By Tim Canova — Candidate for Florida’s 23rd Congressional District

The Resolutions Committee at the Florida Democratic Party 2017 State Conference in Orlando, Florida (10/28/17)

Thanks to the hard work of so many progressives, after long and spirited debates, the Florida Democratic Party this weekend passed a slate of resolutions that mirror much of our campaign agenda. At a time when many fellow progressives are fighting for reform, Florida Democrats passed the most progressive resolution platform in the party’s history by a vote of 879 to 13.

Here are a few highlights of these historic resolutions:

Demanding that large corporations and the wealthiest Americans pay their fair share of taxes, while closing tax loopholes and taxing Wall Street transactions.

Opposing taxpayer subsidies to for-profit charter schools, while calling for full funding and support for high-quality, tuition-free education from pre-K through post-secondary education.

Opposing the for-profit justice system and private prisons.

Opposing all forms of fracking, including hydraulic fracturing, acid fracturing, and well-stimulation; opposing the construction, operation, and funding of the Sabal Trail Pipeline; and supporting solar energy development.

Demanding automatic restoration of voting rights to Floridians with felony convictions after they have completed all terms of their sentence (including parole and probation).

Supporting automatic voter registration at age of 18, online voter registration, a national voting holiday and protections from gerrymandering.

Supporting fundamental campaign finance reform by enacting fair and public financing of elections, while encouraging the development of small-contribution political fundraising methods and policies. Demanding that public officials be prohibited from working as lobbyists upon leaving office, elimination of lobbyist loopholes, and stronger anti-corruption laws.

Supporting comprehensive immigration reform that provides a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, while offering shelter to refugees fleeing war, persecution, and famine.

Demanding that healthcare be guaranteed to every American as a human right.

Opposing the defunding and privatization of the Veteran Affairs (VA) system.

Supporting policies that distribute resources to addiction treatment prevention, and recovery programs aimed at combating opioid and other drug addictions.

I am proud that our campaign has led the way on many of these issues. Stopping the Sabal Trail Pipeline and banning fracking are top priorities for us. My opponent, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, takes money from the fossil fuels industry and has been silent on these issues. Our campaign opposes private prisons and felony disenfranchisement, and we call for an end to the drug war and the New Jim Crow of mass incarceration. Meanwhile, Wasserman Schultz takes money from the giant private prison industry and supports the private prison-industrial complex.

Our campaign is making a difference in Florida — the largest swing state in the country. We’ve been pushing our progressive agenda for two years and the people are responding everywhere to our message.

These resolutions passed by Florida Democrats are milestones, they provide a foundation on which to build for the future. But there’s much work ahead. We must make sure the party’s actions match its words — for instance, that the party and its candidates will no longer accept donations from the fossil fuels industry, private prison companies, and other predatory corporate interests.

But for now, we celebrate some real progress in moving the party’s agenda and commitments in a decidedly progressive direction. This weekend’s success provides reason to be hopeful and to keep working for reform within this state party.

We will always have strength in numbers — never forget that and never give up the fight!

Visit our website and sign up to join our grassroots campaign to push this progressive agenda state and nationwide!