Candidate Profile - Personal Information

Transcription

1 1. Candidate's Name: 2. Address: Candidate Profile - Personal Information Robert "Bob" Sindler PO Box City: Apopka, FL Zip: Telephone Numbers: 5. Address: Home Cell Office sindlerforsenate@gmail.com 6. Highest Degree Earned: (from what Institution?) 7. Current Occupation: 8. Current Employer: Veterinarian Self 9. Notable Previous Employment: 10. Family Description: 11. How are you involved in your community? Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from University of Georgia U.S. Army Reserve, retired, 26 years: 4 overseas deployments to include 3 combat deployments Wife Beth (deceased), 5 children, 5 grandchildren Former State Representative District 39/38 ( ), former Orange County Commissioner District 2 ( ). Have been involved in a variety of community civic groups including Apopka Chamber of Commerce, Sertoma, Rotary, Kat Cadogen Home for Children. 12. What boards have you served on? Apopka Chamber of Commerce, MetroPlan Orlando, Kat Cadogen Home for Children 13. Who are some people you admire most and why do you admire them? George Washington for courage, leadership and wisdom; Thomas Jefferson for a deep belief in the ability of the common man to govern himself; and Abraham Lincoln for an incredible ability to know the needs of this country and articulate a vision. 14. Who in your community would you go to for trusted advice? I have numerous people in the community I regularly consult for advice. 15. Three Qualities Leaders Possess: Vision, open-mindedness and a broad scope of experiences. 16. Office being sought: House District: Senate District: Party Affiliation: Democrat Length of Time: Entire adult life 18. What is your one guiding principle or core value? Fairness and allegiance to the U.S. Constitution 19. Briefly describe your political involvement: Florida State Representative ( ) Districts 39/38; Orange County Commissioner District 2 ( ). 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: Sandra Lewis Yes Florida House of Representatives District 39/38, Orange County Commission District 2 Served five terms in the Florida House of Representatives and served two terms on the Orange County Commission.

2 Manager: Being developed Treasurer: Shirley Terrell Media: Being developed Pollster: Being developed Advisors: Numerous Campaign Web Address: Facebook Page Name: Being developed Being developed Campaign Budget Amount: 200, Why are you running for this office? I feel strongly that I can be of great benefit to the people of State Senate District 11 and the State of Florida. 23. Why should the business community support your candidacy: I am a businessman. I founded, operated and sold three successful veterinary hospitals. Also, I had a strong record of support to the business community in my time in the Florida House of Representatives ( ) and on the Orange County Board of County Commissioners ( ). 24. List by priority the top three (3) Legislative Committees you would like to be assigned: Committee 1: Education Committee 2: Appropriations Committee 3: Business and Professional Regulation 25. Are there any organizations which you would NOT accept donations from? If so, please list: This question would have to be answered in the context you intended. I would be glad to provide my answers in the interview process. 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. Numerous changes need to be made in Florida s K-12 education. Many of the testing and regulatory requirements are not cost effective. We also need to emphasize cost-effective vocational education programs to a much larger degree. 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 ability of teachers unions and other public sector unions to collectively bargain; as to the specifics of those agreements, I am open to a discussion with the business community on the areas in question.

3 30. How would you address the shortage of qualified talent to fill jobs in STEM-related fields? We need to utilize the large amount of talent in people transitioning from the military and other sectors to be able to fill jobs 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? Minimum standards for math and language arts can be a good thing as long as we do not go overboard in testing, or in tying testing to total funding. 32. What changes would you support that improve workforce development in the state of Florida? I chaired the Community College and Career Prep Committee during my last two years in the Florida House from We were able to decrease unnecessary regulation and other changes to help workforce education. I would love to join with the business community to explore how we can improve workforce education. 33. What changes should be made to Florida's higher education system? We have outstanding public community colleges and universities, but we must always be searching for cost-effective and responsible changes in any area of state government. I would welcome input from the business community in the process to find those answers. Innovation & Economic Development 34. What can the state do to continue to strengthen its position as a worldwide hub for trade? Outreach to a variety of different countries, investment in infrastructure needs, and investment in education to provide Florida citizens with proper training. 35. Please discuss any ideas you may have to enhance the growth and development of the following economic sectors. Manufactoring: Workforce training, investment in infrastructure and repealing non-cost-effective regulation. Agriculture: Investment in agricultural research (i.e., citrus greening, avocado wilt, insect control, water conservation methods); education of citizens in agriculture and best management methods; examination of regulatory structure to make sure only reasonable regulations are left in place. Construction: Vocational training, investment in infrastructure and regulatory reform. Hospitality/Tourism: Using tourist tax in a cost-effective manner to be sure it enhances our tourism industry (in other words, do not kill the golden goose ); vocational education and higher education programs in the tourism and hospitality area; infrastructure improvements. Healthcare: Taking federal funds through Affordable Care Act money would help grow the healthcare industry in Florida. Additionally, I would look at decreasing unnecessary litigation as well as increasing access to vocational education and higher education in the healthcare field. Investment in university research and research parks also is helpful. 36. What would you propose to diversify Florida's economy so that we better handle economic downturns?

4 We need to look at all of the present sectors and make sure they are as strong and diverse as possible. We also need to look within each segments of each sector to look at ways to diversify, such as adding new crops in the agriculture sector, attracting new segments of the tourist population in the hospitality sector, encouraging new plants to locate here in the manufacturing sector, and making infrastructure investments that help the construction sector. 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? In general, it is not appropriate to shift money from a dedicated state trust fund to pay for other services. 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? In certain cases, that indeed may provide a faster and better response. I have observed times at the local level, while in county government, in which individuals have been willing to jump start public infrastructure to achieve their projects. There is a variety of mechanisms as to the method of repayment. 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? I am sure there is much the state can do, but this is a complex issue that also has federal implications. 41. What can the legislature do to address Florida's water quality and quantity needs? The state can do much in terms of Florida s water supply and quality, and the state needs to be proactive in this area. This is a complex issue and I d be happy to discuss the specifics in an interview setting. Business Climate/Competitiveness 42. What are the three most important things the state legislature could do to improve Florida's business climate? 1: Provide well-educated, motivated workforce. 2: Provide necessary public infrastructure. 3: Resolve healthcare problems. 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

5 Explain: A sales tax on services would represent a huge increase for the citizens of Florida who are paying for the services, and it would be quite a burden on service providers. I do not think it s necessary. 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? We should not raise taxes unless all areas of efficiency have been explored. 46. Are there any taxes that should be increased? We do need to examine gas taxes since needed roads cannot be built and maintained with the present tax structure. However, we will have to build public support and buy-in before any solution can be achieved. 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: It would seem to be that best business practices would include transparency, but as to specific legislation, I would welcome input from the business community. 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: While the right to file a lawsuit is important, prudence would dictate that mechanisms to decrease unnecessary or ill-advised lawsuits would be extremely helpful for the Florida economy. This is a question of balance, and I would welcome input from the business community to help formulate good public policy. 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 have to study this issue and hear from all sides before I could give an informed answer. 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 have to study this issue and hear from all sides before I could give an informed answer. 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 seems reasonable but again, I welcome the opportunity to hear from many on 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: I believe in limited government, so the state government should only do the amount that is necessary to protect the public in cases of regulated industries. 53. Government regulations continue to be the top concern for Florida's small business. What areas would you recommend reducing regulation and red tape?

6 I certainly saw many areas in local government that could benefit from reducing unnecessary regulation and a reduction in red tape. As to state regulation, I am open to a discussion with the business community to see how legislation could be crafted to decrease unnecessary regulation and red tape. 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? We need to take a hard look at the present structure and make the necessary changes for the future to have a fiscally sound FRS system. I do believe we should keep a defined benefit plan. But that will entail sacrifices from those in the system, and that includes elected officials. 55. Should there be term limits for: Circuit/County Judges? No Appellate Judges? No Supreme Court Judges? No Why? I generally do not support term limits for judges, but I am open to discussions with the business community as to the merits of term limits. 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: In some cases, that would be a Yes in order to truly spread the costs of care in a cost-effective manner. There are other cases in which variations in plans can provide a more cost-effective product. 57. Rising health care cost is a concern for Florida businesses and consumers. What would you propose that could help alleviate that burden? Much medical care is not cost-effectively utilized, and we need to work collectively to greatly decrease the overall cost of medical care. Taking the federal money from the Medicaid expansion would be a short-term help. 58. What is your position on Medicaid expansion? As a short-term answer, we need to support Medicaid expansion, but we still need to fix the rising costs of Medicaid and other areas of medical costs. 59. What is your position on whether the state should prohibit balanced billing in emergency situations? Broader Arena? I m not fully briefed on this issue and would welcome input from the business community. 60. What is your suggestion to address the current workforce shortage of physicians and nurses in the state? Entice my son to come back to Florida to practice when he is finished his family practice residency in Kentucky. Seriously, though, I am very interested and open to working with the business community to arrive at cost-effective and reasonable solutions to this problem. 61. What is your position on the expansion of gambling in Florida? I am not in favor of 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? I would generally say I would not want to expand gambling or change the current permitted gambling without an affirmative statewide vote of the people. FINAL THOUGHTS

7 I do not necessarily have specific solutions to all of Florida s problems, but I do have a legislative record of being a quick study and someone who is open-minded, thoughtful, fair and accessible in trying to reach reasonable solutions with input from all sides. I welcome the opportunity to discuss issues in more depth in an interview.