Card image cap

Charles Lopez's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

Key


Official Position: Candidate addressed this issue directly by taking the Political Courage Test.

Inferred Position: Candidate refused to address this issue, but Vote Smart inferred this issue based on the candidate's public record, including statements, voting record, and special interest group endorsements.

Unknown Position: Candidate refused to address this issue, or we could not infer an answer for this candidate despite exhaustive research of their public record.

Additional Information: Click on this icon to reveal more information about this candidate's position, from their answers or Vote Smart's research.

Other or Expanded Principles & Legislative Priorities are entered exactly as candidates submit them. Vote Smart does not edit for misspelled words, punctuation or grammar.

Florida State Legislative Election 2010 Political Courage Test

Pro-life a) Do you consider yourself pro-choice or pro-life?
No b) Should abortion be legal only within the first trimester of pregnancy?
No c) Should abortion be legal when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape?
Yes d) Should abortion be legal when the life of the woman is endangered?
Yes e) Do you support requiring parental notification before an abortion is performed on a minor?
Yes f) Do you support requiring parental consent before an abortion is performed on a minor?
Yes g) Do you support sexual education programs that include information on abstinence, contraceptives, and HIV/STD prevention methods?
Yes h) Do you support abstinence-only sexual education programs?
i) Other or expanded principles

1) State SpendingIndicate what state funding levels (#1-6) you support for the following general categories. Select one level per category; you may use a number more than once.2) State TaxesIndicate what state tax levels (#1-6) you support for the following general categories. Select one level per category; you may use a number more than once.3) Budget StabilizationIndicate which proposals you support (if any) for balancing Florida's budget.

Slightly Increase a) Education (higher)
Greatly Increase b) Education (K-12)
Maintain Status c) Environment
Slightly Increase d) Health care
Slightly Increase e) Law enforcement
Maintain Status f) Transportation and highway infrastructure
Maintain Status g) Welfare
h) Other or expanded categories
Maintain Status a) Alcohol taxes
Maintain Status b) Cigarette taxes
Greatly Decrease c) Corporate taxes
Maintain Status d) Gasoline taxes
Greatly Decrease e) Property taxes
Slightly Decrease f) Sales taxes
No a) Tapping into Florida's "rainy day" fund
No b) Issuing the early release of certain non-violent offenders
No c) Increasing tuition rates at public universities
No d) Instituting mandatory furloughs and layoffs for state employees
No e) Reducing pension benefits for state employees
No f) Reducing benefits for Medicaid recipients
Yes g) Privatizing certain government services
NO NEW TAXES! The average resident cannot afford them!
We are going to have to live within our means.

c) Do you support limits on the following types of contributions to candidates for state government?

Yes a) Do you support limits on the number of terms for Florida governors?
Yes b) Do you support limits on the number of terms for Florida state legislators?
No 1) Individual
No 2) Political Action Committee
No 3) Corporate
No 4) Political Party
Yes d) Should candidates for state office be encouraged to meet voluntary spending limits?
Yes e) Do you support requiring full and timely disclosure of campaign finance information?
f) Other or expanded principles
Yes a) Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?
Yes b) Do you support alternatives to incarceration for certain non-violent offenders, such as mandatory counseling or substance abuse treatment?
No c) Should the possession of small amounts of marijuana be decriminalized?
Yes d) Should a minor accused of a violent crime be prosecuted as an adult?
Yes e) Should a minor who sends sexually-explicit or nude photos by cell phone face criminal charges for a first offense?
Yes f) Should red light cameras be used to detect traffic violations?
Yes g) Do you support the enforcement of federal immigration laws by state and local police?
* Red light cameras should be used only for that sole purpose. However it can hinder on privacy issues. * Immigration Enforcement - more discussion needs to be had regarding potential profiling and abuse of power by law enforcement. Additionally, deportation status should be on a case by case basis.
Yes a) Should Florida repeal its ban on public funding of religious institutions?
Yes b) Do you support reducing government regulations on the private sector?
Yes c) Do you support increased state funding for job-training programs that re-train displaced workers?
No d) Do you support expanding access to unemployment benefits?
Yes e) Do you support providing financial incentives to the private sector for the purpose of job creation?
No f) Do you support increased spending on infrastructure projects for the purpose of job creation?
No g) Do you support providing direct financial assistance to homeowners facing foreclosure?
h) Other or expanded principles
Yes a) Do you support national education standards?
Yes b) Do you support requiring public schools to administer high school exit exams?
Yes c) Should students be permitted to lead prayers at noncompulsory public school events?
No d) Do you support ending the practice of tenure for Florida public school teachers?
Yes e) Do you support using a merit pay system for teachers?
Yes f) Do you support state funding for charter schools?
Yes g) Do you support the state government providing college students with financial aid?
Yes h) Should illegal immigrants who graduate from Florida high schools be eligible for in-state tuition at public universities?
i) Other or expanded principles
Yes a) Do you support state funding for the development of alternative energy?
Yes b) Do you support state funding for the development of traditional domestic energy sources (e.g. coal, natural gas, oil)?
Yes c) Do you support providing financial incentives to farms that produce biofuel crops?
Yes d) Do you support state funding for improvements to Florida's energy infrastructure?
Yes e) Do you support state funding for open space preservation?
Yes f) Do you support enacting environmental regulations aimed at reducing the effects of climate change?
g) Other or expanded principles
Yes a) Do you support restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns?
Yes b) Do you support requiring background checks on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows?
Yes c) Do you support allowing individuals to carry concealed guns?
Yes d) Do you support requiring a license for gun possession?
Restrictions only based on background checks & "shall-issue" requirement.
No a) Do you support a universally-accessible, publicly-administered health insurance option?
Yes b) Do you support expanding access to health care through commercial health insurance reform?
Yes c) Do you support interstate health insurance compacts?
No d) Should individuals be required to purchase health care insurance?
Yes e) Do you support monetary limits on damages that can be collected in malpractice lawsuits?
No f) Do you support legalizing physician-assisted suicide in Florida?
No g) Do you support allowing doctors to prescribe marijuana to their patients for medicinal purposes?
h) Other or expanded principles
Yes a) Should marriage only be between one man and one woman?
No b) Should Florida allow same-sex couples to form civil unions?
No c) Do you support state funding for stem cell research?
No d) Do you support state funding for embryonic stem cell research?
Yes e) Do you support the state's use of affirmative action?
No f) Do you support the inclusion of sexual orientation in Florida's anti-discrimination laws?
No g) Do you support the inclusion of gender identity in Florida's anti-discrimination laws?
h) Other or expanded principles
My top priority is addressing the high number of drop -outs from high schools in my area. This does not require additional funding from the state at this time. It requires a person committed to developing, guiding, assisting, and establishing the position of community laison and making this work. Charter schools/private schools are great ways to support drop-out recovery and prevention. Job Creation is imperative in my community and state. Creating business friendly packages to motivate the development of businesses in this area and state via tax incentives, etc...

Vote Smart does not permit the use of its name or programs in any campaign activity, including advertising, debates, and speeches.

arrow_upward