Candidate Profile - Personal Information

Transcription

1 1. Candidate's Name: 2. Address: Candidate Profile - Personal Information Victor Dotres 7965 Preserve Circle 3. City: Naples Zip: Telephone Numbers: 5. Address: Home Cell Office victordotres@msn.com 6. Highest Degree Earned: (from what Institution?) 7. Current Occupation: 8. Current Employer: 9. Notable Previous Employment: 10. Family Description: Elementary School Teacher Collier County Public Schools 11. How are you involved in your community? BFA University of Florida I have a mother and father who live in Miami. My older brother lives in Punta Gorda and my younger brother also in Doral. I am a single father of two children, my daughter is nine and my son is eleven. I am a volunteer for the Red Cross Disaster Services covering the Florida Southern Gulf Region. I am also a 2nd Degree member of the Knights of Columbus. 12. What boards have you served on? In the past, I have served on several Parent and Teacher Organizations throughout my teaching career. 13. Who are some people you admire most and why do you admire them? I admire my parents for the sacrifices that they made so that my two brothers and I would have an opportunity to be everything we desired in this country. I admire that my dad volunteered to fight in the Vietnam War and also worked with both the CIA and FBI in hopes of toppling the Castro Government in Cuba during the 1960's. 14. Who in your community would you go to for trusted advice? Representatives Dane Eagle, Matt Caldwell, Ray Rodriguez and Senator Elizabeth Benaquisto. 15. Three Qualities Leaders Possess: -Hardworking -Creative -Empathetic 16. Office being sought: House District: 105 Senate District: 17. Party Affiliation: Republican Length of Time: 5 years 18. What is your one guiding principle or core value? My faith in God and my love for and appreciation for freedom and liberty. 19. Briefly describe your political involvement: I have volunteered for several county, state, and federal campaigns. 20. Have you ever been a previous candidate for political office? (IF YES) What Office: -Lee County School Board in Lee County Hospital Board in 2014 Yes

2 Outcome of race: 21. Campaign Organization and Structure: General Consultant: N/A Manager: N/A Treasurer: Self Media: N/A Pollster: N/A Campaign Web Address: Facebook Page Name: Campaign Budget Amount: Lost in the Primary and received about 5000 votes for school board. Lost in the General and received about 25,000 votes for hospital board. Advisors: My father and older brother. Pending 22. Why are you running for this office? Pending N/A I want to represent the hard working families and businesses in Florida. 23. Why should the business community support your candidacy: I will devote my energy and time to help pass legislation that creates a structure that balances the needs of our fragile environment with the need for new businesses and job creation. 24. List by priority the top three (3) Legislative Committees you would like to be assigned: Committee 1: Education Committee Committee 2: K-12 Subcommittee Committee 3: Veteran and Military Affairs Committee 25. Are there any organizations which you would NOT accept donations from? If so, please list: I will not accept any donations from Political Action Committees and Lobbyist groups. 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? A few years ago after my divorce, I filed for Bankruptcy, Chapter 13, in an effort to keep my home. II. Issue Questions Talent Supply & Education 27. What changes would you recommend to Florida's K-12 system of education? Please address school funding. -Eliminate any teacher incentive programs. -Reevaluate the role of the Florida Department of Education. -Allow school districts to decide what standards and benchmarks they feel are appropriate for their students. -Give parents more choice when it comes to choosing a school for their children. 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

3 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 believe that teacher unions and other public-sector unions should only be allowed to bargain issues that are directly related to hours and wages. 30. How would you address the shortage of qualified talent to fill jobs in STEM-related fields? I believe that every school district should work towards establishing STEM schools that focus on training and educating students in a particular field, such as vocational schools are doing now. 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 am strongly against Common Core Standards across the United States and in Florida. I believe that every school district should be able to create and administer their own set of standards according to their own student population. 32. What changes would you support that improve workforce development in the state of Florida? The state should continually support school districts to work with local businesses to create curriculum and offer courses that can help to improve and prepare future workers in our state. 33. What changes should be made to Florida's higher education system? -Require that our universities and colleges provide an estimate of future salaries along with the degrees that are offered to students. -Increase the opportunities for more high school students to dual enroll in college courses. -Require that universities and colleges make text books accessible online in addition to offering them in print. Innovation & Economic Development 34. What can the state do to continue to strengthen its position as a worldwide hub for trade? -Promote the export potential of Florida businesses and work to improve our international relations. 35. Please discuss any ideas you may have to enhance the growth and development of the following economic sectors. Manufactoring: -Eliminate sales taxes for manufactures. Agriculture: -Provide the necessary resources to help protect Florida's environment so that agriculture can continue to expand in our state. Construction: -Cut back on cumbersome regulations. -Streamline regulations between cities and counties for a more uniform building code. -Reduce excessive permitting fees. -Scale back impact fees. -Enhance a qualified labor force through education and training. Hospitality/Tourism: -Aggressively promote our state to potential visitors. Healthcare: -Increase the penalty for individuals as well as healthcare providers who file fraudulent claims.

4 36. What would you propose to diversify Florida's economy so that we better handle economic downturns? Florida should continue to invest in our space exploration programs and aerospace technology. 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 believe that money should only be shifted to pay other services if the state was faced with a catastrophic situation or emergency. 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? It is my belief that in almost all cases, the private sector can do a more efficient and effective job than the government. I would like to see more public infrastructure funding go to our local businesses and have them selected through a bidding 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 State Government Local Government State Government State Government Local 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 not hand pick or favor one type of energy source over another, but should promote other types of energy sources that can protect our environment and create more jobs. 41. What can the legislature do to address Florida's water quality and quantity needs? -Secure funding for water quality investments of systems that protect our water supply for future generations. Business Climate/Competitiveness 42. What are the three most important things the state legislature could do to improve Florida's business climate? 1: Streamline permitting and eliminate red-tape. 2: Regularly review the regulatory system that affects businesses. 3: Develop a tax system that supports job creation and business development. 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: No. 44. What is your position on collecting sales and use tax on transactions from out of state and online retailers?

5 Do Not Support 45. What is your general philosophy on state and local taxes? State taxes, such as the corporate tax, should be cut and local governments should regularly review, revise, and reduce property taxes. 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 transparent when it comes to resort fees so that visitors to our state can make a well-informed decision when booking their rooms. 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: Continue to fight for tort reform to stop frivolous lawsuits that hurt businesses and Floridians. 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 talk with others regarding 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 talk with others regarding this issue. 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 would need to talk with others regarding this issue. 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 market will dictate the prices, not the state. 53. Government regulations continue to be the top concern for Florida's small business. What areas would you recommend reducing regulation and red tape? -Eliminate outdated, time consuming, and burdensome regulations that only act as road blocks and barriers to new 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? Those who are currently enrolled in the FRS should still receive the pensions that they were promised, however, new employees should be required to contribute a larger amount into the plan. Eventually, I would like to see all state pension plans eliminated.

6 55. Should there be term limits for: Circuit/County Judges? Yes Appellate Judges? Yes Supreme Court Judges? Yes Why? Nobody should be in an appointed nor elected position indefinitely. 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 should never force businesses to provide healthcare to their employees. The decision to provide healthcare to employees should be made by businesses, not the government. 57. Rising health care cost is a concern for Florida businesses and consumers. What would you propose that could help alleviate that burden? The state should promote a culture of wellness among Floridians and establish healthcare policies that help businesses grow. 58. What is your position on Medicaid expansion? I do not support an increase in Medicaid expansion. 59. What is your position on whether the state should prohibit balanced billing in emergency situations? Broader Arena? Hospitals that participate in an insurer's network should be required to employ and have available staff members which are also covered by the insurer. 60. What is your suggestion to address the current workforce shortage of physicians and nurses in the state? Encourage school districts to create additional vocational schools that focus on healthcare related occupations. 61. What is your position on the expansion of gambling in Florida? I am absolutely against any expansion of gambling in our state. 62. Do you believe gambling should ever be expanded or current permitted gambling changed without an affirmative statewide vote of the people? No, the decision to expand gambling should ultimately be made by the voters and not elected officials. FINAL THOUGHTS As the son of Cuban immigrants, I understand and appreciate the opportunities provided to me by this country. My mom taught me compassion and how to care for others and my dad taught me the value of hard work and patriotism. I am blue-collar conservative who will work tirelessly for the hard working families and businesses in Florida. I am a Native Floridian and I love my state and my country. I don't believe in a hand out, I believe in a hand up. Regardless, if I should be fortunate to receive the chamber's endorsement, I will still work my hardest to promote and protect our Florida businesses, because I understand that our businesses are the backbone of our state. Thank you for the opportunity to fill out this questionnaire and I am looking forward to meeting with the chamber in the weeks to come. Thanks again and God bless our Florida businesses.