Mental Health Reform
As a legislator, Kathleen has been at the forefront of this topic and led the charge to create sweeping mental health reforms. There is much to be done in Pinellas that will properly treat patients and cut costs while building out a coordinated system of care for mental health treatment. Pinellas County needs a central receiving facility, for both mental health and addiction treatment, that will get patients the treatment they need while easing the burden we place on our law enforcement, jails, courts, and hospitals. While serving Pinellas County in the Florida House, Kathleen passed landmark legislation to improve access to care for individuals with mental illness or substance addiction and procured the first stable state revenue source to assist communities in battling homelessness.
Protecting Pinellas Beaches and Waters
As a State Representative, Kathleen led the charge to enforce stricter reporting requirements on cities and organizations who dump raw sewage in the community. When the City of St. Petersburg dumped tens of millions of gallons of raw sewage, she demanded a Fish & Wildlife investigation into the damage. Kathleen sponsored the Fracking Ban legislation in the Florida House and has been a strong advocate for banning off-shore drilling to protect Florida’s coastline and tourism industry.
Ending the Opioid Crisis
To combat the opioid crisis, a number of proactive and open measures have been initiated at the county level thanks to our Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office. Kathleen will continue to support local efforts to report prescription drug abuse and get opioids off of our streets.
Protecting Consumers
Kathleen has a record of standing up for the constituents she serves, and will continue to do so on the Pinellas County Commission. As Chair of the Energy and Utilities Subcommittee, Kathleen stopped Duke Energy from charging higher rates when a billing cycle changed, established term limits for Public Service Commissioners, and limited the deposits that electric companies may require from customers. She was integral in reforming the Pinellas County Construction Licensing Board that now has increased transparency and public accountability.
Helping Veterans
Florida is widely considered the nation’s most Veteran-friendly state, and Kathleen will fight to make Pinellas County the most Veteran-friendly county. She sponsored legislation which made it possible for all veterans to receive lower in-state tuition rates at our state colleges and universities as well as voted to remove sales tax on food and drink sold to fellow members of veterans organizations.
Growing Our Economy
Kathleen will ensure that Pinellas is at the forefront of economic development and business recruitment, but also make sure that we’re prepared for the impact that increase will take on our County. As a legislator, Kathleen championed $14.5 million in state funds for Pinellas beach renourishment projects to protect tourism jobs.
Cutting Taxes and Government Spending
Kathleen has voted for over $1 billion in tax and fee reductions, including $428 million in property tax relief for Florida’s homeowners in 2016 alone and helped permanently cut taxes for manufacturers, a barrier to job growth.