ISSUES

Howard's most important issues.

How we can fight for economic, environmental, social, and racial justice for the people of Fort Myers and Florida.

Affordable Housing

  • End the housing crisis by renovating underutilized lands, like massive parking lots, and installing respectable & affordable high-density housing in their place.

  • Work with the Lee County Commissioners to update zoning laws to allow for commercial growth and creating more walkable housing options to the people of District 78.

  • Expand tenants’ rights to include the right to counsel when facing eviction, when landlords shut off necessities, and when landlords violate leases or housing codes.

  • Combat houselessness by funding housing-first solutions to offer housing, medical treatment, job training, and counseling to those experiencing, or at immediate risk of becoming, houseless.

Clean Water

  • Invest and fast-track septic-to-sewage plans in Lee County to protect our aquafers from seepage and and preserve our clean water.

  • Expand Lee County wastewater processing and sanitation infrastructure to accommodate the growing demand of our booming population.

Education

  • Help families by implementing statewide childcare services for pre-kindergarten children.

  • Legislate low-cost or no-cost public college tuition for Floridians.

  • Support legislation that raises teacher salaries and fund out-of-pocket expenses for classroom materials to address the teacher shortage.

Finance & Debt Relief

  • Cap credit card interest rates to not exceed 13% annually.

  • Cap interest on "payday loans" with total interest not to exceed 10% of the principal balance.

  • Develop economic growth for low-income communities with investment in not-for-profit microfinance institutions.

  • Invest in Florida's credit unions to offer residents more banking options and expand economic development in Florida.

Healthcare

  • Protect and promote the physical and mental health of our people by expanding access to affordable healthcare and insurance.

  • Retrofit the bankruptcy court system to accommodate those weighed down by medical debt.

Homeowners, Wind, & Flood Insurance

  • Lift restrictions on access to Citizens Property Insurance Corporation to stabilize competitive insurance pricing for Florida homeowners.

  • Collaborate with not-for-profit insurance providers to encourage their growth by offering access to state data, logistical, and financial resources.

LGBTQ+ Equality

  • Protect the equal rights of same-sex couples for marriage, adoption, and family services.

  • Prevent state intervention in medical decisions made between patients and their doctors.

  • Defend the personal privacy and safety of all students regardless of gender or orientation.

Worker Protections

  • Penalize companies that violate Federal and State labor laws.

  • Enable Florida unions to collect dues to cover collective bargaining costs.

  • Give independent contractors the ability to unionize in the state.

  • Prevent employers from using employees’ immigration statuses against them when determining the terms of their employment.

Women's Rights

  • Defend the right to family planning decisions, including abortion, without state interference.

  • Increase access to low-cost or no-cost contraceptives.

  • Legislate protections for parental leave during late stages of pregnancy and following the birth of a newborn.