Candidate Profile - Personal Information

Transcription

1 1. Candidate's Name: 2. Address: Candidate Profile - Personal Information Walter L. Smith, II 3313 Manor Cove Circle 3. City: Riverview Zip: Telephone Numbers: Home Cell Office 5. Address: wlsmith273@gmail.com 6. Highest Degree Earned: (from what Institution?) MLA Humanities/Africana Studies, University of South Florida 7. Current Occupation: 8. Current Employer: 9. Notable Previous Employment: 10. Family Description: 11. How are you involved in your community? Environmental Professional/Vocational Instructor Youth Build/Tampa Vocational Institute Tampa Vocational Institute Wife: Yolanda Rodriguez Smith Children: Jesenia Yvette (23), Walter Lee, III (11) Family dog: Hershey (1) I am heavily involved in my community by nature of my work as a vocational trainer. I prepare youth and adults to go into the workforce through providing certifications in fields that are non-traditional to a variety of demographics of the population. I work with all of these people with job placement after training. I mentor most of the people I train so that they will be able to get their lives back in order to be better contributors to society. I also coach baseball and soccer to kids to assist with providing positive development and outlets. I also tutor children to help them having a balance between sports and academics. 12. What boards have you served on? The Barrio Latino Commission, The West Tampa CDC, the West Tampa CRA Community Advisory Council, The Tampa Bay Black Chamber of Commerce, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Black Advisory Council, NAACP (Environmental Justice Chair) 13. Who are some people you admire most and why do you admire them? I admire my maternal and paternal grandparents, former sharecroppers, who came to Tampa in the early 1900s to become business owners. They were able to assist others with getting homes, food and employment. They lived in West Tampa and Ybor City. They set the standard by which I live. Bob Gilder was an extraordinarily brave man who fought against racial injustice and civil rights under the most adverse of situations. He, along with my father, Dr. Walter L. Smith, were the founders of the Florida Classic, which contributed significantly to the local and state economy. My parents, Dr. Walter L. Smith and Atty. Jeraldine Williams, As president and first lady they worked together to transform the lives of so many people to encourage advanced education for all, but especially for black people. Even today, they have been working with people who are seeking to gain admission to college, especially FAMU. 14. Who in your community would you go to for trusted advice? Thomas Huggins has been a great mentor to me over the years. He has kept me grounded so that I can understand business functions in our state and region. He has also helped me to see diverse political views more clearly. His advice has always served me well.

2 15. Three Qualities Leaders Possess: Tenacity, honesty, integrity 16. Office being sought: House District: 61 Senate District: 17. Party Affiliation: Democrat Length of Time: Lifelong 18. What is your one guiding principle or core value? It is important that the core conditions of the most underserved communities are addressed in order to make real effective change. I have many principals that I live by, but the most critical are dedicated, passionate and efficient. 19. Briefly describe your political involvement: My involvement in politics is international and domestic. I have been involved in everything from protests in the Republic of South Africa to being a part of political strategy and hosting a major talk radio show. My experiences have helped to define who I am politically and to determine what is most important to me. 20. Have you ever been a previous candidate for political office? (IF YES) What Office: Outcome of race: N/A N/A 21. Campaign Organization and Structure: General Consultant: Peter & Karema Harris Manager: Atty. Jeraldine Williams Treasurer: Atty. Jamaal Chatman Media: Karema Harris Pollster: Campaign Web Address: Facebook Page Name: Advisors: James Cole Jeraldine Williams Yvette Lewis Peter Harris Karema Harris Walter for Florida Campaign Budget Amount: $3000 goal - $30, Why are you running for this office? I am running for office because I have worked to rectify many of the ills of District 61 for 16 years and the activities I am involved in professionally, require me to work directly with making changes in some way; unemployment, business growth, education reform, environmental justice, and the automatic restoration of voting rights for returning citizens. Over the years, these ills remain in the enclaves of District 61 and I feel that only someone who has their "finger on the pulse" of the District can be a successful representative of the people's interests. I have been that person. No 23. Why should the business community support your candidacy: As one who has owned a business, I have had successes and failures. I have seen the pitfalls of the private and public business sectors. I have also been working with groups to improve business in areas that are seeking to be revitalized through investment. I seek to expand businesses and training so that a workforce will be available to take on the developing job market. I seek to target currently successful job markets for expansion and develop new job markets based on global demands. 24. List by priority the top three (3) Legislative Committees you would like to be assigned:

3 Committee 1: Environmental Preservation and Conservation Committee 2: Education Committee Committee 3: Economic Affairs Committee 25. Are there any organizations which you would NOT accept donations from? If so, please list: N/A 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? No. II. Issue Questions Talent Supply & Education 27. What changes would you recommend to Florida's K-12 system of education? Please address school funding. Florida needs to improve the quality of education from K-12 and beyond. The current legislature has supported increases in per student spending and I support the trend. This is critical to developing the talent pipeline. 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 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 would need more information about the particular issues. There are many areas outside hours worked and wages/benefits worked that impact the classroom. 30. How would you address the shortage of qualified talent to fill jobs in STEM-related fields? Florida has broad needs when it comes to the talent pipeline. I would work with job creators to proactively identify their needs and qualifications. I would also work with our education system (k-12,technical schools, community colleges and state university system) to develop appropriate coursework to meet workforce needs. 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 having benchmarks for minimum standards for math and language arts. 32. What changes would you support that improve workforce development in the state of Florida? Florida could improve workforce development by collaborating with business and the talent pipeline to ensure that the appropriate talent is developed to support our job creation efforts. 33. What changes should be made to Florida's higher education system? The standard of testing, the Florida Standard Assessment exam, being implemented in the public school system holds students hostage. On one hand, if the student is doing well in their coursework making great marks and with a great GPA, that student could suffer if the FSA is not passed. The consequences range from grade retention to not being able to graduate with a diploma, but with a certificate of attendance. A change in funding must also be made in Florida s education system. Currently, Florida ranks amongst the lowest of states with regard to per student education funding.

4 Innovation & Economic Development 34. What can the state do to continue to strengthen its position as a worldwide hub for trade? The state can strengthen its position by improving its 14 deepwater ports and its unique intermodal transportation matrix. As the gateway to the Americas, Florida can use its business development and existing corporate support and banking facilities to provide a great climate for international trade. 35. Please discuss any ideas you may have to enhance the growth and development of the following economic sectors. Manufactoring: Florida need to lower costs of doing business for manufacturers who will create jobs and support the development ancillary industries, maximizing the multiplier effect of each and every manufacturing job created. We need to promote capital investment in manufacturing businesses, reduce taxes on manufacturing inputs, raw materials and facilities. We also need to take advantage of our infrastructure as mentioned above. Agriculture: Funding must be increased for research to remedy the damage being done by invasive species like the Giant African Land Snail which is known to consume several hundred species of plants and to cause serious human health risk. It is most damaging to tropical and subtropical environments. To team with institutions like Florida A&M University which is ding research in the field of tropical and subtropical food and animal science in its new facility in Pasco County, would be a welcomed partnership. Construction: Research of new, quality and sustainable construction applications must be considered as we continue to develop throughout the state. Hospitality/Tourism: As hospitality and tourism is changing throughout the state so must the proper training of people to ensure quality service and tourist expansion. Healthcare: Healthcare research is a big part of the Florida economy. Research must continue to expand leading to more funding and medical innovations. Facilities will also expand as a result in order to provide healthcare for a growing population. This also will require an expansion of training to service these facilities both in terms of the physician and medical staff and the support staff. 36. What would you propose to diversify Florida's economy so that we better handle economic downturns? Target key industries for business development that will create sustainable job growth. High skill high wage is important but there are some good long term jobs that can absorb our existing workforce and promote career development. 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? It is not appropriate. However, some trust funds have been very useful during economic downturns with little or no impact on the intended use of the funds.

5 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? Public infrastructure bonds provide a framework. 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 Federal Government State Government Regional Government Regional Government Regional Government Local Government 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? The state should monitor emissions and provide guidance to utilities. The state should also have enforcement powers to ensure compliance. 41. What can the legislature do to address Florida's water quality and quantity needs? The State Legislature can address water quality and quantity issues through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP). The type of monitoring that is required to ensure our water quality and quantity is in addressed properly, is also the charge of the water management districts with high assistance from FDEP with regional support monitoring. As legislators, we must see to it that businesses are monitored with respect to water use effluent releases into water ways and that all funding intended for conservation is not diverted away from its intent. Business Climate/Competitiveness 42. What are the three most important things the state legislature could do to improve Florida's business climate? 1: Expand the workforce training throughout the state in order to address the corresponding business growth and need. 2: Target key Florida industries for business development to create sustainable job growth. 3: Create more business incentives to encourage the establishment and long term success of small businesses. 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? Yes Explain: Currently, the reason people come to Florida to do business is because there is no tax on services. If there was a tax implemented on services, then the service industry would suffer because people would not be able to afford them. Ultimately, this would lead to a loss of businesses in the service sector. 44. What is your position on collecting sales and use tax on transactions from out of state and online retailers? Support 45. What is your general philosophy on state and local taxes?

6 State and local taxes are a necessary part of a state s or local entity s ability to survive. Currently, Floridians do not pay personal income tax. 46. Are there any taxes that should be increased? No. 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 be requred Explain: Hotels should be allowed to apply any of their additional fees. 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 number of law suits in Florida have never been a concern. No, the state should not intervene. 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? No, I would not support legislation that limits recovery for future medical care. The injuries sustained from a particular case may yield injuries that are unseen after prior medical care. 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? No, I would not support such legislation because there must be enough money to pay for the medical care provided. 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? It is reasonable to require written notice of a claim and to allow a reasonable amount of time for the insurance company to pay out the limits of a policy so that the insurance company has a fair period to conduct its due diligence in the case. 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 s role in regulating prices for insurance and other regulated industries is to see to it that the pricing is fair and equitable for the consumer. 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 have to take a look at the regulations on a case by case basis to make a fair assessment. 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 want to see the reason why there is an unfunded actuarial liability in excess of $31 Billion. 55. Should there be term limits for:

7 Circuit/County Judges? Yes Appellate Judges? Yes Supreme Court Judges? No Why? Judges in the lesser courts should be preparing and familiarizing themselves to advancing to higher courts. 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: No, healthcare coverage is mandated by the Affordable Healthcare Act. Any mandates that follow should remain at the Federal level despite any increase of cost to employer or employee. 57. Rising health care cost is a concern for Florida businesses and consumers. What would you propose that could help alleviate that burden? Insurance companies should be mandated to establish rates that are affordable to businesses. Businesses will have to be incentivized to increase salaries to allow employees to have the necessary health insurance. This will likely be in the form of tax incentives. 58. What is your position on Medicaid expansion? Medicaid should be expanded to make certain that more people come under the Medicaid qualification guidelines. 59. What is your position on whether the state should prohibit balanced billing in emergency situations? Broader Arena? If the subscriber to the insurance has paid for insurance, then the bill should be paid by the insurance provider unless otherwise stated. 60. What is your suggestion to address the current workforce shortage of physicians and nurses in the state? The State of Florida must give incentives to address the issue of Florida leading the nation's patient to doctor ratio. Incentives include things such as; reimbursement reform, dedicated funding for PCP graduate school education, increased funding for primary care training and med school debt relief. 61. What is your position on the expansion of gambling in Florida? Anything regarding the expansion of gambling in the state of Florida should be determined by ballot. 62. Do you believe gambling should ever be expanded or current permitted gambling changed without an affirmative statewide vote of the people? The expansion of gambling should be determined by a statewide ballot. FINAL THOUGHTS