TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Hernando Today

Winning Was Easy Part For Incumbents

ADVERTISEMENT

By TONY MARRERO

Hernando Today

Published: November 6, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - State Sen. Mike Fasano and Rep. Rob Schenck cruised to victory Tuesday, swatting away their respective Democratic challengers who tried to emphasize the stigma that came with incumbency.

Schenck, who watched the results come in Tuesday with his family in their Spring Hill home, said Wednesday he was "humbled" by the vote and surprised by his 13 point margin of victory.

Fasano said he was "extremely happy and honored."

Now comes the hard part for the two Republicans and their fellow legislators.

Fasano, a veteran lawmaker from New Port Richey, and Schenck, a real estate broker who won a second term, must return to Tallahassee and live up to the promises made on the campaign trail.

Both men reiterated vows to address the two issues that voters and legislators alike see as unfinished business: property tax and insurance reform.

Schenk served on five committees and a council last year, working as vice chairman of the State Affairs Committee that had a hand in crafting some property tax legislation. He said he is hopeful he will land committee assignments this time around that will allow him to dig into that issue again.

Schenck, whose District 44 includes all of Hernando County and portions of Sumter and Pasco counties, said he is willing to consider a radical change, such as doing away with property taxes altogether in favor of a consumption tax.

Fasano said he will try again to prevent insurance companies from writing most policies while refusing to cover wind damage, a practice called cherry-picking.

But looming above those issues is one even more pressing. Lawmakers could face a budget shortfall as high as $4 billion and might have to address it in a special session.

Fasano and Schenck said that challenge will have to be met without raising taxes, and while the former teacher says education funding is important, he will also place a high priority on other categories.

"The way the economy is, we're going to need transportation and incentive dollars (for new businesses) to try to get people to work," Schenck said.

Fasano agreed. He warned that education and social services programs will inevitably face more cuts.

"We'll do our best to put an emphasis on minimizing those cuts, but it's going to happen," he said. "You only have so many dollars to spend."

Both men said they will work to lure companies to the state and especially to District 11, comprised of the northern portion of Pinellas County and the western portions of Pasco, Hernando and Citrus counties.

Both lawmakers said the first bill they plan to file will do away with the recapture rule, a provision under the Save Our Homes amendment that allows taxable values to increase even when the market value decreases.

Fasano and Schenck's victories mean Hernando County's four-member legislative delegation remains intact.

Sen. Paula Dockery, a Lakeland Republican whose power and popularity continue to grow, ran unopposed. Rep. Ron Schultz, R-Homosassa, was not up for re-election.

Reporter Tony Marrero can be reached at 352-544-5286 or lmarrero@hernandotoday.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT