Bill McCollum is a Republican candidate for Governor of Florida, highlighting his experience as Attorney General and his focus on public safety, economic recovery, and education reform. He proposes reducing taxes, cutting regulations, and enhancing infrastructure to stimulate job creation and diversify Florida's economy. His platform emphasizes protecting second amendment rights, addressing illegal immigration, and ensuring quality healthcare access, while also emphasizing environmental conservation efforts in the state.

1. THE HIGHLANDS TEA PARTY Sebring, Florida http://thehighlandsteaparty.com/

2. BILL McCOLLUM FOR GOVENOR FLORIDA Party Affiliation Republican http://billmccollum.com /

3. Bill McCollum

4. Bill McCollum Bill McCollum has served our nation and the people of Florida as an officer in the Navy JAG Corps, in the United States Congress, on the Board of Governors of the State University system of Florida, and most recently as Florida’s Attorney General. Bill McCollum is the 36th Attorney General of Florida, elected in 2006. Since taking office he has positioned Florida as a national leader in the fight against child pornography and internet child predators. At his request the Florida Legislature provided the resources to greatly expand the Attorney General’s Child Predator CyberCrime Unit (CPCU) and passed laws giving law enforcement new tools and greater punishments for those who prey on children over the internet. In addition, his office developed a 50 minute Cyber Safety program, available to all middle and high schools, to teach children how to protect themselves on the internet.

5. Bill McCollum Bill McCollum is a native Floridian, born in Brooksville. He graduated from Hernando High School and earned his bachelor’s and law degrees from the University of Florida. After graduating from law school, Bill served on active duty in the U.S. Navy from 1969-1972. In 1992 he retired from the Naval Reserve as a Commander having served 23 years as an officer in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAG).

6. Bill McCollum From 1981 to 2001 Bill represented the people of Central Florida in the United States Congress. In 1989 he founded the U.S. House Task Force on Terrorism and Unconventional Warfare and was recognized as an expert on terrorism. Bill also served on the Judiciary committee, where he chaired the subcommittee on Crime. In addition, he served on the Banking and the Intelligence committees. Upon retiring from the House of Representatives in 2001, he was a partner with Baker and Hostetler, LLP, until he was elected as Attorney General. Bill served on the Board of Governors of the State University system of Florida from 2005 to 2006. Bill has been married to Ingrid Seebohm McCollum for 38 years; they have three sons, two daughters-in-law, and two grandsons.

7. Jobs & Economy Florida is facing some of the most challenging economic times in decades. With double digit unemployment and falling property values, we must do everything we can to accelerate Florida’s economic recovery. My Roadmap for Florida’s Future approaches the renewal and long-term sustainability of Florida’s economy in three parts: 1) Lowering the cost of doing business in Florida: I believe we must cut taxes, reduce burdensome regulations, support small businesses, and achieve litigation reform. 2) Revolutionizing and diversifying Florida’s economy: I will focus on investing taxpayer dollars versus simply spending, will provide true economic development leadership, and will work to build regional clusters of innovation and trade across Florida 3)Transforming Florida’s infrastructure and workforce: I am committed to improving four key aspects of state infrastructure, which are energy independence, transportation, schools, and access to adequate water supply.

8. Jobs & Economy In working with my good friend Steve Forbes on developing these platforms, it is estimated that the tax and regulatory initiatives in Part One alone would create more than 500,000 jobs in our state in the next 6 years. Florida can become far more competitive in attracting and retaining businesses. We must leverage innovative ways to attract investment across all business sectors, and we must build better transportation, education, water and energy infrastructure in our communities to support expanded economic activity. As your next governor, I look forward to working each and every day toward implementing the proposals within this Roadmap. For each section, I have provided Mission Statements and Measurable Goals to plainly state where I feel Florida must go and how we can get there

9. Real Solutions. New Jobs: I. Cut Taxes and Lower the Costs of Doing Business in Florida Tax Cuts: Provide tax relief to businesses to spur job creation Regulatory Relief: Create efficient and user-friendly government and remove regulatory roadblocks to job and business growth Make Florida the Small Business Capital of America Litigation Reform II. Revolutionize and Diversify Florida’s Economy Structure the Office of the Governor to Focus on Economic Development Focus Economic Development Efforts Through All Stages of the Business Life Cycle

10. Real Solutions . New Jobs: II. Revolutionize and Diversify Florida’s Economy Create a 21st Century Economic Infrastructure with Regional Clusters of Innovation & Trade III. Transform Florida’s Infrastructure and Workforce Energy: Charter a new course on energy diversification and independence Transportation: Transform Florida’s transportation and trade infrastructure Schools: Dramatically improve Florida’s education system and capitalize on state universities Water: Ensure adequate water supply for Florida’s residents and businesses

11. Taxes & Spending Cutting Spending, Lowering Taxes and Achieving Significant Property Tax Reform: In the current economy, the last thing Floridians need is a higher tax burden. Schools: Dramatically improve Florida’s education system and capitalize on state universities Bill has released a proposal to freeze millage and property tax rates at 2010 levels for two years, cap local government spending to grow no faster than the overall wealth of Floridians, and ensure that governments never grow faster than the people they serve . Between 1986 and 2006, local government spending grew almost twice as fast as the increase in personal income. This lack of fiscal discipline is unsustainable, and immediate action is necessary to ensure that local governments do not raise taxes to cover losses caused by shrinking property values.

12. Taxes & Spending Further, Bill will strive to lower corporate income taxes and provide high-tech, manufacturing and infrastructure sales tax exemptions to small businesses. Bill will cut state spending, reduce burdensome and unnecessary bureaucracy, and make Florida’s state agencies the most efficient and user-friendly in the nation.

13. Education Preparing our Children for the Future: The quality of our public education system is essential to the economic vitality of our state. The effectiveness of bold reforms that began under Governor Jeb Bush can be measured by improvements in the national standing of our students. Florida has dramatically improved student outcomes, rising from 31st to 8th in the nation in 4th grade reading and math scores, but we must do much more. As Governor, Bill will not rest until Florida’s public schools are rated the very best in the nation. Bill will work to focus our schools, colleges and universities on creating a 21st Century workforce. He will advocate policies to increase accountability, provide merit pay for teachers, support charter schools and promote more choice for parents and students .

14. Public Safety Creating Safer, Stronger Communities: As our Attorney General, Bill McCollum has made public safety his top priority and has made Florida a safer place to live. Florida leads the nation in the fight against child pornography and Internet child predators. Under Bill’s leadership, Florida has developed its first statewide gang reduction strategy, indicting 159 gang members, totaling 835 years in prison time for dangerous offenders. Bill also made it a priority to bust scam artists who target our consumers and prey on our must vulnerable. As Governor, Bill will continue his fight to make Florida a safer place for Florida’s children, seniors, families and consumers.

15. 2nd Amendment Defending the 2nd Amendment: Bill is a tireless advocate of Americans’ right to bear arms. As a member of the United States Congress, Bill was given “A” ratings from the National Rifle Association for his voting record. In 2008, he joined with other Attorneys General in filling an amicus brief in the case NRA v. Chicago asking for the court to overturn a city ordinance that prevented the ownership of a handgun in one’s own home. In 2009, he filed an amicus brief in the case District of Columbia v. Heller supporting the decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals to protect individual’s right to bear arms. As Governor, he will continue to support this vital American right.

16. Illegal Immigration Protecting Florida’s Borders and Fighting Illegal Immigration: Bill McCollum supports Arizona’s immigration law as amended. Under current Florida law, when law enforcement officers make an arrest, they are allowed to check for legal immigration status, and most do But Bill believes that Florida law must be even stronger. As Governor, Bill will continue working to strengthen Florida’s laws to ensure our law enforcement officers are equipped with the resources they need to identify and detain those who are here illegally. He will enforce existing immigration laws and will hold the federal government accountable to fulfill their responsibility to protect our national borders

17. Illegal Immigration Bill has a long history of working to curb illegal immigration. Most recently, as Attorney General, Bill championed efforts to allow trained law enforcement officers to exercise immigration authority in conjunction with the federal government’s efforts, including the power to detain and transport arrested illegal aliens to detention facilities pending deportations or hearings. In 2008, he convened a statewide workgroup of state agencies and law enforcement agencies to expand the federal 287(g) program beyond just domestic security efforts. Through these efforts and the work of Florida’s exemplary law enforcement officers, Florida is a safer place to live, work and raise a family.

18. Illegal Immigration As a member of the US Congress, Bill McCollum led efforts to crack down on illegal immigration. He led the fight against amnesty, cosponsored legislation that became law that makes it illegal for an employer to knowingly hire an illegal immigrant . As a member of the US Congress, advocated limiting public benefits for illegal immigrants, promoted a program in which employers could verify the immigration status of workers, supported greater enforcement of immigration laws, and supported establishing English as the official language of the United States.

19. Pro-Life & Family Promoting Life & Family Issues: Bill is a pro-family and pro-life conservative with three decades of public service that reflect his record on these fundamental issues. Bill believes that life begins at conception, and received a 100% rating from the National Right to Life Committee while serving in Congress. This year, he supported legislation that would have prohibited taxpayer-funding of abortions and promoted a culture of life in our state. In contrast to Governor Crist, who vetoed the measure, Bill is committed to advancing initiatives that respect the sanctity of life. Additionally, Bill has always opposed the use of state or federal funding for embryonic stem cell research and he believes that science has moved past the need for this research altogether. As Governor, Bill will continue to promote traditional family values and pro-life issues.

20. Environment & Water Protecting Florida’s Water and Natural Treasures: Bill understands that Florida’s rivers, lakes, springs and estuaries are among the most treasured and visited in the world, but are also among the most vulnerable. Florida’s state parks and other natural spaces are considered the best in the country, and the quality of waters within these attractions is essential to those who enjoy and visit them. Bill will prioritize the health of our waters. As described in detail in “Water 2020: Real Solutions for Sustaining Florida’s Economy” Bill is strongly committed to restoring the Everglades, improving water quality technology and making more use of conservation easements As Attorney General, Bill McCollum has led efforts to ensure that the residents and businesses of Florida’s coastal areas receive efficient and full compensation for their losses due to the tragic Gulf oil spill .

21. Healthcare Ensuring Access to Quality, Affordable Healthcare: As Attorney General, Bill McCollum filed and leads a lawsuit joined by 19 other states and the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) to have federal healthcare reform legislation declared unconstitutional on the basis that Congress exceeded its powers in penalizing individuals for failing to purchase health insurance, and for commandeering state assets in unprecedented ways. Bill believes that there are better ways to achieve healthcare reform, and believes that there are many things Florida must do to improve the access and affordability of healthcare. This begins with ensuring a viable healthcare workforce, placing more choice in the hands of consumers, ensuring that health insurance products are available to people regardless of preexisting conditions, and adopting policies to improve our safety net for those who cannot afford private coverage.

22. Healthcare Florida faces a critical shortage of physicians and nurses and this shortage is expected to grow. Florida is rated among the worst in the nation for access to emergency care, and Floridians experience long waits in our hospital emergency departments. One of the primary causes of this doctor shortage is the fact that Florida has the highest medical malpractice premiums of any state in the nation. This is the number one reason given by young doctors entering practice on why they choose not to practice in Florida. Bill is committed to meaningful, significant litigation reform.

23. Transportation & Infrastructure Transportation infrastructure is core to Florida’s quality of life and growth. I have released a Jobs plan in which I propose methods to dramatically improve Florida’s economic climate, including lowering the cost of doing business in the state, reducing unnecessary regulations, lowering tax burdens, and attracting more diverse and stable industries to Florida. Yet without a reliable, safe and interconnected transportation system, our goals for economic growth and job creation cannot be accomplished. Today, Florida’s transportation workforce is experiencing among the highest unemployment rates in the state; it is time to reverse this trend. .

24. Transportation & Infrastructure My transportation platform is based on a few core principles which touch upon all modes – roadways, seaports, freight rail, aviation, and rail and bus transit. . As Governor I will focus on the following: building public private partnerships to boost private investment in infrastructure improvements; increasing Florida’s share of seaport traffic and port jobs by creating more interconnected multimodal systems; and finally, reducing congestion, increasing mobility options, and improving safety conditions on our roadways.

25. NO SPIN DISCLAIMER There has been no “SPIN” put on this information by the creator or any member of the Tea Party. All information is obtained from the web site “ON THE ISSUES” at issues2000.org and from the Candidates own web sites.