Chuck Clemons: I have kept my promises, delivered results that exceeded expectations
When I first ran for office in 2016, I made promises to serve our community and to make education, the environment, agriculture and the economy legislative priorities. Serving as your state representative has allowed me to not only keep these promises, but to deliver results that exceeded expectations.
Although my dad only went to the sixth grade, he encouraged me to get an education. He told me that education is the one thing no one can take away from you. It has been an honor to make education a legislative priority. The result is record funding of over $1.8 billion for teachers’ salaries, expanded scholarship opportunities for families and strengthened school-based mental health care.
As a part of my personal commitment to education, I have donated 100% of my state representative salary back to my employer, Santa Fe College. As a result, over $175,000 has gone directly to education that includes scholarships for deserving students, so they may also better their lives through education.
I have also been a fierce advocate for springs restoration. I am proud to have been a part of record funding, helping the Florida Legislature designate over $375 million for springs restoration and to invest in rural infrastructure across District 21.
Some accomplishments that are notable include new schools and fire stations for Dixie and Gilchrist counties and, in 2022 alone, $25 million in appropriations.
For the benefit of all Floridians, I have worked closely with Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis to ensure that both consumers and small businesses are protected. On the consumer side, I led legislation — now law — which requires businesses to allow consumers to cancel subscription services in the same manner they were able to sign up.
For small businesses, my legislation closed a tax loophole for out-of-state sellers, ensuring Florida businesses were no longer at a disadvantage. I’ve also championed legislation with Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, which closed a loophole for sexual predators. All convicted sexual predators are now required to register with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, irrespective of any unmet requirements of their sentence.
The above are just a few examples of how the promises I have made have become promises I have kept.
I have a proven record of community service, and given the opportunity, I will continue to serve our community for the right reasons.
The following have endorsed my re-election: Florida Chamber of Commerce, Fraternal Order of Police, Florida Police Benevolent Association, the International Association of Firefighters, the Gator Fire Council, Florida Sheriffs Association, Associated Industries of Florida, National Federation of Independent Businesses, Florida Association of Realtors, Builders Association of North Central Florida, Gilchrist Sheriff Bobby Schultz, Levy Sheriff Bobby McCallum, Mayor Jordan Marlowe, and Mayor Trip Lancaster.
My wife, Jane, and I have four children and three grandchildren. Faith, family and community are the basis from, if reelected, I will serve my last term in the Florida House of Representatives.
To learn more, please visit www.ChuckClemons.com.
Chuck Clemons is running for the Florida House of Representatives, District 22. This piece is part of a series of opinion columns written by candidates for office that are being published before November's election.
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This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Chuck Clemons: My campaign platform for Florida House District 22
