The Times Recommends Bill Heller For Florida House!
Florida faces difficult challenges, and too many Tampa Bay incumbents blindly follow House Republican leaders and embrace bad policy.
Even when House leaders correctly identify areas that need work, their approach is too extreme. The state's growth management law needs an overhaul, but they removed the law's most meaningful provisions. Republicans were right to move toward changing the way teachers are evaluated, creating a system of merit pay and abolishing tenure for new teachers. But they overreached in the specifics, refused to negotiate — and the bill was vetoed.
On other issues, House Republicans were flat wrong. The GOP-controlled House voted to open the door to oil drilling in state waters (failed to pass the Senate), increase restrictions on abortion (vetoed by the governor) and create slush funds for legislative leaders (vetoed by the governor). It is time to move back toward the middle.
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Bill Heller District 52
Rep. Bill Heller has been a positive force in the House since he was first elected four years ago. The Democrat is knowledgeable about state issues, and reflects the values of this district, which covers northeast St. Petersburg. He faces a strong challenger, but Heller deserves to be re-elected.
The former dean of the University South Florida St. Petersburg has a strong grasp of education issues. He voted against the Republican-backed teacher tenure bill this year, and he wants to reduce the emphasis on standardized tests, increase money for education and improve teacher quality. He supports education reform, but he wants teachers and other stakeholders to help craft the plans.
Heller, 75, voted against gutting growth management and additional restrictions on abortion that were pursued by the Republican leadership. But he is not particularly partisan and stakes out his own positions, such as supporting tuition vouchers for private schools. He says building a light rail system should be a state priority, and he wants to focus on creating jobs and strengthening ethics laws.
Jeff Brandes, 34, is a first-time Republican candidate whose family has deep roots in the community. His family owned Cox Lumber Co. for decades before selling it in 2006, and Brandes manages his family's real estate holdings. He preaches conservative ideals such as cutting taxes and red tape, but he is short on specifics.
Brandes says he could be more effective than Heller as a member of the Republican majority, but there is little to support that claim. Heller is an energetic, well-informed lawmaker who represents the district well.
In House District 52, the Times recommends Bill Heller.
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Published Date: 10/15/2010
