Many retirees and families moved to the “sunshine state” not only to enjoy the beautiful weather, but also because Florida was seen as an affordable option.

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Today, unfortunately, more than half of Floridians report living paycheck to paycheck in a state that has becoming increasingly unaffordable to all but the wealthiest.

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And relief is nowhere in sight as elected officials in Tallahassee continue to put the interests of corporations and multi-nationals before the interests of our citizens.

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The Legislature can lower Florida’s cost of living by investing in truly affordable housing through increased workforce housing funds, stronger tenant protections, and incentives for local governments to build mixed-income communities.

 

It can also reduce everyday expenses for working families by tackling property insurance costs, cracking down on record high utility rate hikes, and expanding access to affordable childcare. 

 

We can also ease financial pressure on households by raising wages for critical workers, expanding Medicaid to reduce healthcare expenses, and providing targeted tax relief for low- and moderate-income families.

Property Insurance: Over the last five years, the cost of property insurance in Florida has more than doubled! Homeowners in the state are now paying about five times the national average.

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Meanwhile, representatives in Tallahassee have given the insurance industry taxpayer funded handouts and made it nearly impossible for many Floridians to receive payments on valid claims for the 2024 hurricanes.

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Consistently, Tallahassee has put the greed of the insurance companies ahead of the needs of Floridians.

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Auto Insurance: Florida consistently ranks as one of the most expensive states for auto insurance in the U.S., with recent data (2025) showing it as the second most costly in the U.S.

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A state catastrophic fund that addresses hurricane impacts would dramatically reduce property and car insurance, as similarly done in other states.  

Floridians are experiencing more extreme heat, stronger storms, and more frequent red tide and algae blooms.

 

Many of us moved to Florida to experience all of its natural beauty, only to have that beauty threatened by corporate polluters and politicians who continue to ignore the destruction of our beautiful home.​​​

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Florida should protect our beaches and state parks, and invest in resiliency throughout the state. Florida should adopt sustainability policies that conserve our natural resources, reduce pollution, and grow our economy which relies on tourism and the outdoors.

Electricity bills in Florida have increased by 25% in just the last few years, with no end in sight.  Many people have electric bills over $500 a month during the summer.  That’s unacceptable.

 

Many other states have policies in place that keep rates much lower and enable people to lower their energy consumption.  

 

Utilities need to increase their funding for energy efficiencies programs that will significantly lower energy bills, eliminate red tape for residential solar, and eliminate extra fees that have cost rate payers over $1 Billion.

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The single most impactful step we can take is to finally expand Medicaid. This would provide affordable coverage to more than 800,000 low-income workers, lower premiums for all, and reduce the burden of uncompensated care that our hospitals are forced to absorb. It is common sense, and it is long overdue.

 

We must also increase transparency in our insurance markets, crack down on predatory junk plans, and shine a bright light on unjustified rate hikes.

 

And we need to expand access to primary and preventive care — through community health centers, mobile clinics, telehealth, and school-based health programs — so families can get care early, instead of waiting until a medical crisis is unavoidable and unaffordable.

Florida’s public education system is facing mounting challenges that threaten both quality and equity. The expansion of “Schools of Hope” continues to siphon public dollars into profit-driven charter operators that can use public school facilities and services at no cost, weakening neighborhood schools already stretched thin.

 

At the same time, Florida’s universal voucher program lacks the oversight, transparency, and accountability taxpayers deserve—allowing public funds to flow to private institutions that are not held to the same academic standards or reporting requirements as public schools.

 

Combined with lowest in the nation teacher pay and growing workloads, these pressures are driving talented educators out of the profession and destabilizing the classrooms our children depend on.

Solutions are within reach if Florida commits to strengthening—not undermining—its public schools.

 

That begins with investing in competitive salaries to attract and retain high-quality teachers, ensuring that all publicly funded schools (including charter and private voucher schools) meet the same transparency and state testing requirements, and creating a level playing field where every child is held to consistent academic expectations. It also requires reining in programs like Schools of Hope and restructuring the voucher system so that taxpayer dollars support student success, not corporate profit.