Candidate Responses - Chris Cause

In addition to answering the 20 survey questions, this candidate provided the following elaboration on several progressive issues.

Seeking a fair, honest, and open government that works for all:

The Voting Rights Act needs to be strengthened, not repealed. Our vote is our voice in our government and all people, regardless of race, need to have their right to vote protected. When you turn 18, you should be registered to vote. Technology has made registration, and voter roll maintenance, easier and more efficient than ever before. Neither party should control drawing electoral districts. Voters should decide the best candidates in each election, not have districts stacked to one side or another.

Seeking broader rights and better wages for workers:

Average wages for workers have risen 12% since 1978, while CEO pay has gone up 230% in the same time. If this pandemic has shown anything, it’s that it’s time for all workers to make a livable wage. Unions have protected workers in this country since the Industrial Revolution. Workers need to have the right to organize. Employers lose productivity when their employees do not have adequate and affordable care for their children. And the people entrusted to care for our children deserve to be trained and paid accordingly.

Seeking to maintain a strong economy:

Infrastructure in District 39 is a major initiative for my campaign. We need to invest in our roads, bridges, trains, dams, and other infrastructure in order to thrive in Florida.

Seeking to provide a quality public education for all children, as guaranteed by our State Constitution:

Public money should not go to private schools. Period. If you want to send your child to a private school, there is no law preventing that. We should be investing in public schools, not diverting funds in private school subsidies. I teach in a juvenile detention facility, so I see first-hand the effects of students who think prison is inevitable and are caught up in recidivism. We need to concentrate on rehabilitation and break the cycle.

Seeking justice and equality for all:

No one should fear losing their job because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. We need to expand discrimination protection to protect as many Floridians as possible. It is long past time to pass the Equal Rights Amendment. We should guarantee equal legal rights for all American citizens, regardless of sex. Women should make their own choices about their own reproductive health care. The incentive for private jails and prisons is to keep them filled. As a civilized society, we should want less people in jails and prisons, not more. We need programs that rehabilitate and reduce prison population.

Seeking recognition of the fundamental right to affordable housing, health care and retirement security:

We don’t have nearly enough affordable housing in HD39, so I support efforts to find creative solutions, including rehabilitating abandoned properties and storage containers. Healthcare is a right, and during this crisis, we are all only as safe as our most vulnerable. Breaking the dependence on employer-based healthcare would decrease the burden on both people and businesses.

Seeking a clean and safe environment:

I support funding for the Land and Water Conservation Initiative as the voters intended (see 2014 Amendment 1)? Tallahassee needs to stop overruling the will of the voters. We need to preserve our natural habitats, especially the Everglades. We need to invest any drilling efforts into renewable energy. We need to expand all efforts to expand renewable energy.

Seeking a peaceful and secure world:

While the AWB was in effect, there was a 25% reduction in gun massacres and a 40% drop in gun massacre deaths. In the decade after, gun massacre fatalities rose 347%. We need to reinstitute the Assault Weapons Ban.