| [KQ] I guess I'll start. Why did you run for this office?
[Suzan] I have 23 years of public service in New Hampshire, 5 years as president of Nashua Public Kindergarten Coalition, 6 yrs on the local school board, 4 years as an alderman (equivalent to a county commissioner) and 8 years in the NH State Legislature and I believe my knowledge and experience in the pressing matters facing Florida and our District will benefit all Floridians when I'm elected
[EddieS] Suzan, how has your experience as a state legislator in New Hampshire prepared you to serve in the Florida Legislature? New Hampshire used to be a solidly Republican state, do you notice any similarities between the political turnaround in that state and what could happen in Florida? If so, how have you or will you use that in your campaign?
[Suzan] I served on the education committee and brought forward ground breaking legislation that improved the quality of education for every student in the state -- certainly a priority need here in Florida
[Suzan] Also served on the economic development committee........
[Suzan] at a downturn in the economy very similar to what we are experiencing here now in Florida
[Suzan] and I also served on the agriculture and environment committee whose top priority was to protect the state's natural resources and beauty
[Suzan] Do you see all the similarities in the most urgent problems facing Florida?
[Suzan] Your question about the political turnaround is interesting...........
[Suzan] NH voters went to the polls for the first time in 150 years and recognized the Democrat's platform more reflected the concerns and priorities of NH residents and now the legislature and the governor's office is Democratic.
[Suzan] YES, it could AND should happen here
[ConceptualGuerilla] I would be interested to know how what that education reform looked like and how specifically things "improved."
[Suzan] There was no mandated public kindergarten for NH's 5 year olds
[Suzan] I brought in the first bill in the history of the state to provide incentives for implementation of public kindergarten
[Suzan] I also brought in legislation that provided for the state's financial support of the program which provided those school district's that offered the program funding
[Suzan] AND NH is one of the most fiscally conservative states in the nation and has NO sales tax and NO income tax
[Cici] That is great! Kindergarten and Pre-K programs are so important to getting students "ready" for school. I can personally attest to the need for improvement in our education system. Suzan, I know you have been endorsed by the United Faculty of Florida, and that you have a background in lower education. What is your position on the role of the FCAT?
[ConceptualGuerilla] We've had mandatory public kindergarten since 1969.
[Suzan] The road to academic excellence is paved with high expectations and solid accountability NOT arbitrary standards and capricious punishments. I believe in a standards based education.
[Cici] Do you support tying FCAT results to school funding?
[Suzan] NO CiCi
[Suzan] The FCAT has the important role when used as a diagnostic tool to provide school improvement but the necessary resources MUST be provided to make high standards a reality
[ConceptualGuerilla] How do you have "expectations" and "accountability" without "standards" -- and then, what sort of non-arbitrary standard do your propose?
[Suzan] the FCAT needs to be used as a tool.....when a school doesn't meet the standards of the FCAT, then resources need to be provided, whether mentoring of teachers, additional support for supplies, technology, etc.
[Suzan] to bring the school and the students' performances up to acceptable levels.
[Bubbles] Is the FCAT being used as a tool or a weapon?
[Suzan] It is being used as a weapon against the schools that most need assistance. How can that possibly be helpful?
[Bubbles] It can't be helpful so, what is the solution?
[EddieS] Do you believe that minimum FCAT scores should be a requirement for a student to graduate high school?
[Suzan] FCAT score to graduate = no.
[EddieS] Thank you
[Suzan] Your welcome Eddie.
[Suzan] Public schools are intended to provide a well-rounded education....not the limited scope of the FCAT
[Bubbles] The key word here is "intended" to provide a well-rounded education, however, are they doing that?
[Suzan] If our students can meet the minimum standards set by the state board of education they should graduate. the FCAT should not be the determining factor.
[KQ] If you win the primary, the biggest problem you might have in the general is competing financially with Dean/Baxley? How do you plan to deal with that?
[Suzan] I've always run a grassroots campaign and if the voters of the 3rd District are ready for meaningful change, they will support me candidacy. I have said repeatedly that the Republicans have had their chance. They have failed us. And it's time for new ideas and a record of success from a person without ties to special interests to represent them in the Senate
[Cici] Suzan, a well organized grassroots campaign CAN beat big money. Do you have a website? If so, is there a place where people can sign up to volunteer or can they contact your campaign?
[Suzan] Yes CiCi. Our website is http://www.suzanfran... and yes there is a place to volunteer in various capacities and to contribute.
[Suzan] Thanks for asking!
[Cici] Thank you.
[Suzan] Guerilla, I wonder if you are related to the 500 lb guerilla in the room called Unfunded Mandates?
[ConceptualGuerilla] One of the things I do is lurk around local message boards. Property taxes is a huge issue at the grassroots level. Speaker Mark Rubio proposed abolishing property taxes -- which would destroy the tax base for local government. What do you propose?
[Suzan] The Republican idea of swapping some lower property taxes for higher sales taxes is not what the people want or what we need.
[Suzan] They proposed a sales tax increase of $10 BILLION
[Suzan] The people don't want it and they can't afford it
[Suzan] I will use my experience to stop wasteful spending in Tallahassee.
[KQ] The property tax special session will be done before you are in office, though, so what will you do if Rubio gets this or some other hurtful plan passed?
[Suzan] AND MOST IMPORTANTLY I will STOP unconstitutional UNFUNDED MANDATES that are now over $1 Billion statewide and are smothering local governments
[ConceptualGuerilla] From what I can tell, they definitely want property tax cuts. Whether they want an increase sales taxes is another question, but if property taxes are to be cut, they have to be made up somewhere -- and people want them cut.
[ConceptualGuerilla] So how is the shortfall made up -- assuming that sufficient spending cuts aren't feasible.
[EddieS] I don't want them cut, not the way Republicans plans, since their plan would make my family's property taxes stay the same and our sales tax would increase.
[Suzan] We need to understand that currently the economic base of Florida is based upon tourism and growth -- housing developments. It must be a priority of the legislature and the governor to identify areas of our government that can be encouraged and supported in order to achieve growth from the inside out
[Suzan] 1. Grow our economy to balance our tax base
[Cici] Do you support bringing in more technology and skilled labor jobs as some other Democrats have suggested? Under Bush all we saw was more service jobs, and they only pay minimum wage.
[Suzan] I would propose legislation to hold an economic summit bringing together the university system, small businesses, our entrepreneurs, and government to provide a fertile environment to grow our economy
[Suzan] YES CiCi...the importance of science and technology and other skilled professions will certainly help grow this economy.
[Suzan] Expansion of the economy is of paramount importance -- our current construction and tourism industries are predominately minimum to low paying jobs.
[Suzan] Again, more opportunities for our youth to work and advance so they can raise their families, buy homes, and live in paradise is imperative
[Suzan] opportunities ARE imperative
[Cici] I know other areas of Florida are trying to attract these new jobs. Can we do the same in North Florida while avoiding the pitfalls associated with privatization that we saw under Jeb?
[Suzan] In order to have high quality career opportunities we need to recruit and train the best and brightest teachers. The average teaching salary for a starting teacher is around $30,000. Now you can see why we must lower our property taxes, secure affordable and dependable homeowners insurance
[Suzan] Top quality education is key to developing a balanced economy
[Cici] Our education system and property taxes appear inextricably linked. If we lower property taxes, can we still prioritize education spending?
[Suzan] privatization has led to low wages, no benefits, and slowly deteriorating quality of service for all of us
[Suzan] Is this inevitable? I think not. We need to move to employ the best and compensate them fairly.
[Cici] Thank you.
[Suzan] Absolutely CiCi
[KQ] In order to get a lot done in the legislature, we need more Democrats. One of the biggest reasons for this, as I'm sure you're figuring out, is gerrymandering. What can we do to fix the problem with districting in Florida?
[Suzan] The state needs to be accountable to the people.
[Suzan] They need to prioritize paying for the unfunded mandates that are currently UNCONSTITUTIONAL and require local governments to pass the costs onto the local taxpayers instead of where it belongs -- the state government
[Cici] The fact that this district covers 13 counties should show everyone that the way redistricting is done is out of control. Can we have non-partisan redistricting procedures?
[Suzan] I believe we will be redistricting in 2010 and until then we have no choice but to fight for every vote and talk to every voter and communicate how important it is to elect Democrats
[Suzan] Again, the GOP has had its chance and every time they attempt to find solutions, they fail
[Suzan] Their record is easily assailable
[EddieS] What about a ballot initiative to make non-partisan redistricting a real choice for voters?
[EddieS] Would you support one?
[Suzan] Non-partisan: should be based upon supervisor of elections determination of a district that has approximately the same number of Republicans and Democrats............
[Suzan] Sounds good to me Eddie!
[Suzan] I'm still astounded that they can get away with such blatant gerrymandering
[Suzan] Any time the voters have the opportunity to decide is good for the Democratic process
[KQ] These chats are generally scheduled for about an hour, so does anybody have any more questions?
[Cici] Only one: Why should I vote for you?
[Suzan] I see the big picture..............
[Suzan] the economy of our state, our educational system, protecting our environment, developing a broader economic base, property tax relief, and affordable homeowners insurance programs are inextricably linked..........
[Suzan] These will be my priorities to improve the quality of life for every Floridian
[Suzan] I have 23 years of knowledge and experience and a record of success for getting the job done
[Suzan] These are critical times and we need the critical thinking skills that I possess
[Suzan] I thank all of you for caring about Florida and our future.
[Suzan] I am Suzan Franks and I am asking for your vote.
[KQ] Thank you for joining us and good luck
[Cici] Thank you for your time Mrs. Franks. I appreciate it very much.
[EddieS] Thank you, Suzan!
[Suzan] VOTE on Tuesday......and take a friend! |
