Janelle Irwin Taylor
In anticipation of the 2015 Legislative Session, FloridaPolitics.com is asking state lawmakers about their goals and priorities – and whether they support some controversial issues in the state.
Here are the responses from State Senator Jeff Brandes:
In one word, how would you describe your expectations for the Session, i.e. “Excited.”
“Hopeful”
What’s a local issue you are making a priority this Session?
“Continuing the USF business school and finalizing financing for that. We got $15 million over the last 2 years and need another $12 million. Whether that’s this year or spread over the next two years, as long as it happens.”
Is there a special appropriations you are pushing for this Session?
“We get all kinds of different local groups looking for help. [What I’d like to see] is low income housing and specifically making sure that we’re spending those dollars wisely and that’s something that’s maybe not so much locally, but more globally. are we spending those scarce resources in a the best way?”
How would you find a way to expand health care coverage to the nearly one million Floridians left without coverage as a result of not expanding Medicaid?
“We need to determine how much money we have to work with. Ultimately it comes down to the federal government getting their financial house in order. We need to wait until they know how much money can be feasibly dedicated to healthcare and then we can have a much more robust conversation. In the meantime they need to expand LIP (Low Income Pool) funds.”
*The federal government announced earlier this month it will not expand the $1.3 billion fund that helps hospitals treat uninsured patients.
If your medical marijuana bill doesn’t gain traction in the senate, would you support Rep. Greg Steube’s bill in the House even though it contains fewer provisions for sick people? Why? Why not?
“I think anything that moves the ball forward is a positive step.”
How do you think the ongoing debate over 64-ounce growlers should be solved?
“I think it will be resolved shortly. It will be resolved in favor of the craft brewers, maybe the third week of session. This is not an issue that will take too long I don’t think.”
Would you support allowing grocery stores and other retailers to sell alcohol along with beer and wine inside existing stores by removing the law requiring a stand alone store? Why or why not?
“Yes, because many other states have that provision and there doesn’t seem to be adverse outcomes.”
Recent surveys have shown teachers and parents are largely frustrated with the state’s public education system. What would you do to improve morale among teachers, education professionals, parents and students?
“I think there is a sense that we are reforming for reform’s sake and I think we need to slow down, take our time and be thoughtful. Let’s re-evaluate the outcomes that we. We’re really caught up in the bureaucracy right now and we need to move away from that. As long as we keep that as the light, which we hold all of our decisions to, I think we will realize that the state needs to slow down. When all of the state’s Superintendents are telling you the same thing, it’s time to stop and listen to them.”
As the state continues its transition to the new Florida standards instead of the Next Generation Sunshine State standards and previous Sunshine State Standards, many teachers worry the new more difficult standards will be difficult for both students and teachers to adapt to. What would you propose the state do to help the transition?
“I don’t know that it will be more difficult to adapt to . I think it will be a change. When you set ne higher standards, people will meet them. I think students want to meet them. The example I always use is the four-minute mile was never broken until it was and then it was continually broken.”
What do you think the state’s role in regulating rideshares like Uber and Lyft should be? How can the state help regulate the industry so both Uber and taxi companies can compete?
“I think the furture of transportation is on-demand services and those services will extend beyond what they currently are into what we currently see as bus services today – low cost car pool services and Florida should welcome them with open arms.”
What is an issue you wish received more attention?
“End-of-life care – it’s probably one of the most challenging issues in all of healthcare to have a discussion about how to address end of life decisions. [I’ve filed a bill that] talks about giving Floridians access to experimental medicine. Florida is a great place to live, how do we make Florida a respectful place to pass? How do we have an honest conversation early and allow people the opportunity to die with dignity?”
*Brandes clarified that he plans to expand the current bill to allow experimental drugs with an amendment to provide better end-of-life care, but that would not include euthanasia.
