At LWV forum, Massullo, Marwah present contrasting visions for Florida’s future

Candidates for Florida Senate District 11 shared contrasting views on insurance reform, education, growth and environmental policy, redistricting, taxes and immigration during a Nov. 5 virtual forum jointly hosted by the Citrus County and Tri-County (The Villages) Leagues of Women Voters.

Republican Rep. Ralph Massullo and Democrat Ash Marwah each delivered three-minute opening and closing statements and answered questions submitted by the League and by online viewers.

The special election will be Dec. 9, with early voting Nov. 29-Dec. 6.

Opening statements: Cost of living, education and environment dominate

Marwah said he is running "to make life a little bit better for Floridians," citing rising prices and stagnant wages.

"More than half the families in the district are living paycheck to paycheck or from Social Security check to Social Security check," he said. He highlighted reducing homeowners' insurance premiums, expanding Medicaid, raising teacher pay and protecting Florida's natural resources as his core goals.

Massullo pointed to his eight years in the Florida House, where he chaired committees on state affairs, education and employment. He emphasized environmental legislation he sponsored involving seagrass protection, the wildlife corridor and rural lands conservation.

Calling fatherhood his "highest priority," Massullo said Florida "now leads the nation in educational freedom," and said the state must continue preparing students for a rapidly changing world. He also pledged to strengthen the economy by "recruiting clean industry" and reducing taxes where possible.

Growth & environment

Marwah: Restore DEP independence, let science drive decisions

Marwah said the state must "allow independence" for the Department of Environmental Protection. He criticized what he views as routine disregard for environmental laws, pointing to the now-abandoned Northern Turnpike Extension and current work on the Suncoast Parkway.

"They had to bring a crane to get their own equipment out of the water," he said of a recent construction incident near Kings Bay. "We really have to be careful not to disturb the ecology."

Massullo: Counties must manage development; state investment working

Massullo said development pressure reflects desirability but requires careful planning.

"A lot of the problem has to be handled at the county level," he said, calling for updated comprehensive plans and balanced drainage and infrastructure planning.

He cited state investments in springs restoration, river cleanup and seagrass recovery. Highways, he said, are "vital to growth" and to evacuation in emergencies.

Redistricting

Massullo: Support accurate population representation

Massullo said he had not reviewed details of the proposal but supports maps that reflect population without gerrymandering. He added he does not believe race should be used "to justify particular areas" and said representation should count "U.S. citizens and not necessarily those … here illegally."

Marwah: No need to redraw; calls proposal political

Marwah said redrawing congressional districts only three years after the 2022 maps is unnecessary.

"There is no need to waste this money," he said, pointing to a projected state budget shortfall. He called the effort "just a political game … to gain power in the next election" and said revisiting maps undermines "decades of progress in civil rights."

Homeowners' insurance

Marwah: Repeal 2022 laws, create nonprofit hurricane insurer

Marwah said major insurance laws passed in 2022 "have given extremely high power to insurance companies" and weakened homeowners' rights. He cited unpaid claims and high executive compensation.

He again called for a statewide nonprofit hurricane insurer so private carriers only write theft and fire coverage.

Massullo: Liability reforms beginning to work

Massullo said the Legislature has already tackled the main cost drivers.

"The biggest thing … is remove the largest cost driver … and that's liability," he said, noting reforms to assignment of benefits and attorney fees. He said that Citizens' standards were updated to attract private insurers and that competition should help rates over time.

"We've seen the rate of increase go down," he said, hoping calmer hurricane seasons continue.

Property taxes

Massullo: Supports concept but says funding government is key

Massullo said he "philosophically" supports reducing or eliminating taxes on homesteaded property, calling property taxes "a horrible cost to homeowners." But he said the state must still fund essential services and may need to improve efficiency or shift revenues, including tourism taxes.

Marwah: Calls proposal political, unworkable

Marwah argued the governor's proposal is "just another game," saying property taxes are local and counties – not the state – should set them.

"There is no way that the governor can cut property taxes and not have layoffs of police officers and first responders and firefighters," he said.

Immigration

Marwah: Penalize employers, stop state spending on detention

Marwah, an immigrant himself, said he supports preventing undocumented migration but opposes Florida's spending on state-run detention initiatives.

"We should not be wasting state dollars," he said, calling it "wasteful spending" that will stress future budgets. He said the Legislature should instead "punish employers who employ undocumented workers," arguing migrants "won't come here" if the jobs disappear.

Massullo: Enforce law, push for federal reform

Massullo said the U.S. is "a nation of immigrants" but must stop illegal immigration, citing crime and drug trafficking tied to border failures. He supports assisting federal enforcement efforts in Florida.

"I also believe … at some point … we need comprehensive immigration reform," he said, though he acknowledged it "will not be easy."