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C o m m o n S e n s e G o v e r n m e n t | ||||||||||||
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Meeting the Challenge Head On Government cannot succeed as an inefficient bureaucracy with little desire to achieve efficiencies in providing services. Success comes from maximizing efficiencies through increased accountability, investing in the state's economy through tax breaks, grants and incentives, and utilizing privatization where the private sector is better suited to provide a particular service. These 'common sense' principles are successful because a better government does not mean bigger government. Encouraging Self-Sufficiency and Accountability One initiative that demonstrates my commitment to common sense government is my decade-long support of the efforts to fashion welfare reform that encourages self-sufficiency and decreases government dependency. I believe very strongly that people have a responsibility to themselves and their loved ones to be productive members of society. Those who can work should work, thereby helping break the cycle of government dependency. My colleagues and I revolutionized the failed welfare system of Florida's past to develop opportunities for welfare recipients, remove barriers to employment - such as ensuring the availability of adequate child care - and provide incentives to promote job retention and encourage advancement. The result: welfare rolls have declined 80% since 1998. We also worked to fix an ailing child support system by streamlining the process for collecting child support, funding more effective databases, ensuring that children actually receive collected child support, and getting tough on deadbeat parents. These efforts have resulted in collections doubling over the last ten years to over $1 billion annually. Additionally, the Legislature has increased the accountability of foster care case workers to ensure the safety of children in the foster care system and increase system efficiencies. Protecting Property Rights: Stopping Eminent Domain Just as important as planning for the future growth of the state is the task of protecting the private property rights of its citizens. During the 2006 session, the Legislature reinforced private property rights by abolishing government's eminent domain authority to seize property simply because it is viewed as “slum” or “blighted.” Additionally, voters will have the opportunity to prohibit the use of eminent domain to take private property and give it to a person or private entity in the name of economic development. Property rights are rooted in Florida's Constitution, and guarding these rights should be a core principle of elected leader. I was appalled by the egregious Kelo vs. New London decision and quickly worked to protect Floridians from the same fate. Simply put, local governments must not have free reign to seize private property, and Floridians will have the opportunity to make their voices heard this November on this very important issue. Managing our Growth Secured $750 million annually to fund infrastructure growth and improvements over a 10 year period.
As the state's population exploded over the past decade, it became increasingly apparent that responsible growth management had largely been neglected. However, Florida has righted the ship, creating the Strategic Intermodal System (SIS) to prepare for future demands on state transportation infrastructure. The Legislature has invested billions into the state's roads, rail networks, airports, transit facilities and seaports. Historic growth management legislation also included a 10-year commitment of $750 million annually to fund infrastructure growth and improvements. Tort Reform Recently, efforts to promote Florida's economy and encourage a healthy civil justice system have come in the form of tort reform. Junk lawsuits have plagued our state for years, but steps are being taken to finally end the “deep pocket” theory that has forced people to pay more than their share of damages. I have worked to battle excessive lawsuits through various remedies, including comprehensive medical malpractice insurance reforms, legislation protecting utility companies from unfair lawsuits due to streetlight outages, and limitations on extreme asbestos lawsuits, including lawsuits targeting companies that have acquired or merged with asbestos companies. Furthermore, tort reform packages have been adopted limiting class action lawsuits filed in Florida courts and repealing the last vestiges of joint and several liability in negligence cases, ensuring that liability is only based on a party's degree of fault. Immediate Action Reforming the complex insurance systems within our state has also been a major priority of mine, more so today than ever before. In 2006, we addressed the affordability and availability of workers' compensation insurance, improved the sinkhole insurance system, and tackled property insurance through major reforms and a reduction of Citizens Property Insurance Corporation's deficit, which will lower the financial impact on Florida's homeowners. These innovative reforms serve several purposes: they help alleviate the financial strain on Floridians' insurance bills; they help ensure that insurance coverage is available throughout the state; and they promote Florida's economy and its appeal to businesses and new residents alike. I understand that Florida is faced with the daunting challenge of continuing to reform the insurance industry. Government-run insurance companies do not work, and bringing back a competitive market and a level playing field are the only true fixes. As we continue to battle hurricanes and the inevitability of future rate increases, know that I highly value public input in our collective search for innovative reform measures that bring relief and stability to all Floridians. Election Reform Recently, the Florida Legislature has battled to create fairness and uniformity across the state to ensure that every election — from the governor's race down to local school board races — represents the people's will. New technology has been implemented to ensure that every vote is counted, including absentee votes and the votes of our military men and women. We have worked to increase efficiency and close electioneering loopholes. And over the years, we have championed aggressive measures to end voter fraud and ensure that every vote counts. These reforms are a model for the nation and have continued to place Florida in the forefront of innovative and creative reforms for our millions of residents. Obviously, great strides have been made in creating a “common sense” government for the State of Florida, a government that relies on innovation, efficiency, consumer choice and personal responsibility. I know that doing more with less is the responsible way to go about the people's business. Report Card
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Our state is known for its explosive growth and desirable living conditions which will only make our 18 million-plus population increase in the years to come - but we must continue to plan for this growth and keep Florida a great place to call home. 