Candidate Profile - Personal Information

Transcription

1 1. Candidate's Name: 2. Address: Candidate Profile - Personal Information Zenaida Denizac 2010 Montecito Avenue 3. City: Deltona Zip: Telephone Numbers: 5. Address: Home Cell Office zenaidadenizac@yahoo.com 6. Highest Degree Earned: (from what Institution?) 7. Current Occupation: 8. Current Employer: 9. Notable Previous Employment: 10. Family Description: High School Teacher Volusia County Schools 11. How are you involved in your community? Masters of Science Degree Nova University Married for 38 years, three adult children and three granddaughters. I am involved in city events as a volunteer and I mentor children. 12. What boards have you served on? Volusia County Hispanic Association past president, Act Corporation past board member, Latino Achiever former board member, Latino advisory committee with the Volusia County School Board, Deltona's Anniversary celebration committee. 13. Who are some people you admire most and why do you admire them? 1. My mother, whose sacrifices I will never be able to repay. 2. My oldest daughter, who teaches me lessons on determination, persistence and faith every day. Although she has cerebral palsy, wears leg braces and can't drive, she managed to complete a Bachelors degree from the University of Central Florida. 14. Who in your community would you go to for trusted advice? I would go to my pastor. 15. Three Qualities Leaders Possess: I am a team player, responsible, determined. 16. Office being sought: House District: 27 Senate District: 17. Party Affiliation: Republican Length of Time: 28 years 18. What is your one guiding principle or core value? Be respectful Be responsible Be positive 19. Briefly describe your political involvement: Two term city commissioner 20. Have you ever been a previous candidate for political office? (IF YES) What Office: Yes Deltona City Commissioner in 2005 and Ran for Mayor against the incumbent since 1995

2 Outcome of race: 21. Campaign Organization and Structure: Won in 2005 Won in the primary in 2010 Lost in 2014 by 1%. General Consultant: Frank Terraferma Manager: Treasurer: Self Media: Pollster: Campaign Web Address: Facebook Page Name: Advisors: zenaidadenizac.com Campaign Budget Amount: $150, Why are you running for this office? zenaida Denizac for Florida I am prepared to effectively serve the residents of Volusia County at the State level. I am ready to talk about education, economic development,health reform and other important issues affecting our state. 23. Why should the business community support your candidacy: My record has been about lowering taxes, free enterprise and less government regulations. I am pro business. 24. List by priority the top three (3) Legislative Committees you would like to be assigned: Committee 1: Appropriations Committee 2: Economic Affairs Committee 3: Education 25. Are there any organizations which you would NOT accept donations from? If so, please list: Any organization contrary to my core belief system. 26. Opponents and the media research public records, police reports, credit information and do other background checks in an effort to discover tax liens, lawsuits, arrest records and other unfortunate things. Are there any issues your opponent could use against you that you should disclose to this group? My husband and I filed for bankruptcy about 25 years ago. II. Issue Questions Talent Supply & Education 27. What changes would you recommend to Florida's K-12 system of education? Please address school funding. As an experienced educator for 28 years I have seen many changes and trends in education. Most of these trends have focused on adults, institutions and unions. And unfortunately, the one size fits all mentality still exist. Students should have options, including access to vocational schools. Like many local summer programs and the voluntary prekindergarten program, funding should follow the student not geographical boundaries or institutions. 28. As an extension of the school day and to help end "Generational Pverty" would you support funding affordable afterschool programs that provide assistance with homework, delinquency prevention, life skills and the development of good character for Florida's working families? Yes

3 29. What is your position regarding the ability of teachers unions and other public-sector unions to collectively bargain issues that are beyond the typical employment issues directly tied to hours worked and wages/benefits paid? I do not support collective bargaining that goes beyond the typical employment issues of hours worked and wages/benefits. As a teacher I do not belong to the union! 30. How would you address the shortage of qualified talent to fill jobs in STEM-related fields? STEM education should be implemented and funded in elementary, middle and high schools. School districts should also look to partner with the business sector and state colleges. 31. What are your thoughts about having a series of benchmarks designed to create a minimum standard for Math and Language Arts throughout the United States? I support minimum benchmarks and standards at the state level. I m opposed to Common Core and the excessive standardized testing that is the core of Common Core. In my opinion, Common Core could be detrimental to the expansion of STEM education, as many students in K-12 are highly discouraged and frustrated with the way math is being taught. 32. What changes would you support that improve workforce development in the state of Florida? I would support access to vocational, career and technical education programs and working in collaboration with private sector businesses. 33. What changes should be made to Florida's higher education system? Florida higher education system must have a clear pathway for students to earn their degrees on time and without accumulating unnecessary course credits that also cost time and money. Too many students take too long to graduate. Therefore, I would support measures that would remove obstacles to graduating in a timely manner. An example is students loosing credit hours when transferring and not having mandatory courses available. Spending an extra year or two increases the financial burden on students, families and the economy. Innovation & Economic Development 34. What can the state do to continue to strengthen its position as a worldwide hub for trade? Florida should continue to strengthen its pro- business climate, remove burdensome regulations, improve the infrastructure network of roads, railroads, airports, and continue to coordinate with Enterprise Florida, Department of Economic Development and FDOT. 35. Please discuss any ideas you may have to enhance the growth and development of the following economic sectors. Manufactoring: I support business- friendly regulations, including the recent legislation permanently eliminating the sales tax on manufacturing machinery /equipment. Agriculture: The State needs to protect Florida s agriculture by maintaining the tax burden low and reducing regulations on farmers and ranchers. I would support passing legislation that is focused on keeping agriculture as a major component of the state s economy and keeping agricultural producers competitive in the global market. Construction:

4 The construction industry in Florida is recovery. We must ensure that we have the workforce ready to meet the needs of this industry. Like I have stressed before, the State needs to incorporate vocational schools in Florida to meet the demands of the construction industry. The construction industry can greatly benefit from a uniform, streamlined permitting process. Hospitality/Tourism: The tourism industry in Florida welcomes millions of visitors every year and provide valuable jobs for our families. I support having strong marketing partnership with our tourism industry partners and make Florida number one travel destination in the world. Healthcare: The high cost of healthcare makes everything in our economy more expensive, and reduces the resources that individual families have to invest. I would look at new frontiers like Telemedicine and other innovations. 36. What would you propose to diversify Florida's economy so that we better handle economic downturns? I would propose giving incentives to industries that create high skilled and high paying jobs that are willing to locate to Florida. I would support and welcome the aviation and aerospace industry. Infrastructure & Growth Leadership 37. When is it appropriate for the legislature to shift money from a dedicated state trust fund to pay for other services? Dedicated trust funds should only be used for the purpose intended. 38. There is a widening gap between infrastructure needs and infrastructure funding. Would you support private investment in public infrastructure projects in order to meet infrastructure needs? Yes How would you propose private investors be repaid? I would support collecting user fees to repay investors. 39. Philosophically, when considering the following issues, do you think the authority to set or regulate these areas should be at the Federal, State, Local or Regional Government level? Wages Growth Management Wetlands Use Water Supply Environmental Permitting Business Permits & Licenses 40. What role should the state play in balancing the ability of electric utilities to provide safe, affordable and reliable electricity with the regulations of carbon emissions? One of the roles of the State Legislature is to uphold the law of the land and challenge those laws when they create undue hardship to families and businesses. One of President Obama s main goals was to cap the carbon emissions and cause energy prices to necessarily skyrocket. I am pleased that the Supreme Court agreed with State Attorney Pam Bondi who took on the overreach of the EPA. 41. What can the legislature do to address Florida's water quality and quantity needs?

5 The Florida legislator recently passed a bill protecting Florida s unique environment, and ensuring Floridians have quality water for future use through restoration and conservation efforts of our water bodies. I support having a transparent process that ensures taxpayer dollars are allocated to meaningful water quality and restoration projects and implements best management practices to increase our clean water supply. Business Climate/Competitiveness 42. What are the three most important things the state legislature could do to improve Florida's business climate? 1: Repeal burdensome regulations that are detrimental to business development 2: Educate / train workforce 3: Invest in infrastructure 43. Florida does not currently have a sales tax on services. Several attempts have been made over the past decade to create a new tax on services in the state Constitution. Would you support creating a sales tax on services?ness testimony standards? No Explain: I oppose extending the sales tax to services. 44. What is your position on collecting sales and use tax on transactions from out of state and online retailers? Do Not Support 45. What is your general philosophy on state and local taxes? Our state has been made more desirable to live in by not having a state income tax. As a former city commissioner, I have a record of voting against each and every tax increase. 46. Are there any taxes that should be increased? No. I do not support tax increases. 47. Do you believe hotels should or should not be required to include resort fees in the daily room rate to allow guests to comparison shop before they book a room? Should not be required Explain: Should not be required as long as it doesn't negatively affect the tourism industry. This is an issue that I would like to research further. 48. What are your thoughts on the number of lawsuits files in Florida? Should the state intervene to make it easier or more difficult to file a lawsuit? Explain: The state should intervene making it more difficult to file lawsuits. It should consider all options to reduce the number of lawsuits,making it less attractive for trial lawyers to file frivolous lawsuits. 49. Would you support legislation that limits recovery for future medical care in personal injury lawsuits to what is "usually and customarily" paid to other medical providers in the community? Why? Yes. Fees recovered should be limited and closely match medical providers in the community. 50. Accuracy in Damages: Would you support legislation that limits the amount of money recoverable for medical care in personal injury lawsuits to the amount actually paid for the medical care versus the amount charged by the provider of the medical care? Why? Yes. Health care providers routinely send bills for much higher amounts than the provider actually expects to recover from anyone. In personal injury cases, plaintiffs routinely seek to present evidence of the billed amounts rather than the value of medical care received. In my opinion, it should be based on what s paid and not what is billed.

6 51. In the context of a personal injury lawsuit, do you believe that it is reasonable to require an injured person seeking money from a liability insurance company to give the insurance company a (1) written notice of the claim and (2) a minimum of 45 days to investigate the claim and offer to pay the policy limits of the policy? Agree Why? Yes. I believe that this is reasonable. Insurance companies should be awarded the opportunity to investigate and handle claims. Governance & Civic Systems 52. What is the proper role of state agencies in regulating prices for insurance companies, banks, medical providers and other regulated industries? Explain: The State should regulate in a way that allows competition and encourages free markets to expand. 53. Government regulations continue to be the top concern for Florida's small business. What areas would you recommend reducing regulation and red tape? I would support having a unified and streamlined permitting process. 54. Both the Florida Retirement System Pension plan and Local Government-administered pension plan programs are experiencing a growing unfunded actuarial liability that is currently in excess of $31 billion. How do you propose to fill the funding gap in these guaranteed pension plans? I would start by having new employees enrolled in a defined contribution, 401K type plan similar to the private sector. 55. Should there be term limits for: Circuit/County Judges? Yes Appellate Judges? Yes Supreme Court Judges? Yes Why? In my opinion, all elected seats should term limited. Quality of Life & Quality Places 56. Should the state of Florida be able to mandate that health insurance providers cover specific health conditions or benefits even if the mandates increase the cost of health insurance for employees and employers? Explain: States don t have as much discretion due to federal mandates. These mandates are driving up costs for employers and employees. 57. Rising health care cost is a concern for Florida businesses and consumers. What would you propose that could help alleviate that burden? I would support direct primary care and telehealth to help decrease health care cost. 58. What is your position on Medicaid expansion? I oppose Obamacare s Medicaid expansion in Florida. 59. What is your position on whether the state should prohibit balanced billing in emergency situations? Broader Arena? I agree that the State should prohibit balanced billing and HB 221 should settle this matter. 60. What is your suggestion to address the current workforce shortage of physicians and nurses in the state?

7 I would support incentive for rural doctors, innovation in delivery and greater use of technology. 61. What is your position on the expansion of gambling in Florida? I oppose expansion of gambling in Florida. 62. Do you believe gambling should ever be expanded or current permitted gambling changed without an affirmative statewide vote of the people? I am not in favor of expanded gambling or legislating through amendments or referendum. FINAL THOUGHTS I have lived, worked and raised my children in my community for the past 30 years. I have taught the children of Deltona for the last 28 years. My family and I rose from great poverty and homelessness to being roles models and contributors in our community. We are an involved family and we deeply care about our community. I have served on several boards and was Deltona s city commissioner and vice-mayor from I fought hard to attract the health care industry to Deltona. Today we have five heath care facilities going up in Deltona (several already opened). I gave a voice to the disabled community and had the privilege of bringing an all inclusive playground to my city. I fought to streamline the permitting process and hire an economic development director. I have a record of voting against tax increases in my city. I am pro- business and pro free enterprise. My husband has a small cabinetry business in Orange City, so we know firsthand about regulations. I will bring my municipal experience, as a former elected official, teacher and community leader. I am the more qualified candidate for this seat, being vacated by my friend and neighbor David Santiago. My opponent is a wealthy trial lawyer who lives 40 miles away from District 27 who just opened a P.O. Box here and has no ties with this community. If it s the will of the people in District 27, I would be honored to serve them at the State level. Thank you for the opportunity to share my thoughts in this questionnaire.