Issues

Economic Development

  • Innovation Way – retain the Burnham Institute, VA Hospital, Nemours Children’s Hospital, UCF Med School and recruit biomedical/cleantech businesses
  • Federal funding for job creation – lobby for Obama administration’s economic stimulus money for approved projects in Orange County to create jobs
  • Cleantech businesses – seek out cleantech/solar research businesses in California, Spain and Germany and support local cleantech companies
  • Cleantech job training – work with employers and trade groups to develop “green collar” jobs building mass transit, workforce housing, energy efficient technology installation and attract biofuel manufacturing as well as solar applications
  • Trade missions – schedule trips to California, New York, Texas, Europe for cleantech/biomedical/desalination/defense business recruitment

Transportation

  • Commuter Rail – lobbied state legislators to approve Central Florida’s SunRail commuter rail
  • Federal funding for approved road projects – lobby for Obama administration’s economic stimulus money for approved road projects in Orange County including Alafaya Trail connection
  • LYNX – create a dedicated funding source for bus service budget shortfall such as a gas transportation enhancement, such as: rental car surcharge or gas tax option of 1-5 cents (an average of no more than $1 per full tank).  If an opponent directed you to my site regarding a gas tax, the same opponent voted for a gas tax as member of MetroPlan.  Check the facts before you decide.
  • High Speed Rail – worked with Federal delegation and lobbied successfully for high-speed rail from Orlando to Tampa, and Miami

Environmental and Energy Conservation

  • Xeriscape Landscape Ordinance – create resource efficiency ordinance by limiting breeds of grasses, water use, and efficiency.
  • Desalination – encourage regional cooperation on a desalination solution to water shortages
  • Water reuse – increase wastewater reuse applications in Orange County
  • Conservation Living – continue conservation living events to educate residents on energy efficiency
  • Urban Service Boundary – maintain urban service boundary and protect rural communities
  • Green space/Parks partnerships – search for partnerships with property owners and the private sector to provide park space and funding sources to maintain recreation space. Purchase and mitigate land for Orange County GreenPLACE program.
  • Expand Recycling program – develop a comprehensive community curbside recycling program and increase the amount of items collected

Public Safety

  • Street racing – work with Rep. Soto to strengthen and improve upon the 2008 Legislative Session’s spectator language and higher penalty for street racing on public streets
  • Redlight Cameras – get the BCC to approve of use at county intersections and install cameras, then work with Rep. Reagan and Sen. Bennett to pass state camera law for state roads
  • City/County consolidation – approach Sheriff/Orlando Police Chief and Orange County Fire Chief/Orlando Fire Chief about consolidating emergency services departments to save money and increase efficiency
  • Sheriff ride alongs – increase ride alongs with the Sheriff’s Department in various parts of the county to better understand county safety issues
  • Hurricane preparedness – maintain superior emergency management and community awareness to deal with hurricanes and other crises.
  • Foreclosures – lobby BCC to pass a “good neighbor ordinance” and identify Federal resources to alleviate second housing recession
  • Jail Overcrowding – seek Federal and State funding for the expansion of the Orange County jail to reduce overcrowding and increase safety for our correctional officers.

Other Issues

  • Homelessness – establish East/South side food collection sites to alleviate stress on downtown food pantry
  • Equality - Continue to fight for and push forward a countywide non-discrimination ordinance that includes everyone
  • PCAN – lobby state for dedicated funding for high use PCAN clinics
  • CRC – lobby state for dedicated funding for treatment of mentally ill to reduce jail overcrowding
  • Convention Center food contract – monitor food service situation and push for oversight and backup plan
  • TDT money – encourage transparency within public/private organizations so that the public can see how their money is being spent
  • Community-continue to establish dog parks for our pets


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