Fiscal Responsibility

Our county cannot afford to use public dollars to subsidize private corporations while our residents struggle to make ends meet. Kelly believes it’s time to make our county fiscally responsible, and that includes ending its’ current corporate welfare system. 

Her plan includes:

Ensuring that developers pay 100% of the costs associated with land use plan amendments

Diversifying the utilization of the Tourism Development Tax (TDT) for projects that will uplift our communities & improve our economy

Expanding our economy by incentivizing the arrival of new industries that can create new, high-paying jobs

Affordability

While our costs of living keep going up, our wages have remained the same. Kelly will prioritize Orange County’s affordable housing crisis.

Her plan includes:

Cutting bureaucratic red tape to allow for more affordable homes in areas that make sense

Strengthening public-private partnerships to incentivize new affordable housing units being built

Utilizing state and federal dollars to promote homeownership in our community by assisting with closing costs and down payments

Protecting Natural Lands & Clean Water

Irresponsible growth continues to burden our residents and taxpayers, creating new flooding concerns, destroying our environment, and threatening the way of life of rural residents. Kelly believes in building a sustainable future where our kids can enjoy Florida’s natural ecosystems in the same ways we have. 

Her plan includes: 

Protecting our natural resources including wetlands, forests, waterways, and areas of conservation

Establishing and defending our rural boundary while prioritizing smart growth 

Investing in projects that help mitigate the impact of natural disasters and lower greenhouse gas emissions

The Rural Boundary and Responsible Growth

Urban sprawl in Orange County has led to traffic jams, broken roads, crowded schools, increased cost of living and crime, lack of affordable housing, flooding, loss of green spaces, and strain on our infrastructure. Kelly sued Orange County for urban sprawl and the damage it causes our quality of life. She won in court. For more than a decade, Kelly has served as Vice Chair for Save Orange County, where she has tirelessly advocated for responsible development, preserving natural resources, promoting sustainable smart growth, and ensuring our enhanced community well-being.

Ensuring Orange County is a Place for All

Kelly Semrad is a strong and proud ally of the LGBTQ+ community. She has made a lifetime commitment to advocating for equality for all. She is fighting to help make Orange County a safe and inclusive place for LGBTQ+ residents and all community members. She envisions Orange County as a safe destination for all. Kelly is striving to codify protections and allocate funds to create safe spaces and ensuring everyone feels secure and welcomed.

Access to Electric and Affordable Rapid Transit

Orange County deserves clean and affordable transit that runs on renewable energy to combat our poor air quality, expensive sprawl, and congested traffic. Investing in sustainable transportation to help transport residents and tourists will help improve our quality of life and create a healthier environment for all.

Pedestrian and Bike Safety

Orange County urgently needs pedestrian-safe and bike-safe infrastructure, as we hold the unfortunate title of the pedestrian fatality capital of the United States. Our community deserves safe and complete streets that protect all residents and promote a healthier, more connected lifestyle.

Clean and Affordable Water

For over two decades, Kelly Semrad has been a steadfast advocate against the pollution of our waterways, recognizing the critical importance of clean water for our communities. With a staggering 90% of our waterbodies polluted due to overdevelopment and commercial pollution, the urgency of the situation cannot be overstated. Communities like Bithlo and Wedgefield are grappling with the alarming reality of contaminated tap water, highlighting the dire need for action. Kelly understands that access to clean water is a fundamental human right and pledges to be a voice for the county in championing this cause. Ensuring affordable and clean drinking water for all residents is not just a priority but a necessity for the health and well-being of our community.

Providing Resources For the Homeless

Kelly Semrad is a tireless advocate for affordable housing, homelessness support, and mental health resources, recognizing the pressing need for action as she traverses the campaign trail. With the number of homeless individuals in Orange County more than doubling, she proposes repurposing underutilized spaces like old hotels into affordable housing complexes and advocates for federal support to focus housing diversification and shelters in areas with access to transit and essential services.

Combating Human Trafficking in Central Florida

Kelly Semrad has been a vocal advocate against human trafficking for over a decade, recognizing the urgent need to combat this heinous crime in our local community. With global profits of roughly $150 billion annually, $99 billion of which comes from commercial sexual exploitation, human trafficking remains a lucrative and devastating industry. Shockingly, an estimated 71% of enslaved individuals are women and girls, while men and boys account for 29% globally. In Florida, the gravity of the issue is evident as the state ranks third in the nation for calls to the National Human Trafficking Hotline. Statistics reveal a harrowing truth: in 2018, over half (51.6%) of active criminal human trafficking cases in the US involved sex trafficking of children alone. Kelly Semrad is committed to prioritizing the resilience of our community by spearheading initiatives to protect and support the victims of this epidemic. Source