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Writer's pictureThe Chairman

A Candidate Questionaire?

Campaign Finance Reform:


Election law in Florida provides for the establishment of “Political Committees” which can be operated by industry and trade groups, unions and other special interest organizations, and   elected officials and candidates. In the case of elected officials and candidates these political committees operate independently of candidate campaign accounts. Political committees can accept unlimited contributions and spend unlimited amounts of money advocating for the election or reelection of said candidates thus making campaign contribution limits meaningless. Political committees can also make contributions to other political committees which can then make unlimited contributions to political committees operated by candidates making it exceedingly difficult for voters to understand where the money really comes from that finances campaigns for public office.


Would you support legislation to bring more transparency to this process and prohibit contributions between “political committees”?


Support


Oppose


Comments: 



Economic Development


Corporate Welfare is defined as any government program or spending that provides unique benefits or advantages to specific companies or industries, such as direct grants, loan guarantees, and tax breaks.


Would you support or oppose defunding or eliminating certain economic development programs that would meet the definition of corporate welfare?


Support


Oppose


Comments: 



Taxes/Budget


According to the National Association of State Budget Offices, between 2012 and 2017, state government spending in Florida increased by 31%, making it the 8th fastest growing yearly budget. The median state spending increase was 18%. State budgets continue to grow faster than population growth and inflation. Amy Baker, the states chief economist continues to warn that Florida’s budget has a structural imbalance and that any downturn in the economy would put the budget into deficit. In fact, the latest report predicts the state will take in about $867 million less in revenue over two years.


Do you support a thorough budget review to find ways to reduce spending?


Support


Oppose


Comments:



If state economists are correct and the state faces deficits, would you support or oppose raising taxes or fees to balance the budget?


Support


Oppose


Comments:



Florida is one of only two states that impose a sales tax on commercial leases (Arizona, which allows local governments to impose a similar tax, being the second) This sales tax has been reduced from 6% in 2017 to 5.5%, effective in January 2020.


Would you support legislation to eliminate the sales tax entirely on commercial leases?


Support


Oppose


Comments:



Transportation


 Would you support or oppose legislation that would repeal the use of red-light cameras?


Support


Oppose


Comments:



Government Regulation


Would you support or oppose legislation to reduce state occupational licensing requirements?


Support


Oppose


Comments:



Environment


In Florida, the state purchases land for “conservation” through the Florida Forever Trust Fund. 30% of Florida is currently held in conservation by the Federal, state and local government.


Would you support or oppose putting a limit on how much land can be owned by state and local government for conservation purposes?


Support


Oppose


Comments:



Would you support or oppose the state selling land that is no longer needed for conservation?


Support


Oppose


Comments:


Protection of Florida’s lakes, rivers, springs and estuaries has become a major issue.


One solution being advocated by many is to replace traditional septic systems with nitrogen reducing septic systems (sometimes called “advanced” septic tanks). However, there is no requirement for these systems to be tested for their nitrogen reducing capabilities after installation.


Would you support or oppose legislation requiring “advanced” septic systems to be tested for their nutrient reducing capabilities before requiring homeowners to replace their current septic tank system with an “advanced” septic system?


Support


Oppose


Comments:



In many cases municipal and county wastewater treatment systems have become major contributors to surface water pollution due to inadequate capacity and aging infrastructure that hasn’t been properly maintained and upgraded over time.


What solutions would you propose to compel local governments to upgrade and properly maintain their wastewater treatment systems?


Comments:



Gun Rights


SB 7026, the Marjorie Stoneman Douglas bill, resulted in significant changes in Florida statutes regulating the purchase and possession of firearms in Florida.


Would you support or oppose legislation to repeal the 3-day waiting period and restore the rights of 18, 19 and 20 year olds to purchase long guns in Florida? 


Support


Oppose


Comments:



SB 7026 includes language providing for the issuance of Risk Protection Orders allowing for the seizure of an individual’s legally owned firearms under certain circumstances. Statutes like this are commonly referred to as Red Flag laws. In your opinion, were individual rights of due process protected under this law as currently written?


Yes


No


Comments:



If you support Risk Protection Orders, would you support adding stricter criteria or well defined guidelines for establishing whether someone is dangerous to themselves or others?


Support


Oppose


Comments:



Would you support or oppose allowing family members to file directly with the court for a risk protection order, bypassing local law enforcement?


Support


Oppose


Comments:



Would you support or oppose legislation to end all private party firearms transfers in Florida unless the parties submit to a federal NCIC check, also known as “Universal Background Checks”?


Support


Oppose


Comments:



Would you support or oppose legislation banning the manufacture, sale or possession of semi-automatic firearms and/or large-capacity magazines.


Support


Oppose


Comments:



Would you support or oppose legislation to eliminate restrictions on law-abiding gun owners from carrying a firearm in certain so-called “Gun-Free Zones”.


Support


Oppose


Comments:



Term Limits


Do you support or oppose keeping Florida’s 8-year term limits for the Governor, Cabinet Members and Legislators?


Support


Oppose


Comments:



Do you support or oppose lengthening term limits to more than eight years?


Support


Oppose


Comments:



Do you support or oppose extending 8-year term limits to any other elected offices at the local or county level?


Support


Oppose


Comments:



Property Rights


All counties and municipalities in Florida must adopt local government comprehensive plans that guide future growth and development. Comprehensive plans contain chapters or “elements” that address topics to be coordinated. Absent from the list of mandated elements is an element protecting property rights.


Would you support or oppose legislation to require local government comprehensive plans to include an element protecting private property rights?


Support


Oppose


Comments:



Due Process


Advancing technology has presented law enforcement with new means of investigation and surveillance; and the courts with new questions about the Fourth Amendment implications of this technology. These technologies such as “Stingray” devices, also known as "cell site simulators" or "IMSI catchers", are invasive cell phone surveillance devices that mimic cell phone towers. Current law only requires a court order and not a warrant for law enforcement to use these types of surveillance.


Would you support or oppose legislation that collection by law enforcement of an individual’s location, a cell phone, or a home enabled device, without the consent of the person or owner of the devices, should be allowed only when authorized by a warrant, which carries a higher standard of having probable cause than a court order?


Support


Oppose


Comments:


Health Care


Do you support or oppose expanding Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act?


Support


Oppose


Comments:



Education


Do you support charter schools, voucher programs or any other school choice initiatives?


Support


Oppose


Comments:



Do you support allowing properly trained and certified teachers and administrators to carry concealed weapons on school grounds?


Support


Oppose


Comments:



“Common Core” and the over reliance on high stakes standardized testing have been hotly debated issues for years in Florida. Please provide your thoughts on how the Florida legislature should address these issues.


Comments:



Criminal Justice Reform


Would you support or oppose legislation to reform mandatory minimum drug laws to give judges, under compelling circumstances, a degree of flexibility in sentencing drug offenders?


Support


Oppose


Comments:



Would you support legislation to decriminalize marijuana possession so that a person caught with 20 grams or less of marijuana would be charged with a noncriminal violation rather than a criminal misdemeanor?


Support


Oppose


Comments:


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