DC Works For US Founder Karin Hoffman interviews Gubernatorial Candidate of Florida Attorney Bill McCollum, June 15th at Wings Plus in Coral Springs.
Questions on Illegal Immigration
DC Works For US: One of the biggest questions in people’s minds is your stand on Arizona Immigration Law, what is your stand on this law and how do you see this play out in Florida should you become Governor?
Attorney General Bill McCollum: The Arizona law as first written could have the potential for profiling, but once they fine tuned it he had no problem with it. I think Florida needs one but it would be a bit different than Arizona as we do not have the same border issue nor the size that Arizona has to deal with. State Rep. William Snyder is working on introducing components of the Arizona immigration law in Florida and I am helping him with strengthening the existing law. In Florida, all police officers are already allowed to do what Rick Scott says they should do. When I was in Congress, I led fight against amnesty in 1986 but lost by 5 votes. I favor legal immigration. The Federal Government has not enforced the law.
DC Works For US: Do you think that eVerify Legislation should be mandatory in Florida?
AG Bill McCollum: Right now e-verify is poorly run. It should be mandated. Thinks eVerify is poorly run and I fought to get Social Security cards tamper resistant. I am for some sort of guest worker program but where everyone is accounted for.
DC Works For US: How will you decide when it is appropriate to use members of the National Guard for border enforcement and protection?
AG Bill McCollum: Potential incidences. 1200 mile FL coast line, I would not hesitate to use.
Questions About His Role as Attorney General
DC Works For US: As the first Attorney General to file suit against the Health Care Bill, where is this now in the process now and how do you see the effectiveness of the law suit in protection for the citizens of the State of Florida?
AG Bill McCollum: If it gets declared unconstitutional, the whole thing goes down. I am optimistic for the courts. The Health Care Bill doesn’t take effect for a few years and not all at once. Items are phased in. There is, also, a Seperability Clause. We must get Congress to repeal it in order to avoid the case going to court. The Bill will cause higher taxes at the worst time in Florida (economy).
DC Works For US: You have been a member of the highest ranks of the Florida Republican Party for years, are a member of the 4-person cabinet, and the state’s “top cop.” The perception is that there was no accountability given to Jim Greer from within the Republican Party. Can you provide us your perspective on this situation?
AG Bill McCollum: As Republicans, we hold ourselves responsible. As for Greer, once I was aware of what was happening, I referred the case to law enforcement. Our statewide jury indicted him. It is unforgivable what Greer has done to the Republican Party.
Questions About Oil Spill, Drilling and Exploration
DC Works For US: If you were in Gov. Crist’s position, how would you prevent oil from reaching Florida’s shores and how do you feel about drilling in light of this disaster?
AG Bill McCollum: Get resources so as little impact as possible. If gets in food chains, we can have problems for years to come. When in Escambia County, noticed they were not using rakes to pick up the tar balls. They were picking up by hand instead of using equipment. When asked why, it was told it was helping people to get jobs. Inefficient! Hope gets stabilized. Adm. Alan estimated 35-60,000 barrels a day. Much higher than original estimates. Need people to stand up for state & all departments to work together. Collect every Red cent from BP they will owe us.
The spill: I will fight and demand getting resources needed immediately in trying to keep the shores clean. There are different levels of damage. Currently estimated at 35-60,000 barrels a day in the leak. If it gets in the food chains, there will be problems for years to come. Counties have asked for equipment but have not gotten it. When visiting Escambia county, we noticed they were not using rakes to pick up the tar balls. Using hands instead of equipment. Inefficient! When I asked why I was told this was helping people get jobs. Also, they didn’t want to bring in outside help because this has created jobs for the locals.
I will hold everyone accountable that were involved. I will work with EPA, Fish and Wildlife to try to recover every red cent from BP that they owe us and others involved for all who are affected. We should temporarily suspend the Jones Act. We need the people to stand up for state and all departments to work together.
I do not know why I was left out of the meeting with all the Attorney Generals of each state that is or will be affected by the spill, with President Obama and BP officials. Possibly, the healthcare lawsuit. I am not close to this Administration; however it gave a larger podium (TV) for me to get the message out. I have been invited to be on a conference call with Eric Holder 6/16 and we will see what comes of it.
DC Works For US: What is your view of future drilling and exploration?
AG Bill McCollum: I would enforce the 2007 Federal Law signed by President Bush. This law extends into 2022. It provides that no drilling take place within 125 miles off of Pensacola, 235 miles off of Tampa. First and foremost, safety. Never support drilling 3-10 miles offshore. I am in favor of drilling in Anwar. I am in favor of natural gas technology. I agree with the Bill that both Senators Nelson and Martinez signed that opened up drilling to eastern Gulf of Mexico while placing a more rigid anti-drilling protection for the rest of the OCS around Florida.
DC Works For US: How will you handle the rise in unemployment and the environmental problems you will have to face?
AG Bill McCollum: The Governor has not done a good job marketing our state to lure businesses here. Create climate to grow small business. Florida has not been marketed well. Has plan on website that is Steve Forbes approved. This should bring in 500,000 jobs in 6 years. Florida is the leader in Nanotech. Developing this industry is key.
I will cut taxes for a few years to corporations on corporate earnings to try to make opening a business in our state inviting. I am for permanent sales tax exemption. I will push for common sense regulations. My focus will be on economics for the state.
Questions About the Impact of Federal Legislation and Florida
DC Works For US: How will you protect Floridians from the continuous onslaught of Federal Rules and Regulations coming down to the state levels such as: EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule (lead paint), Police and Fireman Monopoly Bargaining Bill (Amendment 4174) etc.?
AG Bill McCollum: I do not believe in strengthening Unions. Consolidating power not good idea. It is about money and benefits. We can’t do that. We cannot pay what the Unions are demanding now. They are part of the problem as to layoffs. Florida’s State budget has $6 bill. hole next year. We are balanced budget state.
Regarding the EPA, we want the state to be responsible.
DC Works For US: Federal EPA has single out Florida to pass strict nutrient numeric standards on all Florida waterways. The severe standards they are attempting to place on Florida will greatly affect agriculture, recreational, fishing and tourism, jobs as well as raising taxes. How do you plan to address this issue?
AG Bill McCollum: Broad topic. Water single most important issue in our state beyond jobs. Quantity and quality. We need new technology to help with keeping our clean waterways clean. We want to do what is right for agriculture (I was raised on a cattle farm), recreational and commercial fishing and tourism. Need new technology for desalinization. Need to preserve water. Currently, there is a Nanotech Company in Tampa, it has a process to convert salt to freshwater.
Questions About Florida Legislation
DC Works For US: Where do you stand on the Hi-Speed Rail?
AG Bill McCollum: It is a money issue from the start. Short term we can’t afford it. Long term we need it. If the Feds are determined to give funds, I would take it. But Florida has no money to put into this. More important transportation issues in Florida right now are our ports-11 in our state. Very important. Ships are larger. Panama made their canal larger. We do not have the infrastructure for larger cargo ships right now. They may go to Savannah if we do not update. Loss of jobs.
DC Works For US: Where do you stand with Amendment 4/Hometown Democracy?
AG Bill McCollum: Opposed. It is very deceptive. It is a jobs killer. It is so restrictive. Those decisions need to stay at local official level but we must be careful who we have in office on the local levels and the citizens must scrutinize and oversee.
DC Works For US: What is your opinion of Sustainable Development and Agenda 21?
AG Bill McCollum: I do not know about it.
DC Works For US: Would you have signed SB-6(Merit Pay for Teachers)?
AG Bill McCollum: I support merit pay for teachers and I would have signed that bill.
DC Works For US: Where do you stand with HM 19/SM 96 Limiting Scope and Exercise of the Federal Government?
AG Bill McCollum: The size and scope of Federal government should be limited.
DC Works For US: What is your opinion of HB 21/SB 98 Florida Firearms Freedom Act?
AG Bill McCollum: A rated NRA person. I am a big second amendment fan. It is the right of everyone legal citizen and we need to protect that, he just signed a bill today stating on local level has no authority to restrict your 2nd amendment rights. Must follow the state law.
DC Works For US: How would you vote with HJR 37/SJR 72 Florida Health Care Freedom Act?
AG Bill McCollum: I support it and is disappointed in Gov. Crist signing for abortions. We must stand firm.
Questions about Bill McCollum, the Gubernatorial Candidate
DC Works For US: You have been criticized as being a Career Politician, especially in this year of “Anti- Incumbency,” how would you counter this perception? The few years you were in the private sector, you made millions while representing the financial institutions which help contribute to the current situation of so many people losing their homes.
AG Bill McCollum: Do you want top executive, i.e. Gov. or President, to be a rookie? How would they respond to situations, decision making? What is their record of integrity and character? You know where I stand from my record and votes. As for career politician, I do favor term limits and I have been in politics for years but I have served on different levels, trying to stay in the same position. At least I have a voting and track record for folks to see where I stand. I think the Governor shouldn’t be a rookie as they are to a state as the President is to the country.
DC Works For US: What would Floridians see in you over Rick Scott as Florida’s Governor?
AG Bill McCollum: I would be better over Rick Scott as I have the experience and a track record, he is a true and tested conservative. Scott has stolen money from taxpayers with a remittance to the company he is part of that gives money to illegal immigrants. I am prolife and against embryonic stem cell, adult stem cells work. Rick Scott has pocketed $30 mil. from taxpayers by performing abortions on our dime. It is hard to find anyone who is to the right of me.
DC Works For US Founder Karin Hoffman interviews Gubernatorial Candidate of Florida Rick Scott, June 2nd at Wings Plus in Coral Springs.
Questions on Columbia/HCA
DC Works For US: As CEO of your company, and give the huge amount of fraud, how were you unaware of HCA/Columbia practices that defrauded the government and taxpayers out of well over a billion dollars? Why did you resign in the middle of the investigation?
Rick Scott: Workers made mistakes and as CEO he had to take responsibility. Audits (internal) should have been done weekly or monthly to have avoided and he learned from this mistake. In defense of Columbia HCA, 1) more patient satisfaction, 2) prices were of the lowest of other hospitals and 3) measured the outcome of overall service and price. Would have better external and internal audits
DC Works For US: Playing Monday morning quarterback, what program or process would you have implemented to prevent the fraud and overbilling at HCA and could it be applied to the State of Florida?
Rick Scott: I would have had more auditors, external & internal. They would have caught it. I would do the same thing in State of Florida. We must anticipate problems. In respect to the state of Florida he will have internal and external audits frequently, and he knows he can’t solve every problem but he can tackle as many as possible. I have learned from the HCA mistakes.
Questions on Illegal Immigration
DC Works For US: We know you stand with Arizona and its law on illegal immigration. As Governor, which state resources would you use to enforce immigration laws and how exactly would you use them?
Rick Scott: I would use everyone in legal enforcement . I would push Federal Government to do their job-enforce borders and come up with legal immigration. I would get AZ law passed in Florida- deport illegals and use all agencies in State government.
DC Works For US: Do you think that e-Verify Legislation should be mandatory in Florida?
Rick Scott: It should be mandatory or something similar. Make sure it is fair to employers. I will look at making regulations on employers more fair in order to help save jobs. Florida needs a forceful Governor, supportive legislatures and citizen voices/involvement. I will do what citizens are asking for.
DC Works For US: How will you decide when it is appropriate to use members of the National Guard for border enforcement and protection?
Rick Scott: Florida is 4th biggest state in the country. We could force Federal Government to do it. Will use every law enforcement agency to protect our borders and will lobby Federal government to do their job of border security. I agree with AZ immigration bill and will enforce deportation using again all branches of law enforcement.
Questions on Oil Spill and Exploration
DC Works For US: If you were in Gov. Crist’s position, how would you prevent oil from reaching Florida’s shores?
Rick Scott: 1) I would do everything to solve problem 2) I would hold company accountable-keep tourism going & help businesses 3) We would secure our beaches. I just read that it might be better for oil to come on beach as easier to clean.
As for oil spill, first it must be solved, then secure beaches to try to stop it or minimize damage. I would hold the company accountable to stop spill and then for damage caused and safety not followed.
DC Works For US: How do you feel about drilling in light of this disaster?
Rick Scott: Offshore drilling: I am for energy independence: Nuclear, alternative, etc. We need to look at and use all options including nuclear. We can come up with solutions with all the experts we have in this field including inshore drilling. Also, we need to see what caused the drilling disaster before continuing. We need to find out how far off shore we should be in considering safe drilling and will surround myself with experts to achieve this.
Questions Florida Specific
DC Works For US: How will you handle the rise in unemployment and the environmental problems you will have to face?
Rick Scott: Businesses choose a state to open a business based on the budget (balanced or not much debt) of that state and being acceptable to the citizens. No increase in taxes. Every agency and regulation impacts businesses. States with lower government spending have more jobs. We must and can drive down cost of owning a business. The governor must sell his state to get businesses to the state.
DC Works For US: How do you feel about Amendment 4?
Rick Scott: I am against. It is a job killer. You cannot put every change on the ballot for people to vote. That is why you elect individuals to do this job.
DC Works For US: How will you protect Floridians from the continuous onslaught of Federal Rules and Regulations coming down to the state levels such as: EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule (lead paint), Police and Fireman Monopoly Bargaining Bill (Amendment 4174) etc.?
Rick Scott: In protecting Floridians from Federal regulations (ie. EPA, Police & Fire monopoly), the Governor needs to educate citizens in how issues will affect them. Each state should and can come out with the effects and cost to them individually and the state. Gov. Crist & Attorney General McCollum should have done this with stimulus money. I will meet with State Congressmen and Senators to deliberate direction. If the state must file suit against Federal government to defend states sovereignty, then so be it.
DC Works For US: Federal EPA has single out Florida to pass strict nutrient numeric standards on all Florida waterways. The severe standards they are attempting to place on Florida will greatly affect agriculture, recreational, fishing and tourism, jobs as well as raising taxes. How do you plan to address this issue?
Rick Scott: Again, educate Floridians. Talk to the newspapers, radio, legislatures, etc and teach about the impact the regulations will have. EPA issue same as above, meet with Floridians and Legislatures, TV and radio ads, to let them know what this means to the state and how it will affect each individual. I give the Tea Party movement some credit for being involved and making people aware.
DC Works For US: Where do you stand on the Hi-Speed Rail?
Rick Scott: Look at return on investment. If no good, then “No.” From everything I have read the return is no good, so “No.”
DC Works For US: What is your opinion of Sustainable Development and Agenda 21?
Rick Scott: Not familiar with it.
DC Works For US: Would you have signed SB-6(Merit Pay for Teachers)? Explain your reasoning.
Rick Scott: I have a daughter who is special needs teacher- converses with her. I believe accountability works. We need the best teachers receive the most dollars. I do not believe in tenure for new teachers. I absolutely believe in vouchers.
DC Works For US: Do you support HM 19/SM 96 Limiting Scope and Exercise of the Federal Government? I am against the stimulus as it has too many strings attached. Citizens and elected officials need to stand up for our rights as a state on all issues.
DC Works For US: Do you support HB 21/SB 98 Florida Firearms Freedom Act?
Rick Scott: I believe in 2nd Amendment. Citizens have a right bear arms as it helps to keep us free.
DC Works For US: Do you support HJR 37/SJR 72 Florida Health Care Freedom Act?
Rick Scott: I know a lot about how doctors will practice under this new health care bill and it will not be for the betterment of patients. I am an honest man.
Questions About the Candidate
DC Works For US: We know you have the financial means to send out the endless mailers, TV ads and travel without limitations. Bill McCollum led the charge to sue the Government over the National Take Over of the Health Care System, has been a respected public servant for many years and a man of character with strong credentials. What would Floridians see in you over Bill McCollum?
Rick Scott: I am not a career politician. I am not connected with or beholden to special interests. I have created jobs in the private sector, a great business background. I will have common sense solutions. I know how to run businesses to be profitable and states should be run the same.