A.G. Gancarski
Paul Renner came within two votes of winning an election last year for the seat that Jay Fant holds. And he is still one election away — a special election on April 7 — from formally being elected to the House. He very likely will win that election, so we have reached out to him and gotten answers to questions regarding his opinions on issues relevant to the pending legislative session.
Our questions are in bold; his answers are directly below.
In one word, how would you describe your expectations for the Session, i.e. “Excited.”
Working hard to first get elected.
What’s a local issue you hope to make a priority this Session?
We need to continue to promote policies that encourage economic growth and job creation. While not a local issue, it is the most important issue in every local community. Northeast Florida also needs to focus on unique economic drivers, such as the port in Jacksonville.
Is there a special appropriations you are pushing for this Session?
There are several water and beach restoration projects in District 24 that deserve funding, including a project to address flooding issues in the Malacompra area of Flagler County and beach restoration in Summer Haven in St. Johns County, among others.
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?
As is now apparent, Obamacare has failed in its promise to bring down costs and only increased the burden on every American with health insurance. Before we can effectively expand coverage, we urgently need to replace the current federal framework and focus on common-sense reforms that would reduce costs for everyone. That alone would allow many working Americans to obtain insurance. One-size-fits-all mandates in an area as complex as health care simply do not work and we need to fundamentally change our approach. In any federal reform, we need to give much more flexibility for states to innovate with Medicaid reforms that could, in turn, expand coverage and begin to address the problem of uncompensated care that places upward pressure on everyone’s health care premiums.
Do you support Sen. Jeff Brandes‘ medical marijuana bill? Greg Steube’s version in the House? Why? Why not?
We need to let science drive this debate and move cautiously. I opposed the recent constitutional amendment that was essentially a de facto legalization. If there are significant benefits for those with severe medical conditions, I am open to reforms, provided those reforms are carefully structured so as not to become a back door legalization for recreational use.
How do you think the ongoing debate over 64-ounce growlers should be solved?
If elected, I will vote to allow 64-ounce growlers.
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?
Since I am still a candidate and have not participated in committee discussions on this bill, I want to hear from both sides before making a decision.
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?
We should continue to assess how to reduce testing while still preserving the standards and accountability that brought Florida from near the bottom to near the top ranking of states in the country.
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 favor a greater role for the state and local communities to determine how to reform our standards and want to remove any federal interference from that process. We need to hear from everyone to identify needed changes that could be made before we commit significant resources to fund this transition. My priority would be to ensure that Florida sets its own path in establishing our K-12 standards.
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?
Government should not stand in the way of innovation and competition in the marketplace, so I favor eliminating regulations that restrict Uber type options for consumers.
What is an issue you wish received more attention?
The states should have more authority to innovate and improve government services and reduce the one-size-fits all approach that is so often found in federal programs and mandates.
