Carlos L. Valdes

My book is here: https://carloslvaldes.substack.com

A life of Service, Business and Principles

Member, Florida House of Representatives (1988-2000)

Carlos L. Valdes was born in Havana, Cuba, in 1951. At the age of nine, he emigrated with his family to the United States, settling in Miami, Florida. There, he pursued his education at Miami Senior High School, Miami-Dade Community College, and Florida International University. A self-starter from an early age, Carlos became a small business owner, starting and operating various retail ventures. Managing payroll and business operations firsthand, he developed early expertise in entrepreneurship and leadership. In 1974, he obtained both his real estate and mortgage broker licenses, marking the beginning of a lifelong engagement with Florida’s real estate and financial sectors.

Proud of his Cuban heritage, Carlos is a descendant of Perucho Figueredo, who composed the Cuban national anthem—a lasting symbol of Cuba’s struggle for independence and a legacy of patriotism that continues to inspire his civic values.

In 1983, he became the first Cuban-American elected President of the Board of REALTORS, a milestone reflecting both his professional achievements and growing influence in Florida’s business and civic spheres. In recognition of his leadership and contributions to the community, the City of Miami proclaimed Friday, January 11, 1985, as “Carlos L. Valdes Day,” honoring his business acumen and public service even before his tenure in the Florida House of Representatives.

Carlos launched his political career in 1984, by being elected to the Florida Republican Party Executive Committee. In 1988, he was elected to the Florida House of Representatives, where he served six consecutive two-year terms. During his legislative career, he held key leadership positions such as Republican Floor Leader and Republican Whip, and chaired the Business Development and International Trade Committee. He also contributed to committees focused on criminal justice, economic impact, transportation, and public safety.

Ahead of his time in education reform, in 1989 Carlos sponsored the first “school voucher” bill in the Florida Legislature, creating a pilot program to provide parents with more choice in their children’s education. The bill was opposed by the majority, as the entrenched school bureaucracy and their unions resisted the concept. Undeterred, Carlos refiled the bill every year until his retirement, building momentum for the idea despite the uphill battle. Decades later, the voucher concept he championed became law, not only in Florida but also across the United States—a lasting testament to his foresight and persistence in addressing the failures of the public education system.

In 1990, Valdes delivered a keynote address at a naturalization ceremony, challenging new citizens to embrace the principles that define the United States. Seventeen years earlier, he had taken his own oath of citizenship. “We are a nation of many nationalities, many races, and many religions,” he said, “but a nation bound together by a single unity—the unity of freedom and equality.” In Miami-Dade County, where over half the population are first-generation Americans, Valdes worked tirelessly to ensure that liberty, safety, and opportunity were accessible to all.

Among his legislative achievements, Carlos served as the prime sponsor of the repeal of Florida’s outdated sentencing guidelines and the establishment of the Florida Criminal Punishment Code, a reform that took years to pass due to strong opposition. His leadership in this effort was widely recognized and praised for its emphasis on meaningful sentencing in the justice system.

As Chairman of the Economic Development Council and the Business Development and International Trade Committee, he promoted Florida’s role in hemispheric trade, public-private partnerships, and infrastructure improvements, positioning the state as both a tourism destination and a gateway for international commerce, particularly with Latin America and the Caribbean.

In 1998, he led a study in collaboration with the International Trade Data and Resource Center titled Economic Impact and Opportunities Analysis of a Change to a Democratic Form of Government in Cuba. The report examined the economic and logistical implications of a democratic transition in Cuba, emphasizing how Florida’s ports, transportation infrastructure, and trade sectors could prepare to capitalize on emerging opportunities.

Valdes’ leadership extended beyond Florida. He traveled extensively as a legislative and trade representative, meeting with heads of state and senior officials across the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and Israel. These diplomatic engagements strengthened Florida’s international economic ties, expanded trade partnerships, and promoted mutual understanding, solidifying the state’s role on the global stage.

In 1984, when Miami-Dade County implemented a documentary surtax on commercial property, Valdes opposed the measure on principle but accepted a role on the Documentary Surtax Board to ensure funds were directed toward meaningful homeownership initiatives. Over time, he became a vocal critic of the surtax’s mission drift, shaping his approach to fiscal responsibility and opposition to selectively targeted taxes, including a $4-per-day cruise ship passenger tax in 2000.

In 2001, he founded and served as president of the Trade and Transport Council, uniting Florida’s maritime, rail, trucking, and shipping sectors to advocate for strategic investment in intermodal transportation infrastructure. Members included leading companies such as Seaboard Marine, CSX Transportation, and Florida East Coast Industries, reflecting Valdes’ commitment to maintaining Florida’s competitive edge in global trade.

Governor Jeb Bush appointed him to the Florida Real Estate Commission in 2000, where he served as Chairman, overseeing regulatory matters and guiding industry standards. Valdes also founded Valdes & Associates, a firm providing strategic business advice and legislative advocacy in financial restructuring, real estate, international trade, and transportation, fostering bipartisan support for Florida’s economic development.

Throughout his career, Valdes’ commitment to oversight and principled governance shaped both Florida’s economic development and public-private partnerships. As a member of the Enterprise Florida Board of Directors, he emphasized clear objectives, transparent reporting, and accountability. During 1997 hearings, he pressed leadership to tie programs to measurable results, cutting through bureaucratic rhetoric and demanding concrete outcomes. He advocated for regional equity, ensuring South Florida—Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties—received fair attention in statewide initiatives, and required enforceable metrics for tax credits and corporate subsidies.

Valdes also applied rigorous oversight to international trade missions, ensuring taxpayer funds produced measurable results, such as contracts signed and jobs created. Media coverage highlighted his insistence that the ultimate responsibility was to Florida citizens, not just corporate recruits. His approach demonstrated that innovation in public-private partnerships must be paired with transparency and accountability.

This vigilance was vindicated in 2023, when Governor Ron DeSantis abolished Enterprise Florida, citing inefficiencies and lack of transparency that Valdes had long identified. He publicly remarked that the decision was “long overdue,” underscoring his foresight and unwavering commitment to principled governance.

Beyond politics, Carlos has been deeply engaged in civic life, supporting the South Florida Epilepsy Foundation, Junior Achievement, the Human Rights Commission of Cuban Municipalities in Exile, and minority scholarships. Through weekly media commentaries and his television program, Vision 2000, he has shared insights on politics, business, and culture. His dedication to public safety earned him the Florida Sheriff Association Legislative Award in 1998, recognizing his leadership in criminal sentencing reform and support for law enforcement training.

Carlos Valdes’ legacy is grounded in the belief that businesses, rather than government, are the true creators of jobs. Through visionary leadership in public office, entrepreneurship, diplomacy, and community service, he has shaped Florida’s growth and strengthened its global economic position.

Now retired, he continues to champion commonsense reform, conservative principles, and traditional values through his writings on culture, politics, and American identity. Most recently, he authored the book REFLECTIONS in RETIREMENT – A Conservative View of a Changing Nation, offering insights drawn from his decades of public service and observations on contemporary issues.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlos_L._Valdes

Vision

https://www.leg.state.fl.us/data/welcome/senate/drug_summit/imlreport.pdf

Contact Information