Candidates from across the Tampa Bay area were asked to complete our 2014 Legislative Candidate Questionnaire. Below are the responses for the candidates from Florida House District 70.
For the full list of Tampa Bay legislative candidates and their contact information, visit the 2014 Legislative Candidate Questionnaire home page.
Philip Garrett (No Party Affiliation) – Responded, Thank you!
votegarrett@netzero.net | 813-331-9777
Justin M. Bauford (Write-in) – Did not respond.
jmbauford@gmail.com | 727-641-1668
Darryl E. Rouson (Democrat) – Did not respond.
voterouson@gmail.com | 727-224-4557
Economic Issues & Taxes
1. What do you propose or support to increase economic prosperity within the State of Florida?
Garrett: I propose an educated workforce, a return of manufacturing to the state and the lowering of government fees for business owners and tax payers.
Bauford: Did not respond.
Rouson: Did not respond.
2. Excessive regulations can hamper small business growth. Which specific regulations, if any, would you repeal?
Garrett: Did not respond.
Bauford: Did not respond.
Rouson: Did not respond.
3. The Florida Legislature passed a $77 billion budget in 2014, the largest in history, and the trend line indicates we will see another record next year. (A) Do you consider this to be a problem, and if so, (B) what specific actions would you recommend taking in order to better steward taxpayer dollars?
Garrett: Yes it is a problem. We need a more efficient government. We need a government that gives its taxpayers a quality return for the taxes they take from us. We also need leaders that are not in politics for “the money” and are willing to be forthcoming about their ideas for their districts. We need a reporting of the budget to be more transparent and specific when reported.
Bauford: Did not respond.
Rouson: Did not respond.
4. Would you support legislation that would refund the $1.5 billion taxpayers’ investment in the now-cancelled Levy County Nuclear Power Plant? Why or why not?
Garrett: Any money taken from the taxpayers should be returned if not used for the taxpayer. Some issue and problems appear to be much, more easy to solve than it is made out to be
Bauford: Did not respond.
Rouson: Did not respond.
Education
5. Do you support a repeal of Common Core State Standards (now rebranded to “Florida Standards”) in Florida? If not, what changes, if any, would you propose or support?
Garrett: I believe we need to stop making changes to the curriculum from administration to administration. Adults are destroying the system not the youth. The youth don’t change policies adult do. Give the school children more support and time to learn.
Bauford: Did not respond.
Rouson: Did not respond.
Environment
6. Do you support offshore drilling in Florida waters?
Garrett: NO.
Bauford: Did not respond.
Rouson: Did not respond.
Civil Liberties
7. Would you support legislation in Florida that nullified the NSA’s ability to perform warrantless surveillance of Floridians?
Garrett: YES.
Bauford: Did not respond.
Rouson: Did not respond.
8. A bill was filed in the Senate in 2013 (SB 846: Search and Seizure of a Portable Electronic Device) that would have required that a search warrant be issued before a search of someone’s mobile device was permitted. Would you vote in support of this bill? Why or why not?
Garrett: I don’t know the details.
Bauford: Did not respond.
Rouson: Did not respond.
9. Do you support a repeal of red light cameras in Florida? Why or why not?
Garrett: Yes, Taxation without representation.
Bauford: Did not respond.
Rouson: Did not respond.
Drugs
10. Should all drug offenders, even non-violent and first-time offenders receive mandatory sentences? Would you suggest policies other than incarceration to deal with drug use?
Garrett: NO. Yes I would suggest other ways to deal with drug offenders.
Bauford: Did not respond.
Rouson: Did not respond.
11. Do you support the legalization of medical marijuana as proposed by the United for Care Amendment? Why or why not?
Garrett: I need more research information.
Bauford: Did not respond.
Rouson: Did not respond.
12. Do you support drug testing of welfare recipients? Why or why not?
Garrett: Yes if the government pays for it. Urine test or non-intrusive test.
Bauford: Did not respond.
Rouson: Did not respond.
The US Constitution
13. Do you support a state’s right to nullify federal law, as many have already done for example by legalizing medical marijuana, or blocking implementation of the Affordable Care Act?
Garrett: It depends.
Bauford: Did not respond.
Rouson: Did not respond.
14. Would you have voted for Florida HB 209 – “Carrying Concealed Weapon or Concealed Firearm”, which would have granted an exception from criminal penalties for carrying a concealed weapon or a concealed firearm when evacuating? Why or why not?
Garrett: Need more information on this subject. I believe in concealed license permits.
Bauford: Did not respond.
Rouson: Did not respond.
Healthcare
15. There is no argument that health care costs are completely disconnected from a person’s ability to pay. What do you propose or support to help reduce the cost of health care services in Florida?
Garrett: Reduce cost.
Bauford: Did not respond.
Rouson: Did not respond.
16. Would you vote in favor of Florida accepting the federal funds set aside for Medicaid Expansion? Why or why not?
Garrett: Need more information.
Bauford: Did not respond.
Rouson: Did not respond.
Government Fairness and Transparency
17. What are your thoughts on legislation that gives a competitive advantage to a specific company or industry?
Garrett: I don’t like it. In my opinion a open market me an open market. Not a market where businesses can go to a legislator to have their bidding done.
Bauford: Did not respond.
Rouson: Did not respond.
18. In several recent studies, Florida has been found to be in either the top 10 or the top 5 most corrupt states in the nation. What do you propose or support to help reduce corruption in Florida?
Garrett: Complete transparency.
Bauford: Did not respond.
Rouson: Did not respond.
19. Currently, millions of dollars in campaign contributions filter through political committees that are controlled by legislative leaders. (A) Do you consider this a problem, and if so, (B) what, if anything, would you suggest be done about it?
Garrett: Yes, Government appears to be a bill market, where legislators sells their stock to the highest bidders.
Bauford: Did not respond.
Rouson: Did not respond.
20. In February 2013, Watchdog group Integrity Florida reported[1] that Enterprise Florida has failed to meet its job creation objective, lacks transparency, has the appearance of pay-to-play, is engaged in apparent conflicts of interest, and is picking winners and losers in the Florida economy by demonstrating state government favoritism to certain companies and industries. Would you support an Inspector General investigation into Enterprise Florida and legislation to take corrective actions?
Garrett: I need more information.
Bauford: Did not respond.
Rouson: Did not respond.
Any additional comments or thoughts:
Garrett: SPREAD THE WORD – VOTE GARRETT FOR FL HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DISTRICT 70. 813-331-9777.
Bauford: Did not respond.
Rouson: Did not respond.
[1] Ben Wilcox and Dan Krassner: “Enterprise Florida: Economic Development or Corporate Welfare?”
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