For more than a decade, Legislative leaders have passed out tax breaks to big corporations and passed along higher tax bills to us. Last year, the Florida Legislature raised billions of dollars in new taxes and fees and balanced the state's budget with federal stimulus funds.
We literally can't afford to keep running Florida this way.
Even though our tax bills, insurance rates and required fees keep going up, education funding and job creation keep going down. As a native Floridian born in Miami, nothing pains me more than to watch as the poor decisions made by our Legislature rob our state of jobs and quality schools we need.
We have to change course. As your next state Representative, I will work with new leaders and set a newer, safer and more successful direction for our state.
Economy/Jobs/Taxes
Recent economic slowdowns have highlighted the weaknesses in Florida's fragile economy that has been built on suburban sprawl, tourism and artificially increasing home values. The Legislature must develop a stronger and more stable economy and a tax structure that is fair and sound.
As your Representative, Lisa Lesperance will work to:
Oppose new or increased taxes on individuals - especially an income tax - and work to close special deals and tax loopholes that force taxes or fees to be passed onto Floridians.
Support a complete and regular analysis of every tax, fee or other required payments paid by Floridians.
Retraining and re-tool our workforce to meet the needs of the 21st Century economy including sustainable development, green energy jobs, and clean bio-technology.
Reward businesses which create sustainable, high-wage jobs for Floridians in Florida.
Stop public education and public safety funding from being completely reliant on unreliable revenue sources.
Increase competition among private insurance carriers to reduce costs and lessen the role of Citizen's Insurance - the public insurance option used by tens of thousands of homeowners in District 117.
Education
Florida continues to lag behind other states in both funding for our schools and the performance of our students. Lack of funding and performance are related and both are the highest responsibility of the Legislature.
As your Representative, Lisa Lesperance will work to:
Stop lottery funds from funding the basics of education. Lottery dollars should be used as promised - to enhance education, not pay for our most basic needs.
Increase the focus of our schools on 21st Century skills in math, science and emerging technology.
Stop recurring cuts to important non-academic offerings such as arts, music, health and physical education.
Provide fair and competitive salaries for teachers.
Fund Florida colleges and universities to the highest national levels and expect top national performance.
Energy/Environment
Florida's future economic prosperity and public safety depends on how our Legislature uses, invests in or protects our energy and environmental resources.
As your Representative, Lisa Lesperance will work to:
Promote environmentally-friendly, cost-effective vertical development and infill instead of horizontal development and sprawl.
Safeguard Florida's fragile water and natural resources.
Partner with local governments and utility companies to invest in new energy grids, underground power lines and emerging energy sources such as solar.
