Mark on Labor Issues, Part 2

6. Lack of access to affordable, quality health care is a growing problem for working families. The percentage of workers who are covered by employer-provided health insurance has dropped and health care costs are climbing. If elected, what will you do to address the problem of affordable health care?

"First, the state government should explore and create an insurance and health care pool available to retail and private businesses. The economy of scale in creating a larger pool, versus forcing each individual retail or construction business to negotiate health care coverage with insurance companies, would allow greater coverage at lower costs.

The state does this when it contracts out for automobiles and other services. This can be done for insurance as well.

Second, providing a living wage is crucial for economic success as the greater the disposal income the more times a dollar turns over in the local economy (the multiplier effect). As your State Senator I will use "the bully pulpit," hearings and workshops to promote better pay.

In addition, I will encourage local businesses to work with unions to allow viable organizing efforts."

7. Would you support “Fair Share” Legislation, which requires employers of large companies to provide health insurance coverage for their employees or pay into Florida’s general fund to offset the fiscal burden to the state for Medicaid and indigent care?

"Yes, I would sponsor, support and vote for “Fair Share” Legislation for large, medium and small companies."

8. Retired workers comprise a large portion of Florida’s population. What can be done to ensure that quality long-term and nursing home care are available to the retirees of our state?

"Private and public employees should be incentivized to offer long-term care options as part of their coverage options. Public education on long-term care and needs should be targeted at age 35+. Florida should strengthen and promote public inspections of the financial structure and the quality of services of long-term nursing facilities. The willingness to insure financial integrity and the ability to provide needed services must include oversight and monitoring. In addition, ensuring that the quality of service is high and staff/patient/resident ratios are met also will be important.

Working with stakeholders that represent the interests of all of those involved, particularly those receiving the services who often are not able to effectively speak for themselves, will be important."

9. Most working parents are concerned about getting and keeping affordable quality child care. What measures would you introduce/support to help working parents cope with their child care needs?

"I will help provide tax rebates and services to those providing child care services and those needing such services. I would also strengthen and expand KidCare to make sure medical coverage is available. The state must also be in the forefront of fitness and anti-obesity programs to nurture a growing healthy population for our future."

10. Recent school reforms initiated in Florida have included such issues as accountability, class size, readiness, local control, standardized testing and school grading. Do you have specific positions on recent education reforms and what education issues are you addressing in your campaign?

"I support the efforts by the Florida Education Association, affiliated with the AFL-CIO, to de-emphasize the importance of standardized testing. Smaller class sizes and the maintenance of local control of schools are both important to me. I would work with representatives of those actually providing services in the schools, organizations representing teachers, bus drivers, custodians, cooks and other workers, to determine what their special needs are to help them provide better services to our children in the public schools. Accountability is also important, but such things as the FCAT should not be used as weapons or tools to disenfranchise our youth or out teachers."