Public Matters is a first in the nation service to enable the public to listen to candidates for public office at their convenience – at anytime of day or evening and by multiple means.

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Learn about the views and positions of future state leaders at the click of a button (through the Internet) or the dial of a phone (cell or land line). Listeners can even download forums to mP3 and iPod players for listening on the go.

Stay tuned to this section of the Public Matters site for replays following each of the August forums.

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Replays for completed live forums are accessible below. Scroll on to first see the questions asked of the candidates... plus technical support for sound and pacing (including how to pause, reverse, fast forward). And a message from the sponsor with important background information about the forums.

  • Attorney General - Click here to listen to this forum on-line or call 1-212-461-8937 to listen by phone. Forum held live August 8, 2006.
  • Chief Financial Officer -  Click here to listen to this forum on-line or call 1-212-990-6642 . Forum held live August 9, 2006.
  • Governor (Democratic Candidates) - Click here to here this forum now. Listen in to phone replay now at 1-212-461-2929.  Forum held live August 15, 2006.

    Instant Replay … another innovative public service of the Florida Public Interest Foundation.

    Questions of Attorney General Candidates:  

I. General/Opening

Please take up to one (1) minute to introduce yourself, with whatever background and reasons you’re running for office that you’d like to share.

II. Growth & Environment  

 

1. The office you are seeking carries with it certain duties for safeguarding the Florida environment. How would you summarize your track record on the environment – and, if elected, what are one or two ways that you’ll bring your environmental philosophy or platform to this new office?

 2. Statewide officers, including Attorney General, have responsibility for decisions on state land purchases and uses. Do you think that Florida should be purchasing more public lands? – and do you have a particular philosophy on the management and allowable uses for lands in public ownership?

3.  Florida is growing by over 1,000 new residents a day.  What do you see as Florida ’s most pressing needs in terms of the impacts of this growth --  and what are the most important one or two steps you can suggest for addressing these needs?

4. If elected, you will sit on the state’s Power Plant Siting Board. With Energy as an issue of such importance these days, what is your stance on constructing more power plants in Florida – and on the role of resources like solar energy and energy efficiency?

5. What are your thoughts about involvement of the public in growth and development decisions of the state; and are there better ways to engage Floridians in the process?

III. Education 

 As you know, the role of the Cabinet has changed in recent years, reducing the Education duties of certain offices, including the one for which you are running. However, the Attorney General does sit on the State Retirement Board. In that regard … we know that Florida ranks lowest in the Southeast on the State’s system for retirement benefits. Do you believe this affects our ability to attract and retain teachers and, if so, what action will you take in support of quality education personnel?

IV. Good Government

1. Many citizens are frustrated about government spending and inefficiencies. All public officials have a role to play in how government is run and what it produces. What is your view on efficiency and effectiveness for Florida government?  

2. We live in an era of soaring political campaign costs, with candidates often turning to wealthy special interests to fund their campaigns. Do you think stricter limits should be placed on campaign contributions -- and do you support public financing of campaigns where candidates agree to limit the spending? 

 3. By law, citizens have certain rights to participate in their government and the decisions of public officials. But practically speaking, the ability of the public to have a “meaningful” voice often depends on the individuals in public office. How will the public fare in this regard under your administration?

4. Another part of governance that affects the public welfare is the ethics and standards of public officials. What can we do to ensure that public officials are held to the highest ethical standards?  

V. General/Closing

1. If your term as Attorney General was ending in November, what one or two accomplishments would you most like to look back on from your Administration?  

2. In our remaining moments, and in summary, why do you believe the people of Florida should choose you when they go to the polls in this election?   

 

 

Questions of Chief Financial Officer 

 I. General/Opening 

1. Please take up to one (1) minute to introduce yourselves to our listeners, with whatever background and reasons you’re running for office that you’d like to share.

2. We have touched on the fact that the duties of CFO are broad and that many members of the public are unfamiliar with the office. Can you comment on the importance of this office to the Florida public?   

II. Good Government 

1. What does it mean to you for government to be “accountable to the people” – and what are one or two steps you’ll take to bring high standards of conduct and performance to public office? 

2. As in any state, Florida ’s taxation policies have a significant impact on how and whether needs of the people are met. Various experts have called for basic tax reform as a way to better keep pace with growing needs. Do you believe that tax reform is needed in Florida , and could you include in your answer comments on the removal of sales tax exemptions and proposals to give local governments greater taxing authority?

3. With the spiraling costs of political campaigns, and concerns about wealthy special interests buying political access and influence through campaign contributions, do you believe that government should strengthen limits on political contributions from special interest groups?

4. The rights, roles and involvement of citizens in their government affect the results of that government. What is your view on this in the context of Florida government, and also your Administration if elected?

III. Education 

1. Funding is an important priority for quality education in Florida . Rising insurance costs for public buildings are taking a toll on education budgets, as is true for teachers and other residents across the state. What will you do to help the schools and Floridians in this regard?

2. Florida ranks lowest in the Southeast on the State’s system for retirement benefits. Do you believe this affects our ability to attract and retain teachers and, if so, what action will you take in support of quality education personnel?

IV. Growth & Environment

1. Florida is growing by over 1,000 new residents a day. What do you see as Florida’s most pressing needs in terms of the impacts of this growth — and what are your thoughts on how growth related needs should be addressed and paid for in Florida?

2. In light of what we’ve learned from recent hurricane seasons – as well as the ongoing insurance crisis in our state -- should government continue to support and subsidize development in coastal areas?

3. If elected, you will serve on the state decision making body for land acquisition and management. Should more state lands be purchased for preservation, and as a separate question, should Florida be doing more to discourage development in rural areas? 

4. Climate change has been cited as a cause of increased harsh weather, including the frequency and intensity of hurricanes. Climate change is also connected to the burning of fossil fuels. Will your role on the state’s Power Plant Siting Board be affected by global warming evidence and concerns – and what one or two comments can you make about energy solutions for our state? 

V. General/Closing

1. If your term as Chief Financial Officer was ending in November, what one or two accomplishments would you most like to look back on from your Administration?

 

2. In our remaining moments, and in summary, why do you believe the people of Florida should choose you when they go to the polls in this election?

                 Questions Of Governor Candidates

I. General/Opening: Could you take up to one (1) minute to introduce yourself to our listeners, with whatever background and reasons you’re running for office that you’d like to share.

II. Growth & Environment

1.  In many parts of the state, residents are frustrated by increasing traffic congestion, disappearing open space, failing infrastructure, over-demands on public services, and other impacts of growth. Over 1,000 new residents are moving here each day, and the complexities of growth (and of growth management) are increasing. What is your take on the growth issues and needs of our state, and what actions do you believe should be taken?


2.  The devastation of massive hurricanes over the past two years has hit Florida hard, and weather expert predictions of increasing storm frequencies and intensities are cause for serious concern for our state. Based on this information and experience, should Florida be taking steps to limit future development in coastal areas – a) to preserve the dunes and ecosystems that buffer storm surge, and b) to protect life and property of residents (and curb the insurance crisis we’re now facing)?


3. Just about every major spring in Florida is showing declining water quality due to surrounding land uses which in turn affects our drinking water and public health.  What should be done to stop the decline and to instead improve water quality? And do you have any comments on ensuring an adequate supply of water for Florida ’s future?

4.  Have you seen the Al Gore movie 'An Inconvenient Truth?'" and, if so, “What is your response to it?". If not (or either way), what are your thoughts on the subject of global warming in regards to the burning of fossil fuels, and how will such thinking be reflected in the energy decisions of your Administration?

III. Education 

K-12

 

1)   The Governor’s A+ Plan for education has brought many changes to Florida ’s public school system. What are your views about this plan and its effects?

 

2)   In 2002, Florida voters approved a constitutional amendment regulating class size.  In recent years Gov. Bush and Legislative leaders have sought to substantially change the amendment.    Do you believe class size has an effect on teaching and learning?  And what is your position on implementation of the current class size amendment?  

 

3)  Florida school districts are scrambling to find an estimated 30,000 new teachers needed to start the upcoming school year.  Unfortunately, half of all the new teachers hired are projected to leave the profession in the first five years.  What will you do as Governor to not only recruit but retain the teachers Florida needs?

 

Higher Education           

1) Many students these days are non-traditional, working students with families and, as a result, must attend part time. Would you be in favor of altering state aid programs to allow for part time students to qualify for financial support grants as full time students do?  

2) What do you believe is the most effective way for tuition to be set for public institutions?

3) What do you feel are some of the most important issues in higher education that need to be dealt with in the year ahead?

IV. Good Government 

1. The financial and taxation policies of a state have major bearing on its economy (whether it is failing or vibrant) and on the extent to which needs of the people are met (needs like infrastructure, public services and programs that serve the public). What are your thoughts on the policies of this state   And part two of the question: Do you favor tax reform, and if so, of what kind?

2. Reapportionment is a major issue in Florida at this time, and one that affects the results of elections and governance in a significant way. Do you favor reform of the apportionment process for the drawing of legislative and congressional districts – and, ether way, why?

3. The Governor affects wide ranging policies and practices of state government and, thereby, the lives of virtually all Floridians. If elected, what standards of performance and accountability will you set for state government – and will you continue the course of the current Administration on privatization of government services?

4. The costs of political campaigns has been a turn-off to voters and fuels public concerns about special interest influence as the source of much of this funding. Do you believe that campaign finance laws should be tightened when it comes to political contributions from special interests – and do you support public financing of political campaigns where candidates agree to limit campaign spending?

 

 

V. Other 

1. We’ve talked about many different issues today – and let’s now go back to the bigger picture. Whether on these or other issues, what do you think is the state's biggest problem, and what are you going to do to be sure it gets fixed?"

2.  Lastly, the Primary -- let’s remind the voters -- is a short time away on September 5. Tell us why you think they should cast their votes for you. 

 

Tech Support!

I. Computer/Internet Listening  

 

To listen on-line you will need to have an audio player on your computer such as Real Player or Windows Media Player. The audio files will play within a few moments with Windows Media Player.

You can download these programs easily and for free on the Internet. Sound quality of the interviews may also vary by computer (and variations in phone systems for the phone replays).

Download Windows Media Player
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II. Mp3 Downloads

To download to your mp3 player, you must save the audio file in your Windows Media Player (Real Player or Quicktime) Library. Connect your media player to your computer. Then transfer the file to your media player. 

III. Listening By Phone

For maximum convenience, here are options for self-pacing your listening experience:

Press #2 to Pause the replay

Press # 1 to Go Back 15 seconds, #3 to Advance 15 seconds

Press #4 to Go Back 1 minute, # 6 to Advance 1 minute

Press # 7 to Go Back 5 minutes, # 9 to Advance 5 minutes 

Message From The Sponsor

Welcome to this series of groundbreaking candidate forums for the 2006 Florida election, as sponsored by the Florida Public Interest Foundation.

 The forums and related services are a “first in the nation” by using innovative technology applications to provide the broadest ever public access through:

 

 

  • live tele-events,     
  • on-demand replays (via phone and the Internet),  
  • MP3 downloads, and  
  • a unique form of virtual public polling.

Our voter awareness focus is in three distinct areas:  

  • the candidates (who they are and what they stand for),  
  • the public offices for which the candidates are running, and  
  • major issues affecting the Florida public.

 As a brief background:  

  • The forums are non-partisan in nature.  
  • Procedures have been followed to ensure fair and equal treatment of all candidates.  
  • All major candidates for all statewide offices have been invited to participate in the forums on dates of their convenience.  
  • Three pre-Primary forums have been scheduled featuring the candidates who have accepted the invitations to appear.

With sufficient funding, additional forums will be scheduled for statewide race finalists before the General Election in November.  Organizations and individuals supportive of an informed democracy are invited to make tax deductible contributions toward that end through the “You Can Help” link of The PublicMatters.net.

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Thanks are extended to the Florida Education Association, Campus Compact, and the Florida School Boards Association for their support – as well as the Everglades Law Center , 1000 Friends of Florida and Morris Depew Associates.

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Thanks to Creative Pursuits, Inc., for donating the technology rights and services to make the forums possible. And we so much appreciate the involvement of our invited co-sponsors: the League of Women Voters of Florida and Common Cause of Florida.

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Special thanks as well to Tom Pelham and  Pat Jeremiah of the Foundation Board -- and to Marcia Elder of the Board who originated the plan for the forums and has served as director of the Public Matters initiative.

 Each forum in the series consists of:

  •  An opening statement by the candidates, up to one minute each.
  • Followed by questions by invited panelists on three major topics: growth and the environment, education, and good government.
  • Candidates have been asked to complete each of their responses in the specified time limit of up to one minute unless otherwise indicated as more.  

The same questions are being posed to each candidate. The order of responses will begin alphabetically then the first respondent will rotate to the next candidate and so on.

Further information about the candidates and panelists is available at the Public Matters site – as is information about the Florida Public Interest Foundation and our many outstanding services.

 Replays of the forums will be available at www.ThePublicMatters.net for on-line listening, mp3 downloads and through our phone banks.

Again, like with Public TV, if you like this kind of programming, contributions are needed to extend it to the General Election.

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Earmark your support for our Growth in Florida program and we’ll also qualify for matching support from a generous donor for more educational programs on growth and the environment. We encourage listeners to visit www.ForThePublic.net for information about that program, being expanded this week with informative interviews on current Growth issues – and we thank the Elizabeth Ordway Dunn Foundation for their support in making the Growth In Florida program possible. 

 

Our sincere thanks go to the candidates, the program panelists and all of our live and replay listeners for your participation for an informed democracy.

 A Message From the Florida Public Interest Foundation

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