Education
Education has always been an important issue for Dwight Bullard. He was educated in the public school system in Miami-Dade County and he graduated from Florida A&M University. His mother, Senator Larcenia Bullard, was a lifelong educator teaching at schools both in and out of Florida. Dwight continues in her footsteps as he continues to teach in Forida’s public schools.
As a Florida State Representative, Dwight has worked tirelessly to make education the state’s number one priority. He has sponsored legislation to protect both Florida students and teachers, as well as make funding education paramount.
Dwight believes that higher education should be affordable and accessible to all to help us continue to compete in the global marketplace. That's why he has voted against tuition increases and supports the strengthening of Florida Bright Futures and Pre Paid programs
Environment/ Agriculture
In 2007, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) declared that evidence of global warming was "unequivocal" and that human activities have markedly increased atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases. Unless we make changes, experts uniformly expect that greenhouse-gas emissions will continue to grow and lead to uneven precipitation, more extreme weather events, and rising levels and temperature of ocean waters. This has already begun to effect Florida's fishing and agriculture industries, and Dwight Bullard believes we must do all we can to stem this tide.
Florida's unique coastline and climate make it home to more than 100 endangered and threatened plant and animal species. Dwight supports using our resources wisely and making every effort to restore the Everglades and prevent further destruction of unique natural habitats, such as the coral reefs found just off Florida's coast. That is why Dwight supports funding for alternative energy research. He believes that Florida's sun, wind and biomass hold part of the key to a future free of foreign oil.
From Florida's famous oranges to the newly developed Florida peach, the 47,000 commercial farms and 10 million acres of Florida's agricultural industry have always been an economic engine. While other sectors of Florida's economy have struggled, the state's citrus groves and nurseries, vegetable farms and cattle ranches, have provided Florida with a dependable source of revenue and jobs. Almost 90 percent of our farms are small- and medium-sized family operations. Dwight will work to make sure that agriculture continues to serve as the state’s economic engine.
Economic Development
Florida families are struggling. High rates of unemployment and foreclosure mean that education and social services face deep cuts. That is why Dwight Bullard supported the use of funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Nearly $10 billion being directed to schools, unemployment benefits and healthcare for the needy, among other programs. Transportation and infrastructure projects also will get a boost, putting Floridians to work on roads, bridges, mass transit and water projects.
Additionally, the funds will help stabilize our state’s economy for long-term growth by investing in clean, renewable energy. The Act also provided an historic level of transparency, oversight and strong accountability measures that will help guarantee taxpayer dollars are spent wisely.
The Recovery Act is expected to create or save at least 200,000 in Florida, and I will continue to work to grow that number.
Health Care
Dwight Bullard believes that every American deserves access to affordable, quality health care. In the Florida House, Dwight has supported measures for increasing coverage for society's most vulnerable members, especially children and pregnant women. While moving toward universal coverage will require a significant investment, it will cut costs and improve outcomes in the long run by reducing the use of emergency rooms for basic health care, encouraging the development of relationships with primary care physicians and changing our focus to preventing disease. It will also help our economy by using technology to increase efficiency and reducing the burden small businesses are bearing to ensure their employees have coverage.
Housing
The housing crisis is one of the most critical issues facing Florida. Dwight Bullard believes more needs to be done to help Floridians in danger of losing their homes. Currently, one in five Florida families are one or more months behind in their mortgage payments, and the state has the second-highest foreclosure rate in the nation. Home values have dropped, leaving those who are able to keep their homes often owing more than their home is worth. Dwight knows that homeownership provides stability to neighborhoods and municipalities. It is Dwight’s intent to restore the “American Dream”.
