JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jay Collins, Florida’s lieutenant governor and gubernatorial candidate, recently discussed his top policy priorities and views on key issues in an interview on This Week in Jacksonville.
Collins emphasized three main priorities: “economy, education, and safety and security in the community.”
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“We have a responsibility to protect and preserve what we have and what we want for the next generation,” Collins said. “How do we put more money back in people’s pockets? How do we make sure that education provides an opportunity to raise everybody? And how do we make sure that safety and security are across our state?”
On congressional redistricting, Collins stressed the importance of accurate representation.
“If our maps don’t represent the reality on the ground, voter breakdown and demographics, then we should step in,” he said, supporting Governor DeSantis’s approach to ensure the process is done without partisan bias.
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Discussing agriculture, Collins called food security “national security” and highlighted challenges facing Florida farmers.
He expressed caution about lab-grown meat, saying, “We are not going to do that at the taxpayer expense while we test things.”
On artificial intelligence, Collins noted both its opportunities and risks. He warned about AI’s energy demands and the dangers of flawed data influencing public opinion.
“Most kids, they’re not even googling things now. They’re just talking to OpenAI or whoever... And that’s the facts and the truth. And it’s not something people are actually vetting. That’s frightening right there.”
As a father, Collins expressed concern about AI’s potential negative impacts on mental health.
“I hear of people whose kids are committing suicide, because AI is turned into a friend and talks them into a place where they can’t get out of. It’s frightening,” he said.
Watch the full interview with Collins on This Week in Jacksonville.