State Representative District 72: Fiona McFarland

These questionnaire responses were originally published in July for the primary election.

Name: Fiona McFarland

Age: 34

Family: Married with one child

Bio: I served for eight years as an active duty Navy officer deployed around the world on ships and still serve in the Navy Reserves at MacDill Air Force Base. I have a Master of Business Administration from UNC Chapel Hill and worked as a business management consultant before feeling the call back to government and to service in running for elected office. I am married to a native Floridian and fellow Naval Academy classmate of mine, and we had our first baby at Sarasota Memorial Hospital on the eve of the coronavirus outbreak in Florida.

Why are you running for office? 

It’s about service and working for something greater than one’s self. I’ve served our country in the Navy, and now I want to serve the people of Sarasota.

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

1. Safely bring the state out of the coronavirus pandemic;
2. Invest in infrastructure and our environment; and
3. Revitalize the economy

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

What budget cuts would you propose?

In the short term, state spending should prioritize pandemic recovery.

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

Against.

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

Against.

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

I support the increase in teacher salary and would support additional education funding provided it comes with the proper accountability and return on investment criteria.

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?

Very supportive.

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?

Revitalizing the tourism market is critical to our economy, but I’d prefer to prioritize help for small businesses devastated by the pandemic rather than marketing expenditures.

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?

I oppose government regulation of private sector wages.

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?

Government should not infringe on personal property rights. 

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?

I’m committed to bringing Sarasota’s fair share of state appropriations back to our region, which includes the arts. 

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 support an overhaul of Florida’s unemployment system and policy.