The Florida Chamber of Commerce Candidate Interview Questions

Dear Candidate,
The Florida Chamber Political Institute, the research-based arm of the Florida Chambers
political operations department, understands that the candidate selection process is extremely
important. Therefore, the Institute researches each candidate extensively and conducts thorough
interviews during each campaign season, allowing Floridas business leaders to see where each
candidate stands on the issues.
On behalf of all the members of the Florida Chamber Political Institute, I would like to thank you
for seeking office in the state of Florida and for taking the time to complete this questionnaire.
PLEASE NOTE: Once you start completing the questionnaire, you will need to finish it and
click send as it cannot be saved. If you must stop, you will need to start over. Should you like a
copy of your completed questionnaire, please contact Hannah Kaplan at 850-521-1246 and
she will email one to you. We will have a copy of your questionnaire available for you at the
interview.
Please contact me if I can assist you in any way. We look forward to discussing with you the
issues facing Florida at the Candidate Interviews.
Marian P. Johnson
Executive Director
Florida Chamber Political Institute

I. Candidate Profile-Personal Information

1. Candidate Name
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2. Address
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3. Home / Cell / Office Phone

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4. Email Address
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5. Highest degree earned and from what institution

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6. Current Occupation

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7. Current Employer
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8. Notable previous employment

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9. Family Description
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10. How are you involved in your community?

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11. What boards have you served on?

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12. Who are some people you admire the most and why do you admire them?
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13. Who in your community would you go to for trusted advice?

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14. What are three qualities you possess that enable you to be a strong leader?
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15. Office being sought

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16. Party Affiliation and length of time

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17. What is your on guiding principle or core value?

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18. Briefly describe your political involvement.

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19. Have you ever been a previous candidate for political office? (If yes, what office? Outcome of
race?)
No
20. Campaign Organization and Structure: general consultant, manager, treasurer, media, pollster,
advisors, campaign website, Facebook page name, campaign budget amount
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21. Why are you running for this office?

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22. Why should the business community support your candidacy?

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23. List by priority the top three (3) Legislative Committees you would like to be assigned
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24. Are there any organizations which you would NOT accept donations from? If so, please list.
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25. 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?
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II. Issue Questionnaire

The Florida Chamber Foundation's Six Pillars framework provides the structure to discuss and
act on Florida's future in concert with the continuous measurement of The Florida Scorecard.
As components of the comprehensive Foundation's Florida 2030 project, business and
community leaders can leverage the common platform that will move Florida forward. And to get
there we need a plan.

Talent Supply & Education

26. What changes would you recommend to Florida's K-12 system of education? Please address
school funding.
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27. As an extension of the school day and to help end "Generational Poverty" would you support
funding affordable after school programs that provide assistance with homework, delinquency
prevention, life skills and the development of good character for Florida's working families?
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28. 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?
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29. How would you address the shortage of qualified talent to fill jobs in STEM-related fields?
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30. 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?
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31. What changes would you support that improve workforce development in the state of Florida?
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32. What changes should be made to Florida's higher education system?

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Innovation & Economic Development

33. What can the state do to continue to strengthen its position as a worldwide hub for trade?
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34. Please discuss any ideas you may have to help enhance the growth and development of the
following economic sectors: Manufacturing, Agriculture, Construction, Hospitality/Tourism,
Healthcare
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35. What would you propose to diversify Florida's economy so that we better handle economic
downturns?
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Infrastructure & Growth Leadership

36. When is it appropriate for the legislature to shift money from a dedicated state trust fund to pay
for other services?
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37. 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?
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38. 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, Environment Permitting, Business
Permits & Licenses)
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39. What role should the state play in balancing the ability of local electric utilities to provide safe,
affordable and reliable electricity with the regulations of carbon emissions?
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40. What can the legislature do to address Florida's water quality and quantity needs?
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Business Climate/Competitiveness

41. What are the three most important things the state legislature could do to improve Florida's
business climate?
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42. 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? Explain.
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43. What is your position on collecting sales and use tax on transactions from out of state and online
retailers?
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44. What is your general philosophy on state and local taxes?

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45. Are there any taxes that should be increased?

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46. 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 the book a room? Explain.
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47. What are your thoughts on the number of lawsuits filed in Florida? Should the state intervene to
make it easier or more difficult to file a lawsuit?
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48. 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?
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49. 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?
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50. 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? Why?
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Governance & Civic Systems

51. What is the proper role of state agencies in regulating prices for insurance companies, banks,
medical providers and other regulated industries?
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52. Government regulations continue to be the top concern for Florida's small business. What areas
would you recommend reducing regulation and red tape?
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53. 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?
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54. Should there be term limits for: Circuit/County, Appellate, Supreme Court justices?
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Quality of Life
55. 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
employers and employees? Explain.

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56. Rising health care cost is a concern for Florida businesses and consumers. What would you
propose that could help alleviate that burden?
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57. What is your position on Medicaid Expansion?

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58. What is your position on whether the state should prohibit balanced billing in emergency
situations? Broader arena?
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59. What is your suggestion to address the current workforce shortage of physicians and nurses in
the state?
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60. What is your position on the expansion of gambling in Florida?

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61. Do you believe gambling should ever be expanded or current permitted gambling changed
without an affirmative statewide vote of the people?
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Do you have any final thoughts?

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