We Asked the Candidates for Governor of Florida, Alex Sink and Bill McCollum, About the State's Next Agenda.

PRCCCF: What is your agenda in regards of support/assist job creation for minorities?

Sink: Small and medium size businesses are crucial to creating jobs in our state, and I strongly believe in supporting our minority-owned businesses. 
 

Last week I was at the Puerto Rican Affairs Summit where I met Puerto Rican business leaders, and I have been holding meetings with minority business owners across Florida. As I travel the state I hear the same things -- small business owners need better access to credit, their taxes to stay low, and help cutting the red tape.  My Business Plan for Florida lays out a clear path to achieve these goals to help Florida’s small and medium sized businesses thrive and grow.
 

McCollum: I am running for Governor because Florida is facing some of the most difficult challenges we have seen in decades. We need a leader who will tackle these obstacles and turn them into opportunities. We need to implement strong public policies that foster a business environment where taxes are low, government red tape is minimal, and companies are encouraged to expand. I have developed a jobs plan that is based on those principles, and has been endorsed by Steve Forbes and estimated to bring a half million new jobs to Florida over the next 6 years. These are critical steps for Florida to take, and I believe that greater economic prosperity and a more sustainable economy will lead to jobs and opportunity for all Floridians. These initiatives will directly benefit minority business owners, while also creating an environment for new minority-owned small businesses to grow and prosper. Our best long-term solution for growing prosperity for Hispanic and African-Americans in our state is closing the achievement gap in our schools. Florida has been a leader in this area, but our future economic security relies on ensuring every single student, regardless of his or her socio-economic background is prepared to succeed in the new knowledge based global economy.

PRCCCF: Small Business/ Economic Development/ Supplier Diversity in Government Contracts
What is your agenda as Governor to increase minority small business participation in state contracts?Can you share some of the points?

Sink: During my decades in the private sector, I built a strong record of encouraging minority owned small businesses. As Florida’s CFO, I have worked to increase state contracts to minority owned businesses, and I have required that contract requests were sent to all businesses listed in a related category, not just the three required by statute, making sure more minority-owned businesses had a better chance to bid on state contracts.  As governor, I will continue to build this strong relationship and ensure the amount of minority contracts awarded reflects the diverse business climate of our state.

McCollum:State contracts must always be best on achieving the best product or service for the people of Florida, at the lowest cost to taxpayers.  Under Governor Bush, programs were implemented that matched minority-owned businesses with contract opportunities, and through this, Florida increased diversity in state contracting without using policies that discriminate. An improved business climate in Florida will help all companies prosper. As Governor, I will continue to emphasize the importance of outreach and the development of partnerships in state contracting.  

PRCCCF: Do you have a plan, if elected governor, to consider the establishment of businesses that will develop alternative energy and potable water to meet the ever increasing demands of the Florida residents? Tell us about it.

Sink: With our state's unique combination of natural resources, cutting-edge R&D capabilities, and a skilled workforce, new and renewable energy can be a key part of remaking Florida's economy for the long-term.  There are so many exciting innovations already going on around Florida, but it will take strong leadership to truly harness their power.
 

The damage that over 200,000 gallons of oil spilling into the Gulf everyday has already done to our coastal businesses, and the threat it hangs over Florida's beaches, demonstrates why developing renewable energy sources is so important for protecting Florida's economy.  But green businesses will also be key to building a stronger, more stable economy for Florida's future. 
 

As governor, I will ensure that Florida has the leadership, accountability and commitment needed to establish policies that support new energy and green jobs.

McCollum: Yes. Water and energy are cornerstones of Florida’s economy and essential to all residents and businesses alike.  For water, I have released a plan in which I commit to increased leadership and increased funding for Alternative Water Supply programs, including desalination and greater water storage capacities. Florida also has incredible opportunity to be the nation’s leader in alternative energy. We have three seasons a year in which biomass and other renewable can be grown, along with ample sunshine. We must develop viable technologies to harness these resources and turn them into sustainable, affordable energy. As Governor I will work to improve outreach to high-tech companies that develop these technologies, and improve the regulatory environment in which these companies can truly thrive. I will revamp Florida’s economic development agencies to ensure priority treatment is given to companies that develop alternative energy, and will be personally involved in these efforts.

PRCCCF: With a potential privatization of the U.S. Space program in the horizon, what will you do as Governor , and what is your timeframe, to attract more Space-related contractors to Florida, and create jobs for the Space Coast residents to replace those jobs lost with the decommissioning of the NASA Space Shuttle program?

Sink: We must enhance our state's commercial space business on the Space Coast and attract additional federal tax dollars to maximize the region's highly-skilled workforce. I will vehemently market the regions talents and assets and work to bring in new industry partners to utilize our highly skilled workforce.

McCollum: Regardless of what the federal government decides regarding the Space Program, Florida can and must ensure that Space Coast contractors, engineers, and workers  have continuity in employment. The Space Coast has great and largely untapped potential, in terms of growing the regional economy through a focus on manufacturing and high-tech activities. In my plan to create jobs in Florida, I have made the Space Coast a priority area for attracting new businesses and for supporting companies already present in the state. This can be achieved through greater access to capital, especially for early stage companies; through lowering the tax burden on companies, especially small businesses; and through reducing unnecessary regulation and cumbersome bureaucracy.

PRCCCF: Minority Representation in Government

Are you committed to increase the number of Latinos in public office (board appointments, government appointments and nominations, etc)? How?

Sink: I will fight to make sure that Florida’s vibrant, Latino community is fully represented in our government and that my administration, appointments, and nominations reflect the diversity of our state.

McCollum: The appointment process must always consider the most qualified and competent applicants, as well as diversity of boards. I’m proud of my record in the Attorney General’s office in promoting diversity, and I will continue this as Florida’s next Governor

PRCCCF: Education  

Bilingual Education has not been fully funded this year by the State and it was in the chopping block in Orange County, one of the counties in Florida with the highest number of Puerto Ricans.  Do you understand the importance of bilingual education and are you committed to fund this important program with state dollars?

Sink: Bilingual programs have so many educational benefits that are essential in helping our children reach their maximum potential. And given the federal investments in this area, it just makes sense to continue this important program.  As a former teacher, I am fully committed to bilingual education because it is an essential tool for our children’s success in the future.

McCollum: A well-rounded education includes humanities, arts and languages. I believe that that teaching students to be fluent in another language is an asset for Florida students as they enter the job market. We must do everything possible to increase rigor in our schools, but I firmly believe English is our national language, and to succeed, our students must be fluent in it.

PRCCCF: Housing 

Puerto Ricans are among the poorest minorities in this state; what program can you champion to help them attain the American Dream of Home Ownership?

Sink: All Floridians will benefit from my economic plan and it will help them reach financial stability and security. More jobs will be available to Floridians through programs that expand small business, incentivize employers to keep jobs in Florida, and develop growing sectors in our economy. With this stronger economy, I will ensure that more Floridians are able to live with dignity and achieve their dreams, including the dream of home ownership.  I have also been committed to affordable housing programs and will champion them as Governor.

McCollum: Affordable housing is a challenge for Floridian families, and this includes not only the costs of the home itself, but also property insurance and property taxes.  For these issues, much can be done to improve Florida’s housing climate, and as Governor, I am committed to taking bold steps to achieve more equitable, sustainable, and predictable solutions for all Floridian homeowners.

PRCCCF: International Trade 

Last year due to the recession, Florida exports decreases more than $7 billon or about 13.5%.  How do you intend to increase the export with a stronger dollar due to the European Financial Crisis?

Sink: Small and medium-sized businesses are also the major drivers of Florida's exports, yet they often cannot get access to the necessary financing for exporting their goods. As Governor I will expand the availability of assistance from the Florida Export Finance Corporation and business counseling services on exporting that are provided through Enterprise Florida.

McCollum: Florida can and should be the Hub of the Americas. We boast 14 deepwater ports, international airports, and an award-winning highway system. Florida must be prepared to compete with other state ports in advance of the 2014 expansion of the Panama Canal, and succeeding in this effort will mean not only increased trade through Florida, but also a significant increase in jobs for Floridians. I have been working with port and transportation experts already to prepare for what the Panama Canal expansion will mean for Florida, and to ensure adequate planning and funding for this. Further, as Governor, I have already committed to hosting “in-bound trade missions” at least twice a year, where we will foster stronger trade relationships with international partners and investors.

PRCCCF: Proposals for fiscal control without creating additional taxes. 

If elected governor, do you intend to levy new taxes, like the Value Added Tax that President Obama is considered for the national level?  Why can’t the tax on spirits be increased to decrease our budget deficit and also to decrease accidents related to drunk driving?

Sink: In this economic climate, I feel that raising taxes would damage our economy. I believe we can reduce our budget deficit and expand our economy by cutting spending, creating jobs, and giving the resources necessary to our small business owners and entrepreneurs.

McCollum: As Governor, I intend to lower taxes and reduce the cost of doing business in Florida. This will include a lowering of the corporate income tax, as well as a 10-year corporate tax exemption for qualifying small businesses. I have also committed to additional manufacturing, research and development, and equipment tax exemptions, in order to create more jobs for Floridians. These proposals will directly aid small businesses. I was pleased to have the support and endorsement of these proposals by Steve Forbes, who estimates that they will lead to the creation of a half million jobs over six years. The increased economic activity from tax cuts will lead to far greater long-term prosperity and sustainability in Florida.