural disasters. Nate strives to create a Central Florida built on green energy, green spaces, kid-friendly urban planning, and bikeable communities.
As a legislator, Nate will:
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Work with local officials to enhance water quality regulations and monitoring, with a focus on ensuring compliance and promptly addressing pollution issues
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Collaborate with lawmakers and groups to develop a comprehensive plan with specific emission reduction targets
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Support sustainable land management practices, such as responsible agriculture and conservation initiatives, protecting water resources and ecosystems
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Encourage energy-efficient upgrades in buildings and infrastructure, partnering with businesses and homeowners to promote energy conservation
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Incentivize renewable energy adoption through tax credits, grants, and streamlined permitting processes for solar, wind, and other clean energy projects
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Promote the integration of green technology in public infrastructure projects, such as incorporating energy-efficient materials and smart systems
ACADEMIC FREEDOM AND INTEGRITY
Florida ranks 48th in the nation in teacher pay, leading to one of the largest teacher shortages. Additionally, Florida experiences the largest drop in learning between fourth and eighth grades. Moreover, Florida is on track to banning the most books in the nation. Students should have a safe learning environment that challenges them to think critically and learn new perspectives. As the son of a public school teacher, a former substitute teacher, and a graduate student himself, Nate knows our education system can be improved.
Nate would start by:
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Proposing legislation ensuring that k-12 teachers are given a pay raise to retain talented educators, increase academic freedom, and strengthen unions
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Advocating for obtainable, debt-free higher education for all students
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Conducting a comprehensive review of administrative practices and reducing bureaucratic burdens on educators
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Calling for an Increase in funding for public schools to ensure adequate resources, modern facilities, and technology
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Prioritize equitable distribution of funding to address disparities among schools and districts
SAFETY AND JUSTICE
Upholding the fundamental right of every family to live free from criminal victimization, gun violence, and paycheck theft is essential. Acknowledging concerns about the criminal justice system's efficacy and fairness, Nate seeks to pursue policies that emphasize personal responsibility, respect Second Amendment rights, and foster community-based solutions to prevent violence. Striking a balance between individual liberties and collective well-being, it's crucial to address systemic issues, such as poverty and income inequality, as root causes of criminal behavior. Nate knows we can work towards a justice system that protects and serves all citizens.
Nate will work with fellow lawmakers and local communities to:
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Strengthen community policing initiatives that prioritize building relationships, fostering trust, and collaborating with local communities
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Motivate responsible gun ownership with background check requirements for firearm purchases, including private sales, gun shows, and online transactions
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Establish specialized mental health crisis response teams composed of mental health professionals, social workers, and trained responders
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Streamline court processes and invest in technology to expedite case proceedings, ensuring fair and timely trials
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Enact laws to protect workers who report paycheck theft or wage violations from retaliation by their employers
INFRASTRUCTURE AND TRANSIT
Orlando has the 5th average highest commute time out of any metro area according to recent data. Orlando is the largest tourist destination in the United States, with over 104 million visitors as of November 2022. Out of 35 metro areas analyzed in March 2023, Orlando ranked 33 in walkability. With the large number of tourists and working residents who need to make a living, this is unsustainable. Public transit such as SunRail is a good first step to fixing Central Florida's commute problem, but it should not stop there. Rural boundaries in District 37 are undergoing enormous changes in land development, crowding areas and congesting traffic. There's a simple solution that lawmakers and developers just refuse to consider: expanding transportation such as light-rail, streetcars, and aerial trams. Additional measures that need to be taken are expanding transit-only bus lanes, expanding bike lanes and making them safer, and expanding sidewalks.
As your next Rep, Nate will work to:
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Increase appropriation funds for the development of new infrastructure and transit projects that diversify transportation
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Boost our economy by increasing transit-oriented development around local businesses
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Collaborate with local communities to identify areas where walkability and bikeability improvements are most needed, and develop plans accordingly
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Promote the integration of green technology in public infrastructure projects, such as incorporating energy-efficient materials and smart systems
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Collaborate with regional transportation authorities to coordinate transit systems and enhance connectivity between cities and communities