Q: Would you support a tax increase for education? Are there any other needs that merit a tax increase?
A: First, I would like to look at a better utilization of existing funds at the state and local levels before entertaining the idea of a tax increase. At the state level, I would support a review of the current exemptions to the sales tax. In 1949 there were 30 exemptions to the sales tax, today there are 238 exemptions, reductions, and credits to the Florida sales and use tax. That translates to $12,531 billion. After excluding food, medicine and churches, each exemption should be reviewed to determine if an exemption is warranted.
Q: What action must be taken to tackle crime in Florida? How will it be paid for?
A: When one reviews the current expenditure of dollars addressing crime in Florida, we find that the most expensive dollars are spent in incarceration, second most expensive in rehabilitation and the least expensive in prevention. While we must provide punishment for those who break the law, we must provide dollars for prevention concurrently.
Q: Do you think laws and regulations designed to protect the environment go too far by restricting business activities and individual property rights?
A: Laws and regulations designed to protect the environment must strike a balance with economic development. A well-protected environment can exist hand in hand with a community that provides jobs and economic opportunity for its citizens.
Q: What is your stance on abortion? Do you support the proposal of some state law enforcement leaders to create a 30-foot buffer zone around Florida abortion clinics?
A: I am pro-choice. Yes, I support a 30-foot buffer zone around Florida abortion/health clinics. Women should be able to access health services in a safe environment.
Q: Do you support school choice? Why or why not?
A: I believe that school choice is a local issue decided by the school board, parents and teachers in a community. It is not a delivery model that should be mandated from Tallahassee. In fact, under Blueprint 2000, the school board and community in each of the 67 counties may decide if choice is a delivery model they would like to undertake without legislative intervention. For example, Charlotte County offers public school choice without transportation.
Q: What is the single most important action the Legislature can take? How will you be able to accomplish that?
A: Florida has made important progress toward improving education. Our landmark education accountability law, Blueprint 2000, is redefining the state's role in education. Blueprint 2000 has given those closest to the classroom more flexibility and authority in meeting education goals in ways that meet local priorities. Since 1991, over 52,000 educators, parents, community leaders and students have been actively involved with local school advisory councils. Nearly 2 million students in more than 2,800 florida public schools have been affected by decisions encouraged by Blueprint 2000. The most important thing the 1995 Legislature can do is to continue supporting both the spirit and implementation of Blueprint 2000. We must continue to find ways to increase local flexibility, bring all children to school ready to learn and provide safe and challenging learning environments that will prepare our children for the workforce and lifelong learning. The General Appropriations Act for fiscal year 1994-95 funded six major categorical programs (safe schools, transportation, instructional materials, pre-kindergarten, education technology and parental involvement). Consequently, districts have been provided with the opportunity to use more flexibility and creativity in their use of state dollars.
Q: Are you satisfied with the current structure of water-management districts -- appointed board members and oversight by the state Department of Environmental Protection? Do you favor interdistrict transfers of water from North Florida to Central and South Florida?
A: The House Natural Resources Committee staff is working on a two-year project to develop a model for identifying and developing recommended solutions to water-supply problems. The project will focus on the Hillsborough-Manatee-Pasco-Pinellas county region of the state, because it is experiencing water-supply/water-use problems. Currently, the state of Florida encourages local governments to use treated wastewater for irrigation purposes. In order to preserve the water supply in Florida, perhaps the Legislature should consider a state water policy that would require: using treated wastewater for irrigation purposes instead of using potable/drinking water; require industrial power plant companies to cool their engines with treated wastewater instead of potable water; save ground water for drinking purposes. Additionally, the 1994 Legislature passed Senate Bill 1068, which creates the 21-member Water Management District Review Commission. The commission is charged with holding at least five public hearings to receive public comment and input relative to the operation of the water management districts and the laws they administer. The commission is also charged with performing a comprehensive review of Florida's system of regional water management and water management districts. Among the things to be studied are the costs of operating the districts, the need for a system of water management districts and a system of district offices of the Department of Environmental Protection, and the funding mechanisms available to the water management districts to carry out responsibilities. The commission must submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature no later than Sept. 1, 1995 making specific recommendations relating to water management districts.
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