Issue Position: Domestic Security

Issue Position

I believe we can fight terrorism without impairing the liberties we enjoy. Our challenge in the Legislature will be to find and to implement the most innovative and effective methods by which to combat the enemy in this new and unprecedented international war on terrorism.

Soon after the attacks of September 11th, the Legislature empowered the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) to lead the state's counter-terrorism efforts. Under this law, the Chief of Domestic Security and the Domestic Security Oversight Council coordinate with seven Regional Domestic Security Task Forces (RDSTFs) established within FDLE's seven operational regions, as well as with local law enforcement agencies. This bottom-up approach recognizes the importance of allowing personnel on the spot, rather than legislators or bureaucrats in Tallahassee, to take the lead in forming policy and in developing counter-terrorism measures. Great strides have already been made in gathering and sharing intelligence. We adopted effective systems of early warning and detection, training law enforcement agents, equipping public health facilities, and promoting food safety and border protection. For example, Florida driver's licenses, once among the most frequently counterfeited documents, are now designed for instant authentication.

In 2005, the Legislature took further steps to assist law enforcement in the war on terror. We required our state's water management districts to conduct fingerprint-based background checks on certain employees with regular access to critical infrastructure. We promoted service in the Military Reserves and the Florida National Guard by enacting the Florida Family Readiness Program, which assists the families of service members in their times of need. We also appropriated $2.8 million to reimburse members of the Florida National Guard for premiums deducted from their pay under their life insurance plan. The Legislature must and will continue to be vigilant in opposition to terrorism and in defense of the freedom and security of all Floridians.

In 2007, we took the common sense step of prohibiting the state pension fund from investing in companies that engage in active business operations with the governments of Iran and Sudan, creating a deterrent that discourages private companies from enriching governments known to abet international terror operations.

Source