♪ ♪ ♪ >> WELCOME TO THE 11TH9 IN OUR SERIES OF POLITICAL CANDIDATE FORUMS IN ADVANCE OF THE AUGUST 23RD PRIMARY ELECTION.

FORUM A COOPERATIVE PRODUCTION OF THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF TALLAHASSEE, "THE TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT" AND WFSU PUBLIC MEDIA.

OUR CANDIDATES TODAY ARE RUNNING ON THE DEMOCRAT TICKET FOR FLORIDA'S STATEHOUSE DISTRICT 8 PRIMARY RACE.

I'M TOM FLANIGAN FROM WFSU PUBLIC MEDIA, JOINED BY JAMES CALL PROSECUTE TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT AND TRISH NEELY FROM THE IF LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF TALLAHASSEE.

WE'RE GOING TO BE QUESTIONING THE CANDIDATES ON VARIOUS TOPICS THROUGHOUT THE NEXT SEVERAL MINUTES, SO LET'S GET A GLANCE AT THE GROUND RULES, AND THEN WE ARE GOING TO MEET THOSE CANDIDATES.

JAMES?

>> THANK YOU, TOM.

THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES FOR FLORIDA STATEHOUSE DISTRICT 8 SITTING LEFT TO RIGHT ARE HUBERT BROWN, GREGORY JAMES AND MARIE RATTIGAN.

JOINING US BY ZOOM IS GALLOP P. FRANKLIN.

MR. FRANKLIN, PLEASE TELL US BRIEFLY, WHY ARE YOU JOINING US BY ZOOM TODAY IN -- TODAY?

>> YES.

THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.

THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION.

THERE IS SOME PHARMACEUTICALS AND TRYING TO HELP WITH BRINGING DOWN PRICE OF PHARMACY DRUGS, AND SO THERE WAS AN IMPORTANT MEETING I HAD TO GO TO.

AND THAT'S WHY TIME FRAME'S BEEN DIFFICULT FOR ME TO MAKE IT BACK TO THE WFSU PUBLIC MEDIA STATION.

SO JUST WORKING ON TRYING TO BRING DOWN THE COST OF PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS FOR CITIZENS IN THE STATE.

>> THANK YOU, SIR.

A ARE REMINDER FOR THOSE WATCHING US ON SOCIAL MEDIA, PLEASE HIT THE SHARE BUTTON AND HELP ALL YOUR FRIENDS WITH TODAY'S DISCUSSION CAN.

SEE TODAY'S DISCUSSION.

HERE'S HOW THE FORUM WILL WORK: WE'LL ROTATE WHICH CANDIDATE GETS TO ANSWER FIRST.

WE HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS, SO WE'RE GOING TO ASK THE CANDIDATES TO KEEP YOUR ANSWERS TO ABOUT 60 SECONDS, SOMETIMES SHORTER FOR FOLLOW-UPS.

WE WILL KEEP TIME.

AND WHEN YOUR TIME IS UP, THE BELL WILL RING, AND IT SOUNDS LIKE.

[BACKGROUND SOUNDS] YOU DON'T HAVE TO COME TO A DEAD STOP RIGHT HEN, BUT PLEASE -- RIGHT THEN, BUT THESE FINISH YOUR SENTENCE, AND THEN WE'LL MOVE ON.

DURING THE FORUM CANDIDATES SHOULD NOT INTERRUPT AND SHOULD REFRAIN FROM PERSONAL ATTACK AS OR CHARGES ON ANY INDIVIDUALS INCLUDING FELLOW CANDIDATES.

PLEASE NOTE IF ANOTHER CANDIDATE MENTIONS YOUR NAME IN A RESPONSE, YOU MAY REQUEST 20 SECONDS FOR A REBUTTAL.

IN THE MIDDLE OF FORUM, WE WILL HAVE THE EVER POPULAR LIGHTNING ROUND WHEN WE ASK YOU TO KEEP YOUR ANSWERS TO JUST ONE SENTENCE.

AT THE END OF THE FORUM, WE'LL GIVE YOU 90 SECONDS TO MAKE THE CASE DIRECTLY TO VOTERS AND SHARE YOUR WEB SITE OR MY OTHER INFORMATION YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE AVAILABLE.

>> IF YOU'RE WATCHING ON FACEBOOK AND YOU HAVE A QUESTION FOR OUR CANDIDATES, GO AHEAD AND TYPE THEM INTO THE COMMENT SECTION, IS AND WE'LL GET TO AS MANY OF HEM AS WE CAN.

TIME IS EXTREMELY LIMITED, SO YOU CAN IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES OF YOUR QUESTION BEING ASKED IF YU KEEP IT BRIEF AND, CERTAINLY, KEEP IT POLITE.

AND MAKE IT A QUESTION APPLICABLE TO ALL OF OUR CANDIDATES TODAY.

CANDIDATES, ANY QUESTIONS BEFORE WITH WE GET STARTED?

>> NO, MA'AM.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THEN LET'S JUST JUMP RIGHT IN WITH OUR FIRST QUESTION.

>> OKAY, THANK YOU.

>> A SUMMER RALLY ON SATURDAY, LEON COUNTY DEMOCRATS.

THE REST OF THE LOCAL DELEGATION WHO SPOKE ALL SAID, IN ESSENCE, IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER THAT ELECTIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES, AND THIS ELECTION THIS YEAR IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ELECTIONS OF OUR LIFETIME.

DO YOU AGREE WITH THAT SENTENCE, AND IF SO, WHY IS THIS YEAR SO IMPORTANT?

WE'LL START WITH YOU, MR. BROWN.

>> OKAY.

THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.

IT IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ELECTIONS IN YEARS.

AN IMPORTANT REASON WHY IS THAT A NUMBER OF LAWS ARE, WERE PASSED AND A NUMBER OF OTHERS ARE ON THE BOARD.

FOR EXAMPLE, A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO CHOOSE IS SOMETHING THAT'S GOING TO BE FRONT AND CENTER IN THE COMING LEGISLATURE.

ALSO WE HAVE AN ISSUE IN THIS STATE, A GREAT NEED BECAUSE, UNFORTUNATELY, SO MANY SOCIAL ISSUES WERE TAKEN UP AND TOOK UP SO MUCH SPACE OF LEGISLATURE.

FOR EXAMPLE, WE NEED AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

I WORK WITH THE CITY OF QUINCY COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY, AND I SEE HOW, LIKE WHEN I WAS GROWING UP, SUBSTANDARD HOUSING, WE'VE GOT TO GET BETTER AND DO BETTER SUCH AS NOT RAIDING THE SADOWSKI AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST FUND SO SO THAT WE CAN PROVIDE THAT.

WE HAVE TO DO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SO THAT WE CAN GIVE OUR YOUTH SOMETHING TO DO AND PREVENT THEM FROM GOING INTO CRIME BECAUSE THEY'RE CONNECTED.

WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE HOPE, THEN OFTEN THEY'RE LEFT WITH GOING INTO CRIME.

SO WEED NEED TO PASS SOME MEASURES BECAUSE THERE'S A STUDY THAT WAS DONE BY THE WASHINGTON STATE INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC POLICY THAT SHOWED FOR EVERY PROGRAM WE HAVE -- PREVENTION PROGRAM WE HAVE, WE SAVE $10 FOR EVERY ONE PUT IN.

>> THANK YOU, SIR.

MR. JAMES.

>> WELL, THANK YOU.

ONE OF THE THINGS I THINK THAT IS SO IMPORTANT THAT EVERY VOTER MUST MAKE KNOWN THEIR VOTE.

SO THE ELECTION IS IMPORTANT.

ALL ELECTIONS ARE IMPORTANT.

SIMPLY BECAUSE IT GIVES YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE YOUR VOICE HEARD, TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE PART OF A SYSTEM THAT IS ABOUT CHANGE.

WHEN YOU FAIL TO VOTE, WHEN YOU FAIL TO EXERCISE YOUR VOICE, THEN YOU'RE SAYING THAT WHAT TAKES PLACE IN YOUR CITY, WHAT TAKES PLACE IN YOUR COUNTY, WHAT TAKES PLACE IN YOUR STATE REALLY DOESN'T MATTER.

SO WITH EVERYTHING THAT WE SEE THAT IS HAPPENING IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA WITH ALL THE NEW LAWS THAT ARE BEING PASSED THIS ELECTION AND ANY OTHER ELECTION, IT'S VITALLY IMPORTANT.

ME MYSELF, I WASN'T ABLE TO VOTE AS A FORMER INCARCERATED PERSON.

SO WHEN 2018 CAME AND AMENDMENT 4 HIT BALLOT BECAUSE OF OUR WORK AND OUR EFFORTS IN THAT, THEN IT IS MY, MY GREATEST TASK TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERY PERSON THAT IS REGISTERED TO VOTE VOTE IN EVERY ELECTION.

[BACKGROUND SOUNDS] >> MS. RA ATIGAM?

>> I BELIEVE THE STATEMENT IS TRUE, FREEDOM IS ON THE BALLOT.

PAST SESSION AS A LEGISLATIVE AIDE THERE WERE NUMEROUS BILLS THAT WAS PASSED THAT ATTACKED OUR FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOM, RIGHT?

ONE OF THOSE IS H.B.

7 -- H.B.

5, THE RIGHT FOR A WOMAN TO CHOOSE, THE RIGHT FOR UNION WORKERS TO BARGAIN.

BUT NOT ONLY THOSE BILLS, THE RIGHT FOR HISTORY TO BE TAUGHT IN SCHOOL.

SO FREEDOM IS ON BALLOT BUT NOT ONLY THAT, THE LGBTQ LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY IS ON BALLOT.

IMMIGRANTS, TEACHERS, UNION WORKERS, UNDOCUMENTED PEOPLE, FELONS, STUDENTS, SENIORS, SMALL BUSINESSES, OUR BASIC FREEDOMS ARE ON THE LINE, AND IT'S OUR DUTY TO THE MAKE SURE THAT OUR VOICES ARE GOING TO BE HEARD IN THIS ELECTION.

ESPECIALLY WITH THE CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING MAPS AND THE WHITTLING DOWN OF THE DEMOCRATIC CAN VOTE.

BUT ALSO GOVERNMENT -- GOVERNOR -- [LAUGHTER] RON DeSANTIS IS TRYING TO STRIP EVERYTHING THAT WE HAVE WORKED SO HARD FOR.

>> THANK YOU.

AND, MR. FRANKLIN.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION, GREAT QUESTION.

EVERY SINGLE ELECTION IS SO IMPORTANT.

I BELIEVE THAT THIS ELECTION AS WELL IS IMPORTANT.

AND AS WE KNOW, ABRAHAM LYNDON CON SAID E A -- ABRAHAM LINCOLN SAID A GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE, FOR THE PEOPLE WORKS THE BEST.

SO LIKE WOMEN'S RIGHTS ARE ON THE BALLOT.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE PEOPLE THERE AT THE CAPITOL THAT'S GOING TO PREVENT PEOPLE FROM ARE DECREASING THE RIGHT THAT WOMEN HAVE FOR REPRODUCTIVE SERVICES.

VOTING RIGHTS ARE ON THE BALLOT.

AS WE KNOW, LEGISLATION PASSED -- AT VOTING PRECINCTS.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE ARE HELPING FOLKS VOTE, NOT MAKING PEOPLE NOT FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE.

COST OF LIVING IS ON THE BALLOT, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, HOMEOWNER'S INSURANCE.

AS WE KNOW, IT'S SKYROCKETING FOR A PLETHORA OF DIFFERENT REASONS.

WE HAVE TO THE MAKE SURE WE HAVE THE RIGHT PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE INTELLECTUAL CAPACITY TO DO SO.

AND STATE EMPLOYEES ARE ON THE BALLOT.

AS WE KNOW, HAY DID GET A 5.3% RAISE.

WE'RE MAKING SURE THAT OUR STATE EMPLOYEES ARE WELL COMPENSATED AND AUTOMATIC -- INCREASE OF THEIR SALARY -- >> TIME IS UP, SIR.

>> THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.

>> I'M SORRY.

>> ALL RIGHT, FOLKS, OUR NEXT QUESTION HERE, I THINK ALL OF YOU LIVES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AS THE NUMBER ONE POLICY ISSUE FOR THE RESIDENTS OF GADSDEN AND LEON COUNTIES IN DISTRICT 8.

NOW, THE DISTRICT'S POVERTY LEVEL IS NEARLY DOUBLE THE STATE AVERAGE.

THE MEDIAN INCOME IS AROUND A THURSDAY LESS THAN THE STATE AVERAGE.

SO HOW DO YOU TO GO ABOUT CHANGING THOSE NUMBERS, REVERSING THAT COURSE, IF YOU WILL?

AND, MARIE RATTIGAN, LET'S START WITH YOU, PLEASE.

>> SURE.

I BELIEVE THAT OPPORTUNITY AND SUCCESS SHOULD NOT BE GUARANTEED BY SOMEONE'S ZIP CODE.

WHO THEY KNOW AS WELL AS POWER.

SOMETHING THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT IS BEING ABLE TO WORK WITH COMMUNITY ORGANIZERS, WORK WITH ALLIES, ALSO WORK WITH DIFFERENT INSTITUTIONS TO BRING JOBS IN RURAL AREAS.

NOT ONLY MANY RURAL AREAS, BUT -- IN RURAL AREAS, BUT ALSO MANY LEON COUNTY.

I THINK SOMETHING THAT'LL BE BENEFICIAL ISING BEING ABLE TO HAVE A HOSPITAL IN GADSDEN COUNTY.

WE KNOW THAT GADSDEN COUNTY DOES NOT HAVE A HOSPITAL, AND BEING ABLE TO TALK WITH AHCA AND THE NEED TO BRING THAT HOSPITAL THERE WOULD NOT ONLY BE ABLE TO PROVIDE JOBS, BUT IT'LL ALSO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE HAS THE QUALITY OF CARE AND HEALTH.

>> OKAY, THANK YOU.

MR. GREGORY JAMES, YOUR TAKE ON THE QUESTION, SIR.

>> I THINK THAT IS SO IMPORTANT, THAT WE BE ABLE TO BRING JOBS AS ONE OF THE CANDIDATES JUST STATED.

BUT BEYOND THAT, THERE ARE JOBS BUT THE QUESTION IS NOW, HOW DO WE PROVIDE THE KIND OF SERVICES THAT IS NEEDED IN GADSDEN WITH THE DIFFERENT CITIZENS THAT ARE THERE WHO ARE DEALING WITH MENTAL ILLNESSES, WHO ARE DEALING WITH THE FACT THAT THEIR EDUCATIONAL LEVEL IS NOT IN A PLACE WHERE IT NEEDS TO BE?

HOW DO WE PUT BEFORE R -- THEM THE OPPORTUNITIES AHA THEY NEED SO THAT THEY CAN BE SUCCESSFUL?

I THINK ONCE WE BEGIN TO BRING A COMMUNITY IN PLACE, A COMMUNITY THAT EMBRACES WHAT'S WITHIN THE COMMUNITY AND THEN WE BEGIN TO BRING THOSE OPPORTUNITIES THERE, WE'RE GOING TO CHANGE THE WHOLE TRAJECTORY OF WHAT THE COUNTY LOOKS LIKE AND HOW THE COUNTY SEES ITSELF.

>> THANK YOU, SIR.

[INAUDIBLE] >> YES, THANK YOU.

PART OF THE ISSUE THAT WE HAVE FOR OUR YOUTH IS WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR YOUTH ARE TRAINED TO DO JOB THAT ARE AVAILABLE.

AND ALSO FOR SMALL BUSINESSES, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I HELPED WORK ON AT THE CITY OF QUINCY'S COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY WAS HELPING OUR SMALL BUSINESSES TO SURVIVE AND EXPAND, TO GIVE THEM SOME ASSISTANCE LIKE DURING THE TIME THAT COVID WAS RAVAGING SMALL BUSINESSES AND THINGS WERE SHUTTING DOWN.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE DID WAS THE MOM AND POP SMALL BUSINESS GRANT PROGRAM SO THAT THOSE SMALL BUSINESSES COULD CONTINUE TO EXPAND.

WE NEED TO FOCUS ON NOT JUST BRINGING IN NEW BUSINESSES WHICH WE NEED TO DO SUCH A AS THE AMAZON -- SUCH AS THE AMAZON THAT THE CITY DID A GREAT JOB ON, BUT WE ALSO NEED TO HELP THOSE THAT ARE HERE.

SO WE WILL WORK HARD ON THAT.

>> THANK YOU.

AND, GALLOP FRANKLIN, WIND US UP HERE.

>> GREAT QUESTION.

THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.

WE ABSOLUTELY NEED TO FOCUS ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

AS YOU MENTIONED, POVERTY IS TOO HIGH.

OUR FIRST STEP IS INSURING THAT OUR COMMUNITY IS WEALTHY AND WE'RE ABLE TO HAVE GOOD PAYING JOBS.

SO INVESTING IN INFRASTRUCTURE TO INSURE COMMERCE CAN HAPPEN.

ASSURING WE'RE ALSO BEING SENSITIVE TO OUR GROWTH AND STILL PROTECT OUR ENVIRONMENT WHILE BEING VERY, VERY AGGRESSIVE IN GROWING SMALL BUSINESS.

CREATING APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS TO SHOW THE SMALLER BUSINESSES IN OUR AREA WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE AND WHAT IT TAKES TO GET TO WHERE WE NEED TO GO.

ALSO YOU RECRUIT LARGER COMPANIES TO ASSURE THAT WE CAN BRING HIGHER PAYING JOBS TO THIS REGION.

AND WE'RE BEST SUITED AND EQUIPPED TO DO THAT OF ALL THE CANDIDATES, AND THE REASON FOR THAT, WE HAVE BEEN ENDORSED BY THE FLORIDA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE THAT BELIEVES IN OUR ABILITY TO INCREASE THE QUALITY OF LIFE BY FOCUSING ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

WE'VE ALSO BEEN -- >> SIR, TIME'S UP.

>> -- AS WELL.

>> THAT'S GOOD, SIR.

THANK YOU.

>> OKAY.

SO, MR. FRANKLIN, I'M GOING TO START WITH YOU, PLEASE, FOR THIS QUESTION.

DEMOCRATS ARE A SUPER MINORITY IN THE FLORIDA HOUSE.

YOU ARE OUTNUMBERED 76-42.

HOW CAN A DEMOCRAT BE EFFECTIVE IN A ARE REPUBLICAN SUPERMAJORITY CHAMBER IN AND YOU HAVE 45 SECONDS.

>> THANKS, TRISH, FOR THAT QUESTION.

GREAT QUESTION.

YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT, MOSTLY CONTROLLED BY THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

I WILL SAY REGION HAS A LOT OF THINGS IN COMMON WITH A LOT OF THE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP THAT ARE WITHIN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

FOR EXAMPLE, MOST REPUBLICANS IN THE STATE ARE REPRESENTING RURAL COUNTIES.

BECAUSE OF THAT, THERE'S SUCH ISSUES LIKE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT A NEEDS TO BE DONE WHETHER IT'S BROADBAND, INSURING THAT WE HAVE TRANSPORTATION IN THOSE AREAS, WHETHER IT'S EDUCATION THAT'S THE CHALLENGE, MAKE SURE WE CAN ALSO INVEST IN TRADE SCHOOLS IN THIS REGION.

SO SO MANY COMMONNAL IS BETWEEN THIS -- COMMONALITIES BETWEEN DISTRICT AND OTHER DISTRICTS REPRESENTED BY REPUBLICANS IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA, WE CAN FIND RESOURCES NECESSARY TO MOVE OUR COMMUNITIES FORWARD.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR ANSWER.

MARIE RATTIGAN, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.

I AM WILLING TO WORK BIPARTISANLY WITH THE REPUBLICAN PARTY TO MAKE SURE THAT I'LL BE ABLE TO PASS SOME TYPE OF LEGISLATION THAT'LL BE BENEFICIAL WITHOUT COMPROMISING MY VALUES.

AND WHAT WE DO KNOW IS THAT REPUBLICAN PARTY IS THE MAJORITY.

HOWEVER, NEGOTIATION IS VERY IMPORTANT AS WELL AS WE KNOW THAT SOON ENOUGH WE'RE GETTING VERY CLOSE TO WHERE THEY CAN OVERTURN SOME RULES WITHOUT DECISIONS BEING INPUTTED BY DEMOCRATS.

SO I'M WILLING TO JOIN THE FIGHT WITH DEMOCRATS TO STAND UP FOR DEMOCRACY AND WHAT THE PEOPLE NEED.

>> THANK YOU.

GREGORY JAMES, YOUR TAKE.

>> WELL, MY TAKE IS THAT WHEN I LOOK BACK AT THE WORK THAT I HAVE ALREADY BEEN DOING WORKING ON AMENDMENT 4, WORKING ON PUTTING PRAYER IN SCHOOLS WITH SOME OF LEGISLATORS OR THAT ARE THERE, IT APPEAR IN ORDERED ME CONCERN AFFORDED ME AN -- AFFORDED ME AN OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE RELATIONSHIPS THAT HELPED MAKE WHAT WE WERE DOING VERY MUCH EASY.

SO WILLINGNESS TO WORK IS SOMETHING THAT I'VE ALWAYS BEEN DOING.

SO, THEREFORE, BEING ABLE TO NEGOTIATE ON WHAT THE NEEDS OF THE DISTRICT ARE AND WORKING ACROSS THE AISLES TO TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN IS ALREADY PROVEN IF FOR ME.

IT WAS THROUGH THE WORK THAT WE DID ON AMENDMENT 4 WHERE WE SAT DOWN WITH REPUBLICANS YEAR AFTER YEAR TO TALK ABOUT THE ISSUES THAT WE WERE FACING.

SO THAT'S SOMETHING THAT I WILL CONTINUE TO DO.

>> THANK YOU.

MR. BROWN.

>> WELL, THAT IS SOMETHING THAT THAT DRAWS ON MY CORE ABILITIES.

AS A LAWYER, THE ONLY LAWYER IN THIS RACE, I AM ONE THAT HAS NEGOTIATED EVERY DAY WITH PEOPLE WHO HAVE INTERESTS AT ODDS WITH MINOR.

BUT I KNOW HOW TO REACH OUT AND ALSO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF ONE OF OF THE GREAT CIVIL JUSTICE, FLORIDA JUSTICE ASSOCIATION.

AND WE HAVE LEARNED WATCHING HOW TO DEVELOP RELATIONSHIPS ACROSS THE AISLE.

AND MAKE THINGS HAPPEN.

ALSO AS A LAWYER I UNDERSTAND THE RULES, SO I KNOW HOW TO WORK WITHIN THOSE RULES THAT WHEN WE NEED TO DRAW 'EM BACK TO IT TO KEEP THEM HONEST AND TO FAIR NEGOTIATION.

SO I'VE DONE IT WORKING THROUGH THE FLORIDA JUSTICE ASSOCIATION, AND I ALSO KNOW HOW TO AS A LAWYER EVERY DAY.

>> THANK YOU.

>> MR. JAMES, LET'S BEGIN WITH YOU WITH THIS QUESTION.

HOUSE DEMOCRATS ARE IN A TOUGH SPOT.

THE DISTRICT 8 SEAT IS OPEN BECAUSE OF A SECTING SCANDAL INVOLVING OUTGOING REPRESENTATIVE RAMON ALEXANDER WHO WAS INCOMING DEMOCRATIC LEADER IN THE HOUSE.

WHAT SKILLS DO YOU BRING TO STABILIZE THE CAUCUS AND TO BEGIN TO BUILD HOUSE DEMOCRATS INTO A VIABLE OPPOSITION TO THE REPUBLICAN MAJORITY?

>> I THINK ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS THAT WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO DO IS CREATE RELATIONSHIP, THE SKILL OF NEGOTIATING, THE SKILL OF BEING ABLE TO SIT DOWN AND DEVELOP WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN FOR DEMOCRATS.

IF THE OPPORTUNITY THAT I BRING IS ONE THAT -- AND I HATE TO SAY , BUT IT'S REAL.

YOU KNOW, LIVING LIFE LU A PRISON EXPERIENCE TEACHES YOU THE ART OF BEING ABLE TO SURVIVE.

SO WE'VE GOT TO HAVE THAT WITHIN US TO BE ABLE TO SIT WITH REPUBLICANS AND TO BE ABLE TO SHOW THEM WHAT IT TAKES FOR THIS COMMUNITY, THIS DISTRICT TO BE ABLE TO RISE UP FROM WHEREST AT NOW.

SO THE SKILL OF NEGOTIATING, THE SKILL OF BEING ABLE TO SHOW A VISION THAT HELPS UNIFY US IS WHAT'S NEEDED.

>> THERE'S A FOLLOW-UP.

WHAT WERE YOUR THOUGHTS WHEN YOU LEARNED ABOUT THE ALLEGATIONS INVOLVING REPRESENTATIVE ALEXANDERRER?

-- ALERSOME AND PUTTING THOSE ALLEGATIONS ASIDE, DID YOU CONSIDER HIM TO BE AN EFFECTIVE LAWMAKER?

AND DO YOU AGREE WITH HIS DECISION TO STEP ASIDE?

>> WELL, MY THOUGHTS WERE TO PRAY BECAUSE, I MEAN, AT THE END OF THE DAY, ALL OF US HAVE, YOU KNOW, EXPERIENCED SOMETHING.

YOU'RE LOOKING AT SOMEONE WHO EXPERIENCED LIFE PLUS 40 YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON.

SO FOR ME, IT WAS NOT A MOMENT TO PASS JUDGMENT.

IT WAS A MOMENT FOR ME TO ENCOURAGE HIM.

-- HIM.

IT WAS ALSO A MOMENT TO SHARE WITH HIM, HEY, KEEP DOING WHAT YOU'RE DOING BECAUSE YOU'RE AN EFFECTIVE LEADER.

CHOICES HAVE CONSEQUENCE, BUT THAT'S NOT THE END OF OUR STORY.

SO I'M A YOUNG MAN WHO UNDERSTANDS THAT MEN WALL, FINISH -- FALL, WOMEN FALL, BUT IT'S TENACITY WE HAVE TO HAVE TO STAND BACK UP.

>> MS. RAT MICHIGAN, DO YOU WANT ME TO REPEAT THE QUESTION?

>> YES, PLEASE.

>> THE HOUSE DEMOCRATS ARE IN A TOUGH SPOT WITH THE SEAT BEING OPEN.

IT'S PART OF THE CHALLENGES.

AND WHAT DO YOU BRING TO THE TABLE TO STABILIZE THE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS AND HOPE THE BUILD IT INTO A FORMID ABLE -- FORMIDABLE OPPOSITION TO THE REPUBLICAN MAJORITY?

>> WHAT SETS ME ASIDE FROM ALL OF THE CANDIDATES IS MY ABILITY TO LEAD WITH INTEGRITY, MY COMPASSION TO SERVE PEOPLE WHILE ALSO BEING EMPATHETIC AND SYMPATHETIC.

PAST SESSION I WAS A LEGISLATIVE AIDE FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE PUBLISH SHAH ROBINSON -- FELICIA ROBINSON, SO I HAD A FRONT ROW SEAT ON HOW LAWS WERE IMPACTING EVERYDAY PEOPLE.

I MET WITH ALL KINDS OF PEOPLE TO SEE HOW I COULD BE OF ASSISTANCE TO THEM WHEN MY STATE REPRESENTATIVE WAS ON THE FLOOR, HOW I COULD BE ABLE TO DRAFT BILLS AND AMENDMENTS TO ALLOW THEIR VOICES TO BE HEARD.

ALSO AS A COMMUNITY ORGANIZER AND ACTIVIST WHO'S BEEN ON THE FLOOR WORKING WITH THE PEOPLE, MY DUTY IS TO HELP THEM.

>> OKAY.

AND THE FOLLOW-UP QUESTION IS WE'RE A SMALL TOWN HERE IN TALLAHASSEE, AND YOU WORKED AT THE CAPITOL.

WHAT WAS YOUR REACTION WHEN YOU LEARNED ABOUT THE ALLEGATIONS AGAINST REPRESENTATIVE ALEXANDER?

AND DO YOU THINK HE WAS AN EFFECTIVE LAWMAKER?

AND IF SO, DO HOW YOU AGREE WITH HIS DECISION TO STEP DOWN?

>> YES.

SO IT WASN'T MY TO PASS JUDGMENT ON WHAT WAS GOING ON.

OF COURSE I DID HEAR IT WITH BEING INTERNAL.

I DO BELIEVE THAT HE WAS A GOOD PERSON WHEN IT CAME DOWN TO HOLDING THE OPPOSITE PARTY ACCOUNTABLE AND BEING VOCAL FOR ISSUES, WHICH IS WHY I AM ALSO TRYING TO CARRY THAT A TORCH AS A COMMUNITY ORGANIZER AND ACTIVIST, TO BE THE VOICE FOR THE VOICELESS.

AND I'M SORRY, I FORGOT THAT LAST PART THAT YOU ASKED.

>> DO YOU AGREE WITH HIS DECISION, WITH REPRESENTATIVE ALEXANDER'S DECISION, TO RETIRE FROM THE FLORIDA HOUSE?

>> IF THAT WAS THE DECISION THAT HE WANTED TO MAKE, THERE'S NO REASON WHY I SHOULD PASS JUDGMENT UPON THAT.

>> OKAY.

MR. FRANKLIN, DO YOU NEED ME TO GO OVER THIS QUESTION AGAIN OR ARE YOU CLEAR ON WHAT I'M TRYING TO GET TO?

>> I'M CLEAR ON WHAT YOU'RE GETTING TO, AND THANK YOU -- >> GO AHEAD.

WE'LL START -- YOU'RE ON THE CLOCK.

>> OKAY.

YES, SIR.

I BELIEVE IF WE'RE LUCKY ENOUGH, FORCHEW MATE ENOUGH TO ELECT ME TO THE STATEHOUSE, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY STARTS TO GET BACK TO THE BASICS AND FOCUSING ON SERVING PEOPLE.

OFTEN TIMES THINGS GET KIND OF CONVOLUTED IN REFERENCE TO IDEOLOGIES, WHERE SHOULD THE DEMOCRATIC STAND ON WHAT TYPE OF ISSUES.

I DO BELIEVE WE NEED TO INSURE THAT PEOPLE CAN AFFORD TO BUY A CAR FOR THEIR CHILD, PEOPLE ARE CAN REALLY UNDERSTAND NO MATTER WHERE YOU'RE BORN, YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET A QUALITY EDUCATION.

AND SO WE IMMEDIATE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE -- NEED TO MAKE SURE WE'RE FOCUSING ON THE BASICS, FOCUSING ON CERTAIN PEOPLE.

AND AS A PARTY WE ALSO NEED TO AMP UP OUR ABILITY TO NEGOTIATE AND BUILD RELATIONSHIPS.

OBVIOUSLY, WE ARE RIGHT NOW CONTROLLED BY THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IN ALL THREE BRANCH, AND SO HOW DO WE ASSERT OURSELVES IN WAYS TO MAKE SURE WE CAN FIND THE COMMONALITIES TO BE EFFECTIVE BY STILL MOLD -- >> OKAY, SIR.

THE FOLLOW-UP, AND, AGAIN, YOU KNOW, WE ARE A SMALL TOWN.

WE ALL KNOW EACH OTHER.

AND THE QUESTION IS, WHAT WERE YOUR THOUGHTS WHEN YOU LEARNED ABOUT THE ALLEGATIONS INVOLVING REPRESENTATIVE ALEXANDER, AND DO YOU THINK THAT HE WAS AN EFFECTIVE LAWMAKER AND AGREE WITH HIS DECISION TO RETIRE?

>> REPRESENTATIVE ALEXANDER WAS A PHENOMENAL AND EFFECTIVE LAWMAKER.

HE HAD INTELLECTUAL CAPACITY, AND HE UNDERSTOOD HOW TO NAVIGATE THE LANDSCAPE OF THE CAPITOL.

THERE'S NUMEROUS AMOUNTS OF NICHIVES AND FUNDING INITIATIVES THAT HE WAS ABLE TO GET ACCOMPLISHED FOR THIS DISTRICT CAN.

SO HE DID A FINANCIAL -- PHENOMENAL JOB IN THAT.

ALL I COULD DO WAS REALLY JUST PRAY FOR HIM, SUPPORT HIM IN ALL THE THINGS THAT HE DESIRED TO DO AS HE MOVES FORWARD IN HIS LIFE.

SO I CANNOT DISAGREE WITH SOMEONE.

I DO THINK HE WAS AN ABSOLUTE, PHENOMENAL LEADER, BUT I DO SUPPORT DECISION THAT HE MADE TO DECIDE TO FOCUS ON WHAT HE THOUGHT AT TIME WAS MORE IMPORTANT, WHICH WAS HIS FAMILY.

>> MR. BROWN, IT'S YOUR TURN.

DO YOU NEED ME TO REPEAT THE QUESTION?

>> YES, PLEASE.

>> OKAY.

THE FIRST QUESTION IS ABOUT THE SITUATION THE HOUSE DEMOCRATS ARE IN.

IT'S A SUPERMINORITY, AND THE HOUSE DEMOCRATS ARE IN CONFUSION.

THE SEAT IS OPEN BECAUSE OF A SCANDAL INVOLVING OUTGOING REPRESENTATIVE RAMON ALEXANDER, AND THE QUESTION IS WHAT SKILLS DO YOU BRING TO THE TABLE TO HELP DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS TO BECOME AN EFFECTIVE OPPOSITION TO THE REPUBLICAN MAJORITY.

>> FIRST, I WOULD LEAD BY EXAMPLE.

I'M SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN MARRIED FOR 35 YEARS TO MY WIFE.

I'M INVOLVED IN OUR COMMUNITY, IN MY CHURCH.

AND ALSO THOUGH NOT ONLY BY LEADING BY EXAMPLE, I WOULD ALSO SAY THAT AS AN ATTORNEY, I KNOW HOW TO CRAFT WINNING ARGUMENTS.

AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE ANOTHER TO MESSAGE BECAUSE WHEN I PREPARE FOR TRIAL, I HAVE TO LOOK AT ALL THE FACTS AND BRING SOMETHING TOGETHER THAT THE JURY IS GOING TO BELIEVE TO GO OUR WAY.

DEMOCRATS ARE ON THE THE WINNING SIDE OF THINGS LIKE WOMEN'S RIGHTS.

WE'RE ON THE WINNING SIDE OF THINGS LIKE HEALTH CARE, EXPANDING MEDICAID SO WE CAN ALSO HELP WITH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, FOR OVER 700,000 FLORIDIANS IN HEALTH CARE -- WE'RE ON THE WINNING SIDE FOR THINGS LIKE GUN CONTROL.

21 YEARS OLD TO BUY THEM.

>> AND THE FOLLOW-UP QUESTION IS WHAT WERE YOUR THOUGHTS WHEN YOU LEARNED ABOUT THE ALLEGATIONS, AND DO YOU CONSIDER -- PUTTING THOSE ALLEGATIONS ASIDE -- DO YOU CONSIDER THAT REPRESENTATIVE ALEXANDER WAS AN EFFECTIVE LEGISLATOR, AND DO YOU AGREE WITH HIS DECISION TO RETIRE?

>> MY FIRST THOUGHTS WERE THAT I FELT FOR HIS FAMILY, AND I WISHED HIM WELL.

AND FOR HIS FAMILY.

BECAUSE I DO NOT WISH EVIL ON ANYONE.

SECOND SECOND IS THAT I BELIEVE THAT HIS DECISION PROBABLY WAS THE RIGHT ONE BECAUSE THEY DID NOT NEED DISTRACTIONS IN ORDER TO CARRY OUT THE PEOPLE'S WORK BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT IN REPRESENTING THE PEOPLE.

AND THIRD, AS FAR AS WHETHER HE'S AN EFFECTIVE LEADER, HIS COLLEAGUES THOUGHT HE WAS.

HE WAS SCHEDULED TO BECOME THE MINORITY IF LEADER.

[BACKGROUND SOUNDS] SO I WOULD NOT DISAGREE WITH HIS COLLEAGUES.

>> THANK YOU, SIR.

>> FOLKS, I JUST CHECKED THE TEMPERATURE HERE MANY OUR AREA, AND WE ARE ONCE AGAIN NUDGING INTO 90-DEGREE TERRITORY.

AND SO WE'RE SEEING THAT RECORD HEAT WAVE ALL OVER THE GLOBE, IT SEEMS, AND EVEN MANY OUR AREA HERE -- IN OUR AREA.

TALLAHASSEE AREA RESIDENTS ARE OPENING UP THOSE UTILITY BILLS RIGHT NOW, AND SOME OF THEM ARE LITERALLY GETTING STICKER SHOCK ON THIS AFTER A STRETCH OF NEARLY 100-DEGREE DAYS.

SO HOW URGENT IS THE CLIMATE CHANGE PROBLEM, DO YOU THINK, AND WHAT CAN THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE DO TO ACTUALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

45 SECONDS.

MR. JAMES, LET'S START WITH YOU.

>> WHAT WE HAVE TO DO IN THE LEGISLATURE, WE HAVE TO LOOK AT WHAT -- FIGURE OUT HOW DO WE REVIVE SOME OF LEGISLATION, HOW DO WE WORK IN A BETTER EFFORT OBSERVE PEOPLE SO THAT THEY CAN MAKE THE ADJUSTMENTS LIKE YOU'RE SAYING, YOU KNOW, 100 NOW AND IT'S GOING TO CONTINUALLY GET HIGHER.

I THINK WE'VE GOT TO REVISIT SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE'VE ALREADY PUT IN PLACE TO TAKE CONTROL OF THE CLIMATE THAT WE'RE FINDING OURSELVES HAVE TO DEAL WITH ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS.

>> VERY GOOD, SIR.

MR. FRANKLIN, YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT, PLEASE.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.

WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO FOCUS ON OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT AND POLLUTION.

OFTENTIMES WE DON'T EVEN REALIZE IT'S SO IMPORTANT TO ALSO THINK BEYOND CLIMATE CHANGE, BUT THE IMPACT IT HAS.

AS A HEALTH CARE PROVIDER, THAT'S WHERE MY FOCUS IS, NOT ONLY DO WE HAVE TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT THE CLIMATE, BUT EVEN MORE CONCERNED ABOUT THE HEALTH OF OUR COMMUNITY.

AND SO SO MANY PEOPLE, AND I KNOCK ON DOORS AND TALK ABOUT A NEW ROOF THAT WAS PUT ON THE LOCAL COMMUNITY'S MIDDLE SCHOOL, AND THAT SMELL OF TAR IS STILL REEKING EVEN MONTHS AFTER THEY PUT THE ROOF ON.

HOW DO WE PROTECT COMMUNITIES' HEALTH IN ADDITION TOKING BEING FOCUSEDDED ON -- TO BE BEING FOCUSED ON CLIMATE.

INSURING THAT COMPANIES HAVE TO BE VERY, VERY JUDICIOUS WHEN IT COMES TO GETTING RID OF STUFF AS THEY'RE -- AS WELL AS BEING REALLY FOCUSED ON POLLUTION.

THERE'S SO MANY DIFFERENT INDUSTRIES AND LARGER COMPANIES THAT DO POLLUTE IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

>> OKAY, THANK YOU, SIR.

>> -- IMPACT HEALTH MANY CLIMATE CHANGE.

>> MR. BROWN, YOUR THOUGHTS.

>> YES, SIR.

EXCUSE ME.

CLIMATE CHANGE IS URGENT.

IF YOU LOOK AT ANY OF THE MAPS OF THE GLACIERS.

AS FAR AS SO MANY THINGS WE NEED TO DO IN THE LEGISLATURE, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE COULD DO IS HELP WITH BUILDING OUT THE CHARGING STATIONS SO WE CAN FACILITATE THE SWITCH TO MORE ELECTRIC CARS BECAUSE CAR POLLUTION IS ONE OF THE MAJOR CAUSES OF THE CLIMATE CHANGE, THE CO2.

THE OTHER THING WE CAN DO IS RENEWABLES, HELP MORE WIND AND SOLAR.

WE CAN HELP GIVE CREDITS FOR THAT.

TANGIBLE THINGS THAT COULD HELP HOMEOWNERS AFFORD TO MAKE THAT SWITCH OVER.

AND I BELIEVE THAT WOULD GO A LONG WAY ESPECIALLY WITH ELECTRIC CARS.

>> OKAY, THANK YOU.

MS. RATTING TIGAN, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> I THINK CLIMATE CHANGE IS VERY IMPORTANT AND ACTUALLY AFFECTING EVERYONE, IT'LL AFFECT GENERATION TO COME.

IN REFERENCE TO LEGISLATION, WE'VE SEEN A SOLAR LEGISLATION THAT WAS GOING TO BE PASSED, AND I THINK THAT ONE THING THAT WE CAN DO IS MAKE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERYONE DESPITE THEIR AGE, DESPITE THEIR GENDER, DESPITE THEIR ZIP CODE.

ANOTHER THING THAT I THINK IS VERY IMPORTANT IS HOLDING THESE POLLUTERS AND THESE INDUSTRIES, THESE FACTORIES ACCOUNTABLE FOR WHAT THEY'RE PUTTING MERCHANDISE OF THE AIR.

>> THANK YOU -- INSIDE OF THE AIR.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

WE'LL GO WITH YOU, MS. NEELY.

>> OKAY.

LET'S TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT VOTER ACCESS.

AND I THINK I'LL START WITH YOU, MARIE RATTIGAN.

DO YOU THINK ANY CHANGES ARE NEEDED IN OUR CURRENT FLORIDA LAWS TO IMPROVE VOTER ACCESS TO THE BALLOT BOX?

AND LET'S -- 45 SECONDS.

>> I DO THINK SO, ACTUALLY.

WITH S.B.

90 BEING PASSED, WE'VE SEEN THAT A LOT OF THINGS WERE STRIPPED SUCH AS ACCESS TO BALLOT DROP THEOFF BOXES, RIGHT??

-- DROPOFF BOXES.

AND WE'VE ALSO SEEN RECENTLY THAT THERE ARE POLICE THAT ARE GOING TO BE PUT MANY PLACE THAT ONLY REPORT BACK TO GOVERNOR DeSANTIS.

I THINK THAT THAT IS A SCARE TACTIC ESPECIALLY WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT INSIDE OF THE BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITY FOR THOSE WHO ARE, WHO HAVE ALWAYS BEEN UNDER STRUCTURAL ATTACK THAT WANT TO CAST THEIR VOTES.

I THINK SOMETHING ELSE THAT WE CAN DEFINITELY FIX IS THE ABILITY TO EXTEND HOURS WHEN IT COMES TO VOTING.

THOSE WHO ARE IN LINE, WHETHER THEY'RE SENIORS OR ELDERLY PEOPLE, WE HAVE E ALSO SEEN THAT THEY ARE, PEOPLE ARE NO LONGER ABLE TO GIVE THEM WATER, GIVE HEM SNACKS AND COULD ACTUALLY BE CHARGED WITH A FELONY OR CRIME.

>> THANK YOU.

AND, GREGORY JAMES?

>> WELL, I WOULD JUST SAY THAT, YOU KNOW, IN TOTAL DISAGREEMENT WITH A LOT OF THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN PUT IN PLACE.

BUT I THINK THE BIGGEST THING THAT WE MUST DO IN SPITE OF WHAT'S IN PLACE, WE STILL HAVE TO EMPOWER OUR PEOPLE TO TO GET OUT AND VOTE.

UNTIL WE GET IN A POSITION TO REVITALIZE WHAT HAS BEEN PUT IN PLACE.

SO IF WE LET WHAT'S MANY PLACE STOP US FROM GETTING TO THE VOTING BOOTH AND GETTING ACCESS TO BEING AN ELIGIBLE VOTER AND AN ACTIVE VOTER, THINGS ARE ONLY GOING TO GET WORSE.

SO IT'S THE INCUMBENT UPON US TO ENCOURAGE ALL OF THOSE WHO ARE REGISTERED VOTERS.

BUT GET WHAT YOU SEE FOR NOW, AND LET'S KEEP VOTING UNTIL WE GET INTO A POSITION TO MAKE THE NECESSARY CHANGE.

>> THANK YOU.

HUBERT BROWN?

>> YES.

THERE ARE DEFINITELY SOME THINGS WE NEED TO DO SUCH AS INCREASING THE VOTING HOURS BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT ARE LIKE WHEN I GREW UP, VERY POOR, WE WORK IN JOBS THAT YOU CAN'T JUST TAKE OFF, AND WE ALSO IMMEDIATE LATER VOTING HOURS.

OTHER THING IS INCREASE VOTING PLACES BECAUSE A LOT OF TIMES DS AND TRYING TO GET TO THE POLLING PLACE.

THE POLL TAX FOR FORMER FELONS WHO WERE GIVEN -- VOTED TO GIVE THEM A RIGHT TO VOTE, HERE NOW THE LEGISLATURE DECIDED THAT THEY WANT TO PUT ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS THAT SAYS, OH, WE'VE GOT TO MAKE SURE ALL THOSE FEES ARE PAID OFF WHEN OFTEN THEY DON'T EVEN HAVE RECORDS OF WHAT THE FEES ARE.

SO HOW DO YOU PROVE THAT?

WE NEED TO REMOVE THAT AND GO WITH THE SPIRIT OF WHAT THE AMENDMENT 4 WAS.

>> THANK YOU.

AND, GALLOP FRANKLIN?

>> YES, WE NEED TO INCREASE VOTER ACCESS, ABSOLUTELY.

WE NEED MORE PRECINCTS, IT'S LIKE SOMEONE JUST MENTIONED, EVERYONE CAN'T REALLY TRAVEL 20, 30, 40 MINUTES.

WHAT WE'VE SEEN HAPPEN IS MOST PRECINCTS TAKEN OUT OF COMMUNITIES THIS MANY WHICH THE PARTY IN POWER WAS CONCERN -- [INAUDIBLE] TYPICALLY THEY'LL VOTE FOR THEM.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T HAVE A PLACE FORCE AT THESE POLLING STATION IS, BUT SOMEONE WHO CAN ASSIST FOLKS NOT TO VOTE.

WE NEED TO EXPAND OUR EARLY VOTING.

ALSO I HAVE AN ISSUE OF WHY DO WE HAVE TO REGISTER TO VOTE?

WE ARE A UNITED STATES CITIZEN, AND IT IS PROVED BY YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER.

SO WHEN YOU LOOK INTO AUTOMATIC REGISTRATION AS WELL, AND CHANGING VOTING DAYS.

MOST PEOPLE WORK ON TUESDAYS, SO IT'S HARD FOR THE AVERAGE PERSON TO TAKE OFF FROM WORK TO BE ABLE TO GO TO THE POLLS TO VOTE.

TO LOOK AT EVEN CHANGING VOTING DAYS.

AND ALSO CONCERN.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

I REALIZE IT'S HARD FOR YOU TO HEAR BELL, SO I'M TRY TO BE A LITTLE BIT MORE COGNIZANT ABOUT THAT.

I'M GOING TO TO STAY WITH YOU BECAUSE I DO HAVE A FOLLOW-UP THAT I WANT TO ASK ALL OF YOU.

DO YOU HAVE OF FAITH THAT GOVERNOR RON DeSANTIS' ADMINISTRATION AND THE NEW SECRETARY OF STATE, CORD BYRD, WILL CONDUCT A FAIR, IMPARTIAL ELECTION AND VOTE COUNT?

30 SECONDS FOR THE FOLLOW-UP.

>> YES.

I DO HAVE CONFIDENCE IN OUR GOVERNMENT.

TO FACILITATE A FAIR AND ACCOUNTABLE ELECTION.

BUT THEY'RE ALSO GOING TO EMPLOY LAWS SUCH AS TAKING PRECINCTS OUT OF PARTICULAR AREAS, SUCH AS DECREASING ACCESS TO THE BALLOT BOX IN CERTAIN AREAS SO THAT PEOPLE AHA DON'T VOTE FOR THEM DON'T HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE.

BUT I DO HAVE CONFIDENCE IN OUR GOVERNMENT TO BE ABLE TO FACILITATE ACCURATE ELECTIONS THAT HAVE INTEGRITY.

>> THANK YOU.

HUBERT BROWN?

>> I BELIEVE THAT THERE WILL BE A FAIR PHYSICAL COUNTY.

BUT AS FAR AS WE'VE ALREADY DISCUSSED, A FAIR ELECTION, THE REPUBLICANS HAVE ALREADY TRIED TO DESTROY THAT BY REDUCING THE HOURS THEY'RE PUTTING IN PLACE WHERE YOU CAN'T BRING WATER TO PEOPLE STANDING IN LINE ON HOT DAYS AND THE POLLING PLACES ARE TRYING TO REDUCE JUST THE ABILITY TO HAVE THEIR ELECTIONS SUCH AS, AS I SATED -- STATED, PUTTING THAT THAT POLL TAX ON FORMER FELONS.

BUT THE PHYSICAL IF COUNT, YES.

>> OKAY, THANK YOU.

GREGORY JAMES?

>> WELL, I TOTALLY FEEL THAT THE ELECTIONS, THOSE THAT ARE IN CHARGE ARE COMPETENT MUST HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT THINGS ARE FAIR.

I THINK ONCE AGAIN IT'S INCUMBENT UPON US TO JUST TELL PEOPLE TO GET OUT AND VOTE IS.

DON'T LET THE OBSTACLES STOP YOU, JUST GET OUT AND VOTE.

IF ENOUGH PEOPLE GET OUT AND VOTE, THEN WE'LL SEE THE RESULTS THAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR.

>> THANK YOU.

AND, MARIE RATTIGAN.

>> I HAVE HOPE IN THE PEOPLE, THAT THE PEOPLE WILL GET OUT AND VOTE.

DO I HAVE HOPE IN GOVERNOR RON DeSANTIS?

NO, I DO NOT.

ESPECIALLY WITH ALL OF BILLS THAT HE PUT IN PLACE THIS LAST SESSION, SPECIFICALLY THE CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING MAP AND NOT MAKING THAT A FAIR PROCESS.

IS SO I I HAVE HOPE IN THE PEOPLE, BUT DO I HAVE HOPE IN GOVERNOR RON DeSANTIS IN MAKING THIS EQUAL, NO, I DO NOT.

>> THANK YOU.

BACK TO YOU, TOM FLANIGAN.

>> OKAY.

THANK YOU, TRISH NEELY.

YOU KNOW, CITIZENS ARE DEMANDING ACTION IN THE AFTERMATH OF MULTIPLE MASS SHOOT SHOOTING TRAGEDIES AT PLACES LIKE PARKLAND, FLORIDA, PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, BUFFALO, NEW YORK, UVALDE, TEXAS, HIGHLAND PARK, ILLINOIS DURING A FOURTH OF JULY PARADE AND ELSEWHERE A AROUND THE COUNTRY.

SO WHAT LEGISLATION AS A FLORIDA LAWMAKER WOULD YOU SUPPORT TO BETTER PROTECT FOLKS FROM GUN VIOLENCE AND ALSO ADDRESS RISING HATE CRIMES AND INCIDENTS OF THAT SORT?

IF 45 SECONDS FOR A RESPONSE, AND AND, MARIE RATTIGAN, LET'S START WITH YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

SO BEFORE BECOMING A LEGISLATIVE AIDE FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE FELICIA ROBINSON, I WAS A LEGISLATIVE INTERN FOR SENATOR PERRY THURSTON.

IN 2018 SOME OF THE STUDENT SURVIVORS AND PARENTS AND TEACHERS CAME UP TO THE CAPITOL TO TALK WITH LEGISLATORS IN REFERENCE TO GUN REFORM.

UNFORTUNATELY, SOME OF THOSE STUDENTS, TEACHERS AND PARENTS LEFT WITH THEIR HEAD HELD LOW BECAUSE THAT SAME DAY ON THE HOUSE THEY DID NOT -- ON THE FLOOR, I'M SORRY, HAY DID NOT PICK UP HOUSE BILL 219 WHICH WOULD BAN ASSAULT RIFLES.

I THINK THE TIME IS NOW FOR US TO CALL FOR GUN REFORM, FOR STRICTER LAWS ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO BACKGROUND CHECKS.

WE CANNOT SIT I'D IDLY BY WHILE PEOPLE ARE DYING.

>> OKAY, THANK YOU.

GREGORY JAMES.

>> WELL, WHEN WE SEE WHAT'S HAPPENING, CERTAINLY WE ALL MUST WORK TO MAKE GUN REFORM SOMETHING THAT IS A PRIORITY.

WHEN WE SEE WHERE GUNS ARE BEING PLACE IN THE HANDS OF OUR KIDS, WHEN WE SEE HOW IT'S SO EASILY ACCESSIBLE TO THEM, INCUMBENT THAT WE WORK HARD TO PUT LAWS IN PLACE.

AND IN ORDER TO DO THAT, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO WORK WITH ACLOSE THE AISLE TO GET -- ACROSS THE AISLE TO GET THE NECESSARY SUPPORT.

WE'VE GOT TO MAKE THESE THINGS SENSIBLE AND EDUCATE THOSE WHO ARE BEING NON-HEARING TO WHAT WE'RE SAYING.

>> THANK YOU.

HUBERT BROWN?

>> YES.

I WOULD GIVE KUDOS TO FLORIDA THAT THEY DID RAISE THE AGE AFTER THE PARKLAND SHOOTING FOR BUYING GUNS.

BUT THERE ARE OTHER THINGS WE STILL CAN DO.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT ARE PERCOLATING RIGHT NOW IS WHAT IS CALLED A CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY MEANING THAT YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO OPEN CARRY.

I WOULD FIGHT WHOLEHEARTEDLY AGAINST THAT.

I BELIEVE THAT ONE SHOULD HAVE TRAINING IN ORDER TO CARRY A GUN JUST LIKE WE HAVE TRAINING FOR CONCEAL CARRY RIGHT NOW FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE TRYING TO BUY GUNS WHO HAVE SOME TRAINING AS WELL AS SOME HOLDING PERIODS AS FAR AS BUYING THEM AND INCREASING THE MENTAL HEALTH EVALUATION.

MAKE SURE THAT EVERYTHING IS GOOD THAT THEY CAN HANDLE THOSE GUNS.

>> WE'LL WIND UP HERE WITH YOU, GALLOP FRANKLIN.

>> I'LL WHOLE HEARTILY FIGHT TH- [INAUDIBLE] ALSO THOSE LAWS THAT SAYS IF SOMEONE'S HAVING BEHAVIORAL CHALLENGES, WE CAN CONFISCATE THOSE WEAPONS TEMPORARILY.

WE NEED TO HAVE MORE MENTAL HEALTH EMPHASIS TOO, BECAUSE A LOT OF THESE THINGS HAPPEN BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE STRUGGLING, GOING THROUGH THINGS.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE'RE INVESTING IN MENTAL HEALTH SO WE DON'T HAVE AS MANY VIOLENT ISSUES OR CHALLENGES.

IF SOMEONE IS TRYING TO BUY A HIGH CALIBER TYPE OF WEAPON, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THE AGE IS HIGHER AND MORE EXTENSIVE BACKGROUND CHECKS WHERE YOU'RE HAVING PSYCHOLOGICAL CHECKS TO MAKE SURE YOU CAN SAFELY HAVE A GUN IN YOUR HOME AND USE IT FOR ALL THE RIGHT REASONS.

SO ONCE AGAIN, IT'S SO IMPORTANT THAT WE DO PROTECT OUR SOCIETY HERE TO PREVENT FUTURE GUN VIOLENCE.

>> OKAY, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

BRIEF FOLLOW UP, JUST 30 SECONDS HERE IF WE MIGHT.

MOMENTUM DOES SEEM TO BE BUILDING FOR OPEN CARRY OR CAMPUS CARRY AMONGST REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS AND THE GOVERNOR AS WELL.

YOU ARE IN OPPOSITION TO THOSE SORTS OF THINGS, HOW CAN YOU FIGHT BACK ON THAT?

AND, MR. FRANKLIN, LET'S STICK WITH YOU ON THAT ONE, PLEASE.

>> YOU HAVE TO TAKE TO THE BALLOT BOX.

BECAUSE OF THAT, WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE ORGANIZE AND MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE REACHING OUT TO ALL THOSE FOLKS WHO HAVE BEEN ENGAGED IN SOME SORT OF GUN VIOLENCE, TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE VOTING.

YES, YOU'RE RIGHT, EVEN THOUGH I MIGHT BE VOTING AGAINST IT, IT'S VERY LIKELY THE GOVERNOR CAN PUSH THAT A THROUGH THE ENTIRE LEGISLATURE AND MAKE IT LAW ARE.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THIS AUGUST THAT WE ARE -- I'M SORRY, THIS NOVEMBER THAT WE'RE VERY MUCH INVOLVED IN THE ELECTION PROCESS IN FLORIDA.

EVERY SINGLE ELECTION IS ON BALLOT THIS YEAR.

>> OKAY.

>> EVERY -- [INAUDIBLE] >> VERY GOOD.

MR. BROWN.

>> WELL, EXCUSE ME.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE CAN DO AND NEED TO DO IS TO BRING BACK SOME OF THE ARGUMENTS THAT REPUBLICANS MAKE FOR OTHER THINGS SUCH AS DON'T SAY GAY BILL.

OR IT CAN MAKE OTHERS FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE.

LET HIM KNOW, HEY, SOMEONE OPENLY CARRYING A GUN CAN INTIMIDATE OTHERS AND ENJOY THEIR LIFE, LIBERTY AND -- [INAUDIBLE] WE CAN ALSO TALK TO THEM ABOUT HUNTERS HAVE TO GO THROUGH AN EDUCATIONAL COURSE BEFORE THEY CAN GET A HUNTING HINES, SO WHY WOULD WE NOT DO SOMETHING SIMILAR?

>> OKAY, THANK YOU.

MR. JAMES?

>> IT'S GOT TO GET TO THE POINT THAT WE'RE ABLE TO SIT DOWN AND REALLY ARE HAVE THE HARD CONVERSATIONS THAT NEED TO BE HAD AND GET THOSE ON OPPOSITE SIDE TO SEE WHAT IS HAPPENING IN OUR COMMUNITIES AND SEE WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH A CONSTANT USE OF GUNS, AND IT'S NOT THE WILD, WILD WEST.

SO WE'VE GOT TO GET THEM TO UNDERSTAND THAT HUMAN LYES ARE IMPORTANT.

>> OKAY.

MARIE RATTIGAN.

>> I THINK IT'S TIME TO CHANGE THE NARRATIVE AND ALSO SHIFT THE NARRATIVE BECAUSE WE ARE PRONE TO JUST A VIOLENT COMMUNITY, RIGHT?

I THINK BY SHIFTING THAT NARRATIVE OF IT'S SOMETHING THAT I'M GOING TO BE INTERESTED IN TALKING ABOUT, BUT NOT ONLY THAT, STANDING BESIDE THE PEOPLE AND MAKING SURE I WILL NOT BE BOUGHT BY THE NRA.

AND I CONTINUE CONTINUOUSLY SAY IT'S PEOPLE OVER PROFIT AND MAKING THAT A KNOWN THE FIRST DAY I'M THERE.

>> MS. NEELY.

>> OKAY.

GREGORY JAMES, I'M GOING TO START WITH YOU THIS TIME.

DID FLORIDA PASS A LAW SPECIFICALLY CODIFYING THE RIGHT TO ACCESS ABORTION SERVICES AND A RIGHT TO SAME-SEX AND INTERRACIAL MARRIAGES?

AND YOU HAVE 45 SECONDS.

>> WELL, I THINK THAT THOSE ARE SITUATIONS WHERE INDIVIDUALS HAVE TO HAVE THEIR OWN CHOICE.

AND WITH THAT BEING SAID, I MEAN, YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT PLACE A DIRECT WILL ON PEOPLE.

THEIR CHOICE IS THEIR CHOICE, WHATEVER HOSE CONSEQUENCES ARE AFTER CHOICE THEN THAT'S WHAT THEY HAVE TO LIVE WITH.

I WOULDN'T PASS A BILL PLACING THAT THAT KIND OF DEMAND ON PEOPLE.

>> THANK YOU.

MARIE RATTIGAN.

SAME QUESTION.

>> COULD YOU REPEAT QUESTION, PLEASE?

>> YES.

SHOULD FLORIDA PASS A LAW SPECIFICALLY CODIFYING THE RIGHT TO SAME-SEX AND INTERINITIAL MARRIAGES?

>> AS ONE -- INTERRACIAL MARRIAGES?

>> AS ONE OF THE ONLY CANDIDATES THAT WAS ON THE FRONT IF LINES BEING VOCAL ABOUT ISSUES SUCH AS ROE V. WADE, I BELIEVE THAT A RIGHT FOR A WOMAN TO CHOOSE WHAT HAPPENS TO HER BODY IS BETWEEN HER, HER BEINGS, HER DOCTOR -- HER PHYSICIAN, HER DOCTOR AND HER GOD.

I DON'T BELIEVE THAT WE SHOULD INPUT ANY OF OUR IDEOLOGIES ON INDIVIDUALS WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO EVEN SAME-SEX MARRIAGE.

I BELIEVE THAT OUR BODIES, WOMEN'S BODIES, ARE NOT POLITICAL PLAYGROUNDS, THAT LGBTQ BODIES ARE NOT POLITICAL PLAYGROUNDS, AND EVEN SAME SEX IS NOT UP FOR DEBATE.

LEAVE PEOPLE ALONE.

>> OKAY, THANK YOU.

AND GALLOP FRANKLIN.

>> WOULD YOU REPEAT THAT QUESTION, PLEASE?

>> YES.

SHOULD FLORIDA PASS A LAW SPECIFICALLY CODIFYING THE RIGHT TO ACCESS TO ABORTION SERVICES AS WELL AS SAME-SEX AND INTERRACIAL MARRIAGES?

>> THANKS.

I WANTED TO MAKE SURE I HEARD THAT CLEARLY, AND, YES, WE SHOULD CODIFY LAWS TO MAKE SURE WE CAN PROTECT WOMEN OOH'S RIGHTS TO REPRODUCTION.

YES, WE SHOULD CODIFY LAWS WHICH MEANS CREATE AND VOTE ON LAWS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE PROTECT THE RIGHT BETWEEN TWO PEOPLE THAT LOVE EACH OTHER TO BE MARRIED TO ALSO URN THE LAW BE ABLE TO HAVE THE SAME RIGHTS AS ANY OTHER TWO FOLKS.

I DO BELIEVE WE SHOULD CODIFY LAWS TO INSURE THESE LAWS DO PROTECT THOSE WHO ARE HAVING CHALLENGES BEING ABLE TO MARRY SOMEONE THEY LOVE.

HAVING CHALLENGES IN BEING ABLE TO HAVE THE RIGHTS, THE ARE REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS.

SO WE ARE SUPPORTIVE OF CODIFYING, DEVELOPING AND CREATING LAWS TO DO JUST WHAT YOU JUST SAID.

THANK YOU.

>> OKAY, THANK YOU.

AND, MR. BROWN.

>> I BELIEVE IN FREEDOM, AND I BELIEVE THAT EVERY PERSON UNDER OUR CONSTITUTION HAVE A RIGHT TO PRIVACY.

SO, YES, I DO.

THE OTHER THING IS AS SOMEONE WHO GROWING UP WAS DISCRIMINATED AGAINST, I WOULD NOT WANT TO SEE ANYONE DISCRIMINATED AGAINST.

AND THAT IS WHAT IT IS WHEN WE GO AND TRY TO PREVENT 30 PEOPLE FROM MARRYING WHO THEY LOVE IN A RACIAL MARRIAGE, SAME SEX WHEN WE ARE TELLING WOMEN WHAT TO DO WITH THEIR BODIES.

I DO NOT BELIEVE IN DISCRIMINATION AGAINST ANYONE.

AND THE OTHER THING WE HAVE, THE LORD GIVES US A FREE WILL.

IF SO WHY SHOULD THE STATE TAKE AWAY OUR RIGHT TO FREE WILL?

SO, YES, I BELIEVE WE SHOULD CODIFY.

>> OKAY, THANK YOU.

AND I DO HAVE A FOLLOW UP.

AND I'M GOING TO STAY WITH YOU, MR. BROWN.

DO YOU AGREE WITH THOSE PEOPLE INCLUDING DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL THAT THE SOCIAL POLICIES ADVOCATED BY THE REPUBLICAN MAJORITY ARE CREATING AN AUTOCRACY LED BY GOVERNOR RON DeSANTIS?

30 SECONDS, PLEASE.

>> WELL, I BELIEVE IT IS LEADING AWAY TO TAKING AWAY OUR FREEDOMS.

AND WE NEED TO LIMIT GOVERNMENT.

REPUBLICANS DON'T BELIEVE IN LIMITED GOVERNMENT.

THEY WANT TO GET INTO OUR BEDROOMS, TELL US WHO WE CAN MARRY, SO MUCH ABOUT OUR PRIVATE LIFE.

AND I BELIEVE IT IS CONCENTRATED POWER.

YOU CAN LOOK AT A NUMBER OF THINGS THAT ARE DONE.

NORMALLY REPUBLICANS DO NOT LIKE LAWSUITS, YET THEY WERE TELLING CITIZENS TO SUE THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND ACEASING ATTORNEYS' -- ASSESSING ATTORNEYS' FEES -- >> GREGORY -- >> COULD YOU REPEAT THAT?

>> YOU WANT ME TO REPEAT IT?

>> YES.

>> OKAY.

DO YOU AGREE WITH THOSE, INCLUDING DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL, THAT THE SOCIAL POLICIES ADVOCATED BY THE REPUBLICAN MAJORITY ARE CREATING AN AUTOCRACY HEAD BY OUR CURRENT GOVERNOR?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

ABSOLUTELY.

AND I HAVE TO AGREE WITH ATTORNEY BROWN.

WHEN WE SEE WHAT WE'RE SEEING AND WHEN WE SEE HOW IT IS LIMITING INDIVIDUALS IN THEIR OWN PRIVATE LIFE AND THEIR OWN PRIVATE CHOICES, IT'S DEFINITELY INTERFERING.

SO DEFINITELY I AGREE WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND THOSE WHO ARE MAKING THAT THAT STANCE.

>> OKAY, THANK YOU.

MARIE RATTIGAN?

>> I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO REPEAT THAT QUESTION AGAIN, PLEASE.

[LAUGHTER] >> OKAY.

DO YOU AGREE WITH OAZ WHO BELIEVE THAT THE SOCIAL POLICIES ADVOCATED BY THE REPUBLICAN MAJORITY THAT'S LED BY OUR CURRENT GOVERNOR, RON DeSANTISSOME.

>> YES, I DO BELIEVE SO.

WE'VE SEEN THE CULTURE WAR THIS PAST SESSION.

WE'VE SEEN A LOT OF BILLS THAT AACT OUR FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS, OUR FEE.COMS, AND IF WE'RE -- FREEDOMS.

AND IF WE'RE GOING TO BE FRANK, WE BELIEVE IN BODY AUTONOMY.

IF WE BELIEVE IN THE RIGHT FOR A WOMAN TO CHOOSE, LET'S TALK ABOUT BANNING ASSAULT RIFLES BECAUSE KIDS ARE BEING KILLED.

IF WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT SAVING BABIES, LET'S TALK ABOUT KIDS THAT ARE BEING KILLED IN SCHOOLS AS WELL.

>> THANK YOU.

AND CLOSING US OUT, MANY FRANKLIN.

MR. FRANKLIN.

>> YES.

LIBERTY AND FREEDOM IS SO IMPORTANT FOR FLORIDA TO ME IN COUNTRY, AND THE REPUBLICAN PARTY RIGHT NOW IS TRULY ENCROACHING ON PEOPLE'S PERSONAL LIVES AND NOT ALLOWING THEM TO LIVE THE FREEDOMS AND AND LIBERTIES WHICH THIS UNION SHOULD PROVIDE.

I BELIEVE WE NEED TO HAVE A MORE LIMITED GOVERNMENT WHEN IT COMES TO THESE SOCIAL POLICIES.

BECAUSE WHAT'S REALLY HAPPENING IS YOU'RE WITH HAVING THESE ATTACKS SUCH AS BILLS LIKE DON'T SAY GAY OR EVEN THREATENING FREEDOM OF SPEECH WHERE IF YOU GO AND PEACEFULLY PROTEST, THEY'RE NOW --?

>> THANK YOU.

>> OKAY.

IT'S TIME FOR THE EVER POPULAR LIGHTNING ROUND.

QUICK ANSWERS, ONE-SENTENCE ANSWERS, PLEASE.

WE'LL START WITH MR. BROWN.

IT'S A SERIES OF QUESTIONS.

WE'LL START WITH MR. BROWN, AND THEN WE'LL MOVE HEFT TO RIGHT, AND I'LL CALL -- LEFT TO RIGHT, AND I'LL CALL OUT YOUR NAME WHEN IT'S YOUR TURN TO ANSWER.

ONE SENTENCE, PLEASE, IS YOUR RESPONSE.

MR. BROWN, WHAT ARE YOUR TOP THREE NEWS SOURCES?

>> I'M SORRY, I DIDN'T HEAR YOU.

>> WHAT ARE YOUR TOP THREE SOURCES OF NEWS?

>> THE PAPER, THE INTERNET AS FAR AS REPUTABLE SITES OFF -- SUCH AS NEW YORK TIMES AND ALSO TV.

>> MR. FRANKLIN?

SAME QUESTION.

>> SAME QUESTION?

-- >> SORRY.

I WAS LOOKING AT MR. JAMES.

>> WAIT, IT'S MR. JAMES?

>> MR. FRANKLIN, YOUR TOP THREE NEWS SOURCES.

>> OKAY.

I READ THE TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT, THE CAPITOL OUTLOOK AND CNN QUITE OFTEN.

>> MR. JAMES?

>> I LISTEN TO KNN, I LISTEN TO -- CNN, I LISTEN TO NPR AT TIMES, AND I READ THE DEMOCRAT.

>> THE TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT AND ALSO SOCIAL MEDIA.

>> MR. BROWN, WHO HAS ENFORCED YOUR CAMPAIGN?

>> SHERIFF McNEAL, BEN CRUMP, CAROLYN CUMMINGS, ALL FIVE QUINCY CITY COMMISSIONERS AND QUITE A FEW OTHERS.

>> FROM MR. JAMES.

>> COREY FULLER, RANDY BUSH, JUST A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE IN THE COMMUNITY.

THAT ARE ON A DAY TO DAY BASIS MAKING A DIFFERENCE, BUSINESSMEN.

>> MS. RATTIGAN.

>> FLORIDA COLLEGE DEMOCRATS, RUN FOR SOMETHING AND RUTHLESS.

>> MR. .

FRANK: LIN.

>> THE FLORIDA BOARD OF REALTORS, THE FLORIDA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, ASSOCIATED INDUSTRIES OF FLORIDA AND THE SOUTH SIDE FRENCHTOWN POLITICAL ACTION COALITION.

>> IF YOU COULD IMMEDIATELIEN ACT A FLORIDA LAW, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

MR. BROWN?

>> STOPPING THE RAIDING OF THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST.

>> MR. JAMES.

>> A LAW THAT WOULD ENABLE THOSE WHO HAVE GOTTEN OUT OF SCHOOL TO GET BACK IN WITH A TRADE OR DO SOMETHING PRODUCTIVE.

>> MS. RATTIGAN.

>> A LAW TO CREATE A PARALLEL PROGRAM WITH NURSING TO GADSDEN COUNTY.

>> MR.-- [INAUDIBLE] IF.

>> SORRY.

[LAUGHTER] >> MR. FRANKLIN.

>> A WORKING PEOPLE TAX CREDIT BECAUSE THE COSTS OF GOODS.

SO THOSE -- ONE SENTENCE.

WORKING PEOPLE TAX CREDIT WHERE PEOPLE WHO WHO WORK MORE THAN 60 HOURS PER WEEK CAN GET A TAX CREDIT BECAUSE OF HOW MUCH THEY'RE WORKING.

>> IF YOU COULD INVALIDATE A FLORIDA LAW, WHAT WOULD IT BE, MR. BROWN?

>> THE DON'T SAY GAY BILL.

AND ALSO DON'T SAY GAY AND THE BILL THAT DEALS WITH -- I'M LOSING IT, BUT -- DON'T SAY GAY.

I'LL LEAVE IT THERE.

>> I HAVE TO CONSIDER THAT EVEN MORE.

>> MS. RATTIGAN WHO?

[INAUDIBLE] >> I'M SORRY?

>> THE HOUSE BILL 1 THAT WAS RECENTLY PASSED, COMBATING PUBLIC DISORDER.

THAT'S WHAT I'LL GO AGAINST.

>> MR. FRANKLIN?

>> SAME HERE, THE ORGANIZING BILL WHERE PEOPLE WHO ARE PEACEFULLY PROTESTING CAN END UP WITH CRIMINAL RECORDS FOR JUST EXERCISING THEIR FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT OF SPEECH.

>> OKAY.

JUST TO MIX IT UP A LITTLE BIT, LET'S START WITH MR. JAMES WITH THIS ONE.

WHO ARE YOU ENDORSING AT TOP OF THE DEMOCRATIC TICKET FOR GOVERNOR?

>> AT THIS TIME, NO ONE.

>> MS. RATTIGAN?

>> CHARLIE CRIST.

>> MR. FRANKLIN?

>> AT THIS TIME I'M STILL CONSIDERING.

I HAVE NOT MADE AN OFFICIAL ENDORSEMENT AT THIS TIME.

>> MR. BROWN?

>> I'M LEANING TOWARD CHARLIE CRIST.

I HAVE NOT MADE MY DECISION YET.

>> MS. RATTIGAN, DO YOU BELIEVE JOE BIDEN WON THE ELECTION IN A FAIR -- THE PRESIDENCY IN A FAIR ELECTION?

>> YES.

>> MR. FRANKLIN?

>> YES.

>> MR. BROWN?

>> WHOLEHEARTEDLY YES.

>> MR. JAMES.

>> YES.

>> STARTING WITH MR. FRANK FRANKLIN, SHOULD STATE WORKERS RECEIVE ANNUAL COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENTS FOR PAY TO KEEP PACE WITH INFLATION?

>> ABSOLUTELY, NO QUESTION.

>> MR. BROWN.

>> YES.

>> MR. JAMES?

>> YES.

>> MS. RATTIGAN?

>> YES.

>> STARTING WITH MR. FRANKLIN, WHAT'S THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY YOU'D LIKE TO ACCOMPLISH FOR FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY AS A LAWMAKER?

>> THERE'S A WHOLE LOT WITHIN THAT SPACE.

>> YEAH.

>> BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF INITIATIVES.

RIGHT NOW FAMU IS TRYING TO REACH THE TOP 100, AND THERE ARE SOME ADDITIONAL RESOURCES THAT ACTUALLY -- PAYING SALARY AS WELL AS INVESTING -- [INAUDIBLE] FOUR-YEAR RETENTION RATE.

SO INSURING WE CAN REALLY COALESCE HOW THE RESOURCES MESS TO REACH THAT GOAL AS BEING A TOP 100 UNIVERSITY.

>> MR. BROWN.

>> COMPARABLE FUNDING AS TO OTHER UNIVERSITIES AND ESPECIALLY ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR THE PHARMACY PROGRAM THAT THERE'S NO ISSUE ABOUT ACCREDITATION.

>> MR. JAMES.

>> TO SIT DOWN TO FIND OUT WHAT IS THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY THAT THEY NEED FUNDING FOR.

THAT WOULD BE MY DECISION.

>> MS. RATTIGAN.

>> THIS PAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION FAMU RECEIVED $70 MILLION, AND THAT WAS TO ASSIST WITH THE PHARMACY SCHOOL, THE SCHOOL OF NURSING AS WELL AS STUDENT ACCESS, SOMETHING THAT I WOULD WORK FOR AS A PARALLEL PROGRAM TO HELP WITH THE SHORTAGE OF NURSING, CREATING A PARALLEL PROGRAM FROM GADSDEN COUNTY TO FAMU SO THAT SOME OF THE NURSING STUDENTS WOULD BE ABLE TO GO THERE AND BE ABLE TO TAKE THEIR COLLOQUIUM AND FORGET OUT IF GADSDEN COUNTY IS AN AREA THAT THEY WANT TO STAY TO HELP REVITALIZE AND DEVELOP.

>> OKAY.

ONE SENTENCE, PLEASE.

STARTING WITH MR. BROWN, WHO ARE YOUR LARGE CAMPAIGN DONORS, AND WHAT PERCENTAGE OF YOUR CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS ARE FROM OUT OF STATE?

>> I DO NOT KNOW HOW MUCH IS FROM OUT OF STATE BECAUSE I HAVE A LOT OF FAMILY OUT OF STATE AND THROUGHOUT COUNTRY.

MY LARGEST E DONOR IS MYSELF.

>> MR. JAMES?

>> YEAH.

I'M MY LARGEST DONOR.

MOST OF MY CONTRIBUTIONS ARE LOCKLY FROM INDIVIDUALS WITHIN THE DISTRICT.

>> MS. RATTIGAY.

>> MY DONORS ARE MOSTLY WORKING CLASS PEOPLE, AND THOSE ARE MY MAIN DONORS.

>> AND, MR. FRANKLIN ARE.

>> MY LARGEST DONOR IS MYSELF, AND I MIGHT HAVE COLLECTED MAYBE ONE OR TWO CHECKS OUT OF STATE OUT OF 200 CHECKS, BUT I'LL HAVE TO GO AND CHECK MY RECORDS TO CONFIRM THAT.

I'M NOT COMPLETELY SURE.

>> OKAY.

THIS IS THE FINAL QUESTION.

ONE SENTENCE, PLEASE.

STARTING WITH MR. JAMES.

WHAT IS THE SINGLE BIGGEST CONTRIBUTION YOU'VE MADE TO YOUR COMMUNITY?

>> SINGLE BIGGEST CONTRIBUTION THAT I MADE TO MY COMMUNITY.

IT'S COMING BACK TO MY COMMUNITY, HELPING TO MEND SOME OF FABRICS THAT I ONCE TORN APART.

THAT'S MENTORING OUR CHILDREN WHO HAVE PARENTS INCARCERATED, BEING IN THE COURTHOUSE ADVOCATING FOR THOSE WHO NEED A SECOND CHANCE.

>> MARIE RATTIGAN.

>> WORKING STUDENTS TO BE VOCAL ABOUT ISSUES THAT DIRECTLY IMPACT HEM.

NOT ONLY STUDENTS, BUT EVERYDAY, WORKING CLASS PEOPLE, GALVANIZING PEOPLE TO JUST BE A VOICE WHEN EVEN THEY FEEL LIKE THEY'RE HOPELESS AND MENTORING STUDENTS IN THE STATE AND CITY OF TALLAHASSEE.

>> MR. FRANKLIN.

>> EDUCATION, HEALTH CARE AND YOUTH SUPPORT PROGRAMS.

I'M A FOUNDER OF A NONPROFIT THAT SUBFOCUS ON YOUTH SUPPORT AS WELL AS VERY INVOLVED WITH ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS BOY I SCOUTS THAT FOCUSES ON YOUTH SUPPORT PROGRAMS AS WELL.

>> AND MR. BROWN.

>> WORKING WITH YOUNG PEOPLE THROUGH THE TEEN COURT WHERE WE HELP PREVENT YOUTH FROM GETTING FELONY RECORDS AS WELL AS WORKING WITH THE BOY SCOUTS.

>> THANK YOU ALL.

>> GALLOP FRANKLIN, HOW WOULD YOU ADDRESS THE TEACHER SHORTAGE THAT WE HAVE IN FLORIDA PUBLIC IF SCHOOLS?

45 SECONDS.

>> GREAT QUESTION.

A BETTER JOB OF RECRUITMENT, ALSO EMPLOYING PROGRAMS THAT TEACH FOR AMERICA WITHIN OUR REGION.

TEACH FOR AMERICA HELPS CREATE THE BEST AND BRIGHTEST FOLKS FROM ACROSS COUNTRY TO GET THEM INVOLVED IN EDUCATION.

AND REALLY TAKE A HARD LOOK AT TEACHERS NEED TO BE MAKING MORE THAN THEY'RE CURRENTLY MAKE.

I'M NOT SAYING IT'S ABOUT MONEY, BUT OFTEN TIMES IF YOU MAKE MUST HAVE NONE, YOU CAN FOCUSSEN ON WHAT'S IMPORTANT SUCH AS SERVING.

RECRUITMENT CUTEMENT AS WELL AS INCENTIVES.

>> OKAY, THANK YOU.

HUBERT BROWN, SAME QUESTION.

>> FIRST AND FOREMOST IS TO INCREASE THE PAY SO THAT WE CAN ATTRACT MORE STUDENT -- I MEAN P SORRY, TEACHERS.

ALSO THOUGH THROUGH TALKING TO TEACHERS SUCH AS MY NIECE.

ONE OF THE KEY ISSUES IS HAVING MULTIYEAR CONTRACTS OR TERMS, BECAUSE RIGHT NOW A TEACHER HAS A ONE-YEAR CONTRACT GENERALLY.

AND SO THEY CAN BE LET GO CAN, IN ESSENCE, THEY'RE NOT RENEWED X.

NOW THEY HAVE TO GO BACK AND TRY TO FIND ANOTHER JOB.

SO IT'S NOT JOB STABILITY.

AND SO WE NEED TO DO THAT, MAKE SURE THAT WE INCREASE THE PAY, GIVE MORE STABILITY, LONGER TERM CONTRACT CANS AND ALSO MAKE SURE THAT THEY FEEL SAFE IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM THAT GIVE BACK SOME OF THE CONTROL THAT REPUBLICANS TOOK AWAY IN THE LAST SESSION BY DISEASING WHAT WAS HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES.

>> THANK YOU.

MR. JAMES?

>> WE ALL AGREE GREATER INCENTIVES FOR OUR TEACHERS AND BEING ABLE TO GIVE THEM, ONCE AGAIN, KIND OF CONTROL THAT THEY NEED.

AND THEN AGAIN BEING ABLE TO ASSURE HEM HOW VALUABLE THEY ARE BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY IT'S THE TEACHERS WHO CREATE THE PRESIDENTS, WHO CREATE THE GOVERNORS.

HER THE MOST VALUABLE PLAYERS, AND WE'VE GOT TO MAKE THE INVESTMENT THAT THEY NEED TO FEEL AND KNOW THAT WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THEM AND WHAT HEIR DOING.

>> THANK YOU.

AND, MARIE RATTIGAN.

>> YES.

INCREASE PAY RAISE AS WELL AS TO MAKE IT EVEN MORE PERSONAL TO ALLOW TEACHERS IN GADSDEN COUNTY TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO HAVE CHOICE SO THAT THEY'RE NOT HAVING TO COME FROM GOODS DEN COUNTY TO TALLAHASSEE -- GADSDEN COUNTY.

BUT ALSO INSTILL IN THEM THAT THEY ARE IMPORTANT BECAUSE THEY ARE TEACHING THE NEXT GENERATION THAT'LL BE OUR LAWYERS, OUR ATTORNEYS AS WELL AS OUR PRESIDENT.

>> OKAY.

GALLOP FRANKLIN, FOLLOW-UP QUESTION, PLEASE.

DO YOU SUPPORT THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION POLICY TO WAIVE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR TEACHERS AND ALLOW MILITARY VETERANS WITHOUT ANY TRAINING OR A COLLEGE DEGREE TO TEACH IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS?

30 SECONDS.

>> -- FOR THE FIRST YEAR OR TWO UNTIL THEY CAN GET THE TRAINING.

EVEN NOW AS A TEACHER, YOU CAN SUBSTITUTE TEACH AND TEACH FOR A YEAR BEFOREHAND.

I DO SUPPORT US RECRUITING OUR VETERANS, WE NEED TO ALSO GIVE THEM TIME TO BE FULLY TRAINED BEFORE THEY TAKE A CLASS ON THEIR OWN.

>> THANK YOU.

HUBERT BROWN?

>> FIRST AND FOREMOST, I SUPPORT OUR VETERANS.

BUT I DO NOT SUPPORT THAT THEY COME IN AND TEACH WITHOUT THE TRAINING AND QUALIFICATIONS.

IF OUR CHILDREN ARE -- OUR CHILDREN ARE JUST TOO IMPORTANT.

A BETTER WAY TO GO ABOUT IT IS TO GIVE THEM FUNDING TO GET THE TRAINING AND GIVE THEM A STIPEND SO THAT THEY CAN GET TRAINING, THEN BRING THEM TO THE SCHOOL.

BUT IN OUR SCHOOL, UNFORTUNATELY, OFTEN IN MINORITY DISTRICTS IS WHERE WE GET SOME TO HAVE -- WE NEED BETTER, I SHOULDN'T SAY BETTER, WE NEED TEACHERS THAT ARE FULLY TRAINED TO HANDLE THE SITUATION OF PEOPLE WITH MAYBE DISCIPLINE PROBLEMS.

>> GREGORY JAMES?

>> YEAH.

I SUPPORT THE OPPORTUNITY FOR VETERANS WHO COME INTO OUR CLASSES, BUT I ALSO FEEL, AS MRS NEEDED.

BUT THEY BRING SO MUCH VALUE THAT WILL HELP GIVE A WHOLESOME INSTRUCTION TO A CHILD JUST FROM THE LIFE THAT THEY LIVE, THEIR LIVING EXPERIENCES CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE STANDING FROM FRONT OF A CHILD TALKING ABOUT CHOICES AND CONSEQUENCES.

BUT TRAINING IS DEFINITELY NEEDED TO GIVE THEM ULTIMATE ROLE AS A TEACHER.

>> MARIE RATTIGAN.

>> I DO NOT SUPPORT VETERANS GOING INTO THE SCHOOLS TO BE TEACHERS WITHOUT TRAINING BECAUSE TEACHERS HAVE TO BE TRAINED AND GO THROUGH DIFFERENT PROCESSES IN ORDER FOR THEM TO BECOME TEACHERS, AND I THINK WE NEED TO STOP WAGING WAR ON OUR EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM AND BE ABLE TO INSTILL IN THESE TEACHERS THAT THEY ARE FUTURE BECAUSE THEY ARE TAKING CARE OF THE FUTURE.

>> FOLKS, OUR NEXT LINEUP OF QUESTIONS GOES TO THE ISSUE OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND FLORIDA DOES HAVE A HOUSING CRISIS, PARTICULAR PARTICULARLY THAT LACK OF AFFORDABLE WORK FORCE HOUSING.

SO WHAT CAN THE LEGISLATURE DO TO CREATE MORE OF THIS KIND OF HOUSING?

45 SECS, MR. BROWN, YOU FIRST.

>> AS I STATED EARLIER, THE LEGISLATURE ALREADY HAS THE SADOWSKI AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST FUND, SO EVER TIME A PROPERTY IS SOLD, THOSE TAXES GO INTO THIS FUND.

THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE LEGISLATURE RAIDS IT EVERY YEAR AND USES IT TO PLUG IT.

BUT THE OTHER THING IS TO WORK WITH NGOs, NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS, HABITAT FOR HUMANITY.

QUINCY IS A CITY THAT HAS A LOT OF PROPERTY THAT IS NOT BEING USED.

SO WHAT COULD HAPPEN IS THE CITY COULD DONATE THAT TO THINKS -- THINGS LIKE NGOs FOR HABITAT FOR HUMANITY.

AND THEN THEY CAN HELP BUILD THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

AND THE STATE COULD SET UP FUNDS TO HELP THAT TRANSFER TAKE PLACE, AND IT HELPS THE NGOs TO MULTIPLY THAT MONEY.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

MARIE RATTIGAN.

>> I WANTED TO SAY THAT WE DO KNOW THAT THE SADOWSKI FUND HAS MONEY IN THERE.

I THINK ONE OF THE LEGISLATION THAT NEEDS TO BE PUT FORTH IS RESTRICTING USE OF THE SADOWSKI FUND AND MAKING SURE THATST BEING USED FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND IT'S NOT LONGER CALLED AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

IT'S CALLED LOW INCOME HOUSING, BECAUSE PEOPLE WHO HAVE, WHO ARE GETTING PAID 15 MINIMUM WAGE CAN'T AFFORD TO LIVE IN HOMES.

I THINK SOMETHING ELSE STARTS WITH EDUCATION, BEING ABLE TO TO EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY ABOUT HOW THEY CAN GET ACCESS TO LAND, HOW THEY CAN GET ACCESS TO JUST KNOWING EVERYDAY, IMPORTANT NEEDS OF WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE TO OWN A HOME.

>> OKAY.

GAL OP FRANKLIN.

>> YEAH.

-- GALLOP.

>> WE NEED TO NOT ONLY PROTECT THE SADOWSKI FUND, I KNOW A LAW PASSED THAT -- [INAUDIBLE] DOC STAMPS, MAKE SURE WE SECURE IT, NOT RAID IT.

IN ADDITION TO THAT, MAKE SURE WE HAVE MORE INVENTORY.

AS WE MOW, SUPPLY AND DEMAND, THERE'S NOT ENOUGH HOMES ON THE MARKET TO MEET THE DEMANDS IN FLORIDA.

SO WHEN WE DO LOOK AT DIFFERENT TYPES OF NEEDS THAT TYPICALLY CONSTRUCTION -- FEES THAT TYPICALLY CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES HAVE TO PAY, WE NEED TO LOOKED AT WAIVING THEM TO MAKE SURE ON THE BACK END TO THE THE -- THE PRICING OF THE HOUSE IS IN A SURGEON PRICE RANGE SO WE CAN PROVIDE INCENTIVES TO ALLOW BUILDERS TO BUILD MORE AND THAT WAY WE CAN BRING UP THE INVENTORY WHICH CAN NATURALLY BRING DOWN THE PRICE.

>> OKAY, VERY GOOD.

MR. JAMES?

>> I THINK WHAT WE LOOK FORWARD TO DOING IS AGO -- BEING ABLE TO CREATE A TASK FORCE TO MAKE SURE THOSE SAW SADOWSKI FUNDS TO BE USED AS THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO BE USED.

GIVE EACH CITY A CHANCE TO PARTNER WITH CHURCHES WHO HAVE MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF LAND AND EDUCATE THOSE CHURCHES ON HOW IT'S BECOMING PART TO PROVIDE HOUSING FOR THEM AND MAKING SURE THAT THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CHURCH AND GOVERNMENT WORKS TO GIVE HOUSING BECAUSE THERE'S A NEED, AND MINISTRY SERVES THOSE KIND OF NEEDS.

AND THAT FAHSING -- TASK FORCE WILL MAKE SURE THAT THOSE FUNDS ARE BEING GIVEN TO CITIES AS THEY NEED HEM.

>> OKAY.

SOME RELATED FOLLOW-UPS, IF WE MIGHT HERE.

MANY IDENTIFY A FAILING PROPERTY INSURANCE MARKET -- WE JUST LOST ANOTHER INSURER IN FLORIDA THIS WEEK -- AS A FACTOR IN THE LACK OF HOUSING.

DO YOU AGREE, AND IF SO, WHAT DO YOU BRING TO THE TABLE TO HELP SOLVE THAT PROBLEM?

AND LET'S STICK WITH YOU, MR. JAMES.

>> WELL, I THINK WHAT HAS TO HAPPEN, I DO AGREE, I THINK WHAT HAS TO HAPPEN, WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO GET TO THE TABLE TO TALK ABOUT WHAT THE NEEDS ARE.

I MEAN, AT THE END OF THE DAY WE HAVE TO HAVE A VOICE THAT CAN HELP REASON WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN WHEN IT COMES TO TO HOUSING.

WE CANNOT AFFORD TO ALLOW INSURANCE COMPANIES TO CONTINUE TO TAX HOUSING, OUR PROPERTIES THE WAY HEIR DOING IT SO THAT IT IS DRIVING THE PRICES UP.

WHENEVER THERE'S SUPPLY AND DEMAND, WE FIND OURSELVES IN SUCH, MANY SUCH A NEED FOR THE RIGHT TO FIND WAYS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEMS THAT WE'RE FACING.

>> OKAY, VERY GOOD.

MR. FRANKLIN.

>> YES.

LOOKING AT THAT QUESTION, WE ALL KNOW THAT NATURAL DISASTERS HIT FLORIDA ALMOST EVERY YEAR.

ALSO THERE'S DIFFERENT SCAMS OUT THERE SUCH AS EVERYONE'S GETTING A NEW ROOF BASED ON SOME NEW TYPE OF SCAM.

SO THERE'S DIFFERENT THINGS THAT WE CAN DO TO LOOK INTO THESE CHALLENGES, AND HOW DO WE MAKE SURE WE SET LAWS IN PLACE TO PREVENT SCAMS FROM HAPPENING, BUT ALSO ALLOW ALLOWING STUNNING TO COME FROM THE IF STATE -- [INAUDIBLE] SO TO INSURE THAT OUR INSURANCE COMPANIES AREN'T GOING OVER, AREN'T GOING UNDER, AND ALSO OUR INSURANCE COMPANIES ARE NOT CHARGING THE CONSUMERS TOO MUCH.

>> OKAY.

>> WE'RE GOING TO BAIL YOU OUT, BUT YOU HAVE TO PASS IT ON TO THE CONSUMER AS WELL.

>> MS. MARIE RATTIGAN.

>> YES.

I THINK BEING ABLE TO EDUCATE EVERYBODY ABOUT PROPERTY TAXES IS VERY IMPORTANT AS WELL AS THIS PAST SESSION WE'VE SEEN THAT THERE WAS AN EXTENSIVE SESSION BECAUSE OF PROPERTY TAX.

I THINK TOO FAR OFTEN WE'RE NOT ADDRESSING THE PROBLEM AND BEING PROACTIVE INSTEAD OF REACTIVE.

THERE'S FALSE CLAIMS THAT ARE BEING MADE AND PEOPLE ARE NOT KNOWING IF YOU HAVE TWO OR THREE CLAIMS, YOU'RE NO LONGER GOING TO BE ABLE TO QUALIFY FOR CERTAIN THINGS.

SO JUST MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE PUTTING THAT EDUCATIONAL PIECE IN.

>> THANK YOU.

MR. BROWN?

>> YES.

INSURANCE IS A DEFINITELY AN IMPORTANT PART.

WE WERE LOOKING AT BUYING SOME PROPERTY A FEW YEARS AGO ON THE COAST, AND WE COULDN'T BECAUSE WE COULDN'T GET THE INSURANCE.

ONE OF THINGS WE CAN DO TO HELP THAT IS FOR THOSE COMPANIES THAT WRITE AUTO, IF YOU'RE GOING TO WRITE AUTO OR LIFE, YOU ALSO HAVE TO WRITE PROPERTY AND NOT LET THEM JUST TAKE THE OFF THE CREAM.

THE OTHER THING WE NEEDED TO DO IS LOOK AT REINSURANCE.

PART OF THE PROBLEM RIGHT NOW IS FOR MOST OF THE HIGH RISK, THE COMPANIES NEED REINSURANCE, AND THAT'S A PROBLEM.

>> OKAY.

ONE FINAL FOLLOW-UP ON THIS.

WHAT DO YOU THINK COULD BE DONE TO REDUCE THE GROWING NUMBER OF HOMELESS FOLKS IN OUR REGION?

SPECIFICALLY DISTRICT 8 AND, MRN THAT.

>> WORK WITH NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS.

MR. KEARNEY WAS DANGEROUS, AND WE CURRENTLY HAVE NO HOMELESS SHELTER IN GADSDEN COUNTY EITHER.

JUST BY BRINGING TOGETHER PUBLIC SECTOR, PRIVATE SECTOR AS WELL AS CHURCHES WHICH ARE PART OF THE NONPROFIT AS WELL WOULD HELP SOLVING THE PROBLEM.

STARTING WITH MENTAL HEALTH.

AS WE MOE, MENTAL HEALTH IS NORMALLY THE FIRST TRUCK DRIVER OF SOMEBODY BECOMING HOMELESS -- FIRST DRIVER.

YES, SOMETIMES PEOPLE ARE DOWN AND OUT, BUT HOW DO WE MAKE SURE THEY CAN PSYCHOLOGICALLY GET BACK TO WHERE THEY NEED TO BE AND HAVE THE SKILL SETS -- [INAUDIBLE] TRADE SCHOOL SO THEY CAN EMPLOY THEMSELVES.

>> ALL RIGHT, SIR.

OKAY.

AND, MR. BROWN.

>> ONE OF THE KEY ISSUES WE NEED IS MORE MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING.

SO, UNFORTUNATELY, A NUMBER OF THE HOMELESS DO HAVE SOME HEALTH ISSUES.

THIS IN MY CHURCH -- IN MY CHURCH, WE FEED THE HOMELESS EVERY MONTH.

THAT WAS OUR MINISTRY.

AND YOU COULD JUST NOTICE THAT AT LOT OF THESE PEOPLE NEAT COUNSELING AS WELL AS -- NEEDED COUNSELING AS WELL AS LIFE COUNSELING.

AND THEN HELP THEM TO GET ON THEIR FEET, GIVE THEM A PLACE, AN ADDRESS SO THAT THEY CAN GO DOWN AND GET SOME OF THE ASSISTANCE THEY NEED, BECAUSE THAT'S A PROBLEM.

>> OKAY.

MR. JAMES?

>> OUR MINISTRY ISES HAVE TO BE INVOLVED.

I WORK ON THE HOMELESS COALITION BOARD, AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I SEE THAT IS SO VITALLY IMPORTANT TO REDUCE THE HOMELESS IN OUR COMMUNITY, IF OUR CHURCHES WOULD EMBRACE THOSE MEN AND WOMEN,NING PROVIDE THE KIND OF SERVICES THAT THEY NEED, WE'LL FIND OURSELVES WITH A SMALLER PROBLEM AS TO WHAT WE SEE NOW.

IT'S A PROBLEM WHEREBY ALL OF US AS A COMMUNITY HAVE TO OWN GAUGE IN TO MAKE IT WORK.

>> OKAY.

AND, MS. MARIE RATTIGAN.

>> WE HAVE TO BE PROACTIVE INSTEAD OF REACTIVE, BECAUSE THE HOMELESS ARE PEOPLE ARE CITIZENS, YOU KNOW?

THE HOMELESS PEOPLE CONTRIBUTE TO OUR EVERYDAY LIVES.

AND PEOPLE WANT TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS BUT DON'T WANT HOMELESSNESS TO BE INSIDE OF THEIR COMMUNITY TO MAKE IT EVEN FURTHER WITH GADSDEN COUNTY NOT HAVING A HOMELESS SHELTER.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS.

LET'S PUT BILLS IN PLACE THAT'LL ADDRESS THIS CRISIS THAT'S HAPPENING.

>> OKAY.

MRS.

THE STOP WOKE ACT AND THE DON'T -- MRS.

THE -- THERE IS THE STOP WOKE ACT AND THE DON'T SAY GAY BILLS.

CIVIL LIBERTIER TAINT -- LIBBER TAINT -- LIBERTARIANS HAVE PROBLEMS WITH BOTH BILLS.

WHAT SHOULD THE DEMOCRATS WHO STOOD IN OPPOSITION TO BOTH MEASURES, WHAT SHOULD THE DEMOCRATS DO THE?

STARTING WITH YOU, MR. FRANKLIN.

>> HAVE TO DO THE BEST WE CAN TO REPEAL IT.

AGAIN, EVERY SINGLE ELECTION AND POSITION'S ON THE VOTING BALLOT THIS FALL.

EVERY STATE SENATOR, EVERY STATE REPRESENTATIVE AND THE ENTIRE CABINET.

SO NOT ONLY DO WE HAVE TO BE SERIOUS IS ABOUT BEING ABLE TO REBUILD THESE BILLS, BUT EVEN MORE SERIOUS ABOUT TURNS OUT TO VOTE TO HAVE PEOPLE IN POSITION TO BE ABLE TO REPRESENT THOSE WHO ARE IN MUCH NEED.

IN MY MIND, I DO BELIEVE WE HAVE TO TAKE THIS TO THE BALLOT BOX IN ADDITION TO TALKING ABOUT IT, WRITING OPINION ARTICLES ABOUT IT AND ALSO NEGOTIATING AND TALKING TO OUR COLLEAGUES ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE FOR THEM TO UNDERSTAND THE IMPACT THIS ISING HAPPENING FOR SOME IS SO MANY FLORIDIANS.

>> MR. BROWN.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS WE DEFINITELY NEED TO DO IS EDUCATE THE PUBLIC MORE ALSO WHY IT'S IMPORTANT.

BECAUSE THE STOP WOKE ACT, PART OF WHAT THIS DOES IS PREVENT PEOPLE FROM, OUR TEACHERS FROM HONESTLY TEACHING ABOUT MY HISTORY AS AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN.

BECAUSE THEY HAVE PUT IN THOSE BILLS THAT, OH, SOMEBODY MIGHT FEEL A LITTLE UPSET ABOUT IT.

BUT YOU KNOW WHAT?

IT'S STILL OUR HISTORY, AND TRUTH HAS A WAY OF WINNING.

THE SAME WAY WITH THE DON'T SAY GAY, I BELIEVE THAT WAS THE QUESTION, WE NEED TO GO AHEAD AND SPEAK ABOUT TRULY WHAT'S IN THE BILL, HOW IT'S NOT ABOUT -- [INAUDIBLE] ALSO ABOUT DEVELOPMENT TO THE AGE GROUP.

THAT PUTS A CHILLINGFECT ON OUR TEACHERS, AND WE NEED TO STOP THAT.

>> MR. JAMES.

>> I MEAN, WE HAVE TO BECOME VOICES THAT EDUCATE OUR DISTRICT WEEK AFTER WEEK, MONTH AFTER MONTH ON WHAT'S BEING A PASSED IN LEGISLATION.

ONCE HAY BECOME INFORMED, THEY BECOME INSPIRED.

THE AVERAGE PERSON THAT'S IN THE DISTRICT, THEY'RE NOT CONCERNED ABOUT THAT BILL, THEY'RE CONCERNED ABOUT HOW I'M GOING TO EAT, HOW I'M GOING TO FEED MY FAMILY.

ONCE WE BEGIN TO EDUCATE THOSE PEOPLE IN OUR DISTRICT, THEN IT'S GOING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO HOW WE SEE THE TURNOUT AND HOW LAWS ARE GOING TO BE CHANGED BECAUSE NOW PEOPLE ARE INFORMED, THEY'RE INSPIRED.

>> MS. RATTIGAN.

>> I BELIEVE THAT THE DEMOCRATS DID EVERYTHING THAT THEY COULD WITH DOING PUSHBACK AGAINST THESE BILLS THAT WERE CREATING CULTURE WARS DURING THIS PAST SESSION.

AS A LEGISLATIVE THE AIDE, WHAT INSPIRED ME TO RUN IS THE DON'T SAY GAY BILL, ALSO HOUSE BILL 1, THE COMBATING PUBLIC DISORDER.

BUT I THINK WHAT WE SHOULD BE DOING MORE OF IS BEING ABLE TO RECRUIT YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN POLITICS TO BE THE ABLE TO ALLOW THEM TO HAVE A PLATFORM TO BE HEARD.

BUT NOT ONLY THAT, ALLOW THEM TO BE A PART OF THE CONVERSATION.

>> AND THERE IS A FOLLOW-UP QUESTION.

HOW WOULD YOU ASSESS, CRITIQUE GOVERNOR RON DeSANTIS' POLICY AND RECORD ON ISSUES OF RACE AND EQUALITY?

START ISING WITH MR. FRANKLIN.

STARTING WITH.

>> I BELIEVE THAT THE GOVERNOR NEEDS SOME ADDITIONAL ADVISERS TO HELP HIM.

HE DOES SEEM TO BE COMPLETELY OUT OF TOUCH.

AND SO HE NEEDS TO SURROUND HIMSELF WITH FOLKS TO BE ABLE TO MAKE BETTER DECISIONS.

THIS LAST YEAR AND A HALF EVERY SINGLE POLICY THAT A HE'S SPOKEN ABOUT, THAT HE'S PUSHED FOR TO PASS HAVE ABSOLUTELY LEFT MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES, COMMUNITIES OF COLOR, YOU KNOW, THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY COMPLETELY OUT OF THE SPACE OF BEING PROTECTED.

SO I BELIEVE THAT HE NEEDS TO DO A BETTER JOB -- >> MR. BROWN?

>> I BELIEVE IT'S POOR.

WE CAN JUST LOOK AT THOSE TWO BILLS, AND PART OF OUR ISSUE IS THAT WE NEED TO, THE GOVERNOR NEEDS TO REMEMBER HE'S THE GOVERNOR ALL OF FLORIDA.

IT SEEMS LIKE THAT DOESN'T EVEN COME UP ANYMORE.

GOVERNORS USED TO TALK ABOUT ONCE THEY WIN, I WANT TO BE THE GOVERNOR FOR THE ENTIRE STATE.

AND THEY GO TO AREAS THAT OTHERX NEWS.

COME OVER AND TALK.

A LOT OF US LISTEN TO CNN AND TO OTHER PROGRAMS.

TALK TO US SOME AND TRY TO REPRESENT EVERYONE.

THAT, AS A STATE LEGISLATOR, THAT WILL BE WHAT I DO.

NOT JUST DISTRICT 8, BUT REPRESENT EVEN THOSE THAT DON'T VOTE FOR ME BECAUSE THEY'RE STILL CITIZENS, THEY STILL PAY TAXES, AND THEY STILL DESERVE THE PROTECTIONS OF OUR GOVERNMENT.

>> MR. JAMES?

>> WELL, I WOULD RATE IT VERY POORLY, AND I WOULD TAKE TO HEART TO KNOW THAT UNTIL YOU SIT WHERE I SIT, YOU WOULD NEVER UNDERSTAND WHAT I UNDERSTAND.

SO THAT MEANS THOSE OF US WHO ARE SERVING IN LEADERSHIP MUST SIT DOWN, AND WE MUST HAVE CANDID CONVERSATIONS WITH OUR GOVERNOR TO MET HIM UNDERSTAND AND SHARE WITH HIM THE NEEDS OF OUR PEOPLE TO LET HIM KNOW WHAT IS IMPORTANT FOR US AND TO BE ABLE TO CREATE THE DIALOGUE THAT NEEDS TO BE CREATED SO THAT HE CAN SEE THAT IT'S ABOUT ALL OF PEOPLE.

AND WHEN YOU DECIDE TO MAKE LAWS AND YOU VETO BILLS, IT AFFECTS US IN A VERY DAMAGING WAY.

SO I WILL BE GOING TO SIT AND HAVE THOSE HEART TO HEART CONVERSATIONS TO LET YOU KNOW THAT, HEY, THIS IS NEEDS, AND THIS IS HOW IMPORTANT IT IS THAT YOU ADDRESS THEM.

>> MS. RATTIGAN?

>> THROUGH ME TICKLATION -- MATRICULATION THROUGH PUBLIC SCHOOL AND FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY, WE RECEIVED GRADES ON A REPORT CARD, AND ILL GIVE RON DeSANTIS AN F ON HIS REPORT CARD FOR ATTACKING FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS THAT EVERYBODY DESERVES TO HAVE.

BECAUSE WE KNOW ALL FLORIDIANS DESERVE TO BE HEALTHY, PROSPEROUS AND SAFE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> OKAY.

LET'S START WITH YOU, MARIE RATTIGAN.

AND THIS IS KIND OF STAYING ON A COMMENT THAT YOU JUST MADE ABOUT ACADEMIC FREEDOM.

SO WE KNOW THAT THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE PASSED AND GOVERNOR RON DeSANTIS SIGNED INTO HAW A BILL THAT MAKES -- LAW A BILL THAT MAKES IT HARDER FOR FACULTY AT OUR STATE UNIVERSITIES TO RETAIN TENURE.

AND THEN WHEN THE ACCREDITATION AGENCIES RAISED QUESTIONS ABOUT ACADEMIC FREEDOM IN FLORIDA, LEGISLATURE WENT ON TO PASS A BILL REQUIRING SCHOOLS TO CHANGE ACCREDIT TO HAVES.

ACCREDITORS.

SO MY QUESTION IS, IS STATE GOVERNMENT A THREAT TO ACADEMIC FREEDOM AT OUR STATE UNIVERSITIES?

45 SECS.

SECONDS.

>> YES.

I BELIEVE THE TEACHERS ARE BEING TRAINED, AND THEY GO TO SCHOOL TO BE ABLE TO TEACH.

AND I THINK WE NEED TO SOP INTERJECTING THAT INTO WHAT THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO BE DOING, WHAT THEY WENT TO SCHOOL FOR, THEIR TRAINING.

>> THANK YOU.

GALLOP FRANKLIN, YOUR ANSWER, PLEASE?

>> YES.

AS A STATE -- AS AN EMPLOYEE OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA AND AS A MEMBER OF THE COLLEGE OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES AT FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY, TENURE SHOULD NOT BE TOUCHED.

THERE'S OTHER STATES HALF TRIED TO CHANGE HOW TENURE HAPPENED AFTER YOU'VE ALREADY ARE RECEIVED ENYOUR TO REQUALIFY.

IT BECOMES A COMPLETE INEFFICIENT PROCESS THAT ENDS UP COSTING MORE MONEY THAN -- [INAUDIBLE] IMPACTING THE OUTCOMES.

SO I DON'T AGREE WITH THAT.

AND YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT, RIGHT NOW IN THIS SPACE I HAVE MORE CAPABILITY AND CAPACITY WITHIN HIGHER EDUCATION THAN GOVERNOR DOES BECAUSE I'M A FORMER MEMBER OF THE -- [INAUDIBLE] AND A FORMER MEMBER OF THE FLORIDA BOARD OF GOVERNORS AS WELL.

AS HE'S -- TO THE SPACE, I WAS A PART OF DECISION THE AND THE REASONS WHY OUR SYSTEM IS WHERE IT IS NOW.

AND SO THESE TYPE OF COMMITMENTS HE'S TRYING TO MAKE IS GOING TO DERAIL OUR PROCESS AS A SYSTEM.

>> THANK YOU.

AND, MR. BROWN.

>> EXCUSE ME.

MRS. A -- THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE ATTACK ON OUR EVENERS AT THE UNIVERSITY LEVEL AS WELL AS AT THE SECONDARY LEVELS SCHOOL CHILDREN IN K-12.

BECAUSE WHAT -- WITHOUT A TEACHER'S ABILITY TO EVEN CHILDREN HOW TO CRITICALLY THINK, YOU BECOME SOMEONE THAT GAINS CONTROL OVER THEIR MIND AND HOW IS KNOWN IN THE INDUSTRY.

ONCE YOU CONTROL SOMEONE'S THOUGHTS AND DON'T GIVE THEM A CHANCE TO DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN WHAT IS WITH TRUE AND NOT TRUE, THAT IS A WAY TO AN AUTHORITARIAN TYPE OF GOVERNMENT.

SO ANYONE WHO DO NOT WANT AUTHORITARIAN TYPE GOVERNMENT WILL WANT TO OUR TEACHERS TO BE ABLE TO OPENLY TEACH OUR STUDENTS TO BE ABLE TO CRITICALLY THINK.

>> THANK YOU.

AND, MR. JAMES.

>> AS WE CAN SEE, OUR TEACHERS ARE URN GREAT WITH PRESSURE.

AND TO SEE WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH STATE GOVERNMENT WHEN IT COMES TO PLACING A THREAT ON THEM, IT MAKES IT EVEN MORE UNBEARABLE.

I THINK WHAT HAS TO HAPPEN EVEN MORE, WE'VE GOT TO FIGHT HARD TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE COMFORTABLE IN DOING WHAT WHAT THEY'RE DOING.

I MEAN, WHEN WE LOOK AT THE IMPACT ON THE LIVES OF PEOPLE WHO THEY COME IN CONTACT WITH AND TO BE CONSIDERED ALMOST AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAY SCALE, THERE IS SO MUCH WE'VE GOT TO DO TO INSURE THAT THEY'RE TREATED FAIRLY AND NOT FEELING A THREAT WHEN THE LEADERSHIP ROLE HAS THE LAST SAY SO -- [INAUDIBLE] >> WELL, FOLKS, GUESS WHAT?

YOU HAVE REACHED THE FINAL QUESTION BEFORE WE GO INTO OUR CLOSING STATEMENTS.

I CAN SEE THE RELIEF, IT'S PALPABLE ON YOUR FACES RIGHT NOW.

OUR FINAL QUESTION, THAT -- 45 SECONDS FOR EACH OF YOU.

FLORIDA LEGISLATURE, AS WE'VE ALREADY KIND OF INDICATED MANY SOME OF OUR OTHER TOPICS HERE, HAS PREEMPTED LOCAL AUTHORITIES ON ISSUES SUCH AS WORKER BENEFITS, GUN CONTROL, ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS JUST TO NAME A FEW.

SHOULD THE BALANCE OF POWER BETWEEN THE STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS BE REDEFINED?

45 SECONDS, AND, GREGORY JAMES, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> WELL, WHEN WE LOOK AT THE POWER, DEFINITELY WE NEED TO REDEFINE IT.

I MEAN, I FEEL AND BELIEVE THAT WHEN YOU REDESCRIBE IT CONCERN REDEFINE IT, YOU PUT IT BACK IN THE HANDS OF THOSE WHO ARE DEALING WITH GOVERNMENT ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS.

PEOPLE WHO ARE OUT OF TOUCH WITH WHAT HAPPENS IN OUR COMMUNITY MAKE DECISIONS THAT A REALLY IMPACT PEOPLE WITHOUT EVEN KNOWING WHAT THEY'RE DOING.

BUT WE'VE GOT TO REDEFINE IT SO THAT PEOPLE CAN UNDERSTAND THAT GOVERNMENT IS GOVERNMENT BY THE PEOPLE, FOR THE PEOPLE.

SO, YES, REDEFINE IT.

WE HAVE GOT TO.

>> OKAY.

MARIE RATTIGAN.

>> I WOULD SAY THAT WE DEFINITELY HAVE TO REDEFINE IT.

REDEFINE WHAT POWER EVEN LOOKS LIKE, BECAUSE WHAT I TRULY BELIEVE, THE PEOPLE HAVE MORE POWER THAN PEOPLE IF POWER.

AND AS LONG AS WE CONTINUE TO USE OUR VOICE AND BE VOCAL ABOUT ISSUES THAT AFFECT US, WE'LL BE ABLE TO SHIFT THE NARRATIVE.

>> OKAY.

GALLOP FRANKLIN?

>> YOU REPEAT THAT QUESTION AGAIN, PLEASE?

>> CERTAINLY.

FLORIDA LEGISLATURE HAS BEEN ON A PREEMPTION BINGE AS SOME PEOPLE HAVE SUGGESTED OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS IN SUCH THINGS AS ENVIRONMENTAL RULES AND REGULATIONS AND GUN CONTROL AND SOME OTHER ITEMS WHEN IT COMES TO USURPING LOCAL JURISDICTION.

IT'S BEEN SUGGESTED.

SO DO YOU THINK THE BALANCE BETWEEN STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN FLORIDA SHOULD BE REDEFINED?

>> YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.

I COMPLETELY SUPPORT HOME RULE, WHICH MEANS THAT LOCAL GOVERNMENTS GET ELECTED BY THEIR LOCAL ARE CONSTITUENCIES TO PASS DAILY LAWS THAT OVERSEE THEIR LOCAL PEOPLE.

AND SO WITHIN THAT A SPACE THEY'RE NOT DOING THEIR JOB, THEN THE PEOPLE THERE HAVE THE RIGHT TO ELECT SOMEONE ELSE THAT WILL DO THE JOB.

SO I DON'T SUPPORT THE STATE OF FLORIDA CONTINUOUSLY GOING IN AND ESSENTIALLY TELLING MAYORS, TELLING CITY COMMISSIONERS AND TELLING COUNTY COMMISSIONERS HOW THEY SHOULD GOVERN THEIR CITY OR THEIR LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES.

I DO UNDERSTAND THERE ARE SOME SITUATIONS LIKE PEOPLE THAT MIGHT OWN PRIVATE PROPERTY.

AT THAT POINT SHOULD THE STATE BE SOMEWHAT INVOLVED WITH THE RIGHTS THAT YOU SHOULD HAVE IN REFERENCE TO OWNING THAT PROPERTY?

MAYBE THERE'S A CONVERSATION.

BUT I DO SUPPORT HOME RULE 95, 97% OF THE TIME BECAUSE I TRULY BELIEVE THAT MAYORS, CITY COMMISSIONERS, COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SHOULD GOVERN THEIR LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES.

>> OKAY, VERY GOOD.

AND WE'LL WRAP UP WITH YOU, MR. BROWN.

>> DEFINITELY WE NEED TO REESTABLISH THE RELATIONSHIP.

AND WE NEED TO REMIND REPUBLICANS THAT THEY USED TO BE FOR MORE HOPING CONTROL AND LESS CENTRALIZED GOVERNMENT AND EXPLAIN THAT TO THEM SO WE CAN GET BACK TO THEM BECAUSE WE DO HAVE TO WORK WITH HEM.

AND PART OF THE ISSUE IS THAT, GENERALLY, THE LOCAL LEADERS HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE PROBLEMS FOR THAT PARTICULAR COMMUNITY.

FOR EXAMPLE, IF WE GO BACK TO THE COVID, THE BEGINNING OF THAT, THE LOCAL PEOPLE KNEW WHERE THE HOT SPOTS WERE AND WHERE THEY NEED MORE CONTROL.

SO I BELIEVE THE STATE GOVERNMENT AS WELL AS THE FEDERAL SHOULD BE MORE PUTTING LIMITS OF SORTS AS TO WHAT IS NEEDED, NOT MAXIMUM.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

FOLKS, WE HAVE REACHED THE CONCLUSION OF THE FORUM AS FAR AS OUR SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ARE CONCERNED.

AND IN THIS FINAL WRAP-UP, YOU GET TO SPEAK DIRECTLY TO THE VOTERS AND KIND OF MAKE YOUR ELEVATOR PITCH,YOU WILL.

AND, YES, INDEED, IT CAN TAKE AN ENTIRE MINUTE TO GET PROSECUTE PLAZA LEVEL ALL THE WAY UP TO THE 22ND FLOOR, AS I'M SURE YOU ARE AWARE.

YOU'VE GOT VOTERS IN THAT ELEVATOR.

YOU CAN MENTION YOUR WEB SITE AND ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO IN ONE MINUTE.

AND WE'LL START WITH YOU, GALLOP FRANKLIN.

>> I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU E AGAIN FOR GIVING US THIS OPPORTUNITY THE TO HAVE A ROBUST DISCUSSION ON HOW TO MOVE THIS COMMUNITY FORWARD.

WE'RE FOCUSED ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, EDUCATION, HEALTH CARE.

AND WE HAVE REAL-LIFE EXPERIENCES DOING JUST THAT.

BY TRADE I'M A PARDON ME CYST.

I AM THE ONLY -- PHARMACIST.

I AM THE ONLY PERSON, ONLY WITH THE CANDIDATE WITH EXPERIENCE IN HEALTH CARE.

I'M A FACULTY MEMBER AND OVERSEE THE CURRICULUM COMMITTEE AT THE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC HEALTH AT FAMU.

EDUCATION'S WITHIN MY WHEELHOUSE.

I'M ALSO A SMALL BUSINESS OTHER THAN.

I'VE BEEN VERY INVOLVED IN CREATING JOBS AND GROWING SMALL BUSINESS HERE IN THIS REGION FOR A VERY LONG TIME NOW.

SO WE ARE A CAMPAIGN THAT'S PREPARED TO PROTECT PANEL U..

I'M A FORMER MEMBER OF BOARD OF TRUSTEES, BOARD OF ABOVES ALSO, SO THAT GIVES US THE INSIGHT NECESSARY TO SHOW WE CAN PROTECT THE RICH TRADITION AND LEGACY OF FAMU AS WELD.

GALLOPFRANKLIN,.ORG.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

HUBERT BROWN, YOU'RE UP.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON.

I REQUEST YOUR VOTE BECAUSE I'M SOMEONE WHO HAS LIVED THE STEPS THAT MOST OF THE CITIZENS OF DISTRICT 8 HAVE.

I GREW UP IN -- POOR IN A HOUSEHOLD THAT DID NOT HAVE ADEQUATE HOUSING, DIDN'T HAVE INDOOR PLUMBING FOR QUITE A WHILE WITH.

I GREW UP IN A SITUATION WHERE I HAD TO WORK THROUGH COLLEGE.

I GREW UP IN A SITUATION WHERE STARTING A BUSINESS AND KNOWING ALL THE COSTS AND PROBLEMS ANOTHER THAT.

AND BECAUSE OF THAT, WHEN CITIZENS COME TO ME AND EXPLAIN THEIR PROBLEMS, I KNOW ABOUT THOSE PROBLEMS.

I KNOW ABOUT HOW HELPING WITH AN ELDERLY PARENT.

MY MOTHER'S 98 YEARS OLD, SO I KNOW THAT WHEN THEY COME TO ME, THAT WE NEED TO GET THINGS DONE FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

I'M GOING TO FIGHT FOR IT, BECAUSE I KNOW HOW IT FEELS NOT TO HAVE ADEQUATE HOUSING.

I'M GOING TO NIGHT FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BECAUSE I KNOW THAT EVERY CITIZEN NEEDS TO HAVE A GOOD JOB.

I'M GOING TO FIGHT FOR EDUCATION BECAUSE I KNOW WITHOUT FAMU, I WOULD NOT BE WHERE I AM TO DATE.

I'M NOT THIS IS SOMETHING I HEARD ABOUT.

HIRE A LAWYER TO TO GO AND REPRESENT YOU.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

GREG ARELY JAMES, YOU'RE NEXT.

>> WELL, LISTEN, I ONLY HAVE A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME WITH YOU, SO LET ME SHARE WITH YOU.

I KNOW WHAT IT MEANS FOR DISTRICT 8 TO HAVE FABRICS TORN APART BECAUSE I WAS A PART OF THAT IN 1985.

I TORE THE FABRICS OF MY COMMUNITY APART, SENTENCED TO LIFE PLUS 40 YEARS.

I COULD HAVE EASILY WENT TO ANOTHER CITY WHERE NO ONE KNEW MY NAME AND STARTED TO LIVE MY LIFE ALL OVER AGAIN.

BUT BECAUSE I SAID TO MYSELF I'VE GOT TO COME BACK AND MEND THE FABRIC, I CAME BACK TO MY COMMUNITY, BACK TO DISTRICT 8, BACK TO THE COMMUNITY THAT I ONCE TORE APART AND STARTED WORKING.

SO FOR WELL OVER A DECADE CAN, I'VE BEEN FIGHTING FOR THINGS, ISSUES AND NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY, FIGHTINGINGING TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR COMMUNITY IS SAFE AGAIN, FIGHTING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE STOP CRIME IN OUR COMMUNITY, FIGHTING TO ORGANIZE LEADERS IN ONE PLACE SUCH AS THT FIVE YEARS THAT BRING OVER 700 PEOPLE TOGETHER.

FIGHTING TO MAKE SURE THAT EX-FELONS HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE AGAIN.

THAT WAS THROUGH AMENDMENT 4.

AND WHEN YOU VOTE FOR ME, YOU'RE VOTING FOR A CANDIDATE WHO KNOWS HOW TO FIGHT AND FIGHT.

VISIT OUR WEB SITE, GREG JAMES FOR HOUSE DISTRICT 8.COM.

>> MARIE RATTIGAN, YOU GET THE LAST WORD.

>> YEAH.

IS SO THIS PAST SESSION I WAS A LEGISLATIVE THE AIDE, SO I HAD A FRONT ROW SEAT ON HOW LAWS WERE BEING CRAFTED TO DIRECTLY IMA PACT EVERYDAY, WORKING CLASS PEOPLE.

AND BECAUSE OF THAT, I DECIDED TO PUT IN MY TWO WEEKS AND MAKE THAT SACRIFICE BECAUSE I MOW THAT THE PEOPLE OF HOUSE DISTRICT 8 NEED SOMEONE WHO'S GOING TO BE AN ADVOCATE FOR THEM, A CONTINUED VOICE FOR THEM BUT ALSO BE ABLE TO MAKE THAT SACRIFICE FOR THEIR EVERYDAY NEEDS.

RUNNING IS NEW TO ME, BUT ADVOCATING FOR THE PEOPLE IS TRUE TO ME.

IT'S WHAT I'VE BEEN DOING.

I'M A COMMUNITY ORGANIZER.

I'VE HELPED WITH AMENDMENT 4.

I'VE GAL GALVANIZED STUDENTS TO THE POLL, HOST PANELS ABOUT POLITICAL EDUCATION AND THE TIME THAT WE'RE IN, HAD A LAWSUIT AGAINST GOVERNOR RON DeSANTIS AND REFERENCED HOUSE BILL 1 AND THE COMBATING PUBLIC DISORDER AND WON.

SO THE PEOPLE NEED SOMEONE THAT'S GOING TO FIGHT FOR THEM, THAT'S NOT GOING TO BE BOUGHT OUT BY THE NRA, THAT'S NOT GOING TO BE THERE WHEN THEY NEED TO CAST A VOTE WHETHER THAT'S GREEN FOR YES OR N FOR NO.

I'LL BE THAT PERSON FOR YOU.

AND YOU CAN VISIT ME AT MARIE FOR FLORIDA.COM AND ON SOCIAL MEDIA, TWITTER, TIKTOK, INSTAGRAM@MARIE RATTIGAN OR MARIE FOR FLORIDA.

>> THAT'S IT.

THANK YOU TO THE TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT, THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF TALLAHASSEE, WFSU PUBLIC MEDIA AND OUR CANDIDATES FOR JOINING US FOR THE PROGRAM P. YOU CAN FIND A REPLAY OF THE FORUM ON OUR YouTUBE PAGES, TALLAHASSEE.COM AND WFSU.ORG.

THE RECORDED BROADCAST SET TO HIT YOUR RADIO THURSDAY, AUGUST 4TH AT 11 A.M. ON WFSU, 88.9 FM.

>> AND OUR NEXT LIVE WEB STREAM FORUM WILL BE THURSDAY, JULY THE 28TH, AT 1 P.M. AND IT WILL BE THE SEVENTH CANDIDATE -- SEVEN CANDIDATES FOR THE LEON COUNTY COMMISSION DISTRICT 2 RACE.

RUNNING FOR THAT SEAT ARE SABRINA M. ALLEN, LINDA GAYLE BELL, CHRISTIAN KC -- HANNA CROWE, WILLIAM LINDSAY CROWLEY, MAC EPSTEIN AND MANNY -- >> AND YOU CAN LOOK FOR OUR SPECIAL ELECTION SECTION OF THE TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT WITH INTERVIEWS OF ALL THE CANDIDATES ON THE BALLOT WHICH WILL BE PRINTED AND INSERTED ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 7TH.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING, THANK YOU TO THE CANDIDATES FOR PARTICIPATING AND TO WFSU PUBLIC MEDIA CREW FOR BEING HERE.

EVERYONE, HAVE A GREAT DAY.