The Issues

Pro-life

I believe life begins at conception and that we are called to protect the most helpless of our society.  As your next Representative in the Florida Legislature, I will fight for increased recognition of the rights of the unborn.

Update  Energy Policy

With gas prices climbing toward $5.00 a gallon, it is clear that we are in the middle of a energy crisis.  In order to meet Florida's growing energy needs I will support legislation to provide incentives for businesses to develop and produce alternative, clean energy such as wind, solar, and nuclear power.  Additionally, as your Representative, I will support responsible oil exploration and drilling off the coast of Florida.

Providing Affordable Insurance

Most of us have witnessed first-hand the damage caused by multiple hurricanes to our homes and businesses.  Hurricanes are a fact of life in Florida, and we will all continue to need the help of insurance companies to get us through the tough times.  As your representative, I will support insurance reform that provides affordable, comprehensive coverage to homeowners.  I will also promote open market competition to ensure that Florida's residents receive the best rates and services.

Update  To help ease the financial burden brought on by hurricanes, I will sponsor a bill to make permits for repairs of hurricane damage exempt from permit fees.  This is money the counties and municipalities would not have, but for a tragedy, and it is best to leave it with those who suffered a loss.

Update  As your next legislator, I will sponsor a bill to make hardening our homes against hurricanes more affordable.  Currently, Florida extends a "sales tax holiday" on "hurricane preparedness" items during an eleven day period just prior to the beginning of Florida's hurricane season (June, 1st).  (read from FL Dept. of Revenue site)  Though this is a step in the right direction, it does not go far enough.  I will propose legislation exempting hurricane shutters, panels, and their installation from sales tax throughout the entire year.  I believe in removing as many obstacles as possible from our hurricane preparations.     

Promoting Tax Reform and Responsible Government Spending

The Florida Legislature did a good job this past spring by beginning to reform our property tax system.  However, it is only a beginning and more must be done.  I will support true conservative fiscal policies and push for cutting waste at the state and local level while at the same time increasing government efficiency.  Cutting taxes, reducing the budget and increasing the responsiveness and effectiveness of government will be my priorities in the Florida Legislature. 

Update  First Time Homebuyers

Owning a home is the foundation of the American Dream.  For many, the barriers to home ownership are insurmountable.  With the recent contraction of the housing market, I believe that the time is right for many first time homebuyers to make the dream of owning a home a reality.  However, many are finding that the cost of property insurance is high enough to keep them out of the market.  To help ease the burden, I will propose legislation exempting Florida's first time homebuyers from having to pay "documentary stamps."  (read about "doc stamps here)  I believe this will help untold numbers of young families realize the dream of homeownership while also boosting Florida's real estate market.

Health Care

I believe that all Floridians should have access to affordable, quality medical care and toward that end I will strongly support the following initiatives:

1. An increase in the Medicaid physician reimbursement rate in order to encourage more doctors to provide care for those who cannot afford health insurance;

2. I will aggressively push for the implementation of Gov. Crist's Cover Florida plan which calls for the state to negotiate health-care plans so that they are more affordable for individuals and small business owners.

3. I will sponsor legislation for a state program to provide information to individuals on the re-importation of prescription drugs from Canada to help lower the cost prescription medication and also to have Florida join with other states in their multi-state pooling agreement which buys prescription drugs in bulk thereby lowering Medicaid costs.

Improving our Schools

Florida has made good progress in improving the quality of our public educational system.  However, in national comparisons, our state still ranks near the bottom in high school graduation rates.  We can and must do better!  I support higher standards, testing, and school choice.  I also support modifying the FCAT to make it more of an assessment tool.  More focus should be put on factors such as graduation rates, participation in advanced classes and the number of National Board Certified teachers when calculating a school's grade.  Investing in today's students will pay dividends in the future by leading to both increased worker productivity and fewer career criminals.  As parents, teachers and concerned citizens, we should demand a world-class educational system that prepares our children to be competitive in the 21st Century.  As your next State Representative, I will be a leading advocate for the next generation's future.

Fighting Crime

While crime statewide dropped 1% in 2006, crime in Brevard County actually rose by 5.5%.  As your State Representative, I will fight to make sure that law enforcement agencies throughout the state have the resources necessary to solve and prevent crime.  This commitment will also help ensure the retention of experienced law enforcement personnel who are the key to effective law enforcement and prosecution.  Furthermore, I will propose legislation to modify our juvenile justice system to ensure more parental accountability and tougher penalties for the most violent juvenile offenders.

Immigration

An estimated 630,000 illegal immigrants reside in Florida, costing taxpayers over $1.7 billion dollars per year for education, health care and incarceration. This is outrageous and we must move swiftly to curtail this threat to our security and our economy. At the state level I will lead the fight to deport all illegal immigrants convicted of a crime and to require the state to verify a person's social security number before issuing a drivers license. On the national level, we must create a coalition with other states to put intense pressure on the federal government to finally enact a comprehensive national plan to secure our borders. Additionally, we must recognize the important contribution legal immigrants provide to Florida's economy, particularly in the agricultural sector, and put in place an efficient & effective temporary worker program that screens and tracks temporary workers.

Creating Jobs on the Space Coast

Brevard County’s low unemployment rate, combined with local wages that are among the highest in the state, make it one of the most attractive places in the state when it comes to employment.  And while the economies of Florida and Brevard are expected to continue to grow, there will be significant challenges to overcome.  As your legislator, I will work tirelessly to enact legislation to bring commercial space industries to the Space Coast.  By increasing the number of commercial space industries, we can work not just to prevent the loss of space jobs, but to actually increase the number of space and hi-tech jobs in Brevard.  While government sponsored space programs will continue to play a vital role in the development and exploration of space, the way of the future clearly envisions an increased role for commercial space ventures encompassing everything from launching commercial satellites to space tourism.  But with competition for commercial space industries increasing, we need to act quickly to maintain Brevard County’s position as the “Gateway to the Stars.”

Our Natural Resources

Without a doubt, Brevard County is one of the most beautiful places to live, work, and raise a family.  I believe we are called to be good stewards of this gift and as your legislator, I will push for a pro-active approach that balances efficient pre-planned development with protection for our wildlife and natural resources.

Taking Care of Florida’s Veterans

As a veteran, I understand the needs and challenges facing our soldiers both while they are deployed to a combat zone and also when they return home.  I am committed to supporting the men and women who have put their lives on the line for our country in wars both past and present.  Toward that end, I will propose legislation suspending the payment of property taxes for soldiers of the Florida National Guard and Reserve who are called to active duty, for as long as they are deployed to a combat zone.  We must do all we can for those who willingly leave their families to answer the call of duty.