FLORIDA AGRICULTURE COALITION

2016 CANDIDATE PROFILE & QUESTIONNAIRE

Name: Lauren Francis Book
Address: 8201 Peters Road, Suite 1000, Planatation, FL 33324
Mobile: (305) 336-1326
E-mail: lauren@laurenbook.com
Campaign Website: LaurenBook.com
Occupation: Advocate
Employer: Laurens Kids, Inc.
Education: University of Miami, Bachelors in Elementary Education and Creative Writing; Masters in Community
Psychology and Social Change; and currently enrolled in the doctoral program for Organizational Leadership with a focus on
Elementary Education at Nova Southeastern University
Party Affiliation: Democrat
Length of Time: 3 years
Office Seeking House/Senate District: Senate, District 32
Why are you running for this office? For seven years I have used my personal strength to become a leader in the fight to stop
childhood sexual abuse. As a strong and active voice for abused children I have worked for tougher laws to make sure repeat
violent offenders are kept off the streets and away from their intended victims.
Now I am ready to turn that energy, enthusiasm and passion into a higher calling and enter a new phase of advocacy as a
candidate for the Florida Senate.
I learned at an early age that working through the legislature and helping shape the laws that protect those who are vulnerable
and have no voice can be an effective way to impact change.
I am running to give a new voice to those who have no voice, to stand up for working families who have been forgotten by the
politicians in Tallahassee, to fight for Broward County, and to make a real difference in the lives of average, everyday people.
How much money have you raised? $538,059 in hard and $761,950 in soft
Have you ever run for office before? No
If so, which office? N/A
Did you win? N/A
Please describe your civic involvement: I have dedicated most of the past decade to advocating for the education of parents,
teachers and children on how to spot the signs and prevent the tragedy of childhood sexual abuse. I have walked across the state
seven times to raise awareness of these issues and have developed, through my foundation, an in-class curriculum that is now in
place in more than 50,000 classrooms.
How would you describe yourself? (To insert check mark, please click on corresponding box.)

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2016 CANDIDATE PROFILE & QUESTIONNAIRE
Very Conservative

Conservative

Moderate

Liberal

Very Liberal

Other

Any additional comments: I believe a robust education system coupled with strong public infrastructure will help attract
businesses of all types, including agriculture. These two pillars will encourage national businesses to locate and grow here.
Florida is uniquely situated to accommodate growth and international trade, but we will find ourselves turning businesses away
if they cannot find a properly educated workforce and/or a crumbling infrastructure. If we continue to create a state where
businesses and families want to come, our construction and tourism businesses will thrive as well.
Let me also add, that we need to take the issue of food independence seriously. Sometimes I feel we treat our agriculture
industry as a nicety or even a tourist draw. I believe that food security is vital to our future.

PERSONAL & POLITICAL

1. What are the top three issues you want to address as a legislator?
1) Bolster the under-represented constituency. 2) Growth an sustainability of the middle class. 3) Education
Please explain why these issues are important to Florida, your constituents, and explain your thoughts for
addressing these issues.
1. I have spent most of my adult life advocating for those with no voice. As such, I want to be a strong voice for the
voiceless and for those who feel they have been under-represented. That includes children, the disabled, and the
elderly.
2. I believe that helping people achieve the American dream is a vital part of why I am running; to help local businesses
grow and thrive and to help hardworking middle class families be a part of that dream. I want to bolster Floridas
economy, make us more resistant to economic downturns and able to sustain grow even while other states or countries
struggle.
3. To improve Floridas education system. As a former classroom teacher I know that building a strong, vibrant and
resilient workforce begins with an educated population. I know we must invest in our students, teachers and
classrooms to create a world-class economic engine and build a sustainable economy.

2. Who is the political figure historical or contemporary that you admire most? Why?
I deeply admire the hard work and strong ethical compass of my father. I know he is probably not what you had in
mind when you said political figure but as he has served as my mentor and as he is indeed political, I am
comfortable answering this question in that manner.
3. How familiar are you with any agriculture in your district?

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2016 CANDIDATE PROFILE & QUESTIONNAIRE
I am moderately familiar with agriculture in my district. As I am fortunate to represent western Broward County, I am
well aware that much of my district is in the Everglades Agricultural Area and as such is in part the breadbasket of our
state. I am aware that in addition to sugar cane and sweet corn, farmers in this area grow a wide variety of crops
including citrus, various lettuces and greens. I know that these farmers face terrific challenges in meeting some of the
toughest water management standards in the nation in the hope of ensuring that the water leaving these farms is clean
enough to send south into the Everglades.

TAXATION
4. Our agricultural producers compete with neighboring states and other countries which often have better incentives
or less regulation. For example, no taxes on inputs and benefits from lower or no taxes on infrastructure such as
farm equipment, irrigation facilities, electricity, and inputs to growing products or raising livestock and poultry
and maintaining operations. Do you support eliminating input taxes on agriculture?
I am unsure and want to know more. I know that food security is important to our nation and to our state and I
believe that supporting Florida agriculture is an important part of our mission as (hopefully) Florida lawmakers.

Property taxes are foundational to Florida agricultural production. Unlike typical property, which is assessed using
the methodology of highest and best use, agriculture is assessed based on income derived from the actual
agricultural production. Do you believe it is appropriate and do you support continuing this agricultural
assessment commonly called Greenbelt?
Yes.

In the past there have been initiatives to review or repeal some of Floridas tax exemptions, would you support
permanently protecting these exemptions to enhance Floridas agricultural economy?
As noted above, I believe we need to support programs that enhance the ability of agriculture to succeed in our state. I
recognize that other countries have far less restrictive environmental and labor regulations. As such, I favor tax
exemptions that support Floridas agricultural economy but I hesitate on agreeing to anything permanent in this
regard.

WATER
5. Land and water are both critical when it comes to agriculture. In Florida, water is managed and regulated by five
regional water management districts that together with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection
regulate water supply, water quality, drainage and flood control, and environmental restoration.

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2016 CANDIDATE PROFILE & QUESTIONNAIRE
Increasingly, water supply and water quality are major concerns for this state both for urban and agricultural
enterprises.
What is your opinion of state environmental regulation today?
I have a general philosophy that all regulations must serve a clearly articulated public purpose; they must be fairly
applied, should be adequately communicated to all effected especially by the businesses affected and should be
implemented in a manner that respects the affected parties. I am sympathetic to businesses that are often put into
difficult situations by ever-changing regulations and know that our Florida businesses can succeed if regulations meet
these basic criteria.

One innovative tool which is widely embraced in the agricultural industry are Best Management Practices (BMPs)
for water quality and listed species of wildlife. Are you familiar with BMPs?
I am not familiar with BMPs as applied for water quality and listed species.
In your opinion, are BMPs a viable option to regulation? If no, please explain.
See above.
6. Florida agriculture generally supports the investment and development of Alternative Water Supply (AWS)
projects as a way to help urban municipalities with groundwater shortages. Would you support increased state
funding for AWS projects? Why or why not?
Yes.

STATE LANDS
7. Florida has one of the most aggressive state land buying programs in the nation. The purpose is to protect
environmentally sensitive habitat and water recharge areas and provide recreational opportunities for citizens.
As a general principal, do you support the states role in the acquisition of private lands and why? If so, how much
land is too much?
I generally support land acquisition to protect environmentally sensitive habitat. While some states use imminent
domain powers, I believe that if our state needs the land for a clearly stated and important public need, it is fair to
purchase that land. I have no way of knowing how much is too much, however, I do believe we should consider
alternatives to land acquisition and prioritize usage easements (I.e. Conservation or agricultural easements) to
accomplish public goals while allowing the landowner to enjoy a specified and limited use of their lands.
What percentage of funds should the legislature appropriate to targeted measures such as land and water
management, acquisition and conservation?
I would need far more information to estimate a fair percentage breakdown.

8. The Rural and Family Lands Program provides funding to purchase conservation easements that allow the land to
remain in productive use. Do you believe this is a good alternative to the fee simple purchase of land for
conservation?
As noted above, YES!

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2016 CANDIDATE PROFILE & QUESTIONNAIRE
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
9. Agriculture has always strived to be a good neighbor to its adjacent communities. In fact, even with Greenbelt, for
every dollar that agriculture pays in taxes, it receives about 37 cents in services whereas for every dollar that
homeowners pay in taxes, they receive about $1.25 in services, making agricultural producers a net contributor to
the benefit of local communities. (This is because, for example, cows do not need schools nor do row crops need
fire protection).
However, as Florida has developed, suburban and urban development has continued to encroach on agricultural
operations and in many cases surrounded them. This has led to unfortunate conflicts in terms of noise and traffic
issues and importantly for agriculture, zoning issues. More often than not, local governments then adopt
ordinances that adversely affect existing agricultural operations and in most cases are duplicative of already
existing state regulations. These duplicative regulations make it more costly for agriculture to stay in business.
Would you support state legislation that eliminates duplicative local regulations? Please explain why or why not.
Generallty, I am in favor of letting local goverments maintain local control. However, I understand the need to cut
down on regulations that are redundant or probably in some cases conflicting. I would have to know more about
what regulations are being duplicated to say whether I support of oppose such an issue.

What role should local governments play in environmental regulation?

I believe it is the prime role of local ogverments is maintain a careful balance between caring for their communities and
keeping sync with the statewide community. This is the only way to ensure domestic businesses and industries remain,
so they keep their citizenry gainefully employed and content.

BIOTECHNOLOGY
10. The application of biotechnology in agriculture has benefitted farmers, producers and consumers in Florida and
across the country. Genetic engineering has helped make insect pest control, weed management, and disease
protection safer and easier. According to a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) report, more than 94 percent of
cotton, 93 percent of soybeans, and 88 percent of field corn are genetically modified.
The federal government extensively regulates genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in agriculture. Through the
Department of Agriculture, FDA and EPA, regulators ensure that commercial crops produced through genetic
engineering are properly tested and studied to ensure safety for consumers. However, some outside the agriculture
community continue to use non-fact emotional arguments as scare tactics for mandatory, costly labeling of foods
with GMOs.
Do you support mandatory labeling of foods that contain genetically engineered ingredients? Why or why not?
No. That kind of labelling can be misleading and potentially punitive to those who grow and/or sell perfectly safe
products. Additionally, such broad regulations would be confusing to consumers while offering no tangible public
benefit.

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2016 CANDIDATE PROFILE & QUESTIONNAIRE

GENERAL AGRICULTURE
11. The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) fulfills its mission through 3
main programs: Extension, Research and Teaching. Public funding for research for agriculture and natural
resources has been declining for years in the U.S. while other countries are now beginning to invest heavily in
research. Have you heard of UF/IFAS? If so, what is the importance of their role in Florida agriculture?
I know a little about this program and believe that we must reverse the trend of under-funding agriculture research.

12. What are your views on animal rights versus the role animals play in Floridas economy and food production?
I think there is a balance that we should seek to achieve. While I recognize that the very act of animal husbandry (for
example) can be seen as cruel by some, I am not among them. On the other hand, I recognize that there are new
technologies that minimize animal suffering and we should strive to employ those technologies where an when
possible.

13. Do you believe the legislature should support policy which maintains and improves Floridas agricultural industry?
If yes, how? If no, why not?
Yes, as noted above, increased funding for agricultural research, targeted tax breaks and other financial incentives to
help keep our agriculture at a sustainable level and general support and recognition that American-grown and Floridagrown foods are not only healthier, but best for our economy.

14. If elected to the Florida legislature in 2016, in what ways can you help protect or strengthen Florida agriculture?
See #13.

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2016 CANDIDATE PROFILE & QUESTIONNAIRE

We appreciate your candidacy for the Florida legislature and your interest in meeting with the
Florida Agriculture Coalition. Thank you for completing our questionnaire and returning it in a timely manner.