http://www.lscu.coop/content/download/22332/262346/LSCUStateLegislativeVotersGuideFL

Know Before You Vote!

2010 Florida State Legislative Issues Voter’s Guide on Key Credit Union Issues

2010 Florida State Legislative Issues As not-for-profit financial institutions owned entirely by the members they serve, credit unions are not just structured differently than other financial institutions, they are different. That difference can be measured by lower rates on loans, higher rates on savings, fewer and lower fees, and a mentality of treating the people they serve like an owner, not just an account number. This focus on members, rather than profits, has generally kept credit unions safe while other types of financial institutions face significant problems and seek government bail-outs.

Throughout the recent economic crisis, consumers, the media, and lawmakers have seen credit unions as the bright spot in an otherwise gloomy picture. However, this positive image does not insulate credit unions from the threat of onerous legislation and regulation, either of which can hinder our ability to serve our members. Nor does our success guarantee the ability of credit unions to make changes to existing laws in order to improve how we serve members.

The League of Southeastern Credit Unions (LSCU) Governmental Affairs Department, along with the Governmental Affairs Committee (GAC), is working to develop a proactive legislative agenda for 2011. Ultimately, our success depends on how lawmakers view our issues, and whether they are willing to support them. Although we can never know every issue that may be raised during a legislative session, we do know what some of the bigger issues may be.

Based on that, the League sent questionnaires to all incumbents and candidates for the state House and Senate, asking for their position on some of our bigger issues. The next page outlines the questions we asked and an explanation of why the question was important. Each incumbent or candidate who responded has had their responses listed, so you can see where they stand on some of our priority issues. We have also included an answer key to better understand each answer.

The LSCU is the credit union trade association, formed by joining the Alabama and Florida Credit Union Leagues into one association representing credit unions in both states. We represent over 300 credit unions who serve more than 6.5 million members.

In addition to the candidate surveys for the State House and Senate, the LSCU has also compiled a scorecard of our Congressional delegations in Washington. This allows you to quickly see how your member of Congress voted on issues that are important to credit unions. You can find the scorecard on the LSCU website at www.lscu.coop/Governmental-Affairs/ Campaigns-and-Elections. We hope you find both voter guides useful as you head to the polls November 2.

Patrick La Pine President/CEO League of Southeastern Credit Unions

2010 Florida Leadership Spotlight CUPAC Board of Trustees Key Endorsements on Statewide Races

Alex Sink (D) Governor

Adam Putnam (R) Commissioner of Agriculture

Jeff Atwater (R) Chief Financial Officer

Key Pro Credit Union Leaders Representative Janet Adkins (R-12) is perceived as a rising star and has proven herself to be a strong credit union supporter during her first term in the House. She has maintained an account at VyStar CU for nearly 40 years. Her knowledge of credit union issues is deep and broad.

Representative Dean Cannon (R-35), as Speaker-Designate, is one of the three most powerful individuals in Florida politics (along with the Governor and Senate President). He will shape the work product of the Florida House and will be the final arbiter of all issues in the House.

Cannon has always been accessible to credit unions and has been willing to meet with us regularly.

Representative Erik Fresen (R-111) also considered up and coming in the Florida House, Fresen’s understanding of credit union issues is based on first-hand knowledge; he worked for the League’s Service Corporation during his undergraduate years at FSU. He hit the ground running when first elected and made a bid for Speaker-Designate, which could be still in play.

Senator Mike Haridopolos (R-26), as Senate President-Designate, sets the agenda for the Chamber and nothing occurs without his permission or assent. He has proven himself to be friendly to credit unions over the years and can be counted on to reduce regulatory burdens on businesses, including credit unions.

2010 Candidate Survey Questions The following are four questions that were posed to candidates for the State House of Representatives and State Senate, along with some background information on the issue. The incumbents’/candidates’ answers are listed, along with an answer key detailing what the different answers mean. Some candidates indicated support for issues, but stated they needed additional information on specifics of any legislation, while some did not answer specific questions, citing the need for additional information before they would make a determination. We have indicated such responses through the legend at the bottom of this page.

Question 1 If elected, would you support maintaining the corporate income tax exemption for state-chartered credit unions?

Background - Credit unions are not-for-profit, financial cooperatives owned by their members. All money not needed to operate the credit union is returned to members in the form of lower rates on loans, higher rates on savings, lower fees, and dividends paid to members.

Because of their unique structure and operation, credit unions are exempted from paying corporate income taxes, although they do pay other forms of State taxes including payroll and property tax. Because they are owned by their members, any new tax on credit unions would be a tax on the individual members. An answer of YES means the candidate supports the credit union position.

Question 2 If elected, would you support additional statutory changes to eliminate unnecessary regulations as well as allow credit unions to expand the products and services they can offer their members?

Background - Like other financial institutions, credit unions are highly regulated on the State and Federal level. Some of these laws and regulations ensure safety and soundness of credit unions, while others are designed to ensure consumer protection. However, many laws and regulations are out-of-date, duplicate other requirements, or create unnecessary barriers to the ability of credit unions to meet the needs of members with flexibility. When credit unions first began to offer checking accounts to their members in the 1970s, there was much opposition from banks who claimed credit unions should only be able to offer deposit accounts, and credit unions have had to pass legislation to be able to offer their members many of the services that are now commonplace. It is important that credit unions be allowed to update their services to keep pace with the advances in financial services and meet members’ needs.

An answer of YES means the candidate supports the credit union position.

Question 3 If elected, would you support data security legislation to make those responsible for a data breach be responsible for the costs associated with the breach?

Background - Each year, credit unions and other financial institutions pay millions of dollars that are lost as a result of some merchants mishandling sensitive consumer information found on debit and credit cards. These losses are often caused by companies failing to follow required security measures, yet it is the credit union and the consumer who end up paying for the problems. The LSCU supports legislation that would prohibit the storage of card data; PIN numbers; and security codes from credit or debit cards.

Merchants could be required to reimburse financial institutions for the cancellation or re-issuance of cards, closing of accounts, fraud losses and notification of cardholders. These proposals give retailers added incentive to protect consumers’ information. An answer of YES means the candidate supports the credit union position.

Question 4 If elected, would you support efforts to include credit unions as permissible depositories [of public funds]?

Background - As local units of government look to minimize fees and increase their return on deposits and investments, credit unions are well positioned to offer competitive rates. Credit unions are financially sound, historically offer better rates on deposits, and are federally insured. However, under current State law, the State, local units of government, and school districts are prohibited from depositing funds in State-chartered credit unions. This removes an important option for State and municipal agencies, which could benefit from increased choices and the competitive rates of credit unions. An answer of YES means the candidate supports the credit union position.

Answer Key * by Name Indicates an incumbent. If neither candidate is shown as an incumbent, it indicates an open seat race.

NR

Indicates no response to the question.

YES Indicates support for the credit union position.

Yes* Indicates support for the credit union position, but qualified answer, or stated that it would depend on specifics of possible legislation.

NO Indicates lack of support for the credit union position.

No* Indicates lack of support for the credit union position, but qualified answer or stated that it would depend on specifics of possible legislation.

Info

Indicates candidate did not answer one way or the other, citing the need for additional information on the issue.

Florida State Senate Information Florida Political Structure

By the Numbers

House Members

120

Senate Members

40

Term

Senate - 4 Years (Term Limits at 2) House - 2 Years (Term Limits at 4)

Florida’s four statewide Cabinet officers are the Governor, Attorney General, Chief Financial Office and Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services. All the cabinet members are elected for four year terms and are termed out after two terms. They are elected in the even years when there is not a presidential election.

2010 Florida State Senate Candidate Information

DISTRICT Candidate

2010 Florida State Senate Candidate Information

Supports Credit Tax Union Data Public Exemption Flexibility Security Deposits

2

Greg Evers (R) Christopher Crawford (T)

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

4

Don Gaetz (R)*

NR

NR

NR

NR

6

David Abrams (NPA) Harrison Arencibian (WRI) Bill Montford (D) John Shaw (R)

NR NR YES NR

NR NR YES NR

NR NR YES NR

NR NR YES NR

8

Deborah Gianoulis (D) Rebecca A. Holcomb (WRI) John Thrasher (R)*

NR NR NR

NR NR NR

NR NR NR

NR NR NR

10

Victoria Brake (WRI) Ronda Storms (R)*

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

12

Derek Crabb (WRI) Jim Norman (R) Kimberley Respie (WRI)

NR NR NR

NR NR NR

NR NR NR

NR NR NR

14

Perry McGriff (D) Steve Oelrich (R)*

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

16

Nina Hayden (D) Jack Latvala (R)

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

18

Arthenia Joyner (D)*

NR

NR

NR

NR

20

Alan Hays (R) Eunice Garbutt (D)

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

22

David Simmons (R)

NR

NR

NR

NR

24

Thad Altman (R)* Steve Edmonds (NPA)

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

25

Ellyn Bogdanof (R) Miranda Rosenberg (NPA) Kelly Skidmore (D)

NR NR NR

NR NR NR

NR NR NR

NR NR NR

26

MikeHaridopolos (R)*

NR

NR

NR

NR

27

Lizbeth Benacquisto (R) Kevin Rader (D)

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

DISTRICT Candidate

Supports Credit Tax Union Data Public Exemption Flexibility Security Deposits

28

Joe Negron (R)*

NR

NR

NR

NR

30

Maria Sachs (D)*

NR

NR

NR

NR

32

Patrick Laffey (R) Jeremy Ring (D)*

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

34

Nan Rich (D)*

NR

NR

NR

NR

35

Gwen Margolis (D) Corey Poitier (NPA)

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

36

Luisa Artiles (WRI) Miguel Diaz de la Portilla (R) Alberto Fortes (WRI)

NR NR NR

NR NR NR

NR NR NR

NR NR NR

38

Anitere Flores (R) Les Gerson (D)

NR YES

NR YES

NR YES

NR YES

40

Alexis Dominguez (WRI) Rene Garcia (R)

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

Party Affiliation Key D Democrat R Republican WRI Write-In Candidate NPA No Party Affiliation L Libertarian T Tea Party

Florida State House Information 2010 Florida State House Candidate Information Supports Credit Tax Union Data Public DISTRICT Candidate Exemption Flexibility Security Deposits

2010 Florida State House Candidate Information Supports Credit Tax Union Data Public DISTRICT Candidate Exemption Flexibility Security Deposits

1

Doug Broxson (R) Mattias Venditto (NPA)

YES NR

YES NR

YES NR

YES NR

24

Dennis Baxley (R) Michael Hageloh (D)

YES YES

YES YES

YES Yes*

YES Yes*

2

Jeremy Bagnall (WRI) Clay Ingram (R)

NR YES

NR YES

NR YES

NR YES

25

Larry Metz (R) Frank Layne Wood (D)

YES NR

YES NR

YES NR

YES NR

3

Claudia Brown-Curry (D) Clay Ford (R)*

NR YES

NR YES

NR YES

NR YES

26

Fed Costello (R) Tim Huth (D)

YES NR

YES NR

YES NR

YES NR

4

Matt Gaetz (R)*

NR

NR

NR

NR

5

Brad Drake (R)*

NR

NR

NR

NR

27

Christopher Kennedy (NPA) Dewayne Taylor (D)*

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

6

John McDonald (D) Jimmy Patronis (R)*

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

28

Richard Dembinsky (WRI) Dorothy Hukill (R)*

NR YES

NR YES

NR YES

NR Info

7

Marti Coley* (R) David Pleat (D)

YES YES

YES YES

YES YES

YES YES

29

Tom Goodson (R)

YES

YES

YES

YES

8

Alan Williams (D)*

NR

NR

NR

NR

30

Amy Tidd (D) Ritch Workman (R)*

YES YES

YES YES

YES YES

YES YES

9

Kirk Headley-Perdue (R) Michelle RehwinkleVasilinda (D)*

NR YES

NR Info

NR YES

NR YES

31

Jodi James (D) John Tobia (R)*

NR YES

NR YES

NR YES

NR YES

32

Steve Crisafulli (R)*

YES

YES

YES

YES

10

Leonard Bembrey (D)* Robert Feigin (R)

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

33

NR NR NR

NR NR NR

NR NR NR

NR NR NR

YES YES YES

YES YES YES

YES YES Yes*

Yes* YES YES

11

Debbie Boyd (D) John Ferentinos (T) Elizabeth Porter (R)

Jason Brodeur (R) Leo Cruz (D) Franklin Perez (L)

34

12

Janet Adkins (R)*

NR

NR

NR

NR

Steve Barnes (D) John DeVries(T) Chris Dorworth (R)*

NR NR NR

NR NR NR

NR NR NR

NR NR NR

13

Daniel Davis (R)

NR

NR

NR

NR

14

Mia Jones (D)

NR

NR

NR

NR

35

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR NR

NR NR NR

NR NR NR

NR NR NR

15

Reggie Fullwood (D) Randy Smith (R)

Dean Cannon (R)* Amy Mercado (D) Nina Virone (T)

16

Dave Baldwin (NPA) Charles McBurney (R)*

NR YES

NR YES

NR YES

NR YES

36

Lawanna Gelzer (NPA) Larry Limbaugh (WRI) Scott Randolph (D)* Greg Reynolds (R)

NR NR NR NR

NR NR NR NR

NR NR NR NR

NR NR NR NR

17

Lake Ray (R)* John Rosso (WRI)

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

37

Scott Plakon (R)*

NR

NR

NR

NR

18

Tom Collins (D) “Doc” Renuart (R)*

YES YES

YES YES

YES YES

YES YES

38

James Heinzelman (T) Bryan Nelson (R)*

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

19

Mike Weinstein (R)*

NR

NR

NR

NR

39

Geraldine Thompson (D)*

NR

NR

NR

NR

20

Doug Courtney (D) Bill Proctor (R)*

Info Info

YES Info

Info Info

YES Info

21

Charles VanZant (R)

NR

NR

NR

NR

22

Jon Paugh (D) Keith Perry (R)

YES NR

YES NR

YES NR

Yes* NR

23

Chuck Chestnut (D)*

NR

NR

NR

NR

Florida State House Information 2010 Florida State House Candidate Information

DISTRICT Candidate

2010 Florida State House Candidate Information

Supports Credit Tax Union Data Public Exemption Flexibility Security Deposits

40

Todd Christian (D) Darin Dunmire (T) Eric Eisnaugle (R)*

NR NR NR

NR NR NR

NR NR NR

NR NR NR

41

Doug Lee (D) Jon Foley (T) Steve Precourt (R)*

NR NR NR

NR NR NR

NR NR NR

42

Marlene O’Toole (R)* Jeff Shoobridge (NPA)

NR YES

NR YES

43

Jimmmie T. Smith (R)

NR

44

Diane Rowden (D) Rob Schenck (R)*

45

DISTRICT Candidate

Supports Credit Tax Union Data Public Exemption Flexibility Security Deposits

59

Betty Reed (D)*

NR

NR

NR

NR

60

Shawn Harrison (R) Russ Patterson (D)

YES YES

YES YES

YES YES

YES YES

NR NR NR

61

Elena McCullough (D) Will Weatherford (R)*

YES YES

YES YES

YES YES

YES YES

NR YES

NR YES

62

Rich Glorioso (R)*

NR

NR

NR

NR

63

Seth McKeel (R)*

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

NR

64

YES NR

YES NR

YES NR

YES NR

Carol Castagnero (D) Kelli Stargel (R)*

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

65

John Wood (R)*

YES

YES

YES

YES

Richard Cocoran (R)

YES

YES

YES

YES

66

Ben Albritton (R)

Info

Info

Info

Info

46

John Legg (R)*

NR

NR

NR

NR

47

James Grant (R) Michael Steinberg (D)

YES NR

YES NR

YES NR

Yes* NR

67

Z.J. Hafeez (D) Greg Steube (R) John Studebaker (R)

YES YES YES

YES YES YES

YES YES YES

YES YES YES

YES NR

YES NR

YES NR

YES NR

68

Jim Boyd (R)

NR

NR

NR

NR

48

Tom McKone (D) Peter Nehr (R)*

69

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

NR YES

NR YES

NR YES

NR YES

49

Betty LaChance (NPA) Daren Soto (D)*

Keith Fitzgerald (D)* Ray Pilon (R)

70

YES NR

YES NR

YES NR

YES NR

NR YES

NR YES

NR YES

NR YES

50

Ed Hooper (R)* Shelly Leonard (D)

Nancy Feehan (D) Doug Holder (R)*

71

Ken Roberson (R)*

Info

Info

Info

Info

NR NR NR

NR NR NR

NR NR NR

NR NR NR

72

Paige Kreegel (R)*

NR

NR

NR

NR

51

Larry Ahern (R) Janet Long (D)* Victoria Torres (T)

73

Matt Caldwell (R) Cole Peacock (D)

YES YES

YES YES

YES YES

YES YES

52

Jeff Brandes (R) Bill Heller (D)*

NR YES

NR YES

NR YES

NR YES

74

Gary Aubuchon (R)*

NR

NR

NR

NR

YES YES

YES YES

Yes* YES

YES YES

Stephen Cosgrove (NPA) Trudy Williams (R)*

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

53

Thomas Cuba (R) Rick Kriseman (D)*

75 76

Kathleen Passidomo (R)

NR

NR

NR

NR

54

Jim Frishe (R)* Mary Russell (D)

YES YES

YES Info

YES YES

Info Info

77

Denise Grimsley (R)*

NR

NR

NR

NR

78

Steve Perman (D)

NR

NR

NR

NR

55

Joseph Graser (WRI) Darryl Rouson (D)*

NR YES

NR YES

NR YES

NR YES

79

YES YES NR

YES YES NR

YES YES NR

YES Maybe NR

NR NR NR

NR NR NR

NR NR NR

NR NR NR

56

Rachel Burgin (R)* David Chelala (D) Lewis Laricchia (WRI)

Jose Alvarez (T) Danny Davis (WRI) Eddie Freeman (D)

57

Stacy Frank (D) Dana Young (R)

YES YES

YES YES

YES YES

YES YES

58

Janet Cruz (D)* Joe Redner (NPA)

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

Florida State House Information 2010 Florida State House Candidate Information

DISTRICT Candidate

2010 Florida State House Candidate Information

Supports Credit Tax Union Data Public Exemption Flexibility Security Deposits

80

Debbie Mayfield (R)* Derek Muller (WRI)

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

81

Adam Fetterman (D)* Gayle Harrell (R)

NR YES

NR YES

NR YES

NR YES

82

Will Snyder (R)*

NR

NR

NR

NR

83

Mark Marciano (D) Pat Rooney (R)

YES NR

YES NR

YES NR

84

Bernard “Mack” Mackenson (D)*

YES

YES

85

Joe Abruzzo (D)*

YES

86

Lori Berman (D)

DISTRICT Candidate

Supports Credit Tax Union Data Public Exemption Flexibility Security Deposits

102

Eddy Gonzalez (R)* Cali Vallejo (WRI)

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

103

Oscar Braynon (D)*

YES

YES

YES

YES

104

John Patrick Julien (D)

YES

YES

YES

YES

105

Joe Gibbons (D)*

YES

YES

YES

YES

YES NR

106

Richard Steinberg (D)*

NR

NR

NR

NR

YES

YES

107

Gus Barreiro (R) Luis Garcia (D)*

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

YES

YES

YES

108

Daphne Campbell (D)

NR

NR

NR

NR

YES

YES

YES

YES

109

Cynthia Stafford (D)

NR

NR

NR

NR

YES NR

Info NR

Info NR

Info NR

110

Steve Bovo (R)*

NR

NR

NR

NR

87

Bill Hager (R) Hava Holzhauer (D)

111

NR YES

NR YES

NR YES

NR YES

NR YES

NR YES

NR YES

NR Info

88

Maria Carter (WRI) Mark Pafford (D)*

Cristina Albright (D) Erik Fresen (R)*

112

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

YES NR

YES NR

YES NR

YES NR

89

Jeff Clemens (D) Steven Rosenberg (R)

Jeanette Nunez (R) Sandra Ruiz (D)

NR YES

NR YES

NR YES

NR YES

113

90

Alison Rampersad (R) Irv Slosberg (D)

Alex Cruzet (D) Waldo Faura (NPA) Carlos Lopez-Cantera (R)*

NR NR YES

NR NR YES

NR NR YES

NR NR YES

91

George Moraitis (R) Barbra Stern (D)

YES NR

YES NR

YES NR

YES NR

114

Millie Herrera (D) Ana Rivas-Logan (R) Denny Wood (NPA)

YES YES NR

YES YES NR

YES Info NR

YES YES NR

92

Gwen Clarke-Reed (D)* Arthur Williams (WRI)

YES NR

YES NR

YES NR

YES NR

115

93

Perry Thurston (D)*

NR

NR

NR

NR

Jose Felix Diaz (R) Jeff Solomon (D) Christopher Blau (T)

NR YES NR

NR YES NR

NR YES NR

NR YES NR

94

Hazelle Rogers (D)* Evon Manning (WRI)

YES NR

YES NR

YES NR

YES NR

116

95

Jim Waldman (D)* Scott Yardley (R)

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

Alex Diaz (WRI) Carlos Trujillo (R) Montel Mauricio (WRI)

NR YES NR

NR YES NR

NR YES NR

NR YES NR

96

Ari Porth (D)*

YES

YES

YES

YES

117

Mike Bileca (R) Lisa Lesperance (D)

YES NR

YES NR

YES NR

YES NR

97

Marty Kiar (D)*

NR

NR

NR

NR

98

Kimberley Burgess (R) Franklin Sands (D)*

NR YES

NR YES

NR YES

NR YES

99

Elaine Schwartz (D)*

NR

NR

NR

NR

100

Edward Bender (NPA) Evan Jenne (D)*

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

NR NR

101

Matt Hudson (R)* Larry Wilcoxson (NPA)

NR YES

NR YES

NR YES

NR YES

Florida State House Information 2010 Florida State House Candidate Information

2010 Florida State House Candidate Information

Supports Credit Tax Union Data Public Exemption Flexibility Security Deposits

DISTRICT Candidate 118

Dwight Bullard (D)* Charlie Lopez (R)

YES NR

YES NR

YES NR

YES NR

119

Katie Edwards (D) Frank Artiles (R) Graziella Denny (NPA)

YES YES NR

YES YES NR

YES YES NR

YES YES NR

DISTRICT Candidate 120

Henry Llorea (T) Morgan McPherson (R) Ron Saunders (D)*

Supports Credit Tax Union Data Public Exemption Flexibility Security Deposits NR NR NR

NR NR NR

Answer Key * by Name NR

Indicates an incumbent. If neither candidate is shown as an incumbent, it indicates an open seat race.

Indicates no response to the question.

YES Indicates support for the credit union position.

Yes*

Indicates support for the credit union position, but qualified answer, or stated that it would depend on specifics of possible legislation.

NO

Indicates lack of support for the credit union position.

No*

Indicates lack of support for the credit union position, but qualified answer or stated that it would depend on specifics of possible legislation.

Info

Indicates candidate did not answer one way or the other, citing the need for additional information on the issue.

For any questions regarding the candidate survey, the state scorecard or credit union issues, contact: Patrick La Pine, President/CEO 866.231.0545 x1002 Mark Landreth, VP of Legislative Affairs 866.231.0545 x1012 Justin Thames, Grassroots & Political Action Coordinator 866.231.0545 x1010

NR NR NR

NR NR NR