Candidate Profile - Personal Information

Transcription

1 1. Candidate's Name: 2. Address: Candidate Profile - Personal Information David Silvers 3549 Forest Hill Blvd. #24 3. City: West Palm Beach Zip: Telephone Numbers: 5. Address: (561) Home Cell Office david@davidsilvers.org 6. Highest Degree Earned: (from what Institution?) 7. Current Occupation: 8. Current Employer: 9. table Previous Employment: 10. Family Description: President Tekno Books, LLC. 11. How are you involved in your community? BSBA University of Florida; JD/MBA University of Miami Director of Business Affairs for a cable system of roughly 50 employees as well and the head of the international division for movietickets.com. Laurie Silvers Mother; Mitchell Rubenstein Step Father; Hali Utstein, fiancé, who is a small business co-owner of On the Go Ventures, a full service vending company. How are you involved in your community? Young Friends of The Kravis Center Executive Committee, Rotary Club of Boca Raton, Leadership Palm Beach County, Economic Forum of Palm Beach County. NAACP, United South County Democratic club, and Boca Helping Hands Meals on Wheels volunteer 12. What boards have you served on? Economic Council of Palm Beach County (Member board of Directors), Economic Council of Palm Beach Beach County PAC Board member, Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce Trustee, Young Friends of The Kravis Center Executive Committee, and Morse Life board member. 13. Who are some people you admire most and why do you admire them? Andrew Carnegie- He started from nothing and created an empire, which he used to help himself and those around him. Both of my Grandfathers: My paternal grandfather showed the true meaning of courage. He quit college and joined the Navy to take on the Nazi s. He became one of the youngest commanders in US Naval history. My maternal Grandfather was a true visionary. He understood that radio and cable were the future. He instilled in my mother the entrepreneurial spirit that now lives in me to this day. 14. Who in your community would you go to for trusted advice? 1. Individuals and industry groups affected by the proposed legislation. 2. Elected officials including Patrick Murphy, Joe Abruzzo, and Paula Ryan 3. My stepfather, Mitchell Rubenstein, a business owner, and my mother, Laurie Silvers, president of Hollywood Media, creators of many multi-media companies including the Sci-Fi channel and movietickets.com. 15. Three Qualities Leaders Possess: Confidence, Decisiveness, and the ability to find common ground. 16. Office being sought: House District: 87 Senate District: 17. Party Affiliation: Democratic Length of Time: 3 years

2 18. What is your one guiding principle or core value? Having had so many opportunities in life, I owe my community my service. 19. Briefly describe your political involvement: I ran for office in 2014 and lost a close race but learned a lot. I am a member of Democratic clubs and active in local party and civic groups. I have donated to local, state, and federal candidates whose views I share. 20. Have you ever been a previous candidate for political office? (IF YES) What Office: Outcome of race: Lost 21. Campaign Organization and Structure: General Consultant: Rick Asnani Campaign Web Address: Facebook Page Name: Manager: Bill Newgent Treasurer: Kim LeeBove Florida House district 89 Media: Cornerstone Solutions Pollster: Cornerstone Solutions Yes Advisors: Former State Representative Mary Brandenburg Campaign Budget Amount: $225k 22. Why are you running for this office? I want to serve our community and state by helping make Florida a better place in which to live, work, and visit. 23. Why should the business community support your candidacy: I am a member of the business community myself. I am a pro-business candidate and have worked in the private sector for 11 years. I know what it s like to make payroll, work within a budget, pay for workers compensation insurance and other benefits. 24. List by priority the top three (3) Legislative Committees you would like to be assigned: Committee 1: Economic Affairs Committee 2: Education Committee 3: Regulatory Affairs 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? II. Issue Questions Talent Supply & Education 27. What changes would you recommend to Florida's K-12 system of education? Please address school funding.

3 Funding per student is currently less than what it was in 2008, pre-recession. We need to at least get the funding numbers up to pre-recession levels. Funding should go to the school districts. When funding follows the student, and students are moved out of public school districts, it weakens the public school system. 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 the current law and support the concept of management soliciting advice from professional employees as part of the management decision-making process. 30. How would you address the shortage of qualified talent to fill jobs in STEM-related fields? Florida needs to be attractive to businesses so that they will relocate or expand in Florida. We need sensible regulations and tax structures. We also need to be a good place for families to live, so employers can attract and keep good employees. To do that we need a higher quality of public education, including colleges and universities, and an emphasis on STEM subjects beginning in kindergarten. 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? The concept of minimum standards in Math and LA is a good one. How we get there is a discussion worth having, and I want to be a part of that conversation. 32. What changes would you support that improve workforce development in the state of Florida? It starts with a quality public education system, k-20 and vocational programs. 33. What changes should be made to Florida's higher education system? Florida should move our flagship universities to the top tier, and all colleges and universities should focus on degree offerings that meet needs in Florida. We must avoid unnecessary duplication. Innovation & Economic Development 34. What can the state do to continue to strengthen its position as a worldwide hub for trade? Better education and sensible regulations. 35. Please discuss any ideas you may have to enhance the growth and development of the following economic sectors. Manufactoring: Qualified workers will provide quality innovation. Agriculture: Florida s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) should focus on developing new products and a cure for problems such as citrus greening. Construction: A growing economy will provide steady work. Hospitality/Tourism: The State can help by advertising unique historical and environmental tourism opportunities, which are growing sectors.

4 Healthcare: We are already well regarded, but should focus on specialty areas for future development. 36. What would you propose to diversify Florida's economy so that we better handle economic downturns? We can t just focus on tourism and agriculture. We need to have a work force and business climate that is more attractive than those of other states. 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? Never. It is disingenuous to do otherwise. 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? How would you propose private investors be repaid? I am open to learning more about this issue. 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 Federal 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? There are already federal regulations, and this problem is decreasing as coal-fired plants are converted to natural gas. 41. What can the legislature do to address Florida's water quality and quantity needs? We need to balance the needs of commercial, agricultural and individual users, and find sensible and affordable water quality solutions. Business Climate/Competitiveness 42. What are the three most important things the state legislature could do to improve Florida's business climate? 1: Partner research institutions with incubators 2: Invest in public education 3: Create a competitive regulatory and tax climate 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? Explain: We tried it once, and it didn't work. 44. What is your position on collecting sales and use tax on transactions from out of state and online retailers?

5 Support 45. What is your general philosophy on state and local taxes? Lower taxes are always better for businesses and individuals, but the government needs money for essential services. I generally oppose raising taxes or creating new ones. 46. Are there any taxes that should be increased? 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: Full disclosure is the fair thing to do. 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: I think there are too many frivolous lawsuits, and I oppose the shotgun approach of targeting every party with deep pockets. 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 more information on this issue. 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 would need to be brought up to speed by both sides on what damages are introduced, what the jury considers and what adjustments the court makes to the amount before judgment is entered. 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 think insurers need to be made aware of the claim, obviously, and should have a reasonable time to investigate and adjust the claim. 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: My general view is that market forces should determine prices. State agencies should prevent gauging of consumers. 53. Government regulations continue to be the top concern for Florida's small business. What areas would you recommend reducing regulation and red tape? We need to work to make it easy for people to start businesses, large and small, in Florida. The state should be a partner in their success. 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?

6 We have one of the best funded retirement systems in the United States, and we should continue to build on that success. 55. Should there be term limits for: Circuit/County Judges? Appellate Judges? Supreme Court Judges? Why? Elections are the best way to limit terms. 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: The State has much less control after Obamacare. I am not an expert on healthcare, but generally believe in a free market. 57. Rising health care cost is a concern for Florida businesses and consumers. What would you propose that could help alleviate that burden? The first thing to do is increase access to preventative healthcare. 58. What is your position on Medicaid expansion? We should accept federal funding to increase access to primary care and reserve hospital emergency rooms for true emergencies. 59. What is your position on whether the state should prohibit balanced billing in emergency situations? Broader Arena? I support balanced billing. Everyone should pay for the services received. It isn t fair to force doctors and hospital staff to work for free. 60. What is your suggestion to address the current workforce shortage of physicians and nurses in the state? Because doctors tend to stay where they have served residencies we need more residency slots in Florida. To increase the nursing workforce we should consider lowering tuition, creating programs with flexible hours and increasing the number of nursing programs throughout the state. 61. What is your position on the expansion of gambling in Florida? Destination resort casinos can create jobs, increase tourism, and add to state revenues. I support a cautious increase. 62. Do you believe gambling should ever be expanded or current permitted gambling changed without an affirmative statewide vote of the people?, but I believe voters support this. Recent gambling proposals passed easily in Palm Beach County. FINAL THOUGHTS I believe the best way to lead is with an Open Door policy. I hope you will come to me with any issue on legislation and I will come to you for input on legislation as I am not an expert on every industry. I look forward to working with you in Tallahassee and having an open line of communication.