St Lucie County Enterprise PAC Candidate Bio Name: Address: 1885 N.W. Eagle Point, Stuart, Fl 34994 Phone 772-260-7301 Email: [email protected] How long have you resided in Port St. Lucie/Fort Pierce? I have lived on the for 49 years. Employment: Current Employer: Senate, State of Florida, Health IT Strategies Employer Address: 310 Senate Office Building, Tallahassee, Fl. 323399, 1885 N.W. Eagle Point, Stuart, Fl. 34994 Education: High School: Riverview High School, Sarasota, Florida Year Graduated: 1961 College: Year Graduated: 1964 Degree(s): B.A. Spanish Other: University of Florida, 1977 MALS Master’s Degree in Latin American Studies 1. Has your campaign joined the St. Lucie County Chamber of Commerce? ______2. Do you own your home? Yes 3. Have you ever filed for bankruptcy? No

4. Have you ever sued the governmental agency you are vying to hold a seat on? No

If yes, why?

State of Florida Candidate Questionnaire

1. On what local boards or committees do you currently serve or have served?

BIG BROTHERS/BIG SISTERS OF Member of Board of Directors (Current) ST. LUCIE, INDIAN RIVER AND OKEECHOBEE St. Lucie County Enterprise PAC, www.SLCEPAC.org, Remit to: [email protected] pg. 1

SOUTH EAST BEHAVIORAL HEALTH NETWORK Member of Board of Directors (Current)

EDUCATION FOUNDATION OF MARTIN COUNTY Member Board of Directors (Current)

CENTER FOR CONSTITUTIONAL VALUES Advisory Board Member

HOSPICE OF THE TREASURE COAST Member Board of Directors, Former

HIBISCUS CHILDREN’S CENTER Member Board of Directors (Emeritus) Past: President, Treasurer, Secretary, Guild: Past: President, Gala Chairman

MARTIN COUNTY SCHOOLS Past Activities: State Instructional Materials Committee. Active in SAC Committees, PTA etc. Past Chairman High School & Middle Schools SAC Committee, Member Comprehensive Planning Committee & Curriculum Council, Chairman of School Based Management Task Force, Volunteer Jensen Beach Elementary & Stuart Middle Schools

HPS (formerly TRI-COUNTY TEC) Past Member of Board of Directors Past: President, Vice-President, Secretary,

LEADERship, Martin County 1992/93 Participant. Co-Chair Health Issues Day, 1994-1999

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Lay Reader Past: Elder, Deacon, Sunday & Bible School Teacher, Personnel Committee, Finance Committee

MARTIN COUNTY MEDICAL Past: State Legislative Communications Network Chair SOCIETY ALLIANCE Martin County: Past President, Charter Member, Scholarship Chairman

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF Past: Vice-President - Charter Member UNIVERSITY WOMEN

BARN THEATRE Past: President, Vice-President, Led Referendum to save Barn Theatre Sign

2. Who are some local, state, or national people you admire most, and why do you admire them?

We have been blessed to have outstanding leadership on the Treasure Coast and there are so many individuals who have made a significant contribution to our area that it is difficult to name them all. I would say from a local level I would have to name Senator , Senator and Dr. Ed. Massey as the individuals who have made a tremendous positive impact on diversifying our economy and bringing jobs to our area, improving our rivers and the Indian River Lagoon and making Indian River State College the number one college in the country.

On the state level there again are many leaders who have done an outstanding job leading our state, but I would have to say I very much admire Governor Jeb Bush for his calm steady hand in leading this state through the difficulties created by 9/11, the hurricanes of 2004 and 2005 and the incredible vision he had in transforming our public educational system.

On the national level, I greatly admire Speaker Newt Gingrich and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

3. What individuals or organizations in your community would you go to for trusted advice and do you currently have relationships with them?

St. Lucie County Enterprise PAC, www.SLCEPAC.org, Remit to: [email protected] pg. 2

Having lived in our community, raised my family here, worked and volunteered in our community for over 49 years, there are so many people I have trusted and gone to for advice that it is difficult to name them all. On economic issues my number one source is our local Chambers of Commerce (Terissa Aronson, Joe Catrambone, Ron Rose), the Economic Development Councils, (Pete Tesch & Ted Astofi,) and our business leaders. I also have long term relationships with our local elected officials, school board members, IRSC, healthcare officials and environmental leaders

4. What is your one guiding principle or core value?

Mathew 22:37 “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your mind. And the second is like unto it, you shall love your neighbor as yourself”

5. Briefly describe your political involvement.

Elected to Florida House of Representatives, District 81 2000-2008, 2010-2012: Florida House of Representatives, District 83 2012-2018, Elected to the , District 25 2018-2020

6. Campaign Organization and Structure.

General Consultant: Public Concepts Manager: Karen Sweeney Treasurer: Gordon Proctor, CPA Advisors: Many community members Campaign Website: gayleharrell.com

7. Why are you running for this office?

I am running for re-election to the Florida Senate because Florida is facing an extremely challenging time and we need a proven leader fighting for our community and our neighbors. Experience matters, now more than ever. I have a long track record of working hard for our community and getting things done. I also believe we need someone in Tallahassee who knows our community and understands our needs. As a 49-year resident of the Treasure Coast, a business owner, a former teacher in our community and a community volunteer and leader, I have the knowledge and understanding of our priorities and our needs. I am committed to working with the Chamber to help address them.

8. Why should the business community support your candidacy?

As the owner of a small business, I understand the issues and have lived the problems that every owner or manager of a small business faces each and every day. I have taken those lessons to Tallahassee and they have guided my decision-making process throughout my entire time representing the people of the Treasure Coast. I have had an A ranking by the Florida Chamber of Commerce for many years and have been endorsed by the Florida Chamber of Commerce.

9. What monies will you be fighting to bring back to St. Lucie County?

I have consistently brought back significant resources to St. Lucie County and the Treasure Coast, from funding for the airport development to environmental funding for the water projects at McCarty Ranch to over $3 million dollars for the Advanced Manufacturing Center at IRSC, I have always fought to get bring state resources back to our community. I will continue to do so to meet the needs of our area.

10. As an extension of the school day and to help end "Generational Poverty" would you support funding affordable after school programs that provide assistance with homework, delinquency prevention, life skills and the development of good character for Florida's working families? St. Lucie County Enterprise PAC, www.SLCEPAC.org, Remit to: [email protected] pg. 3

As a Board member of Big Brothers Big Sisters of St. Lucie, Indian River and Okeechobee Counties and as huge supporter of the Boys and Girls Club, I have consistently fought to provide funding for organizations that provide mentoring and after school programs and will continue to do so.

11. What are your thoughts about having a series of benchmarks designed to create a minimum standard for Math and Language Arts throughout the United States?

Florida has established Sunshine State Standards which establishes the minimum standards that Florida’s children are required to meet to pass the FSA and end of course exams. I believe Florida standards meet the needs of Florida’s children. Florida is currently 3rd as recently reported by US News and World Reports.

12. What changes would you support to our education system that might improve workforce development in the State of Florida?

I support the expansion of apprenticeship programs in which students can get high school credit for on the job training. I also have worked diligently to procure funding for the IRSC Advanced Manufacturing Center at IRSC.

13. What are your thoughts on healthcare, do you think more association healthcare plans could benefit the State of Florida? Why or why not?

I absolutely support association health plans and have been advocating for federal legislation to allow them for many years. Once they are permitted across state lines, I will sponsor a bill to enable them in Florida.

14. Should the state of Florida be able to mandate that health insurance providers cover specific health conditions or benefits even if the mandates increase the cost of health insurance for employers and employees? Explain:

Mandates have dramatically increased the cost of healthcare. Unfortunately, the Affordable Healthcare Act establishes an incredible number of mandates which has driven the cost of healthcare up significantly. Mandates at the state level need to be as minimal as possible.

15. What role should private investment have in funding public infrastructure needs?

Private investment in funding public infrastructure should only be required to the extent that the private development has increased the cost of government services for citizens. It should never exceed it.

16. Philosophically, when considering the following issues, do you think the authority to set or regulate these areas should be at the Federal, State, Local or Regional Government level?

Wages: the employer should set wages based on the skills necessary to perform the job and the current market conditions. Growth Management: Basic growth management regulations should be set by the state when there is an impact of regional or statewide significance, but most grow management rules should be set at the local level. Wetlands Use: Basic wetland use regulations should be set by the state when there is an impact of regional or statewide significance, but most wetland rules should be set at the local level. Water Supply: Because so much of our water supply comes from our underground aquifer system, and in addition our rivers, streams and surface water flows regionally across counties without recognizing local borders, the state has an increased responsibility to assure that our water supply is protected. Environmental Permitting: Basic rules should be set by the state to protect our environment, but the local governments need to play a significant role in protecting the local environment. St. Lucie County Enterprise PAC, www.SLCEPAC.org, Remit to: [email protected] pg. 4

Business Permits & Licenses: Basic standards should be established by the state to protect citizens from fraud or unscrupulous business, but local governments are key to setting local standards.

17. What is your position on collecting sales and use tax on transactions from out of state and online retailers?

I support collecting sales and use tax from out of state and on-line retailers.

18. Government regulations continue to be the top concern for Florida's small business. What areas would you recommend reducing regulation and red tape?

I have worked with our local businesses and the many Chambers of Commerce within the Treasure Coast, over the many years to reduce unnecessary regulation and red tape. My door is always open for any suggestions to continue making it easier for businesses to serve our community. I was an advocate to reduce and eliminate the sales tax on commercial rent.

19. Do you believe state or local governments should or should not have the authority to prohibit property owners from renting out their homes on a short-term or long-term basis?

As a firm believer in our Constitution and property rights, I believe that the state has a responsibility to assure that property rights are upheld and individuals have the ability to use their property as they would choose within the parameters that were established when they purchased the property and current law. However, local ordinances on such things as noise levels are very important as long as they are consistent across the community.

20. Would you support legislation that limits recovery for future medical care lawsuits to (a) an amount equal to what was actually paid for the medical care, and (b) the usual and customary charges in the community for future medical care? Why or why not?

Yes

21. What are your thoughts and opinions of labor unions?

Florida is a right to work state, which I support. Workers have the right to unionize should they choose to do so.

FINAL THOUGHTS?

Thank you for the honor and privilege of representing you in the Florida Senate for the past 2 years. I am pleased to have been endorsed by the Florida Chamber of Commerce, Associated Industries of Florida, the Florida Realtors Association, and the Florida Medical Association. I would respectfully ask to your vote on November 3rd.

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