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Debra Kaplan's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

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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.

Candidates who qualify will be invited to take the 2020 Political Courage Test.

What is the Political Courage Test?
This candidate has responded to a Political Courage Test in a previous election. As a continued effort to provide the American public with factual information on candidates running for public office, these archived responses are made available here.

Florida State Legislative Election 2018 Political Courage Test

Pro-choice a) Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
Yes b) Should abortion be legal when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape?
No c) Do you support the prohibition of public funds for organizations that perform abortions?
d) Other or expanded principles:

1) Budget Stabilization:Indicate which proposals you support (if any) for balancing Florida's budget.

No a) Do you support the creation of a state income tax in Florida?
No b) Reducing state employee salaries AND/OR pensions?
No c) Instituting mandatory furloughs AND/OR layoffs for state employees?
No d) Reducing benefits for Medicaid recipients?
There are programs that should be looked at for sunsetting and the funding for inefficient or outdated programs can be applied toward the budget. I do not support providing large tax breaks to attract business to Florida. Unfortunately many of these companies and or organizations have created either low paying jobs, or have taken the break and stayed the shortest period of time to fulfill their agreements, and then left. By bolstering education, infrastructure and protecting our environment, we will create a state companies will want to bring their best paying positions, not their lowest paid jobs.
Yes a) Do you support any limits on campaign contributions to state candidates?
Yes b) Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
Yes c) Do you support the use of an independent AND/OR bipartisan commission for redistricting?
No d) Do you support requiring a government-issued photo identification in order to vote at the polls?
e) Other or expanded principles:
Yes a) Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?
Yes b) Do you support the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes?
Yes c) Should a minor accused of a violent crime be prosecuted as an adult?
No d) Do you support the enforcement of federal immigration laws by state and local police?
Yes e) Do you support prohibiting the use of handheld electronic devices while operating a motor vehicle?
On question A: I support life in prison with no chance of parole for most capital crimes, but serial and premeditated murder should be looked for capital punishment. C. We must end the school to jail pipeline and a juvenile does not have the same reasoning as an adult and therefore should be treated differently. d. I think the federal government can enforce its own laws without involving local and state law enforcement.
No a) Do you support state government spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
No b) Do you support lowering state taxes as a means of promoting economic growth?
No c) Do you support reducing state government regulations on the private sector?
Yes d) Do you support expanding access to unemployment benefits?
No e) Do you support requiring welfare applicants to pass a drug test in order to receive benefits?
Yes f) Do you support an increase of the minimum wage of Florida?
E. Testing of welfare recipients has proven to be costly and ineffective.
No a) Do you support adopting federal education standards in Florida?
No b) Do you support state funding for charter schools?
Yes c) Should immigrants unlawfully present in the United States who graduate from Florida high schools be eligible for in-state tuition at public universities?
Yes d) Do you support increasing funding for the state education budget?
A. The current Secretary of Education has shown she is not capable to setting standards. I would hope there would be someone more qualified in the post before we approve uniform education standards. B. Charter schools have a 40 percent failure rate, and the curriculum in many cases is not up to state standards. I do not support funding those operated by religious institutions because it is a violation of church and state under the constitution. C. Children brought here by their parents or other family members and who have proven themselves academically should have a chance at an education.
Yes a) Do you support state funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, thermal)?
Yes b) Do you support state government regulations of greenhouse gas emissions?
Yes c) Do you support increasing state funding for clean drinking water initiatives?
Yes d) Do you support increasing state funding for environmental restoration projects?
e. 75 percent of the voters said yes to Florida Forever and we must preserve our lands under this initiative.
Yes a) Do you generally support gun-control legislation?
Yes b) Should background checks be required on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows?
No c) Should teachers be allowed to bring guns into the classroom?
Yes d) Should a license be required for gun ownership?
e) Other or expanded principles:
Yes a) Should the state government increase funding for treatment facilities to combat opioid abuse?
Yes b) Do you support Medicaid expansion through Florida's health care programs?
Yes c) Do you support requiring individuals to purchase health care insurance?
Yes d) Do you support legislation that grants citizens the right to choose to die through euthanasia?
Yes e) Do you support eliminating religious exemptions for vaccinations?
f) Other or expanded principles:
Yes a) Do you support the inclusion of sexual orientation in Florida's anti-discrimination laws?
Yes b) Do you support the inclusion of gender identity in Florida's anti-discrimination laws?
Yes c) Do you support greater efforts by Florida state government in closing the pay gap between men and women?
d) Other or expanded principles:
A. Ban Fracking and Offshore Drilling. B. Approve a measure than claws back property built with public funds from failed charter schools and return those properties to the districts for either use or sale. C. Stop taking money from the affordable housing Sidowski Trust Fund for general purposes and help build up the stock of affordable housing for our citizens.

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