Letters to the Editor

Pre-session business survey results

As we approach the halfway point of the 2012 Legislative Session, I’d like to take this opportunity to provide the results of my 2012 Pre-Session Survey. I sent out more than 10,000 hard copy surveys and emails throughout our community to learn more about the problems and issues that we must address in the Legislature to get Florida “back on track.” I appreciate all the responses my office received and am encouraged by the thoughts and insights this survey collected:

• 82.1 percent of respondents said Florida’s academic standards should be raised in order to help Florida’s children compete in the global marketplace.

• 32.4 percent of respondents said area schools are not improving.

• 82 percent of respondents said Florida should have a standard diploma program focused on career and technical training for students not planning on attending college.

• 81 percent of respondents said they do not support requiring homeowners to pay $15,000 for advance treatment septic systems and $30 to $50 per month in maintenance that may or may not reduce nutrient loading in an impaired district.

• 45.1 percent of respondents said they do not support requiring an inspection and pump out of their septic tanks every 5-7 years at a cost of about $300 as a way to improve water quality and increase the system’s life expectancy.

• A majority of respondents indicated that the state and local governments, as well as state and local environmental and health agencies, must be involved when a permit is requested to create a new landfill or expand an existing one.

• 55 percent of respondents said not to enforce collection of the Internet sales tax.

• 53 percent of respondents said they have not noticed a decrease in burdensome regulations at the state and/or local level.

• 66.1 percent of respondents said that tax incentives should be used for economic development and to facilitate job creation and growth.

• 72 percent of respondents said the government is not responsible for job creation.

• 68.4 percent of respondents said that the use of cellular phones, including texting while driving, should be made illegal.

• 51.4 percent of respondents agreed that courts should have specific guidelines for military veterans who have committed non-violent crimes to ensure they receive the right assistance.

• 51.1 percent of respondents said they were “unsure” if the recently enacted 2011 laws have been effective in combating “pill mills” and prescription drug abuse in Central Florida.

• A majority of respondents said that crime in the community has increased.

• 72 percent said they did not support raising taxes to support the expansion of Medicaid to individuals who are currently uninsured.

• 56.2 percent of respondents said they are aware that the state’s Medicaid budget has almost doubled over the last 10 years from 17 percent in 2003 to 34 percent in 2013.

• 76.3 percent of respondents said that it should easier for small businesses to provide health insurance to their employees by providing tax exemptions and credits.

• 73.1 percent of respondents said that they would support an effort to allow Floridians to opt out of any federal health care measures that are mandated by the federal government.

• 60.1 percent of respondents said that they are aware of the PIP fraud epidemic in the state of Florida.

• 54.6 percent of respondents said they are aware of the price of PIP fraud and abuse in Florida.

• 87 percent of respondents said that the Legislature should enact additional regulations on attorneys and clinics that make illegitimate profits from PIP in order to combat auto PIP fraud and abuse.

• 71 percent of respondents said Internet sweepstakes and cafes should be outlawed.

• 31 percent of respondents said that the state should create a statewide gaming commission to expand gambling throughout the state of Florida, while 32 percent said that gambling should be reduced in the state of Florida.

• 55 percent of respondents said that they do not feel they have had an adequate opportunity to participate and provide input on the redistricting process at their various levels of government.

I appreciate all the comments and feedback received. If you would like additional information or wish to provide more feedback, contact 407-884-2023. As always, it is an honor to serve you.

—State Rep. Bryan Nelson

District 38