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Civic Positions/Experience
Orange County Commission on Aging- Volunteer
Campaign Phone
4079634113
We have to look at curtailing tax exemptions that do not create direct jobs in the county. we also need to put pressure to change the state law that limits the use of tourism tax, to allow fo rit to pay for basic services, first responders, police and infrastructure used by the tourism industry 24/7.
Mass transit has to be expanded and made more convenient than using your own vehice to come visit us. We need to take commuters out of I-4 and into mass transit. We do need some road development to increase speed of mass transit and make it better than driving your own car. Brightline expansion is a must, but it has to go to places we ALL want to go. No reason why we see this as en expense when its an investment in our future. We need people to be able to move from coast to coast using mass transit.
Orange county Govermnent has to become landlord or two type of tenants. 1-The working Poor. We need to provide our own safe and affordable housing that provides the labor and supoorts our second type of tenant. 2- the small Business that requires an affordable place of business to create employment for our own people. We need to invest in safe, secure and affordable warehouses, cafeterias, restaurants, office buildings that hosts private small businesses for 3 to 5 years, so they can employ our own people and incentivize them to grow out of those spaces so the next crop of new businesses can start. No reason why we can't buy and re-invigorate the slew of abandoned strip malls and shopping centers that could use good paying tenants.
This is an uphill battle since the State Agencies mostly cater to their own interests. The amount of backroom deals is abusive and needs to be agressively tackled. We need our own independent testing labs that will do what The State refuses to do, chase after the big polluters in local courts. We also need to pressure into compliance the users of the Aquifer that have permits for billions of gallos while paying almost nothing for the water they use.
Currently serving another terms in the Orange County Commission on Aging. We have a ull agenda of current and future iniciatives for various parts of Orange County. I will probaby also need to get involved in the Transportation Commission as they may need a firm hand to move their agenda forward.
It is risible how Tallahassee only send inquisitors to critique how Orange county spends the money they make for the benefit of their own constituents. We need to keep impresing on the State administration that we wont be bullied by innuendos and false critique while they spend money they havent earned in projects that only benefit their political friends. I can see this being a battle that will play in some part in the courts, and part will played with our constituents, which is the peope that we need to answer to at th end of the day. We need to make sure our local power on local issues is defended and that we follow the proper guidelines in our local laws to keep State intervention to a minimun.
We can't pave over every lake, reservoir and infill preserve. Just because agricultural land is sold, does not mean we need to grant zoning changes to everyone. The buyer knew it was agricultural, it has to stay agricultural. we need to protect our productive agricultural land that also provides replenishent to the Aquifer, keeps the flooding under control when Hurricanes come and can easily become farm to table food providers. We need to protect our food sources. Florida Thrives with its natural beauty on display and we should aways have present that we can't eat money, server, rockets or Mega Yacths. We need actual food, local bees, flowers, fruits and vegetables that will strenghten our present and future.
Yes, I have received input that the starting salary of new EMT's and Firefighters make them prctical Homeless. Couch surfing is a fact of life in Florida. We cant have Millions of dollars for advertising, and zero dollars for our Police, First reponders and their families that make all of this happen. We need to take on the State Legislative process head on, and while that marinates, also create our own formula to charge these heavy tourism areas their corresponding fees to cover their services, infrastructure and support.
Civic Positions/Experience
Chairman of the board of Friends Community Church , Orange County Code Enforcement Board Member
Campaign Phone
3214304997
Twitter
x.com/HAASforOCD8
For Orange County, loss of property tax revenue estimates as high as 14%. A complete operations audit is the first step toward reducing the tax burden. We need to know where redundancies can be eliminated and identify savings. All options are available to decrease the residents' tax burden. For example, introduce new technologies to streamline government operations and improve efficiency. Evaluate other options like early retirements and others, or implement fees for services if needed.
As a mechanical engineer, I evaluate transportation as a system; optimization and infrastructure; capacity problem. MetroPlan Orlando data indicates that 64% of local drivers cite traffic gridlock as their primary daily barrier , while public transit face-offs center on infrequent schedules and long travel times.
We cannot solve our congestion crisis purely by adding regressive local sales taxes. My vision focuses on a disciplined, two-pronged strategy:
● Optimizing Roadway Operations: Accelerate critical planned road capacity projects and deploy smart, data-driven traffic signal timing across key corridors in and around District 8 . Securing future infrastructure rights-of-way early through disciplined long-range capital planning reduces acquisition costs down the line.
● Targeted, Practical Transit Solutions: Mass transit must be tailored to corridors where density makes it functional and self-sustaining. Rather than forcing high-cost rail into low-density suburban areas, we should focus public transit investments on high-capacity corridors, express connections to major employment nodes (UCF, OIA, downtown, the Convention Center) , and flexible microtransit models for first-and-last-mile connectivity.
Housing affordability is fundamentally governed by the economic laws of supply and demand. When local government creates artificial supply bottlenecks through multi-year administrative reviews, restrictive zoning models, and protracted permitting timelines, it inflates financing fees and carrying costs—costs that developers ultimately pass straight down to home buyers and renters.
To naturally stabilize housing costs and expand workforce options, I support:
● Re-Engineering Administrative Workflows: Modernizing the county's review processes into flat, agile workflows to slash approval delays and reduce developer holding costs.
● Updating Land Development Codes: Streamlining zoning models to naturally encourage a diversified housing matrix—ranging from single-family homes to high-density workforce housing near job centers.
● Incentivizing Infill Development: Streamlining approvals along established commercial and transit corridors equipped with existing utility infrastructure , reducing the need for expensive county infrastructure extensions.
Protecting Central Florida’s freshwater supply and fragile spring ecosystems requires proactive engineering and rigorous environmental stewardship. The Floridan Aquifer is a finite resource, and managing growth requires a data-driven approach to water conservation and watershed management.
My action plan includes:
● Accelerating Septic-to-Sewer Conversions: Transitioning legacy neighborhoods from aging septic tanks to central county sewer systems to drastically reduce nitrogen runoff entering our springs and groundwater .
● Modernizing Stormwater Infrastructure: Enhancing stormwater utility management and retention standards to capture, treat, and filter runoff before it reaches local waterways, enhancing natural aquifer recharge zones .
● Scientific & Inter-Agency Collaboration: Working closely with the St. Johns and South Florida Water Management Districts , UCF researchers, and state environmental agencies to establish scientifically sound recharge metrics, ensuring development density never exceeds regional water sustainability limits.
I applied my project-management and engineering background directly to solve a critical infrastructure crisis in my own neighborhood. Families on Lake Downey Drive were relying on well systems where tests suggested water contamination.
Recognizing that an existing public water supply line ran along an adjacent street, I organized my neighbors to present a unified petition for a county water connection . I partnered directly with District 4 Commissioner and county utility staff to map out a clear project timeline and navigate the administrative process. By presenting a clear value proposition and building consensus between residents and local government, we successfully drove the project to execution and delivered clean, potable county water directly to our street.
Protecting Home Rule is not about political posturing; it is about clear communication, technical preparation, and effective negotiation. Having spent nearly 20 years as a proposal manager and technical negotiator, managing complex multi-million-dollar agreements, I know that contention relationships lead to gridlock.
To protect local decision-making power from state preemption, the Board of County Commissioners should:
● Engage in Proactive, Data-Backed Advocacy: Present state lawmakers with thorough economic and technical impact analyses before legislation is drafted, demonstrating how local policies address community needs without harming broader state economic priorities .
● Build Regional Coalitions: Partner with neighboring county commissions, municipal governments, and regional planning councils to present a unified Central Florida voice in Tallahassee.
● Focus on Common Alignment: Focus on collaborative upwards management—aligning county infrastructure, economic development, and public safety priorities with state frameworks to eliminate unnecessary regulatory friction while safeguarding community standards.
Growth in Orange County is inevitable, but unmanaged sprawl is not. My vision balances sustainable economic progress with environmental conservation through disciplined planning.
● Protecting Rural and Sensitive Lands: Environmentally sensitive lands; including our Green PLACE properties , wetlands, and natural wildlife corridors; can't be disregarded to safeguard ecosystems. High-density growth should not be infringing on protected land.
● Smart Infill and Infrastructure-First Growth: Future growth should be channeled toward urban cores and transit-supported corridors where roads, utilities, and emergency services already exist.
● Concurrency in Planning: We must ensure that infrastructure expansion; roads, clean water, stormwater management, and schools; is funded and engineered ahead of new residential approvals rather than catching up after congestion and environmental stress occur.
Yes, within clear legal and statutory guidelines, TDT investments should deliver mutual benefit to both visitors and the local residents who make our tourism economy possible.
With Orange County welcoming more than 75 million visitors annually, our public infrastructure, transportation networks, and emergency services experience significant daily wear and tear. Over 69% of local residents support utilizing visitor-based revenue to fund regional mobility and infrastructure needs.
We should actively explore state legislative adjustments and legal avenues to allow TDT funds to support regional transit corridors connecting major tourist hubs to resident employment centers (such as OIA, the Convention Center, and downtown) , as well as supplemental funding for public safety and emergency medical services deployed heavily in resort districts . Protecting the customer experience for tourists and improving quality of life for residents go hand in hand.
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Civic Positions/Experience
Redistricting Board of Orange County/ LatinAmerican Advisory Board Orange County Sherriff/ Industrial Development Board
Campaign Phone
4077825188
I do not support eliminating property taxes without first identifying a sustainable replacement for the revenue they provide. Property taxes help fund essential county services, including public safety, parks, libraries, infrastructure, and other services residents rely on every day.
If changes to the property tax system are proposed, they should be carefully evaluated to ensure Orange County can continue providing quality services without shifting the burden to other taxes or reducing essential services. My priority is responsible fiscal management that protects both taxpayers and the services our community depends on.
Orange County needs both a strong road network and effective mass transit. As our county grows, this should not be viewed as an either-or decision.
My priority is to improve mobility by investing strategically, coordinating transportation planning with growth, and making the best use of existing funding before asking taxpayers for additional taxes. We also need to continue pursuing state and federal funding opportunities and work with regional partners to address our long-term transportation needs.
Transportation is about giving residents options while keeping our economy moving.
Affordable housing starts with increasing the housing supply through responsible growth. As County Commissioner, I would support streamlining permitting, encouraging workforce housing where infrastructure can support it, and bringing together the public and private sectors to find practical solutions.
Growth is inevitable. Poor planning is not. We can increase housing opportunities while protecting the quality of life in Orange County.
Protecting our water starts with responsible growth. We cannot continue approving development without understanding its impact on our water resources and infrastructure.
As County Commissioner, I will work with state agencies, the water management district, and local governments to ensure decisions are based on sound science, protect our springs and aquifer, and hold developers accountable for meeting environmental standards. Clean water isn't optional—it's essential to our quality of life and the future of Orange County.
I've worked on many different issues over the years. Sometimes it meant helping parents understand and navigate the school district's Code of Conduct so their children were treated fairly. Other times it meant working with small business owners who were struggling with permitting delays and helping them navigate the county process to get answers and move their projects forward.
Those experiences taught me that government works best when it listens, communicates clearly, and focuses on solving problems. That's the same approach I'll bring as Orange County Commissioner.
I believe local governments understand the needs of their communities better than anyone else. While the state has an important role to play, decisions that primarily affect Orange County should be made as close to the people as possible.
As County Commissioner, I would work with our legislative delegation, neighboring counties, and community leaders to advocate for local control and ensure Orange County has a strong voice before new state laws are adopted. Collaboration is always better than conflict, but I will stand up for our community when local decision-making is at stake.
My vision is responsible growth. Orange County will continue to grow, but growth must be planned around infrastructure, not the other way around.
We need to focus development where roads, schools, utilities, and public services can support it, while protecting rural areas, wetlands, and wildlife corridors that are important to our quality of life and environment.
Growth is inevitable. Poor planning is not. The County Commission must be disciplined, transparent, and willing to say no when a project does not protect the long-term interests of our community.
Yes—but through a thoughtful update to state law. I do not support raising taxes on Orange County residents when we should first maximize the resources we already have.
The Tourist Development Tax exists because of our strong tourism economy. I support working with our state legislators to modernize the statute so a portion of those funds can be invested in transportation and infrastructure projects that benefit both visitors and residents, while continuing to support the tourism industry that generates those revenues in the first place.
Before asking taxpayers for more, let's make better use of what we already have.
Civic Positions/Experience
12 Years in the Florida Legislature; 4 in the House and 8 in the Senate
Campaign Phone
407-466-1140
Twitter
x.com/VicTorres_F
Property taxes help fund essential county services like public safety, transportation, parks, and infrastructure. If those revenues decline, we need a responsible plan that includes efficient budgeting, eliminating waste where it exists, pursuing additional state support, and growing our local economy. I do not believe we should balance the budget by cutting critical services that families rely on every day.
This should not be an either-or choice. As a former LYNX bus driver, I know we need reliable transit, but I also know our roads must keep pace with growth. I support expanding SunRail, strengthening LYNX service, improving road and intersection capacity where needed, and making sure transportation infrastructure is planned before new development, not after. We need a balanced system that gives people real transportation options with dedicated funding from the state and feds.
We need more housing that working families, seniors, and young professionals can actually afford. I support encouraging mixed-income housing, converting underused commercial properties into housing where appropriate, streamlining responsible development, and expanding workforce housing near jobs and transit. We also need to ensure infrastructure keeps pace with growth so new housing strengthens our communities instead of straining them.
Protecting our water resources is essential to Orange County's future. I support protecting wetlands, strengthening storm water management, investing in resilient infrastructure, and making land-use decisions that safeguard groundwater recharge areas. I will work closely with the St. Johns River Water Management District, neighboring counties, and state agencies to ensure growth is planned responsibly while protecting our aquifer and natural resources for future generations.
During my years in the Florida Legislature, I worked across local and state government to improve transportation, support veterans, and expand affordable housing opportunities. I understood that lasting solutions required bringing together local officials, community organizations, and state agencies. My approach has always been to listen first, build relationships, and focus on solving problems instead of scoring political points.
Local leaders understand their communities better than officials in Tallahassee. The County Commission should continue working with other Florida counties, municipalities, and local government organizations to advocate for home rule and push back against unnecessary state preemption. I also believe maintaining strong communication with our legislative delegation helps ensure local concerns are heard before new laws are passed.
Orange County can grow without losing what makes it special. Growth should be planned, not rushed, with transportation, schools, utilities, and storm water infrastructure keeping pace with development. I support protecting rural communities, wetlands, wildlife corridors, and environmentally sensitive lands while encouraging redevelopment and smart growth in areas that already have infrastructure. Good planning creates stronger neighborhoods and protects our quality of life.
Tourism is one of Orange County's biggest economic drivers, and Tourist Development Tax dollars should continue to support and strengthen that industry. At the same time, I support using TDT funds for projects that both enhance our tourism economy and provide lasting benefits to residents when permitted under state law. Investments like transportation improvements, cultural venues, sports facilities, and infrastructure can improve quality of life for local families while making Orange County an even stronger destination for visitors.
