Philip Levine in 2018 FL Governor's race
On Budget & Economy:
An economy that works for all Floridians
If we want to create a state with better-paying jobs and an economy that works for all Floridians, it starts with raising the minimum wage, investing in public education,
paying our teachers a fair wage, protecting and preserving our environment, and taking serious steps to curb the threat of gun violence.
Source: 2018 Florida Governor campaign website PhilipLevine2018.com
Oct 9, 2018
On Civil Rights:
History of being a fierce champion for LGBTQ rights
Philip has always been a fierce champion for LGBTQ rights. As Mayor of Miami Beach, he led the first same-sex weddings in his city after the historic ruling in 2015. Under his administration, his city won consecutive perfect scores from the Human
Rights Campaign for inclusiveness and tolerance - the highest in the state of Florida. Philip will fight to make the Florida Competitive Workforce Act a reality, to ensure that no one of any gender or sexual orientation faces discrimination on the job.
Source: 2018 Florida Governor campaign website PhilipLevine2018.com
Oct 9, 2018
On Corporations:
Stop special interest tax breaks in Tallahassee
Tallahassee has not been working for Floridians. Under Republican control, the Legislature has been run by an unaccountable majority, cutting deals behind closed doors and giving tax-breaks to special interests. Philip will fight to make sure the
legislature is held accountable. To make Tallahassee serve the people best, Philip proposes using the same standards local governments use and ensure any and all visitors speaking with elected leaders must be publicly available information.
Source: 2018 Florida Governor campaign website PhilipLevine2018.com
Oct 9, 2018
On Crime:
Top-down & bottom-up audit of the Department of Corrections
Our state has almost 100K inmates and the highest voter disenfranchisement rate in the nation. Philip will conduct an extensive, top-down and bottom-up review and investigation of the Department of Corrections. It's time to audit the private prison
scheme to identify fraud that is costing taxpayers money, review the vetting of visitors, so it treats families with respect and dignity, and review and decriminalize minor offenses, so we don't clog our prison system with non-violent offenders.
Source: 2018 Florida Governor campaign website PhilipLevine2018.com
Oct 9, 2018
On Education:
Invest in public schools; stop funds to private/charters
Philip believes it's time to take our public school funding off the back-burner and make the needed investments in our public education system so that everyone can have the same opportunities to advance. Funding public education, paying teachers
fairly, investment in our business of public education must be a top priority. It's time to end the flow of taxpayer money to unaccountable, for-profit charters and private schools and adequately fund our schools, teachers, and our children's future.
Source: 2018 Florida Governor campaign website PhilipLevine2018.com
Oct 9, 2018
On Energy & Oil:
Against offshore drilling; invest instead in solar energy
It's a clear fact: Floridians do not want offshore drilling. Fossil fuels are the old way and we must be ready to adapt so we can succeed in the future. Philip believes our energy future lies in renewable energy and that there is a reason we
are called the "Sunshine State." He will encourage the growth of sustainability by investing heavily in solar and other sources of renewable energy. Philip will also make sure we hold polluters accountable.
Source: 2018 Florida Governor campaign website PhilipLevine2018.com
Oct 9, 2018
On Energy & Oil:
Effectively tackled challenges of climate change in Miami
Philip is running for Governor and is ready to tackle climate change and sea level rise on the first day in office, the same way he did as Mayor of Miami Beach. As Mayor of Miami Beach, Philip worked with community stakeholders on an unprecedented
solution to keep his city from going underwater by investing in seawater pumps, raising roads, improving building codes, and installing seawalls. It worked, and Miami Beach has become a model for cities around the world confronting climate change.
Source: 2018 Florida Governor campaign website PhilipLevine2018.com
Oct 9, 2018
On Gun Control:
We need gun control reform with a common sense approach
Philip believes it's time to take decisive action to reduce gun violence in our communities and make neighborhoods safe. After the events at Pulse Nightclub and Parkland which took too many lives too soon, we must honor their memories with action.
Philip will:- Ban assault-style-rifles in Florida
- Institute universal background checks for all purchases of firearms
- Reverse preemption and empower local governments to establish common-sense rules that work for their communities.
Source: 2018 Florida Governor campaign website PhilipLevine2018.com
Oct 9, 2018
On Health Care:
Expand Medicaid; give healthcare access to everyone
Floridians' access to healthcare has been a political game under Rick Scott's Administration. As Governor, Philip will direct the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration to work with the Federal Government and
expand Medicaid and help almost 700,000 Floridians gain access to the care they badly need. Philip believes it is crucial we build a state where everyone has access to the care they need.
Source: 2018 Florida Governor campaign website PhilipLevine2018.com
Oct 9, 2018
On Homeland Security:
Military veterans should receive the benefits they deserve
Philip Levine appreciates the incredible contribution and sacrifice that our men and women in uniform and their families give to our country. Our men and women in uniform risk their lives for our country, and they deserve
the best healthcare, quality of life, and career opportunities back home. Philip will work to make sure our 1.5 million veterans are cared for, and to provide affordable housing and support for our state's many homeless veterans.
Source: 2018 Florida Governor campaign website PhilipLevine2018.com
Oct 9, 2018
On Immigration:
Fully supports a pathway to citizenship for immigrants
We are a state and a nation of immigrants, and the American Dream is the ability to move and immigrate to the United States. Philip knows that diversity is our strength and a competitive advantage. As Governor,
Philip fully supports a path to citizenship for those who are here and want to contribute to our society. He will stand strong against President Trump to defend the thousands of DREAMers who were brought to our country for a better life.
Source: 2018 Florida Governor campaign website PhilipLevine2018.com
Oct 9, 2018
On Jobs:
For raising minimum wage; let local communities decide rate
To create a state where we all rise together, Philip believes it's time to raise the minimum wage in the state of Florida. It's something he did as Mayor of Miami Beach, as the first city in the state to institute a minimum living wage.
As Governor, Philip will fight to raise the minimum wage past $8.25 and let local communities decide what works best for them.
Source: 2018 Florida Governor campaign website PhilipLevine2018.com
Oct 9, 2018
On Technology:
Infrastructure must be modernized to meet 21st century needs
Philip is all-too-familiar with our state's chronic issues of gridlock and congestion, a huge drag on our economy and a major source of pollution. Philip wants to drive Florida into the 21st century economy and believes we need to connect our
cities with modern transportation methods. High-speed rail, Hyperloop, and other similar initiatives can be a driving force for new jobs and economic advancement throughout Florida.
Source: 2018 Florida Governor campaign website PhilipLevine2018.com
Oct 9, 2018
On Energy & Oil:
$24M project to mitigate sea-rise in Miami Beach
Philip Levine is basing his run for governor on his climate change record--which is complicated."As Levine crisscrosses the state promoting his radical sea-rise agenda on
Miami Beach, his signature accomplishment is springing leaks back home.
Amid questions about planning under Levine's tenure, angst about the city's climate change efforts effectively torpedoed the next steps of the former mayor's agenda.
Because of fierce opposition to a $24 million project that includes raising roads, a divided city commission punted on nearly $90 million of roadway and stormwater improvements in a residential swath of the city."
Source: Tampa Bay Times on 2018 Florida gubernatorial race
Aug 22, 2018
On Drugs:
Combat the opioid epidemic by expanding Medicaid
Too many lives are claimed by these deadly drugs. One of the most effective ways to combat the opioid epidemic: expand Medicaid [which facilitates opioid treatment and medication]..
If I'm honored to be elected Governor, that's exactly what we'll do here in Florida. We must take care of our people.
Source: Twitter posting on 2018 Florida Gubernatorial race
Aug 12, 2018
On Tax Reform:
Level the playing field; rich will pay their fair share
It's time to level the playing field. For too long, corporations have taken advantage of tax laws to essentially avoid paying state taxes - paying fewer taxes than the ordinary family. I will push to institute combined reporting, where corporations
would have to pay their fair share if they do business in the state of Florida. My administration will also end any giveaways to special interests - we currently have one of the most regressive tax systems in the country.
Source: Miami Herald on 2018 Florida Gubernatorial race
Aug 12, 2018
On Education:
Replace high-stakes testing with more comprehensive scoring
The state has a responsibility to provide a high-quality education to every student. We abandon the achievement of this goal when we use assessment measures incorrectly and inappropriately, specifically, high-stakes testing. The role of assessment
should be formative and diagnostic, not evaluative of overall achievement for the student. Done correctly, testing can help flag students who need extra help. When used as the central standard for assessing overall achievement,
high-stakes standardized testing distorts the whole education process. The state's role in testing, then, should be to serve school districts, to help them with their own assessment strategies, and to provide them with research based best practices.
I would not abolish the school grading system--It is fair to develop robust measures of school performance. As Governor but I could create a more comprehensive scoring system that takes more factors into account than standardized test scores.
Source: Tampa Bay Times on 2018 Florida gubernatorial race
Jul 26, 2018
On Abortion:
Women have the right to be pro-choice, government keep out
Our government has no place in a woman's body, ok? That's number one. And number two, I believe firmly in every woman's right to choose. But I think the question is going to come down to the courts. We have three important
Florida Supreme Court justices that the next governor of Florida will hopefully have the opportunity to appoint. We need to make sure those three judges are fair, they have integrity and they have knowledge of the law.
Source: WLM on 2018 Florida Gubernatorial debates
Jun 12, 2018
Page last updated: Jun 10, 2019