Frank J. Russo

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Frank's affordability agenda takes on those pressures together - with practical plans to lower costs, protect homeowners, expand opportunity and invest in the people who make Florida work.

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Frank wants to raise Florida's average teacher salary to at least $75,000, strengthen teacher recruitment and retention, and expand skilled trades, apprenticeships and career pathways so every student has a path to a good-paying future. He is also working to become a Florida substitute teacher because leadership begins by listening - and Frank believes elected officials should experience the classrooms their decisions affect.

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His approach is pro-innovation, pro-business and pro-accountability - protecting taxpayers and communities, preparing Florida workers for an economy transformed by AI, and giving more entrepreneurs a fair shot to build something successful.

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His Common Sense Immigration Principles focus on stronger public safety partnerships, targeting violent criminals, traffickers and gangs, cracking down on worker exploitation, supporting legal immigration and pushing Washington to finally address a broken federal immigration system.

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His Florida Medical Freedom Initiative protects informed consent and individual medical choice while strengthening patient rights, access to accurate information and transparency and accountability in public health decision-making.

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His philosophy is Caring Capitalism - encouraging entrepreneurship, investment, growth and extraordinary success while recognizing that a strong economy also depends on teachers, nurses, tradespeople, first responders, workers and families being able to afford a future here.

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Data Centers & AI Infrastructure - Welcome technology investment while requiring major projects receiving public incentives to plan responsibly for power, water and infrastructure needs and deliver measurable benefits to the communities where they build.

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Florida's success should be measured by whether the people who already live here can afford to stay here. Families don't experience insurance, housing, property taxes and everyday costs as separate problems - they all come out of the same paycheck.

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Great schools start with great teachers - and Frank believes the people making education policy should listen to the people actually living it.

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Create a Catastrophic Hurricane & Wind Protection Program

Frank would pursue a statewide catastrophic hurricane and wind protection program providing up to the first $500,000 of eligible residential property coverage for hurricane and wind risk. The goal would be to reduce the hurricane-wind portion of eligible premiums by as much as 50% - but Frank's plan specifically makes that goal subject to independent actuarial review, financial solvency analysis, catastrophe stress testing, regulatory approval and sustainable claims-paying capacity.

Create a Florida Homeowner Bill of Rights

Frank's plan includes stronger consumer protections and a Florida Homeowner Bill of Rights designed to give homeowners greater transparency and accountability when dealing with insurance companies.

Help Floridians Harden Their Homes

Frank would expand mitigation and home-hardening assistance, particularly for working families, seniors, veterans, teachers, first responders, lower-income homeowners and people living in high-risk communities.

Put Accountability Where It Belongs

His plan calls for pursuing a constitutional amendment to restore an elected Insurance Commissioner, rather than continuing with a position appointed through the current system. Ultimately, Florida voters would decide whether to make that change.

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Property Tax Relief

You shouldn't be taxed out of a home you've worked your entire life to own.

Frank supports responsible property tax relief while protecting schools, public safety and essential services. But he also believes government needs to do its part - eliminate waste, spend smarter and show taxpayers where their money is going.

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Frank’s Housing Accountability Plan

As Governor, Frank would work to:

Increase transparency - Give Floridians a clearer picture of how taxpayer-supported housing projects are performing and whether they're actually meeting their affordability commitments.

Tie incentives to results - When developers receive public support in exchange for providing affordable housing, require measurable, long-term affordability outcomes.

Protect workforce housing - Support housing options for teachers, nurses, first responders, hospitality workers and other essential employees who increasingly struggle to live in the communities they serve.

Protect taxpayer investments - Strengthen oversight and performance requirements for housing developments receiving public assistance.

Keep Florida building - Maintain a business-friendly environment that encourages responsible private-sector development and increases Florida's housing supply.

Make Rent Relief About More Than a Temporary Fix

Frank believes Florida needs to address the underlying shortage of attainable housing while making sure taxpayer-supported housing actually remains affordable for the people it was intended to serve.

That means looking beyond short-term fixes and asking whether Florida's housing policies are producing more attainable homes, more long-term affordability and more opportunities for working Floridians to remain in their communities.

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What Does 9.9 Mean?

The proposal is straightforward:

The first $1 million in spending - $0 in proposed Florida consumption tax.

Spending costs above $1 million - proposed 9.9% consumption tax.

Where Would the Money Go?

The Florida Future Fund

Frank does not want this money disappearing into Tallahassee's general fund.

Revenue would be legally protected and dedicated to investments in Floridians and Florida's economic future.

Teachers - Raise Florida's average teacher salary to at least $75,000 and improve recruitment and retention.

Housing - Expand first-time homeownership opportunities and address housing affordability.

Healthcare - Address nursing shortages and strengthen Florida's healthcare workforce.

Skilled Trades - Expand trade schools, apprenticeships and skilled workforce programs.

AI & the Future of Work - Prepare students and workers for emerging technologies and help Floridians adapt as automation changes industries and jobs.

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Children, Teachers & Trades

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Data Centers & AI Infrastructure

Florida should compete for AI, technology investment and high-paying jobs - but existing residents shouldn't be left paying for the infrastructure that makes major developments possible.

Frank's Florida Community Dividend framework would require major data center projects receiving public incentives to plan responsibly for their power, water and infrastructure needs while providing binding, measurable benefits to the communities where they build.

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AI & the Future of Work

AI is going to change how Floridians work, what skills employers need and which industries grow.

Frank wants Florida preparing now - attracting the industries and jobs of the future while investing in education, skilled workforce programs and opportunities that help Floridians adapt as AI and automation reshape the economy. His Florida Future Fund specifically includes investment in preparing students and workers for AI and emerging technologies.

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Women’s Entrepreneurship

A good idea shouldn't depend on having the right connections or already having access to capital.

Frank's proposed $100 million Florida Women's Entrepreneur Initiative would help qualified women learn the fundamentals of running a business, develop a viable plan, access professional support, compete for performance-based startup assistance and grow businesses that create Florida jobs.

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Secure. Legal. Humane.

Frank believes in secure borders. He believes in the rule of law. And as Governor, his first responsibility will always be keeping Floridians safe. But immigration is personal to Frank too. His family came to this country for the same reason generations of families have come here - for a chance to work hard, build a life and give their children something better. That's why Frank doesn't believe we have to choose between enforcing the law and treating people with dignity. Protect our communities. Follow the law. Support legal immigration. Treat people like human beings. We can do all four.

Keep Floridians Safe

Frank's first responsibility as Governor is to keep Floridians safe.

That means focusing law enforcement resources on the people who actually threaten our communities - violent criminals, drug traffickers, human traffickers and transnational gangs.

As Governor, Frank would strengthen partnerships between Florida law enforcement and federal agencies and prioritize state resources toward removing people who commit violent crimes and pose genuine threats to public safety.

Frank's position is straightforward:

If you are a violent criminal, a trafficker or you're here to hurt people, we need to deal with that. There should be no question about it.

Secure the Border - And Be Honest About Who Controls It

Frank supports securing America's border.

But he's also not going to pretend the Governor of Florida controls the United States border.

Washington does. And Washington needs to do its job.

Immigration is primarily a federal responsibility. A Florida governor cannot create citizenship, establish federal immigration status or single-handedly fix the nation's immigration system.

What Florida can do is strengthen public safety partnerships, combat trafficking and exploitation, enforce the laws within its authority and make sure our state is doing its part.

Frank believes leadership starts with being honest about what you can control - and then getting to work on it.

Go After the People Exploiting Workers

Frank believes accountability has to go both ways.

If a business or individual knowingly exploits undocumented workers or commits immigration-related fraud, they should be held accountable too.

Frank would crack down on that exploitation while strengthening employment verification requirements for state agencies and state contractors so taxpayer-funded jobs comply with federal law.

If you're breaking the law to exploit vulnerable workers, you don't get a free pass either.

Respect People Who Follow the Rules

Frank believes legal immigration has helped build America.

People who come here legally, work hard, follow the rules, raise families, build businesses and contribute to their communities should know that matters.

Frank would expand English-language and workforce-development opportunities that help legal immigrants successfully integrate into Florida's economy.

For Frank, this comes back to his own family's story.

His family came to America looking for an opportunity to work hard and build something better for the next generation.

That's part of Frank's story. And it's part of America's story.

Washington Needs to Fix What’s Broken

For too long, Washington has argued about immigration without fixing the system.

Frank believes the federal government needs to secure the border, enforce the law and finally create a legal process that actually works.

He supports calling on Congress to establish an earned federal process for long-term, law-abiding residents who meet strict legal requirements, including background checks and compliance with federal law.

This isn't something Frank can create as Governor - and he won't pretend otherwise.

But he can use Florida's voice to push Washington to act.

Frank believes the principle should be clear:

People who commit violent crimes should be removed. People who work hard, obey the law and contribute to their communities deserve a system that is fair, orderly and rooted in the rule of law.

Get the Right People at the Table

Frank doesn't believe Tallahassee has all the answers.

He would establish a Governor's Immigration Advisory Council bringing together law enforcement, business leaders, agriculture, faith leaders, legal immigrants and local officials.

These are people who see different sides of immigration every day.

Frank wants to hear from them.

What's working? What's not? What are we missing? And what can Florida actually do better?

Listen first. Then lead.

The Ellis Island Promise

Frank calls his approach The Ellis Island Promise because America should never have to choose between strength and humanity.

We can secure our borders.

We can enforce the law.

We can protect our communities.

We can support legal immigration.

And we can treat people with dignity.

Frank believes America has always been strongest when we combine accountability with opportunity.

The Ellis Island Promise is about keeping both.

The Test Is Simple

Immigration has become one of the most divisive issues in America. Frank doesn't believe shouting louder is going to fix it.

He comes back to a few basic questions:

Are we keeping Floridians safe?

Are we enforcing the law fairly and responsibly?

Are we respecting people who follow the legal process?

Are we holding criminals, traffickers and people who exploit workers accountable?

And are we still treating people like human beings?

Frank believes we don't have to choose between strength and humanity.

We can be strong and still be decent. We can do both.

Frank J. Russo for Governor

Rachel Rodriguez for Lieutenant Governor

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Your Health. Your Choice.

Frank believes lawful medical decisions should be made by Floridians in consultation with their healthcare providers - not dictated by government. Government has a role. It should protect public health, make accurate information available, establish fair laws and be transparent about the decisions it makes. But Frank doesn't believe government should substitute its judgment for yours. Your health. Your family. Your choice - with good information, personal responsibility and the freedom to make an informed decision.

Protect Informed Consent

Medical freedom starts with knowing what you're agreeing to.

Frank believes Floridians should have access to accurate, understandable information before making lawful medical decisions.

Patients should be able to ask questions, understand the risks and benefits of their options and make decisions in consultation with healthcare professionals they trust.

Frank's principle is simple:

Give people the facts. Let them ask questions. Respect their right to make an informed decision.

Strengthen Patient Rights

Patients shouldn't feel like bystanders in decisions about their own health.

Frank wants to strengthen access to medical records, treatment information and shared decision-making between patients and their healthcare providers.

That means giving Floridians the information they need to participate meaningfully in decisions about their care.

The patient should be part of the conversation - not the last person brought into it.

Give Floridians the Facts

Frank believes public health agencies have an obligation to be clear with the public.

When government makes a major public health recommendation, Floridians should be able to understand the scientific evidence and reasoning behind it.

Frank's initiative would increase transparency in public health communications and expand access to clear, evidence-based health information so families can make informed decisions for themselves.

Frank doesn't believe transparency weakens public trust.

It's how you earn it.

Freedom Comes With Responsibility

Frank believes medical freedom and personal responsibility go together.

People should have the freedom to make lawful decisions about their health - and government should encourage Floridians to take an active role in protecting it.

That includes preventive care, healthy lifestyles and informed healthcare choices rather than relying on one-size-fits-all mandates.

For Frank, freedom doesn't mean ignoring responsibility.

Freedom and responsibility go hand in hand.

Make Public Health Decisions More Transparent

Frank believes government should be held to the same standard of accountability it expects from everyone else.

When major public health decisions are made, Floridians deserve to know:

What information was considered?

What does the evidence show?

Why was this decision made?

And who is accountable for it?

Frank's initiative would give Floridians greater visibility into how major healthcare and public health policies are developed and how decisions affecting them are made.

Respect the Voters

Frank believes the same principle applies when Floridians are asked to make major healthcare or public-policy decisions themselves.

That includes issues such as Florida's ongoing debate over adult-use cannabis.

Frank believes voters ultimately decide constitutional amendments. His responsibility is to make sure Floridians receive clear ballot language, accurate public education and honest information so they understand what they're being asked to decide.

Whether the question involves healthcare, public health or cannabis policy, Frank's position is consistent:

Give people the facts. Be honest about the choices. Trust Floridians to make an informed decision.

Government Serves the People

Frank's Medical Freedom Initiative is ultimately about a broader principle that guides how he believes government should operate.

Government serves the people - not the other way around.

Frank doesn't believe a Governor's job is to substitute his judgment for yours.

His job is to protect your rights, make government transparent, provide Floridians with accurate information and build public trust through honesty and accountability.

The Test Is Simple

When government makes decisions involving the health and medical freedom of Floridians, Frank believes we should ask:

Do people have accurate information?

Are patients part of the decision?

Is informed consent being protected?

Is government being transparent about the evidence and reasoning behind its decisions?

And are we respecting the right of Floridians to make lawful choices for themselves and their families?

Frank believes individual liberty and accountability aren't opposites.

Protect people's rights. Give them the facts. Trust them to make informed decisions.

Frank J. Russo for Governor

Rachel Rodriguez for Lieutenant Governor

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