State Representative District 70: Michele Rayner

Name: Michele Rayner 

Age: 38

Family: 

Bio: Michele Rayner is a Florida native and was born and raised in Pinellas County. Her parents are known throughout Pinellas County for their service to the community. Rayner comes from a long line of service. Her mother was one of the first Black social workers in St. Petersburg. Rayner’s uncles served the city of St. Petersburg, District 70 and the state of Florida as the first Black secretary for the Department of Corrections for the state of Florida and the former state representative for District 55 (now 70), respectively. She is the founder and principal attorney at Civil Liberty Law. Rayner focuses on criminal defense and civil rights. Because of her stellar work on cases that rose to national prominence, including those of Markeis McGlockton and Yasmine James, and most recently, Barbara Pinkney, Rayner has quickly become an emerging voice on the issues of criminal justice reform, education, health and economic disparities, and race and gender issues both locally and nationally.

Why are you running for office?

I am running because District 70 needs a strong advocate to stand with and fight for our community. The stakes have never been higher, and our residents need a leader who will not back down when advocating for their needs. I am no stranger to taking on tough issues, such as affordable housing, public education, quality health care and environmental justice. As an attorney, I have represented families in some of the toughest social justice and civil rights cases right here in Pinellas County, such as Markeis McGlockton, an unarmed Black man killed in a Clearwater convenience store parking lot. I have stood with our residents in moments where the community decided to fight back and push for change, and I will continue that work as a legislator in Tallahassee. 

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

1. Housing equity and insecurity: In District 70, more than half of the residents use up to 30% of their income on housing. This makes it increasingly difficult for people, at varying income levels, to access affordable housing consistently. I am committed to passing legislation to repeal the outdated anti-tenant statutes and to ensure the Sadowski Trust Fund is fully funded, and I will vote against appropriating those monies to any other area. 
2. Health care: I believe that health care is a human right. No one should have to decide between seeing a doctor and receiving treatment, putting food on the table or paying a bill. Unfortunately, that is the reality for too many residents in District 70, and it’s time for that to change. Now more than ever, it’s imperative that we have leadership that is willing to fight for health care that is accessible to all communities, regardless of their income level and neighborhood. I will fight to expand access to affordable health care.
3. Criminal justice reform: District 70 has one of the highest rates of youth incarceration in the state. As an attorney I've fought to ensure that all residents are treated equitably by our criminal justice system, especially our most vulnerable who, too often, are not served by our current system. In 2018, more than 60% of Floridians voted for Amendment 4 to restore the right to vote to 1.4 million returning citizens. Since then, the Florida Supreme Court ruled partisan attempts to further obstruct returning citizens’ right to vote by legislating outstanding fines mandatory to restore voting rights as unconstitutional — blocking the attempt to institute a modern day poll tax. Returning citizens who have paid their debt to society deserve equal access to our democracy which includes the right to vote. I am committed to protecting Amendment 4 and will also file legislation that addresses youth incarceration and diversion programs to ensure that our children are being given every chance to thrive and reach their potential.

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

What budget cuts would you propose?

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

Our state must do a better job of ensuring a balanced budget that proactively invests in disaster preparedness and responses, so that we are not diverting funds from other critical needs or lacking the budget to fund critical resources to mitigate a disaster, and a legislature willing to convene for a special session to discuss solutions in times of a public crisis. We must first address the more than 900,000 Floridians with unpaid benefits claims. Because of the extended time of government closures during the pandemic, our ability to fund appropriations projects is likely to decrease from past years. Therefore, we must work with the private sector to develop programs that lead to job creation to stimulate our economy.

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

Yes, I support Medicaid expansion. I believe that it is a right for all Floridians to have access to affordable and quality health care, and Medicaid Expansion would also help lower health care costs and provide coverage for nearly 1 million additional Floridians. The constituents in HD70 are at the epicenter of the need for affordable health care. The inequitable access to affordable health care has exacerbated the disparate health outcomes in our state. It’s time this district had a champion in the legislature leading on policies like Medicaid and public health clinic expansion and tackling exorbitant prescription drug costs.

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

The Legislature has consistently deprioritized public education in Florida by failing to adequately invest our schools. Florida ranks 45th in the nation for public school funding. As state representative, I will advocate for an annual state budget that does not divert funds from public schools to charter schools that put taxpayer’s dollars in the hands of operators who pick and choose which students they will accept and educate.

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?

District 70 is primarily surrounded by water, and our residents are no strangers to complications with our water systems. In 2014, more than 74% of Florida’s voters approved the Florida Water and Land Legacy amendment that would allocate funding to our state’s land acquisition and preservation program. Unfortunately, we have redirected the dollars to other programs. As state representative, I will work to ensure that our environmental protection programs are fully funded, so that our waterways are protected, potential drinking water is safe, and our livestock and our communities are safe and healthy. 

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?

Florida’s economy is based heavily on our tourism and agricultural industries, and great care and balance are necessary for our state to thrive and grow. However, our state is extremely vulnerable to downturns because these industries are based on consumption. We should continue to invest in our small businesses and attract diverse industries including technology, health care/medical, contract and trade services, among others to ensure a diverse and stable economy. We can enhance the growth and development of our hospitality and tourism industry by continuing to promote and market Florida as a destination state, protecting our natural resources and beaches that serve as an attraction, and focusing on improvements and innovations that would enhance our hospitality, such as movability through greater transportation and transit options.

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 will support efforts to require a $15 minimum wage. Floridians, especially those in District 70, are in need of access to good-paying jobs. We have to make sure that each Floridian has the financial capacity to cover quality of life needs like affordable housing, transportation and health care to lead healthy, stable, thriving lives.

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?

Local governments are best positioned to determine the unique needs of their constituents and communities without interference from the state, unless the state has a compelling interest in protecting Floridians. 

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 strongly support funding for our arts groups. Again, this is not a burden that should fall on working families only. We have had enough corporate bailouts that could have funded our arts programs instead. It would benefit all Floridians to have our arts groups properly funded, and I will look for different channels of funding to reach the requested number. 

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?

The pandemic placed a floodlight on the disparaging disparities for Floridians and proved that our unemployment benefits system is broken — when Floridians needed it most, our state failed to act. As state representative, I plan to work with the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity to conduct a full assessment to identify the pitfalls in our system, such as any potential budget limitations that prevent timely monetary disbursements and constituent communication programs. COVID-19 has shined a floodlight on many of the failed policies and the lack of action and leadership by people who are currently leading this state. There needs to be an overhaul of the unemployment system, so when our people need to access the system, they are able to do so and get the support they need. I would put forth legislation to address on day one.