A Message from Representative Campbell

Dear Constituents,

I have recently wrapped up my second Legislative Session in the Florida House of Representatives. I returned to Tallahassee in January to start an early session due to Florida redistricting. The 2012 Legislative Session was filled with many contentious issues such as redistricting, insurance reform, and vast changes to the public and charter school education system.

The Budget

A new state budget was approved without my support because I believe it fails Florida's families and small businesses and doesn't prioritize job creation. I joined other Democrats in the House of Representatives in warning that this budget is an assault on Florida's middle class with deep cuts to health care and higher education.

At a time when the Legislature could have focused more extensively on job creation, the spending plan cuts more than 4,300 positions from state government and slashes funding for hospitals, nursing homes, and universities. Though monies are put toward important projects, this budget fails to meet the overall needs of our state and eliminates jobs that could bolster Florida's economic rebound.

While some contend the $70 billion budget is crafted without new taxes, it relies upon mandatory contributions — what I call a personal income tax — of 3 percent on teachers, firefighters, police officers, and hundreds of thousands of other participants in the Florida Retirement System.

An additional $1 billion is put toward public schools for 2012–13, but it is noteworthy that this amount is $2.1 billion less than what the Legislature put toward public schools just five years ago. For college-age students in working families, the budget sets up a devastating triangle through a combination of tuition hikes, cuts in university funding, and reductions in student financial aid through the Bright Futures Scholarship Program.

Again this year, budget writers are raiding millions of dollars from trust funds intended to pay for priorities such as road construction, environmental land purchases, affordable housing, and fighting fraud. The budget also provides insufficient funding for Florida Forever — the state's land-buying program — and makes cuts to Clerks of Court operations, which could lead to job cuts in our community and difficulties accessing the courts.

Education

The big education issue of the session was the budget, including increases in funding for K–12 schools. The funds added fall short of recovering the massive losses incurred over the past few years. Last year's cuts caused a $575-per-student reduction in school spending, and this year's budget restores only about a quarter of that loss — still leaving per-pupil spending about $930 less per student than in the 2007–08 school year.

I am concerned that the ongoing financial challenges of our public schools will result in layoffs of teachers and other school employees, cuts in arts and music programs, and will make it harder to develop a world-class education system for the 21st century. I consider these changes a narrowing of opportunities for traditional public school students, as charter schools get more freedom with fewer regulations and voucher programs get more money with fewer requirements to prove their performance.

Perhaps the best thing for education happened when the Florida Senate killed a bill that would have created a parent petition process to convert low-performing traditional public schools into charter schools managed by for-profit, out-of-state companies. I am glad it was defeated.

Public universities also got hit with major cuts at the same time the Legislature approved tuition hikes and reductions in student financial aid.

Education Funding Secured for District 108:

Miami Dade College — $28,582,390
Miami Dade College — $137,686,097
University of Miami — Rosenstiel Marine Science — $89,574
University of Miami — BS and MFA in Motion Pictures — $159,245
University of Miami — Institute for Cuban and Cuban American Studies — $100,000
Barry University — BS Nursing and MSW Social Work — $73,520
Barry University — School of Podiatry — $200,000

Health Care

One of the most challenging duties facing the Legislature involves determining how to meet the critical needs of Florida's most vulnerable while managing limited resources. Health care for Floridians remains among my major priorities.

I am pleased that additional funding has been provided to handle increased Medicaid caseloads and that monies are provided for additional elder waiver slots in the nursing home diversion, PACE, the Aged and Disabled Waiver, and the Community Care for the Elderly Waiver programs. I am also grateful that the Legislature committed $25 million toward biomedical research and services at cancer centers throughout the state.

However, I am concerned about cuts to medical providers who serve Florida's seniors and the neediest. The new health care budget includes reimbursement cuts to hospitals, reductions to nursing homes, a limit of six covered emergency room visits per year, and a limit of two monthly primary care doctor visits. I also believe it was a mistake for the state to turn away numerous federal grants that would have helped cover the costs of care for mothers, infants, and newborn babies.

The Legislature passed a bill that critics contend could seriously weaken the protection and promotion of public health. Among the concerns, eligibility criteria for Children's Medical Services were amended so that only children with "serious" health care needs are covered — a change that will reduce access to health coverage. I remain concerned about the far-reaching Medicaid overhaul and fear that taxpayers will lose accountability when for-profit private insurers take over.

Economic Development

Despite promises of focusing on job creation, I believe the Legislature failed to address the priorities of the middle class and to bolster Florida's economic rebound. A Democratic-led initiative known as the Fair Economy Act, which would have closed certain business tax loopholes to avoid spending cuts, failed to become law.

Instead, the Legislature approved a $50,000 exemption to the state's 5.5 percent corporate income tax — doubling last year's cut and taking nearly 4,000 more businesses off the rolls. The tax-break package also includes breaks for manufacturing equipment and private planes, and eases tangible personal property taxes that businesses pay. A bill dealing with unemployment compensation was passed designed to ease costs to businesses, though opponents are concerned the changes may lead to increased taxes in future years. An annual back-to-school sales tax holiday was also approved, involving a three-day tax break in August.

Insurance

This session, the focus on insurance centered on changing Personal Injury Protection — a mandatory component of auto insurance in Florida — and efforts to transfer policies from state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corp. to the private market.

The auto insurance legislation limits certain attorney fees, limits access to medical professionals, and puts a 14-day time limit in which an accident victim can make a medical claim. Within that window, the amount of medical care can be limited to $2,500 if determined to be for a non-emergency condition. Measures to shrink Citizens, as well as a bill to reduce coverage in the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund, were defeated due to concerns about raising rates.

Funds from State Budget Appropriations 2012

Hardly and tirelessly advocating — brought to District 108 by Representative Daphne Campbell, R.N.

Community Programs:

Family Empowerment and Intervention — North Miami — $100,000 Passed in the House and Senate, Session 2012. Unfortunately vetoed by Governor Rick Scott.
Haitian Heritage Museum Project — $75,000 Passed in the House and Senate, Session 2012. Unfortunately vetoed by Governor Rick Scott.
Fanm Ayisyen Nan Miyami, Inc. — $75,000 Failed to be heard in the House and Senate.

Miami Dade College (for acquisition, construction, remodeling, and renovation of classrooms, labs, offices, support space, and parking across multiple campuses)

Miami Dade College — $144,381,140
Miami Dade College — $6,798,949
Miami Dade College — $28,582,390
Miami Dade College — $16,264,854

Barry University:

BS Nursing and MSW Social Work — $73,520
School of Podiatry — $200,000
Juvenile Justice Program — $250,000

Historic Preservation:

Historic Hampton House — Miami — $100,000 Passed in the House and Senate, Session 2012. Unfortunately vetoed by Governor Rick Scott.
Village of Biscayne Park Small Matching Grants (Statewide) — $1,200,000
Historical Log Cabin — Village of Biscayne Park — $150,000 Passed in the House and Senate, Session 2012. Unfortunately vetoed by Governor Rick Scott.
Little River Canal Seawall Remediation Project — Village of El Portal — $150,000 Passed in the House and Senate, Session 2012. Unfortunately vetoed by Governor Rick Scott.

Additional Programs:

Farm Share — $750,000
Early Steps Clinic — $69,900,000
Girl Scouts — $367,635

Public Safety

I believe protecting the safety and security of the public is a fundamental role of government. Floridians deserve a justice system that guarantees due process, a corrections system that provides secure prisons, and law enforcement that protects and serves all Floridians.

This year, the Legislature tackled the devastating issue of human trafficking — a crime that robs individuals of their dignity and their right to contribute to society. The human trafficking legislation passed this year stiffens the penalties for those involved and grants jurisdiction on multi-jurisdictional cases to the Statewide Prosecutor, giving local law enforcement officers the tools they need to protect victims and bring perpetrators to justice. A Democratic-sponsored bill also passed to ban the use of restraints on female prisoners during labor and to tighten guidelines on how pregnant prisoners may be restrained.

Redistricting

The Legislature completed the once-a-decade task of redrawing House, Senate, and congressional district boundaries, though legal challenges and reviews of the maps are still underway. The Florida Supreme Court rejected as unconstitutional the Legislature's first attempt at drawing proposed Senate district boundaries — a ruling I believe was a victory for the people of Florida, as the proposal failed to meet the public's wishes to end extreme partisan gerrymandering.

When Florida voters overwhelmingly approved two state constitutional amendments dealing with how political boundaries should be drawn, they sent a clear message that they will no longer tolerate excessive partisan politics in the redistricting process. Floridians want fair and competitive elections, and I encourage everyone to follow news reports and reach out to your local Supervisor of Elections to stay informed about any changes to your representation.

Federal Budget Breakdown — FY 2012

For reference, the federal spending breakdown for the United States in Fiscal Year 2012 was as follows:

Defense — 24%
Pensions — 22%
Health Care — 22%
Welfare — 12%
Interest — 6%
Other Spending — 5%
Transportation — 3%
Protection — 2%
General Government — 1%

Bills That Representative Campbell Opposed

Representative Campbell voted against several bills she believed were harmful to the constituents of District 108 and to Floridians at large.

HB 1191 — Parent Empowerment in Education: This bill authorized parents of students assigned to underperforming public schools to submit a petition requesting school turnaround options selected by parents, including conversion to charter school management. Representative Campbell opposed this bill as it could have opened the door to for-profit, out-of-state charter school companies taking over Florida's public schools.

HB 119 — Motor Vehicle Personal Injury Protection Insurance: This bill revised conditions for completing traffic crash reports and made changes to PIP insurance requirements and fraud prevention measures. Representative Campbell opposed provisions she believed would limit access to medical care for accident victims.

HB 7083 — Correctional Privatization: This bill required the Department of Management Services to competitively procure the management and operation of correctional facilities for certain counties. Representative Campbell opposed the privatization of Florida's prison system, citing concerns about accountability and the welfare of both inmates and correctional employees.

HB 813 — Eligibility for Temporary Cash Assistance and Food Assistance: This bill prohibited individuals convicted of a felony offense from receiving temporary cash or food assistance under certain conditions. Representative Campbell opposed this bill as harmful to vulnerable families.

HB 1205 — Drug-Free Workplaces: This bill authorized state agencies to require employees to submit to periodic random drug testing. Representative Campbell had concerns about its impact on public employees and their rights.

HB 5601 — License to Carry a Concealed Weapon or Firearm: This bill reduced specified nonrefundable license fees for concealed weapons permits. Representative Campbell opposed this measure.

HB 353 — Drug Screening of TANF Beneficiaries: This bill required the Department of Children and Families to perform drug tests on TANF applicants at the applicant's own cost. Representative Campbell voted "NO" as it unnecessarily placed the financial burden of drug testing on needy families.

HB 1115 — Teachers: This bill addressed professional teacher associations and liability insurance requirements for student teachers. Representative Campbell opposed provisions she believed were not in the best interest of Florida's educators.

Sponsored Bills — 2012

HB 105 — Employment of the Homeless — Died in Business & Consumer Affairs Subcommittee
HB 161 — Driving Without a Valid Driver License — Died in Transportation & Highway Safety Subcommittee
HB 163 — Student Involvement in Educational Governance — Died in K-20 Competitiveness Subcommittee
HB 165 — Education and Training Opportunities for Public Employees — Withdrawn prior to introduction
HB 177 — Inmate Reentry — Vetoed by Governor
HB 217 — Florida Law Enforcement Officers' Hall of Fame — Died in Criminal Justice Subcommittee
HB 675 — Credit Card Surcharges — Died in Community & Military Affairs Subcommittee
HM 881 — Haitian Family Reunification Parole Program — Died in Federal Affairs Subcommittee
HB 1195 — Involuntary Examinations under the Baker Act — Died in Health Regulation
HB 4095 — Credit Card Surcharges — Withdrawn prior to introduction
HB 4135 — Public School Maximum Class Size — Died in PreK-12 Appropriations Subcommittee
HB 4159 — DNA Testing of Criminal Defendants — Died in Criminal Justice Subcommittee
HB 4161 — Probation and Community Control — Died in Criminal Justice Subcommittee
HB 4167 — Costs of Supervision and Rehabilitation of Offenders — Died in Criminal Justice Subcommittee
HR 9039 — Kidney Awareness Week — Adopted by Publication
HR 9057 — Haiti's 208th Anniversary — Adopted by Publication
HR 9083 — Disability Awareness Week — Adopted by Publication

Co-Sponsored Bills — 2012

HB 27 — Disabled Parking Permits — Laid on Table, refer to CS/SB 226
HB 31 — Protest Activities — Died in returning Messages
HB 37 — Knowingly and Willfully Giving False Information to a Law Enforcement Officer — Chapter No. 2012-53
HB 45 — Postsecondary Education Course Registration for Veterans — Chapter No. 2012-162
HB 49 — Offenses Related to a Child's Disappearance — Died in Criminal Justice Subcommittee
HJR 55 — Homestead Assessment Limitation/Senior Citizens — Died in Community Affairs
HB 81 — Postsecondary Student Fees — Died in K-20 Innovation Subcommittee
HJR 93 — Homestead Property Tax Exemption for Surviving Spouse of Military Veteran or First Responder — Signed by Officers and filed with Secretary of State
HB 95 — Homestead Property Tax Exemptions — Chapter No. 2012-54
HB 107 — Special Districts — Chapter No. 2012-16
HB 111 — Career Education — Died in K-20 Innovation Subcommittee
HB 117 — Veterans and Servicemembers — Died in Judiciary Committee
HB 125 — Preventing Deaths from Drug-related Overdoses — Laid on Table, refer to SB 278
HB 133 — Assessment of Residential and Nonhomestead Real Property — Died in Community Affairs
HB 151 — Child Safety Devices in Motor Vehicles — Died in Transportation & Highway Safety Subcommittee
HJR 169 — Additional Homestead Tax Exemption for Seniors — Signed by Officers and filed with Secretary of State
HB 171 — Osteopathic Physicians — Chapter No. 2012-163
HB 173 — Department of Juvenile Justice — Chapter No. 2012-56
HB 179 — Possession of Weapons on School Property — Withdrawn prior to introduction
HB 183 — Misdemeanor Pretrial Substance Abuse Programs — Laid on Table, refer to CS/SB 186
HB 189 — Criminal Restitution — Chapter No. 2012-17
HB 191 — Neighborhood Improvement Districts — Died in Finance & Tax Committee
HB 239 — State Lotteries — Died in Government Operations Subcommittee
HB 273 — Student Safety — Died in Education Pre-K–12
HB 285 — Sick Leave for School District Employees — Chapter No. 2012-166
HB 299 — Use of Wireless Communications Devices While Driving — Died in Transportation & Highway Safety Subcommittee
HB 307 — Workers' Compensation Certificate-of-Exemption Process — Died in returning Messages
HB 309 — Radiological Personnel — Chapter No. 2012-168
HB 313 — Premises Liability — Chapter No. 2012-203
HB 317 — Education — Died in K-20 Competitiveness Subcommittee
HB 329 — Parole Interview Dates for Certain Inmates — Died in Criminal Justice
HB 331 — Career and Adult Education — Died in Education Pre-K–12
HB 339 — Autism — Died in Health & Human Services Quality Subcommittee
HB 357 — Homestead Exemptions for Seniors — Chapter No. 2012-57
HB 363 — Physician Assistants — Chapter No. 2012-170
HB 367 — Restraint of Incarcerated Pregnant Women — Laid on Table, refer to SB 524
HB 377 — Miami-Dade County Lake Belt Mitigation Plan — Chapter No. 2012-107
HB 383 — Public School Flexibility — Died in K-20 Competitiveness Subcommittee
HB 431 — Joint Use of Public School Facilities — Died in Education Pre-K–12
HB 437 — Protection of Minors — Chapter No. 2012-19
HB 441 — Resident Status for Tuition Purposes — Died in K-20 Innovation Subcommittee
HB 465 — District School Board Bonds — Chapter No. 2012-52
HB 473 — Alzheimer's Disease — Chapter No. 2012-172
HB 495 — State University System Optional Retirement Program — Laid on Table, refer to CS/SB 198
HB 497 — Juvenile Expunction — Died in Criminal Justice
HB 509 — Pharmacy — Chapter No. 2012-60
HB 511 — Workers' Compensation — Died on Second Reading Calendar
HB 519 — Florida Healthy Kids Corporation — Laid on Table, refer to SB 608
HB 531 — Homelessness — Died in Children, Families, and Elder Affairs
HB 569 — Staffing Requirements for Nursing Home Facilities — Died in Health & Human Services Quality Subcommittee
HB 589 — Disability Awareness — Died in K-20 Competitiveness Subcommittee
HB 595 — Revitalizing Municipalities — Died in Finance & Tax Committee
HB 613 — Financial Institutions — Laid on Table, refer to SB 792
HB 651 — Building Construction and Inspection — Laid on Table, refer to CS/CS/SB 704
HB 689 — American Founders' Month — Died in Education Pre-K–12
HB 701 — Florida Evidence Code — Chapter No. 2012-152
HB 729 — Hiring, Leasing, or Obtaining Personal Property with Intent to Defraud — Chapter No. 2012-210
HB 733 — Probate — Chapter No. 2012-109
HB 763 — Motor Vehicle Registration — Chapter No. 2012-110
HB 769 — Public Accountancy — Chapter No. 2012-176
HB 799 — Physical Therapy — Chapter No. 2012-69
HB 803 — Child Protection — Chapter No. 2012-178
HB 917 — Jurisdiction of the Courts — Vetoed by Governor
HB 943 — Background Screening — Chapter No. 2012-73
HB 949 — Juvenile Justice Education and Workforce Programs — Died in returning Messages
HB 951 — Autism — Died in Health & Human Services Access Subcommittee
HB 965 — Relief/Aaron Edwards/Lee Memorial Health System/Lee County — Chapter No. 2012-249
HB 1001 — Timeshares — Chapter No. 2012-76
HB 1023 — Suspension of Driver Licenses and Motor Vehicle Registrations — Died in Children, Families, and Elder Affairs
HB 1077 — Service Animals — Died on Second Reading Calendar
HB 1081 — Controlled Substances — Died in Health Regulation
HB 1083 — Unemployment Compensation — Died in Business & Consumer Affairs Subcommittee
HB 1105 — Special Observances — Laid on Table, refer to CS/SB 924
HB 1175 — Controlled Substances — Chapter No. 2012-23
HB 1189 — Elections — Died in Government Operations Subcommittee
HB 1193 — Public Records/Victims of Violence — Chapter No. 2012-154
HB 1201 — Transportation Accessibility — Died in Transportation & Highway Safety Subcommittee
HB 1209 — Application of Foreign Law in Certain Cases — Died in Judiciary
HB 1227 — Certification of 911 Public Safety Telecommunicators — Chapter No. 2012-24
HB 1263 — Department of Health — Chapter No. 2012-184
HB 1285 — Criminal Conduct — Died in Judiciary Committee
HB 1313 — Dental Hygienists — Laid on Table, refer to SB 1040
HB 1343 — Discretionary Sales Surtaxes — Died in Education Pre-K–12
HB 1351 — Homeless Youth — Chapter No. 2012-186
HB 1355 — Protection of Vulnerable Persons — Chapter No. 2012-155
HB 1389 — Water Storage and Water Quality Improvements — Chapter No. 2012-187
HR 1447 — Nation of Israel — Adopted
HB 4027 — Community-Based Development Organizations — Chapter No. 2012-91
HB 4065 — Drug Screening for Persons Applying for Public Assistance Benefits — Died in Health & Human Services Access Subcommittee
HB 4073 — Florida Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Authority — Laid on Table, refer to SB 638
HB 4179 — Florida Mental Health Act — Died in Messages
HB 5501 — One-Stop Business Registration Portal — Chapter No. 2012-139
HB 5503 — One-Stop Business Registration Clearing Trust Fund — Chapter No. 2012-140
HB 7027 — Unemployment Compensation — Chapter No. 2012-30
HB 7039 — Transportation Facility Designations — Chapter No. 2012-228
HB 7049 — Human Trafficking — Chapter No. 2012-97
HB 7117 — Energy — Chapter No. 2012-117
HB 7133 — Quality Improvement Initiatives for Entities Regulated by AHCA — Died in returning Messages
HB 7135 — Postsecondary Education — Chapter No. 2012-195
HR 9013 — Girl Scouts — Adopted by Publication

A Final Word — Thank You for Your Support

I have been in office for several months now and it has been a true pleasure serving my community. It has been a true honor to be the representative who voices the community's ongoing issues and works toward resolutions in Tallahassee to better the lives of my constituents. Every day I go out and work my hardest to make a true difference in my community and change it for the betterment of those I serve.

My time in office has truly been an honor, and as I continue to serve the community I will continue to be the voice for my constituents in Tallahassee. God bless my constituents, friends, family, and community — and with God's strength I will continue to give 110% to make sure my community is a safer, happier, and more peaceful place.

Daphne Campbell State Representative, District 108

Contact Information

District Office — Shoreview9999 NE 2nd Ave, Suite #309 Miami Shores, FL 33238

Tallahassee Office — The Capitol1401 The Capitol, 402 S. Monroe St. Tallahassee, Florida 32399

District Secretary IIJanice Shackelford Janice.Shackelford@myfloridahouse.gov(786) 300-617