Having been sworn into office on November 22nd, 2022, today marks 100 days for Senator Jay Collins serving the people of the Tampa area in Florida’s State Senate. The retired U.S. Army Green Beret has made bold strides fighting for common-sense victories to help keep Tampa and Florida strong, safe, and free.
“It’s been 100 days since the people of our community have entrusted me to be their voice in Tallahassee, and I am pleased to report that we’ve wasted no time delivering results,” said Senator Jay Collins. “We are moving at an unprecedented speed to deliver results for hard-working Floridians. Stay tuned, there’s a lot left in the tank.”
Below are some of the highlights from Jay’s first 100 days in office:
STANDING UP FOR HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY
Jay was elected as the Chairman of the Hillsborough County Legislative Delegation on February 1st, and has dedicated himself and his staff to serve the people of the District and the County. Jay has fielded hundreds of constituent cases in his first hundred days, received and responded to thousands of concerned constituent emails and phone calls, and put in thousands of miles traveling across the district.
Megan L. of Tampa had this to say regarding the Senator’s work helping her husband’s disability claim:
“I’m so grateful for you! Someone already called and is helping me. Thank you again!”
Megan’s story is one of many.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Jay is sponsoring groundbreaking legislation to codify our God-given and Constitutionally-protected right to bear arms. In addition to enshrining permitless concealed carry, this bill also implements record school safety provisions. This bill will implement weapon-sniffing canine programs, expand the current guardian program, and standardize Florida’s school threat-assessment programs, among other provisions.
Our children deserve to live in a world where our first responders have the tools they need to respond to emergencies in a quick and efficient manner. Jay is sponsoring legislation that will create a system that standardizes mapping of all public schools in the state.
AGRICULTURE
Jay has been named Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture. In the first few meetings the Committee has met with leaders from the vast majority of the state’s agricultural leaders, including but not limited to: Florida’s Farm Bureau, Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association, University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Florida Citrus Commission and Citrus Mutual, Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, the Florida Cattlemen’s Association, and others.
THE ECONOMY
In too many sectors of our economy, occupational licensing regulation keeps qualified individuals from gainful employment. In today’s climate, we need all the workers we can get. Jay is sponsoring legislation that will establish recognition of certification across state lines and military career management fields.
GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY
Florida prides itself on our open and transparent records. Jay is sponsoring legislation that will ensure that Federal agencies operating in the state of Florida must follow the same public records law that our state officials currently follow. He has also sponsored a bill that will standardize flag protocol over government buildings in Florida.
EDUCATION AND PARENTAL RIGHTS
Jay has also been made aware of highly pressing school issues in the District, from health education to new school boundaries. He is heavily engaged with the Hillsborough School Board, the Hillsborough County Commission, concerned parents, and local officials in addressing these issues.
Florida’s students deserve to compete fairly among their peers. Jay is sponsoring a bill that will ensure that all schools have the choice to decide their own path for athletic competition.
Parents have a right to know what their children are learning in school. Jay is sponsoring legislation that will make sure that parents are notified as to their child’s curriculum and are aware of the opt-out process.
VETERANS
Florida prides itself as the most veteran-friendly state in the nation, due in part to the services we offer to those transitioning to civilian life. Jay has sponsored a bill that will help fund workforce education programs for veterans.
Post-9/11 veterans are retiring and are in need of updated services that help cater to their specific needs. Jay has sponsored a bill that will establish new protocols for the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs for basic standards for the operation of veterans’ adult day health care programs for eligible veterans.
These are just a few highlights from Jay’s first 100 days in office. Over the next 100 days he will be working hard to pass the above legislation, among other important priorities for the State of Florida. Stay tuned.
