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Billee Bussard

D
Quick Facts
Personal Details

Education

  • Attended, Jacksonville University
  • Attended, University of North Florida

Professional Experience

  • Attended, Jacksonville University
  • Attended, University of North Florida
  • Former Editorial Writer/Editor, Florida Times-Union
  • Former Reporter, Jacksonville Business Journal
  • Reporter/Features Editor, Jacksonville Journal

Political Experience

  • Attended, Jacksonville University
  • Attended, University of North Florida
  • Former Editorial Writer/Editor, Florida Times-Union
  • Former Reporter, Jacksonville Business Journal
  • Reporter/Features Editor, Jacksonville Journal
  • Volunteer Editor, Making Waves, Beaches Democratic Club
  • Volunteer Editor, The Inside Report, Duval County Democratic Party
  • Candidate, Florida State Senate, District 4, 2018

Religious, Civic, and other Memberships

  • Attended, Jacksonville University
  • Attended, University of North Florida
  • Former Editorial Writer/Editor, Florida Times-Union
  • Former Reporter, Jacksonville Business Journal
  • Reporter/Features Editor, Jacksonville Journal
  • Volunteer Editor, Making Waves, Beaches Democratic Club
  • Volunteer Editor, The Inside Report, Duval County Democratic Party
  • Candidate, Florida State Senate, District 4, 2018
  • Member, Duval County Democratic Executive Committee, 2006-present
  • Former President, Beaches Democratic Club
  • Campaign Manager, Bob Harms Congressional Campaign
  • Campaign Advisor, Dave Bruderly Congressional Campaign
  • Participant, Jacksonville Community Council Incorporated
  • Member, School Advisory Committee, Fletcher Middle School
  • Organizer, Women's March, 2017
Policy Positions

Florida State Legislative Election 2018 Political Courage Test

Abortion & Reproductive

1. Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
- Pro-choice

2. Should abortion be legal when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape?
- Yes

3. Do you support the prohibition of public funds for organizations that perform abortions?
- No

4. Other or expanded principles
- I am a Pro-Choice candidate and fully support safe and legal abortion as a decision between a woman and her health care practitioner. I am endorsed by NOW and am a supporter of Womens Reproductive Rights. I am committed to have all women be able to access safe and legal clinics.

Budget, Spending, & Tax

Budget Stabilization:

Indicate which proposals you support (if any) for balancing Florida's budget.

1. Reducing state employee salaries AND/OR pensions?
- No

2. Instituting mandatory furloughs AND/OR layoffs for state employees?
- No

3. Reducing benefits for Medicaid recipients?
- No

4. Other or expanded principles
- Reduction of tax payer funded corporate benefits (ie.tax credits to large corporations)

Campaign Finance & Government Reform

1. Do you support any limits on campaign contributions to state candidates?
- Yes

2. Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
- Yes

3. Do you support the use of an independent AND/OR bipartisan commission for redistricting?
- Yes

4. Do you support requiring a government-issued photo identification in order to vote at the polls?
- No

5. Other or expanded principles
- We need transparency for ALL campaign contributions.

Crime & Public Safety

1. Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?
- No

2. Do you support the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes?
- Yes

3. Should a minor accused of a violent crime be prosecuted as an adult?
- No

4. Do you support the enforcement of federal immigration laws by state and local police?
- No

5. Do you support prohibiting the use of handheld electronic devices while operating a motor vehicle?
- Yes

6. Other or expanded principles
- I have mixed emotions about legalization of marijuana for recreational use. I would want to see it highly regulated if legal for recreational use.

Economic

1. Do you support state government spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
- Yes

2. Do you support lowering state taxes as a means of promoting economic growth?
- No

3. Do you support reducing state government regulations on the private sector?
- No

4. Do you support expanding access to unemployment benefits?
- Yes

5. Do you support requiring welfare applicants to pass a drug test in order to receive benefits?
- No

6. Do you support an increase of the minimum wage of Florida?
- Yes

7. Other or expanded principles
- As far as 'reducing state government regulations on the private sector' I support Common Sense regulations

Education

1. Do you support adopting federal education standards in Florida?
- No

2. Do you support state funding for charter schools?
- No

3. Should immigrants unlawfully present in the United States who graduate from Florida high schools be eligible for in-state tuition at public universities?
- Yes

4. Do you support increasing funding for the state education budget?
- Yes

5. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

Environment & Energy

1. Do you support state funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, thermal)?
- Yes

2. Do you support state government regulations of greenhouse gas emissions?
- Yes

3. Do you support increasing state funding for clean drinking water initiatives?
- Yes

4. Do you support increasing state funding for environmental restoration projects?
- Yes

5. Other or expanded principles
- The State has to take a leading role in combatting Climate Chaos and the deterioration of our natural environment due to climate change.

Gun

1. Do you generally support gun-control legislation?
- Yes

2. Should background checks be required on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows?
- Yes

3. Should teachers be allowed to bring guns into the classroom?
- No

4. Should a license be required for gun ownership?
- Yes

5. Other or expanded principles
- I am a Gun Sense Candidate and I believe that legislative reform and school safety are critical.

Health

1. Should the state government increase funding for treatment facilities to combat opioid abuse?
- Yes

2. Do you support Medicaid expansion through Florida's health care programs?
- Yes

3. Do you support requiring individuals to purchase health care insurance?
- Yes

4. Do you support legislation that grants citizens the right to choose to die through euthanasia?
- Yes

5. Do you support eliminating religious exemptions for vaccinations?
- No

6. Other or expanded principles
- Those who refuse vaccination must realize that they may face societal obstacles - such as enrolling a child in school, travel to and from other countries etc. The enforcement of those should depend on the wider impact on public health.

Social

1. Do you support the inclusion of sexual orientation in Florida's anti-discrimination laws?
- Yes

2. Do you support the inclusion of gender identity in Florida's anti-discrimination laws?
- Yes

3. Do you support greater efforts by Florida state government in closing the pay gap between men and women?
- Yes

4. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

Legislative Priorities

In the following area, please explain in a total of 100 words or less, your top two or three priorities if elected. If they require additional funding for implementation, please explain how you would obtain this funding.
- School Safety is my top legislative priority. The same safety standards used to secure government buildings needs to apply to schools. Technologies need to be put in place to ensure children and teachers / school workers are safe. Common Sense Gun Laws; Apply funds from stiff taxes on bullets to gun safety programs and gun licensing fees to fund school safety improvements. Also require state run liability insurance for gun owners and the fees are used for gun safety. Require all gun owners to attend Gun Safety classes, the fees used to fund school safety programs and improvements.