Michael Harting

Infrastructure / Transportation Flooding – Storms and sea level rise are real issues we need to address, especially in areas like shore Acres that have experienced drastic flooding episodes just this year. The recent 8M grant approved to add new pump stations and improve drainage capacity is a great start, but this issue will not simply be drained away. We need to make sure our residents and their homes are prepared by creating incentives for home-hardening. Taxes / Budget Mike is dedicated to keeping taxes and regulations under control, striking a balance that supports economic growth while maintaining essential city services. He understands that a competitive business environment is key to attracting and retaining great employers, which in turn, contributes to the overall prosperity and quality of life in St. Petersburg. Infrastructure / Transportation As we continue to shut down plants and inadequately fund improvements, we are opening ourselves up to more disasters and further pollution of our local waterways. We need to prioritize sewage improvements and lay out an actionable and imminent solution to protect our water. Criminal Justice / Public Safety Mike is the son of a Vietnam Veteran who also served at MacDill. He knows the meaning of service and sacrifice, and will stand up for our police officers and firefighters who work hard to keep our streets safe. Mike will fight on the City Council to make sure our First Responders have the tools they need to protect local families. Infrastructure / Transportation Traffic and Safety – The Tampa/St Pete/Clearwater area is one of the top ten most dangerous for pedestrians in the country. 16% of school and daycare centers in Pinellas County are within 500 feet of a busy roadway. We need to take real steps to keep people, specifically our children, safe. Simply updating our outdated traffic and safety infrastructure, like our 1990s traffic lights, is a good place to start. Housing Streamlining permitting and reducing property taxes are a start, but we need to focus on creative partnerships that ultimately reduce the cost of building and maintaining workforce housing in our city. Government Reform Supporting our city’s vulnerable communities will take more than just writing checks. Through the 3D Foundation, Mike has partnered with groups like Men in the Making, Step Up for Students, and the St. Pete Free Clinic to find working solutions to improve the lives of our less fortunate. On the city Council, Mike will look for more collaboration opportunities that include the communities we are serving in the solution. Economy Mike will prioritize collaboration with local employers to ensure residents have access to good-paying jobs and the training they need to succeed. By streamlining government regulations, he aims to create a more business-friendly environment that attracts new employers and encourages existing businesses to expand. His practical approach to governance is rooted in his belief that a vibrant local economy benefits everyone.