As an activist for the disabled in the Democratic Party, Mark Ravenscraft has seen state government up front.
He doesn’t like the direction it’s headed.
“I see a big ‘for sale’ sign in front of the Florida Legislature,” Ravenscraft said. “It’s been there nine, 10 years — probably longer. It’s disheartening for me to see legislators lose their focus.”
Ravenscraft, who owns a marketing consulting group in Tallahassee, is on the June 5 De-mocrat primary ballot for state Senate District 3.
He has some experience in elective office, having served on county and city boards in Ohio.
He also worked for seven years for the Florida Department of Education’s Division of Vo-cational Rehabilitation. Ravenscraft, 59, said he’s help developed technology for people with disabilities.
“I’ve been in a wheelchair all my life,” he said, adding he’s had polio since childhood.
Ravenscraft said he realizes that the Senate race is focused on two Republican candidates — state Reps. Charlie Dean of Inverness and Dennis Baxley of Ocala. He said voters in the sprawling 13-county district have the chance for a change.
“There’s a widening gap between the haves and the have-nots in this state that just frightens me,” he said in an interview. “I hope the voice that comes back from Senate District 3 will be a loud voice for stop doing business the same old way.”
On some issues:
* Ravenscraft said he supports property tax reform, but he believes the Legislature should be careful about it because of the potential consequences on local governments.
“A lot of mistakes are going to be made and many local citizens are going to find their ser-vices sharply curtailed by this drastic maneuver the Legislature is about to make,” he said.
* On property tax reform, Ravenscraft said that the Citizens Property Insurance should be seen as insurance of last resort. He said he supports legislation that creates competition in the marketplace.
* Ravenscraft said the state must provide affordable health care to people who are not now covered by other state programs.
“The vast majority of middle class is at risk,” he said.
Ocala Star-Banner:
There will be a forum for the Senate District 3 race at 6 p.m. Friday at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 6455 S.W. State Road 200. The public is invited.
SUZAN FRANKS
Age: 57
Residence: Town of Hernando, Citrus County
Family: Husband, Richard; three grown children
Education: Pasadena (Calif.) College, studied physics but did not graduate
Public Service: Includes six years on Nashua (N.H.) School Board, four years as alderman-at-large, eight years in New Hampshire House
On the Web: www.suzanfranks.com
MARK RAVENSCRAFT
Age: 59
Residence: Leon County, north of Senate District 3. If he wins election, plans to establish a permanent residence in the district.
Family: Partner, Diana; three children
Education: Bachelor's degree, University of Pittsburgh; studied for an executive MBA, Baldwin-Wallace (Ohio) College; graduate, Program for State and Local Government, JFK School at Harvard; graduate work, Cleveland State University and Florida State.
Occupation: Started marketing/Internet research firm, The Ravenscraft Group.
Public Service: Served 17 years in elective office as Akron (Ohio) councilman-at-large in Summit County, Ohio and as Summit County commissioner and president of the Board of County Commissioners. Serves as chair of the Florida Democratic Disability Caucus.
On the Web:
marktravenscraft.blogspot.com/
ISSUES PROPERTY TAX REFORM
Franks: Find an equitable solution to the property tax crisis without raising sales taxes or imposing a state income tax.
Ravenscraft: Immediate property tax reduction is needed, but without bankrupting local governments or causing them to increase local taxes. Concerned about giving control to the state by taking away local decision making. Property taxes should be indexed to 2003 millage rates, allowing for portability.
INSURANCE REFORM
F: Supports establishment of a federal catastrophic insurance program to reduce homeowners insurance.
R: The burden of paying catastrophic claims has been placed unfairly on all Floridians who will be charged for claims paid from a major storm because the Legislature created Citizens Insurance. We must attract a wider risk pool and establish caps for home values in coastal areas. A Floridian living in a modest home should not be paying to replace a millionaire's estate. Basic insurance that covers one's ability to repair, or replace their home is reasonable. With caps and a broader risk pool we will once again have a competitive rate structure.
FCAT
F: Use FCAT as a tool for improving education; remove the punitive aspects.
R: Measurement tools are needed, but should not be used as weapons. Bring down Florida's drop-out rate (one of the highest in the nation) and give options in vocational training to those who choose a non-college career path. The FCAT has done nothing to improve Florida's overall prospects. It results in high teacher turnover, student/teacher stress, and it boosts the drop out rate. Measure we must, but no child should be discarded. Must think of education K-85, not just K-12.
WATER USE
F: Preserve and protect our rivers and aquifers for local use.
R: Florida water resources are vital to the economy and well-being of our state. Tourism and quality of life require us to preserve these resources. Instead, we have allowed developers and those who would divert our water for profit to south Florida to degrade our watersheds. Local needs should be addressed first before any deals are made to reroute water resources elsewhere.
No comments:
Post a Comment