Candidate Profile - Personal Information

Transcription

1 1. Candidate's Name: 2. Address: Candidate Profile - Personal Information Eric Lynn PO Box City: St Petersburg Zip: Telephone Numbers: 5. Address: Home Cell Office eric@voteericlynn.com 6. Highest Degree Earned: (from what Institution?) 7. Current Occupation: 8. Current Employer: 9. Notable Previous Employment: 10. Family Description: Strategic Consulting CNS Global Advisors 11. How are you involved in your community? JD Georgetown Law School BA Northwestern University Senior Advisor to the Secretary of Defense, Pentagon Wife: Tracy 2 Children, Hazel (4) and Jaron (2) Chamber Member, St Petersburg Board of Directors, Jewish Federation of Pinellas County Veteran Advocate, Pinellas Supporter, All Children's Hospital Supporter, Florida Holocaust Museum 12. What boards have you served on? Jewish Federation of Pinellas County Veteran Advocates 13. Who are some people you admire most and why do you admire them? My Mom (Shelley Lynn) - for all of her hard work and dedication to the community and family. President Barack Obama - for his inspirational leadership and intelligence in his dedication to leading our country General John Allen - this 4-star Marine General who led CENTCOM and our forces in Afghanistan has no equal in putting country first, his personal integrity, and genuine kindness but firmness in accomplishing the necessary goals. 14. Who in your community would you go to for trusted advice? Craig Sher - Former CEO of Sembler and former St Petersburg Chamber President, and my finance chair The Honorable Peter Wallace - Former Speaker of the House Wallace has been my political mentor and he represented this exact area in the House. Chris Steinocher, St. Petersburg Chamber CEO, a leader in the St Petersburg Community with his finger on the pulse of the business community

2 15. Three Qualities Leaders Possess: Dedication - I am committed to the values I believe in and am willing to stand up for them Perserverance - Even in the face of adversity and obstacles, I have the determination to perservere to achieve the goal or task - many examples while at the Pentagon and working with the military Judgement - I have the ability to work with people that I may not agree with on other issues in order to achieve what is best for the community. This judgment of character over specific policy positions is required for a strong leader. 16. Office being sought: House District: 68 Senate District: 17. Party Affiliation: Democrat Length of Time: 20 years 18. What is your one guiding principle or core value? Community first - People and businesses make up are community and I believe that we need to think about what is best for the community first and how it will affect our people, families and businesses. 19. Briefly describe your political involvement: As a lifelong Democrat, I have worked for government and on campaigns for much of my career. Most recently, I served as the Senior Advisor to the Secretary of Defense at the Pentagon for six years. This was following my role as one of the first Policy Advisors on Presidnet Barack Obama's campaign in Previously, I worked as a Legislative Director and Policy Advisor to Members of Congress. I worked on John Kerry's campaign for Presidnet in 2004 and have been working on races in Florida every cycle since Have you ever been a previous candidate for political office? (IF YES) What Office: Outcome of race: Yes I was a candidate for US Congress in Pinellas County (District 13) from 2015-April 2016, when I announced my run for State House District 68 in May following Dwight Dudley's surprise decision not to run for reelection. I suspended my campaign in May as I am currently a candidate for State House District Campaign Organization and Structure: General Consultant: Anita Dunn Manager: Beth Kennedy Treasurer: David Wein Campaign Web Address: Facebook Page Name: Media: Bill Burton Pollster: Dave Beattie Advisors: Ed Peavy, Robin Rorapaugh VoteEricLynn.com facebook.com/voteericlynn Campaign Budget Amount: 900, Why are you running for this office? I'm running because the the people of St Petersburg/Pinellas Park deserve someone who shares their values; and to work to improve our children's education, strengthen our economy, protect our beautiful Florida environment and honor our veterans. 23. Why should the business community support your candidacy:

3 As a pro-business, pro-military candidate in this Democratic leaning seat, the business community can count on me to work with them to advance our community and business interests. I have always believed that these concepts are not mutually exclusive. I am committed to working with the community to help local businesses thrive and increase jobs through incentives. And I hope that the Chamber and business community with work with me to educate me on issues that are important to them and our community. It has been a pleasure working with the St. Petersburg Chamber and I look forward to working with the Florida Chamber as well. 24. List by priority the top three (3) Legislative Committees you would like to be assigned: Committee 1: Education Committee Committee 2: Appropriations Committee Committee 3: Economic Affairs Committee 25. Are there any organizations which you would NOT accept donations from? If so, please list: As a strongly pro-choice candidate and advocate for women's health, I would not accept contributions from pro-life single issue organizations. 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. Improving our states K-12 education is one of the primary reasons I am running for State House. I believe that we need to increase school funding - both on a per student basis, and put more money into more specialists for reading, math, etc in schools that need more help. I also believe that we need to stop requiring teachers to teach to a specific test and allow them to educate our children. And I will fight for increasing teacher pay, as they are responsible for our children's future, they need to be paid what they deserve. 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 support collective bargaining and the ability of workers to collectively work with businesses for solutions to any disputes, but I would need to see what the others issues they want to collectively bargain on are before making a final decision. 30. How would you address the shortage of qualified talent to fill jobs in STEM-related fields? Unfortunately, our children have fallen behind others around the world in Math and Science, and in order to be competitive in a global market, our people must be well trained in technology. I support increased funding for STEM education in order train and educate more qualified Floridians to work in STEM related fields. 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?

4 I believe that we need to measure the advancement and success of our children's education and hold schools accountable. So I am open to benchmarks, depending on their nature. However, I do believe that there are too many required tests in schools today and requiring teachers to just teach to a test in not the best way to educate. 32. What changes would you support that improve workforce development in the state of Florida? I support increased funding for training in specific skill sets needed in our workforce. This includes the technology and sciences discussed above and trade training such as for manufacturing and other skilled jobs. 33. What changes should be made to Florida's higher education system? Florida has some of the finest Colleges and University in the nation. We need to ensure our K-12 are successful in preparing our children for higher education. I would support more specific fields of study at more colleges so that we can prepare our students for the real world jobs when they graduate. Innovation & Economic Development 34. What can the state do to continue to strengthen its position as a worldwide hub for trade? Florida will continue to be a leader for world trade but we need to ensure that the State's infrastructure is growing with the times and increased demand. This points to our ports, which need to be deepened and secured, our highways and railways, which all need to be grown and improved. Moving goods efficiently is essential to successful trade. 35. Please discuss any ideas you may have to enhance the growth and development of the following economic sectors. Manufactoring: For all jobs to increase, we must incentivize business to creat more jobs. I have spoken often about the need to provide tax incentives for hiring and for training. This will help grow manufacturing businesses, and increase the workforce through skilled traning and jobs. Agriculture: As a native of Pinellas County, I understand that Agriculture is the past, present, and future of Florida. Growing up going to Orange groves next to my neighborhood, to seeing most of those groves now be replaced with buildings, there is a need to help Agriculture thrive in our modern economy. This means continued land rights and assistance in protection from the unfortunate diseases or pests that have affect Florida Agriculture. Supporting Agriculture helps ensure that Florida's economy is diversified and can continue to succeed Construction: Building and Construction are the reason for Florida's economic success. I will support creating more jobs in construction by incentivizing the hiring and finding ways to ease burdens on Construction companies to complete their work more efficiently, both in cost and time. Hospitality/Tourism: As a native of St Petersburg, I grew up on Pinellas Beaches and my one of my first jobs was at the Vinoy Hotel when it reopened. We need to continue to lay the groundwork for our tourism industry - hotels, restaurants, and associated businesses need incentives to create more jobs and our help in protecting the environment. The beautiful environment is what is drawing people to Florida and we need to protect our second greatest asset, after our people. Healthcare:

5 Florida has a growing healthcare industry and its success is necessary to provide Doctors, Hospitals, and facilities to keep our State healthy. Specifically, I support that expansion of Medicaid in Florida as it is very problematic that 800,000 Floridians do not have health insurance. 36. What would you propose to diversify Florida's economy so that we better handle economic downturns? As a St. Pete native, the Tourism industry is one that needs our support and assistance. However, we must continue to diversify our economy in order to ensure strong gains and job growth throughout the whole year, not just tourist seasons. This means that we must assist entrepreneurs for new business and encourage other businesses to move here from out of State. It also means that we must support our current other sectors in the Florida economy such as Agriculture and Manufacturing. 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? I think that funds should be used as the legislation or referendums said they would be used. In extenuating circumstances, I am open to specific uses for emergencies, such as hurricane relief or children's needs. But these funds should not be used as ways around finding other money. 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 support private investment in infrastructure be repaid on a fair basis. Infrastructure is important to our overall state economy, which is why I support private funds when needed, yet we need to be careful that private entities are paid back with fair gains, but not continually paid in perpetuity for investments from funds that are needed to help the state grow. 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 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 must ensure we have reliable electricity and that our environment is protected as it is our asset in building our economy for tourism in Florida. As such, the State should sit down and work with the utilities to find the solution to providing reliable electricity and keep carbon emissions down. I also support the use of renewable energy such as solar, wind and hydro where possible. 41. What can the legislature do to address Florida's water quality and quantity needs? The legislature needs to ensure that Florida's water is safe and healthy for all, including our children, to drink. Conservation of water is important to ensuring water quantity. And in unfortunate periods of water shortage, the State needs to put in place even stricter conservation.

6 Business Climate/Competitiveness 42. What are the three most important things the state legislature could do to improve Florida's business climate? 1: Create incentives for businesses hiring new employees in order to create jobs, to include tax incentives. 2: Improve our education system to help attract new businesses to move to Florida. A key detractor is employees worried about their children's education. 3: Provide entrepreneurial incentives to attract business to come to the State - including for construction and 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: Some sales tax on services already exists, such as on non-residential cleaning or pest control. So I would need to look at what the specific proposal is for, but I am against sales tax on professional services provided in Florida. Along with the St Petersburg Chamber of Commerce, I was in favor of greenlight Pinellas though, in order to improve transportation in our community. 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? State and local taxes have a purpose is helping to fund state and local services for residents - most commonly thought of as education (supplements) and police and fire. I believe such revenue is important and would not want it removed, yet I am reluctant to increase it in any way. 46. Are there any taxes that should be increased? The only increases I suggest are taxes for specific funds, such as improving transportation locally. Along with the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce, I was an advocate and supporter of Greenlight Pinellas in order to improve transportation in our community. 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: Consumers should know what their final bill will be when they are booking a hotel room and not be surprised later. 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 way too many frivolous lawsuits in the State of Florida. I support the judicial system and the rights of citizens to file suit and be protected by the law and the courts, yet I also support suits being thrown out for frivolity. 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 would need to see the details of what such a limit would be. I oppose frivolous lawsuits and the sometimes astronomical amounts sought, but I also believe in fairness for people who were wrongly harmed. 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?

7 I support a person who was wronged by accidents or wrongdoing being able to get the medical care he or she needs in the future. I believe we should all pay what is actually paid and nothing more for all of us, not just in these cases. 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? I believe that written notice in any lawsuit is an important way to help solve the suits. 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: State agencies should work with the industries to understand the reasoning behind prices. And it is also the State's role to protect Floridians from being gouged. 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 think the State should help small business hire more employees with tax incentives and reducing the red tape. I would start with the hiring red tape as a way to create more jobs. 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? Florida has long been the State for retirement and we need to ensure that people who worked hard their entire life are receiving the benefit of the money they EARNED for their retirement. At the same time, we need to encourage people to save personally as well as many businesses are going to private retirement instead of guaranteed pensions. 55. Should there be term limits for: Circuit/County Judges? Yes Appellate Judges? Yes Supreme Court Judges? No Why? The Supreme Court of Florida has a long history of common law decisions based on stare decisis, or precedent from other cases. The Supreme Court should not have Judges forced off the bench. Other courts could use turnover to ensure sharpness of thought and fairness in justice. 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: First, we should expand Medicaid to get the uninsured Floridians healthcare. Mandating specific minimum coverage is important to ensure that real healthcare is being provided. There should still be economical and cost effective options once the capitalist competition of providers takes place.

8 57. Rising health care cost is a concern for Florida businesses and consumers. What would you propose that could help alleviate that burden? Medicaid expansion would be paid for by the federal government and it would mean that the Floridians with no healthcare would no longer be paid for by the rest of the public paying higher bills. 58. What is your position on Medicaid expansion? I am a strong supporter of Medicaid Expansion. We have Floridians without healthcare and the cost would be paid by the federal government. It is shameful to think we have not done this yet in the third most populous state. 59. What is your position on whether the state should prohibit balanced billing in emergency situations? Broader Arena? I support the State prohibiting balanced billing in emergency situations. In the broader arean, I also think it makes sense for the State to prohibit balanced billing and protect patients from potential overbilling surprises. 60. What is your suggestion to address the current workforce shortage of physicians and nurses in the state? I support looking into programs that other states such as Missouri has put into place which allows for Assistant Physicians to work in rural areas. For nurses, I support more funding for nursing training programs and colleges, such as those in Pinellas County. 61. What is your position on the expansion of gambling in Florida? We need to ensure that we clean up the current gambling laws in Florida and have the legislature pass comprehensive laws. Most of the laws were made in a haphazard way and are not on point to specific questions. I am open to potential expansion, but I would like to learn more about the details of the proposals. 62. Do you believe gambling should ever be expanded or current permitted gambling changed without an affirmative statewide vote of the people? As stated above, I believe we need to clean up the current State gambling laws and answer all the open questions. I am open to potential expansion, but only if done with comprehensive laws passed without the gaping holes and loopholes of the past. FINAL THOUGHTS The support of the Florida Chamber of Commerce is very important to me. I know that I can work well in Tallahassee with the Chamber and the business community to help strengthen the Florida economy. I look forward to learning issues from the Chamber team and working together. On a political note, we will win this race as we have the most name recognition (I'm a native of St Petersburg who went to St Pete High), have made the most voter contact (already knocked on 6000 doors), and have over $600,000 on hand to be spent to communicate my message to win. I would be very proud and appreciative to be endorsed by the Florida Chamber of Commerce. Thank you for your time and consideration.