State Senate District 24
Rachel Burgin and Tom Lee
Tom Lee is seeking a return to the state Senate after leaving six years ago. The home builder and former Senate president left politics after losing a bid for chief financial officer to Democrat Alex Sink. Lee is taking on state Rep. Rachel Burgin, an up-and-comer who defeated former union organizer Lewis Laricchia in 2008 to capture House District 56. Both candidates say they represent true conservative interests in a tradition-minded political district. — Rich Shopes, Times staff writer
| Tom Lee, 50 Home builder | Rachel Burgin, 30 State representative | |
| Republican | Party | Republican |
| Vice president, Sabal Homes of Florida Inc.; Florida state senator, 1996-2006; senate president, 2004-2006; candidate for chief financial officer, 2006; president of the Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce; charter member of the Brandon '86 Rotary Club; member of the board of directors, A Kids Place; vice chairman, Tampa Bay History Center | Experience | State representative for House District 56, 2008 to present; intern, White House Office of Faith-based and Community Initiatives, summer of 2008; legislative aide to former Rep. Trey Traviesa, 2006-2008; legislative aide, Hillsborough County Commission, 2005-2006; office assistant, Dickerson Law Firm, 2004-2005 |
| Bachelor of science, University of Tampa, 1984 | Education | Bachelor of science, Moody Bible Institute, 2010 |
| Improve the economy, help create jobs and enhance the overall quality of life throughout Florida and in our region. There is no one piece of public policy that will accomplish this objective. In fact, it will take a mosaic of high-performing schools, an educated workforce, safe streets, adequate infrastructure, a business friendly climate and the preservation of our environment to help strike a healthy balance between sustainable economic development and preservation of our overall quality of life. | What would be your top priority in the Legislature? | 1. The Food Stamp Integrity Act restricts what can be purchased using food stamps. Taxpayer-funded food stamps shouldn't be spent on Doritos and candy bars, but on staples like milk, bread, fruits and vegetables. 2. The Abortion Accountability Act requires a licensed physician to be present at all abortion procedures. I am a tireless advocate for the unborn and will continue fighting to protect them in the Florida Senate. 3. The Empty Houses to Happy Homes Initiative promotes the sale of foreclosures by exempting property taxes on a foreclosed home sold for two years for the family who purchases it. |
| We need to maintain low tax rates and have minimal regulation requirements so as to recruit and retain business in our state. However, sustainable economic development is also dependent upon continued investment and/or improvement in our infrastructure, public schools, universities, improved access to vocational and technical education (K-12 and community colleges) and the preservation of Florida's natural beauty. Otherwise, economic development will deteriorate the quality of life, which is the foundation upon which all sustainable economic development is predicated. In other words, if we fail to take the long-term view, we can become the victim of our own success and kill the goose that lays the golden egg for economic development and our quality of life. We absolutely must jump-start our economy, but we needn't do so at the expense of long-term sustainability. | What else can the Legislature do to grow Florida's economy and create more jobs? | We need jobs. People want to come to Florida. Go anywhere in the world and when you talk about Florida they immediately know about our state, so the question is not about one of recognition. The problem is when business and people begin seriously looking to relocate here they run into barriers and obstacles. Florida has the fourth-most burdensome licensing laws in the country and is the seventh-most onerously licensed state in the nation. Burdensome government regulations and an inefficient permitting processes always delay the creation of new jobs by weeks, if not months, and in some cases companies go to other states. It is no secret that barriers to capital investments result in investment dollars going elsewhere. You can look at my legislative record; I have been a big supporter of Gov. Scott's efforts to reduce redundant and needless paperwork burdens. |
| I have constantly supported a variety of school choice programs including Opportunity and MacKay Scholarships, charter schools and homeschooling. I have also supported greater accountability mechanisms in public schools so that the state is better able to measure performance. However, we have a constitutional obligation to provide a public education and school choice options are no excuse to abandon the needs of the public system. Education should be about the children and not the school or the system. Thus, as we require accountability for the public system so, too, should we make sure that the metrics are in place for any alternatives. | What is your position on private school vouchers? Should the state grant more? Is there enough accountability for the private schools that receive them? | I support private school vouchers and yes, the state should grant more. They should be granted to any school that demonstrates the ability to produce academic achievement in its students. |
| This law was passed while I was president of the Senate. A task force has been formed to review the law and I would not advocate for any changes, at least until they have reported their findings. | Should "stand your ground" be changed or repealed? | "Stand your ground" should remain unchanged. We must ensure the rights and freedoms for self-defense. |
| $3,623,038 | Assets | $18,000 |
| $452,900 | Liabilities | $19,191 |
| $81,195 | Income | $28,551 |
| Married; two children | Personal | Single; no children |
| votetomlee.com | Website | rachelburgin.com |
| tom@votetomlee.com | rachel@rachelburgin.com |
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