While speaking in Tampa this week, Lt. Gov. Jay Collins shared his Operation (F3) "Florida Families First" education plan to strengthen parental rights and implement common-sense solutions to counter excessive federal overreach in classrooms, if elected governor.
“Florida’s families need a Governor who truly understands the classrooms, the challenges, and the dreams of Florida’s children,” Collins said through a release. “Florida doesn’t need more Washington-style bureaucracy. We need bold, practical leadership rooted in our values, and that’s exactly what I’ll deliver as your next Governor.”
Operation (F3) has three main components:
Cybersecurity & Protecting Our Kids
Lt. Gov. Collins' plan includes safeguards against artificial intelligence (AI). Specifically, Collins indicated investments into "cybersecurity, training, and partnerships" with the state's defense and technology sectors to regulate AI, including data protection.
Rejecting One-Size-Fits-All Bureaucracy
Lt. Gov. Collins pledged to provide parents with educational choice for their children pursuing their career goals, regardless of the path (college/trade/military), over federal control. Moreover, Collins called the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) for children a "bureaucratic nightmare," saying it would shift high costs to taxpayers and create new bureaucracy for IEPs, a program meant for students with disabilities.
Trade Opportunities and Agricultural Training
Collins called for a career push in the state's agricultural sector. In doing so, Collins signaled opportunities in the field would create good-paying jobs and life skills, including apprenticeships, as an alternative to a four-year degree.
Second Lady Layla Collins and Livingstone Academy President and Co-Founder Bernadette Pello joined Collins for the announcement. Both Layla Collins and Pello echoed Collins' plan to implement workforce education and allow students to determine their career path.
Collins is in a Republican primary with U.S Rep. Byron Donalds, former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner, and businessman James Fishback.
Several Florida sheriffs, the Volusia County Deputies Association, and Veterans for America First have endorsed Collins in the race.
The GOP primary is Aug 18.
