A Message from Representative Campbell

Dear constituents, supporters, and friends,

I am very pleased to present my first legislative newsletter to the community of District 108. It has been nearly a year since I have represented the people of Miami Shores and I am excited to share the new and exciting things that I have accomplished in the past year.

First, I would like to thank you all for your support and commitment in allowing me to represent District 108. As many of you know, I have lived in District 108 for 25 years and take great pride in being your voice in the Florida Legislature. As a Registered Nurse and mother, my duties have allowed me to dedicate my talents into improving our community.

I hope this newsletter is informing and demonstrates the hard work I have put in this past year. Please do not hesitate to contact me or my staff with any questions or concerns.

Sincerely, Daphne Campbell State Representative, District 108

In Loving Memory of Ms. Betsie Gallardo

In 2008, Betsie Gallardo was sentenced to a five-year sentence at Broward Correctional Institution for biting and kicking a Collier County sheriff's deputy. Betsie was born HIV-positive and was an immigrant from Haiti. Because of her condition, she was sentenced to live out what was to be the remainder of her life in prison.

In 2010, Betsie was diagnosed with late-stage cancer and made a last wish to live her remaining days outside of prison. Her adoptive mother, Jessica Bussert, who adopted Betsie 17 years ago on a mission trip, pleaded with legislators to get Betsie out.

Immediately upon hearing the case, Representative Campbell moved to get Betsie out. Shortly after, the Florida Parole Commission voted to approve Gallardo's medical release from prison to live her remaining days outside of prison.

On Monday, January 31, 2011, Betsie Gallardo passed away surrounded by family and friends. Representative Campbell is glad Betsie was able to live out her remaining days with her family and wishes her family the best.

"I'm just overjoyed to take her home to Indiana to die with dignity."— Jessie Bussert, Betsie's mother

2011 Legislative Accomplishments

HB 479 — Expert Witness

Representative Campbell teamed up with Representative Mike Horner in sponsoring House Bill 479, a successfully approved bill that requires the Department of Health to issue expert witness certificates to certain physicians and dentists licensed outside of Florida. HB 479 also amended Florida Statute Section 766.118 to limit noneconomic damages in medical malpractice suits against medical practitioners providing care to Medicaid patients, unless the practitioner acted in bad faith, with malicious purpose, or with willful disregard for human rights, safety, or property. The bill limits noneconomic damages to $300,000 per claimant and caps the liability of a practitioner at $200,000 — unless the claimant pleads and proves that the practitioner acted in a malicious way. This bill will help protect our doctors and allow them to continue saving lives and helping those in need.

Affordable Housing — HB 7003

Representative Campbell co-sponsored this Affordable Housing bill, HB 7003, which reenacts provisions of law relating to affordable housing, portions of which were amended, created, or repealed in the 2009 legislature. Campbell believes that this bill will help families in this current economic crisis to stay above water, continue to pay their mortgages, and avoid foreclosure.

Bills Representative Campbell Voted Against

Representative Campbell voted against several bills that were overwhelmingly opposed by the constituents of District 108. On behalf of the people of District 108, Representative Campbell will keep fighting in opposition to bills that she believes are not good for the community and should not become law in Florida.

HB 155 — Privacy of FirearmHB 155 provides that a licensed practitioner or facility may not record firearm ownership in a patient's medical records unless that information is relevant to the patient's medical care or the safety of others. Representative Campbell listened to medical care professionals in District 108 and voted "NO" on HB 155. The health care professionals of District 108 believe that this bill restricts their freedom of speech.

HB 7005 — Unemployment CompensationThis bill increases the number of employer payroll service providers who qualify for access to unemployment tax information and requires individuals claiming benefits to report more information and participate in an initial skills review. Representative Campbell is aware of the difficulties of unemployment and believes that everyone going through this tough process deserves a chance at receiving compensation. She voted "NO" for HB 7005.

HB 7107 — Medicaid Managed CareHB 7107 designates AHCA as a single state agency to administer the Medicaid program and establishes the Medicaid program as statewide. This bill will make it more difficult for individuals to receive Medicaid and make it harder for businesses to provide Medicaid to their employees.

HB 353 — Drug Screening of TANF BeneficiariesThis bill requires the Department of Children and Families to perform a drug test on applicants for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits and requires the individual to bear the cost of the drug test. This bill unnecessarily places the burden of the drug test on needy families. District 108 spoke out against HB 353 and Representative Campbell voted "NO" in the interests of her constituency.

Education Reform by District 108

Rep. Campbell Supports HB 61 — Appropriate Student Dress

Representative Daphne Campbell travelled to Miami-Dade schools to see the progress of the "Baggy Pants" house bill that she co-sponsored. HB 61 requires each district school board's code of conduct to include an explanation of student responsibilities with regard to appropriate student dress. The bill came as a result of the rising number of complaints of students coming to school dressed inappropriately.

The bill requires each district school board to adopt a dress code policy that prohibits students from wearing clothing that exposes underwear or body parts in a specified manner and provides disciplinary actions for violations. Additionally, the bill requires that students adhere to the student conduct code in extracurricular activities.

FCAT Opposition

Representative Campbell is a staunch opponent of the FCAT — the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test. Campbell believes the FCAT is not an adequate or fair way to measure a student's abilities and filed House Bill 71 in an effort to replace the FCAT with the High School Competency Test. This would gauge a student's ability based on material learned in the past year rather than a universal test given to students who learn different curriculum.

Campbell blames the FCAT for the relatively low 70 percent graduation rate for schools like Miami Edison Senior High and Miami Central. She believes that the FCAT places too much pressure and importance on a single test to correctly measure a student's ability.

"The bottom line is the FCAT is not helping."— Representative Daphne Campbell

Economic Reform by District 108

Hope for Homeowners

Representative Campbell is a firm believer in helping the needy of District 108. Her office has helped countless people with the job search process by posting jobs online and providing assistance to those whose first language is not English. She has also assisted community members with foreclosure issues through programs such as Hope for Homeowners and works with local organizations like NANAY (National Alliance for the Aged and Youth) to help distressed individuals.

The Hope for Homeowners program was started in 2008 under the Housing and Economic Recovery Act to help American homeowners afflicted by the worldwide economic downturn of 2007. Under strict conditions, the program assists homeowners in paying their mortgage and saves them from foreclosure. Eligibility requirements include having a home loan originating before March 1, 2008, having made at least six payments on the current mortgage, and having payments greater than 31% of monthly income as of March 1, 2008.

After acceptance into the program, homeowners must pay a 3% mortgage insurance premium, a 1.5% annual premium on the loan, and provide copies of their last two years of tax returns. The program also includes a "First-Time Buyers" education component that prepares new homeowners for the challenges and responsibilities of purchasing their first home.

Social Services by District 108

Giving Back to District 108

Representative Campbell has been deeply active in serving the community of District 108 through a variety of social service initiatives, including organizing a Back to School Fundraiser for local families and students.

Sunset Villas Issue

Representative Campbell spoke directly with local apartment residents about the conditions of their community and the wrongdoings of their Condo Association, demonstrating her commitment to standing up for the residents of District 108 at every level.

Helpful Numbers for Constituents

• First Call for Help — Dial 211
• Consumer Assistance Center / Florida Do Not Call List — 1-800-435-7352
• FEMA — 1-800-621-3362
• Florida Parole Commission — 850-487-3259
• Florida Public Service Commission — 1-800-342-3552
• Report Price Gouging — 1-800-HELP-FLA
• Teen Hotline — 954-567-TEEN
• Department of Business and Professional Regulations — 1-850-487-1395

Hurricane Preparedness Resources:

• www.nhc.noaa.gov
• www.floridadisaster.org
• www.fema.gov
• www.redcross.org

Contact Information

District Office — Shoreview9999 NE 2nd Ave, Suite #309 Miami Shores, FL 33238 Tel: (305) 795-1210 | Fax: (305) 795-1212

Tallahassee Office — The Capitol1401 The Capitol, 402 S. Monroe St. Tallahassee, Florida 32399 Tel: (850) 488-4233

Staff:

• Aaron Soriano, Legislative Assistant — [email protected] | (786) 300-7661
• Janice Shackelford, District Secretary II — [email protected] | (786) 300-6177