The state should fully fund a high-quality education for all children. Our children – and our economy and our future – require that. The well-being and education of our children should be our state’s highest priority, especially when it comes to the investment of public resources in programs that make a real difference in the lives and futures of children. Significant research shows that 90 percent of human brain development occurs by age 5.

If children are our future, Florida should be investing more in them when it matters the most — during their earliest years. Nothing less than the economic future of our state and the stability, safety and security of the communities in which we live is at stake. Studies show that $1 invested in high-quality early childhood programs can save society at least $4 in costs associated with more prisons, more police and prosecution, more remedial programs, higher health-care obligations.

Sea Level Rise is an imminent threat and consequence of global warming. Without innovation and planning it will threaten trillions of dollars of the region’s built environment, our future water supply, our unique natural resources, our agricultural soils, and our basic economy. Dealing with this challenge will require state leadership resources and involvement at the table. Our state can no longer continue to ignore the growing threat of climate change to our economy and livelihood and must take a leading role in finding solutions.

Florida’s beaches and state parks are vital to our state’s economic engine and we must continue doing all we can to protect our state’s natural beauty by recognizing that protecting our environment is vital to the security and enjoyment of future generations of Floridians.

Every Floridian deserves the right to accessible and affordable healthcare options for themselves and their families. Expanding access to health care for hard-working Floridians and our veterans, will create jobs, keep Florida families healthy and more economically secure.

It is vital we expand Medicaid access to the over 750,000 Floridians, including over 41,000 veterans who do not have access to quality, affordable healthcare. Hundreds of thousands of uninsured Floridians suffering from mental illness or substance abuse can be helped by accepting federal Medicaid expansion funding. Floridians have already paid into the system and the funds should be used to assist in making our state’s citizens healthier and more productive.

It’s time for common sense gun safety laws. Duran believes assault weapons have no place in our communities; in the legislature, he will fight to keep guns out of the hands of the mentally ill, convicted criminals, and away from Florida’s schools.