Candidate Profile - Personal Information

Transcription

1 1. Candidate's Name: 2. Address: Candidate Profile - Personal Information Ivette Gonzalez Petkovich 901 Ponce de Leon Blvd 3. City: Coral Gables Zip: Telephone Numbers: 5. Address: Home Cell Office ivetteforflorida@gmail.com 6. Highest Degree Earned: (from what Institution?) 7. Current Occupation: 8. Current Employer: 9. Notable Previous Employment: 10. Family Description: Criminal Defense Attorney 11. How are you involved in your community? Self Employed at Petkovich Law Firm Office of the State Attorney Juris Doctor from St. Thomas University I am both a wife and a mother of two young children. I come from a family of hardworking entrepreneurs. I am a passionate advocate for expanding innovative health solutions and civic engagement in Florida. Through speaking engagements and community events, I educate the community about the implications of current and pending legislation and the importance of voting based on values. 12. What boards have you served on? 13. Who are some people you admire most and why do you admire them? I admire Malala Yousafza for being a beacon of light for the young women in her community. The way that she has risked her life to champion women's rights is inspiring. The Honorable Sonia Sotomayor's ascent from her humble housing project beginnings to the Supreme Court is tremendously inspiring. Her story exemplifies the notion that with hard work you can overcome life's challenges. 14. Who in your community would you go to for trusted advice? I would go to the people who know me best. Time and time again, my friends and family have been the village that supports me as I run my own business and for office. 15. Three Qualities Leaders Possess: I am a personable relationship builder, critically analytical decision maker, and tenaciously determined. 16. Office being sought: House District: 103 Senate District: 17. Party Affiliation: Democrat Length of Time: What is your one guiding principle or core value? I firmly believe in meeting people where they are. There is a lot to be said when a person or organization can assess the needs that define what progress is in a given situation and prioritize goals in a pragmatically achievable way. 19. Briefly describe your political involvement: I am involved in the League of Women Voters through which I support civic engagement. I supported Get Out the Vote Initiatives in the 2014 election. I volunteered in the 2012 elections as well. I regularly attend and speak at several club meetings and town halls.

2 20. Have you ever been a previous candidate for political office? (IF YES) What Office: No Outcome of race: 21. Campaign Organization and Structure: General Consultant: Manager: Kaydrianne Young Treasurer: Myself Media: Revolution Political Media Pollster: Anzalone Liszt Grove Research Advisors: Campaign Web Address: Facebook Page Name: Campaign Budget Amount: 22. Why are you running for this office? Ivette Gonzalez Petkovich for Florida Based on my experience living, working, and getting my education in the district, my legal experience, undergraduate studies, quick wit and sunny disposition I am confident that I am suited to be a powerful voice for my community in Tallahassee. 23. Why should the business community support your candidacy: I am dedicated to growing Florida's economy at multiple levels. I want to reduce barriers to starting up small businesses, support job creation in big business, and make Florida a leader in the STEM industry. With 11 years of litigation under my belt, I am positive that I can make tangible progress in Tallahassee. 24. List by priority the top three (3) Legislative Committees you would like to be assigned: Committee 1: Judiciary Committee 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: 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. I believe that a child's zip code should not predict his or her education, but that is far from the truth in Florida. I would like to reduce the correlation between punitive economic consequences & high-stakes testing results in Florida. I would like to ensure that any and all educational entities undergo the same level of regulation and accreditation to ensure that all of our children receive a quality education.

3 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? The teachers unions have seen recent success in the collective bargaining process as it relates to wages. I have seen markedly less success in terms of negotiating the consequences of high-stakes testing. 30. How would you address the shortage of qualified talent to fill jobs in STEM-related fields? We need to invest in making high education more affordable so that we can train the STEM workforce in quality facilities. We also need to make sure that we have competitive industry jobs to retain good talent. 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? If these standards are couched in trying to ensure affordable, quality education indiscriminant of zip code then I would support these benchmarks. 32. What changes would you support that improve workforce development in the state of Florida? High-quality education, including vocational education, is the key to workforce development. 33. What changes should be made to Florida's higher education system? I would make it more accessible via affordability. Innovation & Economic Development 34. What can the state do to continue to strengthen its position as a worldwide hub for trade? We can create economic incentives to attract business, increase expert growth, and employment in the trade industry. 35. Please discuss any ideas you may have to enhance the growth and development of the following economic sectors. Manufactoring: Keeping tax and regulatory burdens low will allow the manufacturing industry to continue its recent rebound. Agriculture: We need to retain experts in the industry and ensure than concrete science rules the day in decision making. Construction: We need to continue to offer well-paying construction jobs to Floridians to sustain a healthy industry. Hospitality/Tourism: We need to preserve our pristine waters, cultural attractions, encourage smart city growth to ensure a thriving industry. Healthcare: We need to accept federal support to expand Florida's healthcare system. We also need to retain new talent in Florida's medical field. That means we need to fund and maintain cutting edge facilities. 36. What would you propose to diversify Florida's economy so that we better handle economic downturns? We need to heavily develop Florida as a STEM hub that is active year round, as opposed to the tourism industry which is seasonal and dependent on unpredictable variables like natural disasters.

4 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? Under extreme circumstances like an economic recession, money may be shifted, but otherwise funds should be used based on the original intention. 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? No How would you propose private investors be repaid? 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 Local Government State Government State Government Regional Government State 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 have a say in the sourcing of energy as well as energy rates. 41. What can the legislature do to address Florida's water quality and quantity needs? The legislature can regularly test the water to make sure standards are being kept and pragmatically regulate industry to protect our aquifers. Business Climate/Competitiveness 42. What are the three most important things the state legislature could do to improve Florida's business climate? 1: further support startup businesses, especially in STEM 2: continue to pay down state debt 3: further inhibit barriers to 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? No Explain: 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? Taxes intice industry, foster business growth, but ultimately work to better serve an increased quality of life for Floridians. 46. Are there any taxes that should be increased?

5 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: This degree of regulation seems unnecessary. 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 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? I support measures that allow for judicial discretion to reflect the nuance of the cases as opposed to mandatory restrictions. Although I would welcome more information, I have reason to believe that "usually and customarily" is an amount that is vulnerable deflation or inflation. 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? I support measures that allow for judicial discretion to reflect the nuance of the cases as opposed to mandatory restrictions. 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? Unfortunately, personal injury law holds a high potential for corruption. Certain measures must be in place to ensure that injured persons are justly compensated, however insurance companies need fraud protection. 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 role of state agencies is to strike the balance between ensuring that payers are not vulnerable to predatory providers and that providers aren't regulated out of industry growth. 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 recommend reducing bureaucratic barriers that prevent Floridians from going into business in the first place. The entrepreneurial spirit of Florida needs to be supported if we are to build a stronger backbone to Florida's economy. 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? Excessive and inefficient spending must be curtailed and diverted to fill the funding gap. Lawmakers must reach across the aisle to ensure that Florida's hardworking families can rely on the comfortable retirement promised to them upon entering the workforce and serving dutifully.

6 55. Should there be term limits for: Circuit/County Judges? No Appellate Judges? No Supreme Court Judges? No Why? If a judge is talented at serving justice they should hold the bench, if not they should be voted out. 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: Hardworking Floridians need to be able to count on access to healthcare that is affordable and high quality. If in the pursuit of this right, profits are minimized fo employers and employees then lawmakers have failed at serving the best interests of Floridians and must go back to the drawing board until we have something that works for both Floridians and industry. 57. Rising health care cost is a concern for Florida businesses and consumers. What would you propose that could help alleviate that burden? Collaboration between health care providers as they create more managable programs, social service providers and they help educate and enroll residents, and lawmakers as we legislate as public servants beholden to the needs of hardworking Floridians, will produce the best solution for Floridian families. 58. What is your position on Medicaid expansion? I support Medicaid Expansion. Millions of Floridians are without coverage unnecessarily. 59. What is your position on whether the state should prohibit balanced billing in emergency situations? Broader Arena? Floridians need more provider network transparency. Legislative angles should not serve to pit the payers against providers. An all out prohibition on balanced billing may not be the answer, but there are myriad steps to be taken that simultaneously encourage affordable, quality patient care and a stable medical industry. 60. What is your suggestion to address the current workforce shortage of physicians and nurses in the state? Floridians need affordable access to quality healthcare. I support Florida accepting federal funds to support our healthcare systems. 61. What is your position on the expansion of gambling in Florida? I think that voters should have a say in the 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? Admittedly I would like more information from the Chamber on this issue, before I formally state my opinion, however I lean towards a statewide referendum as the decision medium. FINAL THOUGHTS I look forward with the opportunity to speak with Representatives personally.