1. In the past three years revenues coming into the state have significantly declined because of the deep recession. In response, the Legislature has cut state government spending by over $7 billion and increased fees by over $1 billion (cigarette tax, etc). Continued declines in the economy will create another $3 billion shortfall in state revenues for next year. How do you believe the state should respond to this situation?
2630 people responded
Cut spending 1790 68%
Raise taxes 74 3 %
A combination
of tax increases
and spending cuts 766 29%
2. Are you in favor of taxing items purchased over the Internet in the same way sales taxes are collected when you buy these items in retail stores?
2439 people responded
Agree 981 40%
Disagree 1458 60%
3. A bill will be introduced to allow oil and gas drilling within the sovereign waters of Florida (ten miles or less from shore). What statement best expresses your views?
2646 people responded
A. I am for exploration and drilling in state sovereign waters. The benefits outweigh the risks.
899 34%
B. My support or opposition depends on whether offshore drilling compromises our bases’ military missions and thereby affects our local economy.
976 37%
C. I am opposed. The risks outweigh the benefits.
771 29%
4. A proposal has been introduced to pay teachers more based on student achievement. The plan would not favor high performing or low performing courses or classes but would reward all teachers based on their students’ learning gains. What is your opinion of such a proposal?
2347 people responded
Agree 1207 52%
Disagree 1140 48%
5. A bill will be considered requiring that all students must take at least one course on-line in order to earn a high school diploma. What is your opinion of this idea?
2307 people responded
Agree 578 25%
Disagree 1729 75%
6. There are proposals before the Legislature to provide tax credits to industries that add jobs in our area. Do you favor tax credits if existing or new businesses can add new jobs?
2507 people responded
Agree 2115 84%
Disagree 392 16%
7. Which statement best describes your feelings about local governments?
2479 people responded
A: My local government operates efficiently and I feel I receive a fair return for the property taxes and fees I pay.
482 19%
B: My local government needs to be more efficient. There is still non-critical spending that can be reduced.
1997 81%
8. Which statement best describes your feelings about your local school district?
2204 people responded
A: My local school district devotes about the right proportion of its resources to district overhead and administration vs. classroom instruction and direct services to students.
521 24%
B: My local school district should spend less on district overhead and administrative costs so a greater share of the education budget can be spent on classroom instruction and student services.
1683 76%
9. A de-regulation bill has been filed which would allow insurance companies to raise rates without first getting approval from the state. Proponents say this will bring more insurance companies to Florida. What is your opinion of this bill.
2369 people responded
Agree 570 24%
Disagree 1799 76%
10. Which statement best describes your feelings about homeowners insurance?
2341 people responded
A: The state should get out of the property insurance market, even if it results in higher premiums and the inability of some property owners to secure any insurance.
1047 45%
B: The state has a role to play in helping homeowners secure insurance, even if it means that all property owners may have to share in paying for financial shortfalls after years of multiple hurricanes.
1294 55%
11. A bill has been filed to establish state-sanctioned “domestic partnerships” between persons of the same sex.
What is your opinion of this proposal?
2398 people responded
Agree 690 29%
Disagree 1708 71%
12. “Smart Cap” would place a limit on state and local government taxing and spending. Under this bill, the cost of government could grow no more than the increase in average family income in the community. As an illustration, if “Smart Cap” had been in existence the last ten years, property taxes would have increased less than half of what actually occured.
What is your opinion of “Smart Cap?”
2463 people responded
Agree 2257 92%
Disagree 206 8%
13. Don is sponsoring legislation to require local governments to share “back office” services (i.e. purchasing, payroll, HR) with each other. By reducing duplication in administrative overhead, this bill seeks to cut costs to the taxpayer.
2528 people responded
Agree 2419 96%
Disagree 109 4%
14. Senate Joint Resolution 2 “Class Size Reform”
The class size amendment to the Constitution has cost taxpayers $16 billion since 2002. Currently classes are capped at a school average. Next year every class in each school will be limited to an inflexible number of students, adding another $350 million in annual recurring costs. Don’s bill would not repeal class size but maintain the school average, thereby avoiding additional cost mandates on school districts and giving local educators some discretion in assigning students.
What is your opinion of Don’s proposal?
2488 people responded
Agree 2235 90%
Disagree 253 10%
15. Senate Bill 1034, which Don is co-sponsoring, forbids utility companies or others with vested interests from lobbying the Public Service Commission on rate increases. The bill requires the Public Service Commission to operate openly and independently according to a judicial code of ethics.
What is your opinion of this bill?
2335 people responded
Agree 2280 98%
Disagree 55 2%
16. Don is introducing a proposal that would combine the purchasing power of school districts state-wide in negotiating for a better price and better terms for health insurance.
What is your opinion of this proposal?
2473 people responded
Agree 2418 98%
Disagree 55 2%
17. Senate Joint Resolution 72 (Health Care Freedom Act), which Don is co-sponsoring with Senator Carey Baker, would amend the State Constitution to protect Florida residents from federal laws that compel any person or health provider to participate in a federal government health insurance program against their will.
What is your opinion of this proposal?
2497 people responded
Agree 2214 89%
Disagree 283 11%
18. Senate Memorial 96, co-sponsored by Don, calls on the Congress to honor the provisions of the Constitution of the United States that limit federal power and uphold the 10th Amendment.
What is your opinion of this bill?
2331 people responded
Agree 2183 94%
Disagree 148 6%
19. Senate Bill 2036 “Repeal of Auto Tag and License Fee Increases,” Don has introduced legislation to roll back last year’s fee increases on auto registration and drivers licenses.
2436 people responded
Agree 2091 86%
Disagree 345 14%
20. Don is joining Senate President Jeff Atwater in proposing a federal constitutional convention to amend the US Constitution to require a balanced budget. What is your opinion about Florida taking the lead to force a balanced budget on Congress?
2430 people responded
Approve 2162 89%
Disapprove 268 11%
21. Do you approve of grassroots surveys like this one designed to tell your senator how you feel about issues and legislation? (no public funds were spent to advertise or implement this survey)
2581 people responded
Approve 2561 99%
Disapprove 20 1%
22. Before taking this survey did you recognize the name “Don Gaetz”?
2633 people reponded
Yes 2498 95%
No 135 5%
23. Don Gaetz was elected to the Senate in 2006 to represent Northwest Florida in Tallahassee. What is your opinion of Don Gaetz’s performance so far in the Florida Senate?
2235 people responded
Highly favorable 962 43%
Favorable 1179 53%
Unfavorable 86 4%
Highly unfavorable 8 <1%
