As the 2009 legislative session continues, the 11-member Duval Delegation is in Tallahassee with plenty on their plate, including everything from education funding to alternative energy. Today, the Daily Record continues a series of question and answer sessions with members of the Delegation, all of whom were sent the same questions. We continue with State Reps. Lake Ray and Audrey Gibson.
State Rep. Audrey Gibson
What district do you represent and what area of Northeast Florida is that?
District 15. This economically and ethnically diverse district covers parts of Downtown, Arlington, Eastside, North Riverside, Southside and the Northside.
What are the two biggest issues facing Northeast Florida this session and why?
School funding and funding for the medically needy coupled with improper funding to begin with. Both primarily due to the economic downturn.
What is the biggest issue facing you and your constituents?
Unemployment, school funding and foreclosures.
Given the state’s economic situation, are you optimistic or pessimistic heading into the session and why?
Always an optimist. It is a time to look for opportunities to make effective and efficient changes.
What committees are you on?
• Economic Development & Community Affairs Policy Council (Democratic ranking member)
• Rules & Calendar Council
• Transportation & Economic Development Appropriations
• Civil Justice and Courts Policy
• Roads, Bridges, & Ports Policy
• Joint Administrative Procedures
• Select Committee on Seminole Indian Compact Review
What is the number one concern you hear from your constituents?
My constituents want to know will programs and services be further cut because of budget constraints.
What can be done at the state level to help the foreclosure problem in the Jacksonville area?
Stop raiding of Housing Trust Fund. Added funding in Department of Financial Services to assist those who are in foreclosure and pre-foreclosure. Targeted use of stimulus dollars in areas of the budget that creates jobs and opportunities for Economic Development.
State Rep. Lake Ray
What district do you represent and what area of Northeast Florida is that?
District 17 is the northeast quadrant of Duval County. It extends from the western boundary along the St. Johns River and Main Street east to the Intracoastal Waterway. It includes portions of Arlington, East Arlington and the Northside. The southern boundary extends along the Arlington Expressway and Atlantic Boulevard from University Boulevard to St. Johns Bluff Road and Beach Boulevard from St. Johns Bluff Road to the Intracoastal Waterway. The Northern boundary is the Duval county line from Main Street east to the Intracoastal Waterway.
What are the two biggest issues facing Northeast Florida this session and why?
The economy and jobs, because a down-turned economy threatens the loss of jobs and further decreases sales and economic activity.
Also, a balanced budget, which effects state spending for education, health care services, infrastructure, transportation, environmental protection and all state activities enjoyed by our citizens.
What is the biggest issue facing you and your constituents?
Balancing the state budget because it provides for programs.
Given the state’s economic situation, are you optimistic or pessimistic heading into the session and why?
Optimistic, not because of the poor forecast in the next few months, but because the people of our nation are resilient and optimistic by our nature.
What committees are you on?
• Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations
• Roads, Bridges and Ports Policy
• Energy & Utilities
• Health Care Services Policy
What is the number one concern you hear from your constituents?
Economic stability.
What can be done at the state level to help the foreclosure problem in the Jacksonville area?
Encourage economic activity by removing as many bureaucratic, regulatory impediments on individuals and businesses as possible. Reducing these government regulations will result in more economic growth.