State Representative District 72: Donna Barcomb

Name: Donna Barcomb

Age: 64

Family: Craig Barcomb (Husband), Gunnar Barcomb (Son), Steele Barcomb (Son), Hunter Barcomb (Son), Stone Barcomb (Son)

Bio: I have lived in Sarasota since 1986. I am married and have raised four sons, all of whom have graduated from the Sarasota County School system. I have successfully run an outpatient physical therapy practice for 33 years in District 72. I am a past president of the Junior League of Sarasota Inc., PTA president Southside Elementary school, elected for three terms (two as chair) of the Sarasota Memorial Hospital Board, elected two terms for the Sarasota County Charter Review Board (one term as chair). I enjoy scuba diving and snow skiing on my off time when I am not in the office treating patients or being an advocate in the community. 

Why are you running for office?

I am running for state representative because Sarasota is the place I love and call home. I am a 64-year-old woman, have raised my four sons, own a small business, have served on the Sarasota Memorial and Charter Review boards. I have been involved in the Sarasota community ever since I moved here 33 years ago. Sarasota has struggled to have a consistent and strong conservative representative for district 72. We need someone that will fight for Sarasota’s fair share in Tallahassee and protect its unique character and values. 

What are three priorities you hope to accomplish, if elected?

I want to improve our public schools, make health care more affordable and support the continued efforts to improve our water quality.

With Florida revenues expected to finish the year at $1.6 billion below expectations:

What budget cuts would you propose?

Gov. Ron DeSantis has already made that decision for the next fiscal year. I support the governor’s decisions on those cuts.

What would be your position on raising taxes to close any gap?

I do not nor would I ever vote to raise taxes to close a budget gap.

What’s your position on calls for the state to expand its Medicaid spending?

I do not support expanding Medicaid spending.

How would you rate Florida’s public education funding: too little, just right, too much? What would you change?

I support the governor’s initiative to recruit new teachers by raising the teacher’s starting salary. In addition, as a former PTA president and mother of four sons, I will continue to support education initiatives because I feel that education is the most important gift we can provide to the next generation.

Gov. Ron DeSantis made the environment a top priority when elected, committing to spend/invest $2.5 billion during his term to help clean up and protect Florida’s water systems. How would you describe your position toward this spending?

I believe that being Republican and being concerned about our environment are not mutually exclusive. President Teddy Roosevelt, a Republican, set up the National Park System. I enthusiastically support the big project initiatives to improve our water quality

Visit Florida’s budget went from $76 million to $50 million in the last legislative session. Given the pandemic and its effects on Florida tourism, what would you propose in the next session?

I think each government program must provide a return on investment for taxpayers. It is important to review visit Florida, its mission and its success and failures as we would any program. In the wake of the pandemic, Visit Florida could play a pivotal and prominent role in Florida’s tourism resurgence.

The November ballot will have an amendment to require a $15 minimum wage by 2026, increasing by inflation every year after. What’s your position on the minimum wage?

Florida has a constitutional amendment that provides a living wage to workers. I believe in the free market and allowing business owners and employees to work out wages within the confines of state and federal laws.

For the past three years, the issue of who should regulate short-term residential rentals has come before the Legislature. What’s your position — should the state or local governments regulate them? Why?

As a Charter Review Board member, I lean to home rule on this question and believe it should be decided at the local level. I understand this is a disruptive industry like Uber and electric cars; however, I think it is very difficult to assess the effects short term rentals would have on different communities throughout the state. 

State funding for the arts increased from $2.6 million two years ago to $21.2 million in the most recent session. Arts groups requested $62 million. What’s your position on state taxpayers funding the arts? And if you support it, how much should they get?

One of the many assets that the community of Sarasota can boast about includes: Sarasota Memorial Hospital, our excellent education, our magnificent beaches, crystal blue waters and our world-class visual and performing arts. Considering the very limited budget anticipated for next year, I’m afraid that the above ask is too high. The requested budget amount is difficult to ascertain a year in advance; however I personally am I fan of the arts. The industry brings significant revenue to our community, and I would be receptive to some state level contribution.

Florida’s unemployment insurance compensation system was roundly criticized during the pandemic. It pays one of the lowest amounts in the nation — a maximum of $275 per week for 12 weeks. Should that be changed, and if so, to what? Why?

I believe the Connect system was an embarrassment and drastically needs an overhaul, though I would not dramatically change remuneration or duration of the existing benefits.