Florida House District 80 Q&A: Byron Donalds

Name: Byron Donalds

Age: 39

Family: Wife, Erika; sons Damon, Darin and Mason (15, 11 and 7, respectively)

Lived in the district since: 2012 (lived in Collier County since 2003)

Work background: Financial adviser 

Public service: Elected to Florida House in 2016, Florida SouthWestern State College trustee, 2014-16

Political party: Republican

Q: Why should voters elect you?

A: When I ran for office in 2016, I said I would fight for education reform policies to improve education for all of Florida’s children. I have quickly become a leader on education policy in the Legislature. I also said I will work to get funding to fix State Road 82 so the people of Immokalee can have a safer road. The necessary funding and projects for State Road 82 are now in the five-year work plan at FDOT. I have proven to be an effective legislator, and a representative that will fight hard for the people I am honored to represent.

Q: What would be your top three priorities if you are elected?

A: My top three priorities are policies concerning education reform, criminal justice reform, and funding for Everglades restoration to eliminate blue-green algae in our waterways.

Q: Is Florida doing enough to solve Southwest Florida's algae crisis? Why or why not?

A: Florida is doing enough, but citizens must understand fixing the algae crisis will take consistent funding from the state and federal government to complete the water projects necessary to flow water south into the Everglades. The Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan was created in 2000, but no projects have been completed. For the past four years the Florida Legislature has committed $200 million dollars per year to go toward these essential projects. The federal government is finally stepping up to do their part. We must remain consistent to actually fix the problem. Finger pointing feels good, but it doesn’t solve problems.

Q: What role does the state have in regulating growth in Southwest Florida?

A: Regulating growth is not a role for state government.

More:12 amendments on Florida's 2018 election ballot: What they mean

More:Candidates for Fla.'s congressional district 19 talk about their priorities

More:As Collier sales tax hike looms on ballot, Chamber of Commerce, GOP take sides