Issues
Issues for District 7 voters as well as all Floridians:
• Ease pressure on small businesses
• Fight for funding for education & school programs
• Put the needs of our citizens first
• Problem solve above all else
Environment:
BIG OIL GETS HOUSE TO PASS DRILLING THREE MILES OFF OUR SHORE...DISTRICT 7 INCUMBENT MARTI COLEY (R) VOTES IN FAVOR
This past General Session in the Florida State House of Representatives (April 27, 2009), the House passed House Bill 1219 (Oil Drill Bill) by a vote of 70-43. The Bill has not passed the Senate as of yet but is anticipated to be presented to the Senate at this year's general session (March of 2010). All of the panhandle representatives voted in favor of HB 1219, including District 7 Representative and my Fall 2010 opponent, Marti Coley, Republican. THIS BILL ALLOWS DRILLING THREE MILES OFF OF OUR COASTLINE! It is irresponsible for our representatives to jeopardize our environment and our economy with this blatant selling of our livelihoods and our precious environment to Big Oil.
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Blowout in the Adriatic Sea - 2004 |
Montara (West Atlas) offshore platform blowout and spill - 8/25/2009 |
Florida cannot put at risk its $65 billion a year it generates in Tourism dollars and the million jobs dependant on tourism with this careless, short sided bill. With over 90% of the economy in Florida generated within three miles of the Coast, near shore drilling becomes not only an environmental issue, but an economic issue.
Please, read the Bill which can be accessed below and write your representative, senator and governor. IF WE DO NOT STAND UP NOW, THE COAST AS WE KNOW IT WILL FOREVER BE CHANGED. Please know that, if elected, I will be vigilant in the task of fighting this type of bill or other attempts to alter our way of life and local environment. STOP THE BILL HERE…SAVE OUR SHORES.
Breaking News:
We are deeply saddened that during this campaign, 11 people lost their lives during the Deepwater Horizon blowout, fire and spill. More information may be found in this pdf>>
Florida Senate President, Jeff Atwater recently announced a formal process for an Offshore Drilling Study and called upon the Century Commission to help drive this process. Read the resulting report which states drilling in our waters will have little if no impact on oil prices and supplies. Also stated, most of the natural gas resources are located in the Destin dome, which Colonel McClintock has already said would affect Eglin's mission putting both our number one and two industries at risk.
Learn about grassroots citizen movement "Hands Across the Sand"
Watch this video of the recent crisis on the state-of-the-art Montara oil platform in the Timor Sea. Australia had gone years without any problems...until now.
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Economy/Jobs:
Our district and our region have suffered difficult economic times these past few years. Through my representation of clients in my law practice, I have seen first hand the devastating effect loss of jobs, businesses and homes has had on our fellow citizens. Families have been forced to move, marriages have been tested, businesses have had to close as a result of the recession.
Now is the time to elect public officials with real, practical business experience to navigate us through this trying time. I have been self employed for most of my life. As senior partner in our law firm and co-owner of our title company, I know what it is like to meet payroll, insure employees and plan for the success of our firm and business. I am past Chairman of the Destin Area Chamber of Commerce and understand the economic issues of our region. As past Chairman of the Community and Economic Development Committee for the Chamber I helped draft our position paper on the redevelopment of the Destin Harbor District and worked with the City on the current land development code.
We need strong leadership in Tallahassee to ensure that our District is heard on economic issues. We need to work with our are Chambers, Tourist Development Councils and other organizations to attract strong businesses and jobs to our region. The State of Florida needs to do a better job at attracting viable business to the region and making it easier for the small business person to thrive. With your help, I will be a strong voice for responsible economic growth for the region and bring a sense of fiscal responsibility based on years of running my own business.
The Military Mission and Military Families:
District 7 is home to and impacted by the area's military bases and missions. As decisions are made regarding the District, consideration and understanding of the local bases' military missions is imperative. Whether it is the building and operation of the new Bay County airport or attempts to establish near shore drilling along the mission fly zone, the military's mission needs to be considered. Our local economy is driven, in part, by the military families that live in the District. Understanding of their collective needs constitutes an important part of decision making affecting the District. As your Representative, I pledge to carry my understanding of these important concepts to Tallahassee.
"The military generates 52 billion dollars a year in revenue for the State of Florida. Approximately 15 billion dollars is generated by the military in our district area. Our region must keep these facts in mind with any legislation considered for this District." (Source: North West Florida College Haas Center report)
Auto license and Registration fee increases:
The average Floridian now has to pay almost twice as much for vehicle license fees and 35% more in registration fees thanks to a new law that went into effect September of last year. In the last general session, the State House and Senate passed into law the above increases which will only punish the average working Floridian as he or she tries to navigate these challenging economic times. I would have opposed such a fee increase on the working men and woman of this District and support current efforts to repeal the increases in fees sponsored by House member Ron Saunders (D). My opponent in this year's election, Marti Coley, Republican, voted in favor of the fee increases.
Amendment 4
This Fall, there will be a constitutional amendment on the ballot for each citizen to consider; Amendment Four to our State Constitution. Confusingly named the "Hometown Democracy" amendment, it attempts to require local public vote on any change to a municipality's comprehensive plan. Accordingly, anytime local government attempts to modify its comprehensive plan or land development code the local government will have to place the amendment or modification on a ballot for area vote. This is an amendment that will stymie growth of any kind, limit the ability of local government to govern and adjust to the times and eliminate jobs and economic growth. I am opposed to Amendment Four.
