Rep. Allison Tant Discusses Social Media & Public Camping Legislation

Florida’s 9th District State Representative Allison Tant recently appeared on The Steve Stewart Show on Real Talk 93.3 to discuss the 2024 Legislative Session and more.

When asked how she deals with the politically charged environment we are facing, Ms. Tant said she focuses on the work and the humanity of the other people she works with even when she disagrees with them, stating, “Let’s focus on the things we can do together and understand that there are going to be things that we can’t agree on, but that doesn’t mean we need to impugn your character or argue, fuss and fight.”

Tant then gave an example of a time recently when she brought a provision she needed in a bill regarding human trafficking to her Republican counterpart who brought it to the attorney general. The provision was eventually included in the bill. “He knows we’re not going to agree on everything but where we can find common ground we do,” said Tant.

Ms. Tant discussed a bill she voted for banning children under the age 14 from having their own social media accounts unless they have their parent’s consent. While giving her thoughts on the bill known as HB 3, she noted that her own daughter had dealt with self- esteem issues as a result of social media during her early teen years. Additionally, she noted that social media can often cause people, especially children, to develop unhealthy scrolling addictions.

Ms. Tant addressed the local implications of a law that bans homeless individuals from sleeping or setting up camp in public spaces. She noted that she expects the local government will pay the Kearney Center to expand their resources, “To tell you the truth I think there’s going to have to be funding to help them expand.” She continued “This is going to increase the number of people that are going to show up there.”

When asked if she thinks the bill will provide a path for some solutions, Ms. Tant replied, “I believe we have to start somewhere. And I did have reservations about it because of the cost to local governments and what that was going to look like. And also, what is the definition of an unhoused person? She continued, “I liked the provision in the bill that requires those folks to have some access to those services that are vitally needed for them, so that maybe we can work them out from under being unhoused and back into the workforce.”

Ms. Tant discussed a project she has been apart of for many years known as Independence Landing, which is a residential community with a range of amenities for adults with intellectual and/or cognitive disabilities. She noted that Independence Landing provides their residents with services to teach them culinary and job skills.

Additionally, while discussing potentially having a similar community living situation for individuals with mental health issues, Ms. Tant noted it would be best to work with exiting partners in the space like the Apalachee Center which is dedicated to helping the individuals and families recover from emotional, psychiatric, and substance abuse crises.