Green Economic Development
This country is facing two enormous challenges: a stagnant economy which is shedding jobs and reducing quality of life and climate change which is threatening life, as we know it, on this planet. Fortunately, there is one solution which can solve our two biggest problems: Green Economic Development.
A Green Economy is one based on reduced carbon emissions and waste on the one hand and jobs on the other. Retrofitting buildings, upgrading to green certified construction, expanding recycling programs and investing in solar power will spur economic development, create jobs and contribute to reduced carbon emissions necessary to save the planet from global warming.
In South Florida, we have a virtual power plant in the form of the sun. As such, we must invest in solar power and in making South Florida a hub of green economic development in the world.
Best of all, with the Green Economy, we do not have to choose between our economy and the environment- we can support them both.
In Congress, I will call for a Green New Deal designed to both jumpstart our economy and to save our planet.
Affordable Housing
The current housing crisis has undermined our economy and decimated our communities. South Florida has one of the highest foreclosure rates in the US leaving our families and communities vulnerable. There can be no stable communities without a stable housing sector.
In order to prevent future housing crises, we need to properly regulate banks and other lending institutions in order to prevent unethical lending practices and fraud in the finance industry. Let’s make sure that consumers have access to clear and easy to understand rules and lending standards. In some cases, we’ll probably need to go after those who break the law, putting our entire economic system at risk.
To address the crisis now, for those families without adequate housing, we need to find good use for the tens of thousands of homes sitting vacant across South Florida and the country. Building a new home in South Florida today costs close to $100,000, making the notion of “affordable housing” very difficult to realize. A good solution could bring private and not-profit sectors together, with the full help of government, to turn some of these vacant houses into affordable homes.
In these challenging times, only innovative ideas will solve our problems. The time has come to move in a different direction with the glut of vacant homes.
