This document is from the collections at the Dole Archives, University of Kansas http://dolearchives.ku.edu M E M 0 To: Sen. Dole From: Jake Ref: Florida Victory Committee Breakfast, Ritz Carlton, 8:30am, July 13. Date: July 12 cc: Joyce, Walt OVERVIEW The Florida Victory Committee represents the backbone of the Republican Party in the state of Florida. Each member has forked over $5,000 a year to the state party. The Committee represents every corner of the state. All of the members are dedicated Republicans and many are prominent leaders from within the political and corporate arena. PROGRAM This is a breakfast briefing session of approximately 150 persons. Informal in nature, they would like you to speak about the 1990 Senate cycle and any important legislative issues before the Senate. You will be introduced by Mr. Alec Courtelis , Finance Chairman for the state party. There is no head table. Organizers of the event are aware that you will be dropping by and cannot stay for the entire breakfast meeting. COMMENT Gov. Martinez is expected to call the Legislature back into session this fall to deal with the abortion issue. Martinez is pro-life. You might want to stay away from the abortion issue, if possible. These people are real hot on Connie Mack and would love to hear you say nice things about Connie. ATTACHMENT A political briefing on the state of Florida received from the RNC this afternoon. Disregard the material on Orlando. Page 1 of 17 This document is from the collections at the Dole Archives, University of Kansas http://dolearchives.ku.edu MEMORANDUM FOR SECRETARY SULLIVAN THROUGH: LEE ATVATER Chairman FROM: DEBBIE MESSICK Acting Director of Communications DATE: JULY 11, 1989 SUBJECT: FLORIDA -- POLITICAL BRIEFING This briefing was written by the RNC Research Department to provide Secretary Sullivan with information for his trip to Orlando, Florida. STATE POUTICAL BACKGROUND o Since 1952, Florida has been carried by GOP presidential nominees eight times: Eisenhower in 1952 and 1956; Nixon in 1960, 1968, and 1972; Reagan in 1980 and 1984; and, Bush in 1988. o Florida has elected two Republican governors in this century, Claude Kirk, 1966, and Bob Martinez, 1986. o According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Florida became the fifth most populous state in the nation in 1986, and it moved up to the fourth largest in 1987, surpassing Pennsylvania. Florida's population is now approximately 12.4 million (1988 estimate); only California, New York, and Texas are more populous. o Since 1980, when Florida was ranked seventh largest in state population, its population has increased by 27%, adding 2.7 million people. Florida has also been the third-fastest growing state since 1980, trailing California and Texas. , o Florida's estimated population increase is 900 people per day. One in every three voters has lived i n Florida less than 10 years, and one in five has lived there less than six years. Page 2 of 17 This document is from the collections at the Dole Archives, University of Kansas http://dolearchives.ku.edu RNC ColDlDunications Division ,.,. 2 o In 1976, 67% of registered voters in Florida were Democrats and 28% were Republicans. In 1982, 64% of the reg11tered votara were Democrats and 30% were Republicans. In the four years from 1982-1986, the 1tate GOP grew to 2,038,831, addin.1 609,000 new voters. Democr&U added just 127,000 voters during the same four years, and dropp•d to 57% o.f registered voters. According to the latest voter registration statistics, Republican registration is 2,026,018, 37% of registered voters (the state election divisioh purges the voter rolls once a year). 1988 ELECTION RESULTS PRESIDENTIAL: George Bush 61% 2,538,994 Michael Duk.akis 39% l, 632-.086 Reagan ~on 56X in 1980, and 65% in 1984. U.S. SENATE: Rep. Connie Mack(R) 50.4% 2,051,071 Rep. Buddy MacKay (D) 49.6X 2,016,553 U.S. BOUSEi Republicans had a net gain of two seats in the 1988 elections. STATE LEGISLATURE: Republicans had a net gain of three seats in the state Senate and three seats in the state House. STATE UNBHPLOTIIENT RATE o The June 1989 seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for the state of Florida was 6.6%, above the May 1989 rate of 6.4%. The June seasonally adjusted national rate .vas 5.3%. o The April 1989 not-seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for the Orlando metropolitan area was 4.7%, above the April 1988 rate of 4.4X. o Many technological firms, including Martin Marietta's Aerospace Division, General Electric, Xerox, and Control Data have offices in Orlando. o Orlando (1986 population: 145,900) is the home of Valt Disney World and Epcot Center, the area's main tourist attractions. Over 20 million people visit the two sites annually. Walt Disney World, 15 miles south of Orlando, covers 27,400 acres and includes several hotels, three golf courses, bridle trails, picnic grounds, lagoons, lakes, beaches, and campgrounds. o Valt Disney Vorld is the largest employer in the area with approximately 19,000 employees. Another large employer is the Orlando Naval Training Center, with 17,263 employees. o Orlando is the largest city near the Keqnedy Space Center in Titusville. The Center has attracted many workers to the area's high-technology companies, o The National Planning Association estimates that 319,000 new jobs will be created in Orlando by the year 2000. Orlando's annual growth rate is expected to average 3.5% until the end of this century. Page 3 of 17 This document is from the collections at the Dole Archives, University of Kansas http://dolearchives.ku.edu RNC Communications Division Pai• 3 o Orlando i1 aplit betw••n two congressional districts, the 5th C.D. repr•aented by four-term Republican Bill Mccollum (1988 ratina11 Americana for Democratic Action (ADA)-OJ American Conservative Union (ACU)-100) and the 11th c.o. represent•d by six-term Democrat Bill Nelson (1988 ratin1s: ADA-4.5; ACU-56). o In 1988 McCollum ran unopposed for re-election while Bush-Quayle carried the 5th C.D. with 68.8% of the vote. Nelson von re-election in 1988 defeating Republican challenger Bill Tolley by a 60.8%-39.2% margin while Bush-Quayle carried the 11th c.D. with 70.8% of the vote. o Orange County (Orlando) is politically competitive at the state and federal level, however, Orange County votes Republican in presidential elections. Since 1952, every Republican presidential candidate has won Orange County by margins of at least 10 points. The largest margin of victory was in 1972, when President Nixon defeated George McGovern by a 80%-20% vote margin. o Bush-Quayle carried Orange County in 1988 by a 68.5%-31.5% vote margin. STATE ISSUES o The 1989 session of the Legislature convened on April 4 and adjourned on June 14. However, legislators are likely to meet again in special sessions. Abortion Special Session1 o GOP Gov. Bob Martinez has c·alled a special leiislative session to be held some time this fall to address the issue of abortion. Martinez' action comes after the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court in Vebster v. Reproductive Health Services, which allows states more power in regulating abortion. o Martinez has indicated his opposition to abortion on demand, and his support for the rights of the unborn. He has also called for a balance in legislation vhich recognizes the needs of the mother, allowing for abortion in the case of rape, incest or a danger to the mother's life. Observers have suggested that Martine~ has a significant amount of support on this issue in the Legislature. Transportation Fundings o The state's Department of Transportation (DOT), recovering from years of financial mismanagement under Democratic rule, is facing an $800 million deficit in funding available for short- and long-term construction projects. Vith Florida's explosive population growth, especially in urban areas, Republicans and De~ocrats agree the infrastructure is in di~• need of modernization and repair. o With the source of funds for future roadwork unsettled, Gov. Martinez has called for a special three-day session baginning Oct. 18 to address the matter. o \lhile legislative Democrats are callina for an increase in the iaS tax to make up the shortfall1 Gov. Martinez has rejected the need for a gas tax hike, calling instead for bonding of turnpike tolls to be used in construction of roadst right-of-ways, and hridaes. Page 4 of 17 This document is from the collections at the Dole Archives, University of Kansas http://dolearchives.ku.edu RNC Communications Division Page 4 o Martinez has also 1u1g•1ted that upon approvina new development; localities must make an attempt to share in th• cotta for any necessary road con1truction before requesting financial aid from the state. o Corporate interests and local governmenta have pressured the Laaillature to quickly resolve the issue, as they fear possible development moratoriums may result from inadequate roads. OTHER LEGISLATIVE ACTION: Primary Run-off Legislation: o The state House Ethics and Elections Committee killed a Democratic sponsored bill which would have eliminated the Democratic Party's primary run-off system. In Florida, if a candidate fails to receive more than SOX of the primary vote, a run-off election is held about four weeks later. Florida is one of 10 states that hold run-offs. Handgun Legislation: o The Legislature has passed legislation which mandates a three day "cooling-off" period for handgun purchases, and establishes a phone "hotline" for gun dealers to initiate background checks on prospective gun purchasers.