Candidate Profile - Personal Information

Transcription

1 1. Candidate's Name: 2. Address: Candidate Profile - Personal Information Mark B. MacLean 2743 Chelton Road 3. City: Jacksonville Zip: Telephone Numbers: 5. Address: Home Cell Office MacLeanEsq@gmail.com 6. Highest Degree Earned: (from what Institution?) 7. Current Occupation: 8. Current Employer: Attorney Self 9. Notable Previous Employment: 10. Family Description: Restaurant owner Juris Doctorate - Mercer University Married - almost 19 years - wife - Alicia MacLean Three children - two daughters, and one son - Brianna 16, Marleah 10, and Keegan How are you involved in your community? Over the last 20 years, I have served the Jacksonville community in a variety of ways as a citizen volunteer. Neighbors, parents, teachers, community leaders and school principals have asked me to serve in many roles over this time. Some of those roles in which I have served are as follows: President of the Greater Hogan Area Neighborhood Association, President of the San Marco Preservation Society, Member of the Southeast Citizens Planning and Advisory Committee, Vice-Chair of the Southeast Citizens Planning and Advisory Committee-City of Jacksonville, Member of the Hendricks Avenue Elementary School Advisory Council and Chairman of the Hendricks Avenue Elementary School Advisory Council, Member of the Landon College Preparatory Middle School Advisory Council, Board of Directors-Friends of Hendricks, Inc., Member of the Douglas Anderson School of the Arts School Advisory Council. 12. What boards have you served on? See answer to # 11 above. 13. Who are some people you admire most and why do you admire them? Winston Churchill - for his perseverance, statesmanship intelligence, and dedication to his country and family Billy Graham - for his faithfulness, utmost integrity and compassion towards all people. 14. Who in your community would you go to for trusted advice? Matt Carlucci - Florida Commission on Ethics Paul Renner - member Florida House of Representatives and Attorney 15. Three Qualities Leaders Possess: Hard worker/see a matter through to the end Common-Sense Intelligence Relationship Builder 16. Office being sought: House District: 12 Senate District: 17. Party Affiliation: Republican Length of Time: 30 plus years 18. What is your one guiding principle or core value?

2 I am a conservative for me that means fighting to preserve the best of what we have been given, what we know works and what we know is good - all the while seeking to make to positive changes to what we know isn t working for small businesses, parents, students and for all citizens. 19. Briefly describe your political involvement: I was a campaign manager(1988) for a Republican House member in the late 1980's(David Troxler). As a volunteer, I have worked on the Regan/Bush 1984, George H.W. Bush 1988, George H.W. Bush 1992, Jeb Bush 1994 and Jeb Bush 1998 campaigns. As well, I support candidates through contributions. 20. Have you ever been a previous candidate for political office? (IF YES) What Office: Outcome of race: 21. Campaign Organization and Structure: General Consultant: Matt Justice Manager: Hunter Anderson Treasurer: Samantha Livingston Media: Pollster: Advisors: Campaign Web Address: Facebook Page Name: VoteMacLean.com Mark MacLean for State Representative Campaign Budget Amount: 100, , Why are you running for this office? I am a ninth-generation north Floridian, with the first of my ancestors arriving in Florida nearly 250 years ago as indentured servants. I value that tremendous heritage of perseverance, self-reliance, hard work and faith those Florida pioneers have passed on to me. I love my hometown of Jacksonville, I love Florida and I love my children, and I am concerned for all their futures. I want to work to help make Jacksonville and Florida the best they can be not only for ourselves, but more importantly, for our children. 23. Why should the business community support your candidacy: I believe that the free market is the best system for the conduct of economic activity between individuals and between nations. I have either worked for, or owned and operated or represented small businesses for most of my life. I am proud to have the support and endorsement of the Northeast Florida Builders Association. My belief and support for the free market and my support for the economic development and growth for Florida is why I received their endorsement. 24. List by priority the top three (3) Legislative Committees you would like to be assigned: Committee 1: Education Committee 2: Regulatory Affairs Committee 3: Judiciary 25. Are there any organizations which you would NOT accept donations from? If so, please list: Gambling interests or the adult entertainment industry. 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? None. No

3 II. Issue Questions Talent Supply & Education 27. What changes would you recommend to Florida's K-12 system of education? Please address school funding. More parent engagement processes to keep all parents, but especially middle class parents, committed to the public school system. As well, financial incentives for excellent performance by teachers, schools and districts should be enhanced. Also, older and more urbanized districts need help to maintain and modernize facilities and upgrade technologies so that all children, including the urban poor, have an opportunity for a 21st century world-class education. 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 am not in favor of collective bargaining for matters beyond work hours, wages, salaries and benefits. 30. How would you address the shortage of qualified talent to fill jobs in STEM-related fields? Programs in these fields should be encouraged beginning in elementary schools. Grants and scholarships tied to subsequent employment in Florida should be bused to encourage college students to seek degrees in these fields. Financial incentives in the form of "signing bonuses" coupled with bonuses for continuity of the term of employment could be used as well. 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? Minimum standard benchmarks are important tools in assessing the quality of education students are receiving. 32. What changes would you support that improve workforce development in the state of Florida? More vocational program opportunities offered to students earlier in their school careers. Helping students to identify and to enhance interests and skills at an earlier point in time helps to keep students engaged, and as well puts those students who wish on a path to sought after skills for employment sooner. 33. What changes should be made to Florida's higher education system? Ensuring that there is a holistic approach to a students education - STEAM. As well, degree programs, and ultimately terminal degrees, should be offered at the institutions located geographically near businesses and industries that most require them, e.g. - North Carolina Research Triangle. v Innovation & Economic Development 34. What can the state do to continue to strengthen its position as a worldwide hub for trade? First, dredge all our ports to be able to receive Panamax ships. Secondly, devote proper funding for major roadway distribution routes to get product in and of ports most effectively. Thirdly, support railway tie-ins between ports and highways if needed. 35. Please discuss any ideas you may have to enhance the growth and development of the following economic sectors.

4 Manufactoring: Continue to reform and reduce taxes on manufacturing industries. A strong, dynamic and adjustable educational system providing need workforce skills. Agriculture: Marketing and keeping the "Florida" brand strong for our products. Construction: Assist local governments in properly funding infrastructure development. Hospitality/Tourism: Marketing and keeping the "Florida" brand strong for our various types/places of vacation destinations. Healthcare: Less regulation and more free market. 36. What would you propose to diversify Florida's economy so that we better handle economic downturns? Tax reduction, and tax and regulatory reform - making Florida the most business friendly state in the Union, thereby attracting 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? Only in times of extreme economic emergencies - very rarely. Short of that, trust funds should only be used for the purposes the trust fund was created for. 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? Facilitating the bonding of the investment amounts through the State bonding process. 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 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 regulate such activities only to the degree necessary to ensure the safety of the public. 41. What can the legislature do to address Florida's water quality and quantity needs? Continue programs like the water legislation passed this past session. Encouraging more of the re-use of water, post waste-treatment, for irrigation and other non-potable uses would help. The same could be done for innovative potential uses of collected storm water.

5 Business Climate/Competitiveness 42. What are the three most important things the state legislature could do to improve Florida's business climate? 1: Reduce, reform and simplify the tax system. 2: Reduce the regulatory burdens on business, and encourage a cooperative, versus a confrontational, relationship with business by the regulatory agencies. 3: Support and enhance a strong, efficient and cutting-edge educational system, K-12 and higher education. 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: Such a new tax would impede economic growth and create new burdens on business - a bad idea - see Bob Martinez 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? They should be as low as possible in order for government to perform the essential tasks government is charged with doing - not for tasks the government has taken on outside of was it is charged to do by the Constitution. 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: A clear disclaimer should be made that a rate does not include the total cost. Otherwise, such a representation could be construed as fraud. However, after such a clear disclaimer is made, let the consumer decide if they want to do business with such a hotel. 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: There are probably too many lawsuits - many resulting from legislatively created burdens on businesses. The legislature(and Congress)should not create more rights to sue businesses. 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 - there is an ascertainable objective standard, rather than a subjective standard. 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 - recovery should be based on out-of-pocket costs since the technical charge may actually be higher than what was actually paid. 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? This would eliminate a certain number of lawsuits and provide greater efficiency and lower costs.

6 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: I believe the free market should determine prices for products and not government agencies. Let the consumer decide which is the product to buy and at what price. 53. Government regulations continue to be the top concern for Florida's small business. What areas would you recommend reducing regulation and red tape? Reduce the time and amount of paperwork for permits. Also, place the burden on the state agency rather than on the small business to move forward with a project, obtain a permit, etc. Also, provide an ombudsman positon within state agencies whose sole job is to advocate within the agency for small businesses. 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? Requiring higher contribution amounts from pensioners and moving more employees to defined contribution rather than defined benefit plans. 55. Should there be term limits for: Circuit/County Judges? Yes Appellate Judges? Yes Supreme Court Judges? Yes Why? It depends - twenty years or the current required retirement age of 70 would be reasonable for all judges(whichever comes first). This allows for a rotation that better reflects the current administration and the will of the people of Florida. 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, the State should not. 57. Rising health care cost is a concern for Florida businesses and consumers. What would you propose that could help alleviate that burden? Transparency in costs, allowing for more telemedicine, and allowing more non-md medical professionals to handle routine prescriptions, simple evaluations and screenings, etc. 58. What is your position on Medicaid expansion? The State of Florida should not currently expand Medicaid. Next year at this time the ACA(Obamacare)may not exist. It is prudent to first determine, after November, what the goals and plans of the next Presidential administration are before expanding an entitlement program that, at both the State and federal level, is looming to consume a majority of all spending in future years. 59. What is your position on whether the state should prohibit balanced billing in emergency situations? Broader Arena? Possibly in emergency situations- obviously the normal market forces are not in existence at a point like that since a consumer has not consciously selected a provider or a hospital. Otherwise, I would prefer the government not get involved in rate setting for elective matters.

7 60. What is your suggestion to address the current workforce shortage of physicians and nurses in the state? A public-private partnership between major medical systems in the State and our medical and nursing schools to support residency programs and expand coordinated recruiting programs. 61. What is your position on the expansion of gambling in Florida? I am generally opposed to expanding gambling in Florida. I prefer the family friendly emphasis and atmosphere that we have now. 62. Do you believe gambling should ever be expanded or current permitted gambling changed without an affirmative statewide vote of the people? I believe such a controversial issue should only be expanded by approval and vote of the people. FINAL THOUGHTS