The Miami Herald recommends

FOR FLORIDA HOUSE AND SENATE
Posted on Saturday, August 09, 2008

SENATE DISTRICT 31

One benefit of term limits is that it adds fresh faces, ideas and voices to the political mix. One detriment is the loss of experience. In the Aug. 26 race for state Senate District 31, voters in southeast Broward are fortunate to have a choice of three veterans of long service in the House for a seat once held (1988-98) by now-Sen. Steven Geller of Cooper City, who is term-limited.

The three are Ken Gottlieb, 45, a lawyer; Eleanor Sobel, 62, a School Board member, and Timothy Ryan, 52, a lawyer. Mr. Gottlieb and Ms. Sobel are former House members and Hollywood commissioners. Mr. Ryan is finishing his fourth term in the House.

This primary is limited to Democrats because of a write-in candidate in the general election. Not surprisingly these long-serving Democrats don't have sharp divisions on issues.

However, Mr. Gottlieb is distinguished by his willingness to dig in and consider approaches beyond the usual party rhetoric that has led to stasis in Democratic, if not legislative, thinking. For instance, Democrats -- and a number of Republicans -- say that they would raise more revenue, or lower property taxes, by eliminating the plethora of special-interest exemptions. This debate has gone on for years to no effect.

Mr. Gottlieb would take a look at the menu of taxes and fees levied here and in other states for the kind of comprehensive reform that the disappointing Taxation and Budget Reform Commission should have taken in its recent review. He also has good ideas on windstorm insurance to lower costs and promote competition that -- at the least -- would move the endless debate off dead center.

For state Senate District 31, The Miami Herald recommends KEN GOTTLIEB.