enough is enough

Had Enough?” was my campaign slogan in 2006, and unfortunately it continues to resonate. In many ways, it’s even gotten worse. Insurance rates have not gotten better. In fact, the state has assumed far greater risk and the insurance companies continue to drop policies in record numbers while wanting to raise rates again.

• In a misguided attempt to ease property taxes, the state legislature offered an amendment that hopefully will kick-start home sales by allowing the transfer of the save-our-homes cap, but it offers very little aid to businesses and non-homesteaded properties that need property tax relief the most. It will result in the doubling of their taxes every 7 1/2 years. The result will be more failed businesses and higher rents.
• Florida is dealing with a stalled economy that is rapidly spiraling into an economic disaster fueled by small business failure and a shortfall in sales tax – yet just a few months ago our legislative leaders were ready to swap property tax for an unstable sales tax. Where would that shortsightedness have put us now?
• Graduation rates are still around 50% - among the lowest in the country and real education reform escapes us because of a lack of legislative understanding of education. A strong education system is the number one factor in building a strong state.
• My opponent, a freshman legislator, apparently doesn’t understand any of this. He has consistently voted for every failed bill leadership has proposed and has never offered a solution of his own.

I am a fiscal conservative and a social moderate. I believe in fixing the real problems residents are facing and looking at projected impacts of that solution on the future. .

I believe government has the social responsibility of protecting and aiding citizens in a time of need… Yet, for too long the state legislature has been lax on this issue. They haven’t fixed home owners insurance. Instead, they further muddied the mess. They aren’t helping citizens that are being forced out of Florida or forced out of business because their property taxes have tripled. Instead they have made matters worse with their proposed fixes. Have they made health insurance more available and affordable or have they completely forgotten all about it? Have they made improvements to education? Is there anything they have done right that effects our day-to-day lives?

Having been a teacher at Countryside High School for over 22 years and named Teacher of The Year six times (including the 2003 State Journalism Teacher of the Year) I have an in-depth understanding of the problems with Florida’s education system. I also have an understanding of the problems facing businesses because I am a small business owner and a former advertising account executive in New York where I helped well over a hundred businesses succeed.

When I go to Tallahassee, I will be representing not only the constituents in District 48, I will be representing all Floridians regardless of party affiliation. Don’t settle for a representative who puts his political party before the people he serves. Your representative should earn your vote with a thorough understanding of issues, a willingness to talk with you about them, and the nerve to speak out and vote against bad ideas. I’m proud to share my views with you and look forward to hearing your thoughts on what matters to you.