The main purpose of the Arizona Farm Bureau’s comprehensive General Election issue is to provide members with the best information on candidates running for political offices in the 2010 Arizona Election on Tuesday, November 2. The agriculture-based information is designed to assist Farm Bureau members in making the best, informed decisions in the election.

 

Every election possesses far-reaching implications; 2010’s general election is no exception. Election pundits even describe this election as a turning point for a course of liberty or dependence.

 

Just 30 years ago, less than a third of Americans received some type of government benefits. Today, the figure has risen to about 50 percent, reports the Wall Street Journal in a recent issue. At the same time, 45 percent of Americans pay no federal income taxes.

 

Much of what this year’s election represents comes down to whether Americans want big government or less government. We’ll know on November 3^rd.

 

 

 

 

Q1 I am leading Arizona's effort to enforce federal immigration law.  We have sent a clear message to the Congress and President Obama that if they do not secure the border, deal with illegal immigration and fix a broken worker visa program, more states will follow Arizona. Our message to the Potomac is: “Do Your Job - Secure the Border - Fix the Problem."

Q2 Arizona treasures its open space and rural heritage.  Some State Trust land should be conserved to protect these values while ensuring the health of the State Trust that helps finance education. 
Q3 While "sweeps" of user fees may be legal that does not make them right.  We have to turn our economy around so this drastic action to balance our state budget is no longer needed and enact permanent reforms to prevent them in the future. 

Q4 One of the most important factors is to have a governor leading the effort to attract new businesses and help existing industries, including agriculture, grow and prosper.  This is my top priority as governor.  I have reformed the existing Department of Commerce into the new Commerce Authority so it only has one mission--job creation and retention.  Please go to my website (janbrewer.com) for more on how I am getting Arizona’s economy back on track and growing.

Q1 Yes. For the past seven years, I have worked with local law enforcement in prosecuting drug and human smugglers, as well as fighting to cut off funds going to the drug cartels. 

Q2 I support open space and conservation. Mechanisms exist to provide for open space and conservation.  As new state trust land proposals are offered, I would confer with the state trust land stakeholders, including the Arizona Farm Bureau to determine if the proposal makes sense for all Arizonans.

Q3 No.  When the governor and legislature resort to sweeping monies from dedicated funds, it is bad fiscal management.  We will work to create a budget that is balanced without sweeping specific dedicated funds.

Q4 Create tax-sheltered Business Investment Accounts; Reform Arizona’s tax structure; Focus on renewable energy. Eliminate unnecessary state regulations, oversight, and reporting requirements

 

It is unacceptable that Arizona has lost more than 140,000 jobs, and unemployment has gone from 7% to 9.6% in the last 20 months.  Since becoming Governor, Jan Brewer has added $200 million a month in debt.  There has been much rhetoric, but no action to make Arizona work again.   Read my plan at www.terrygoddard.com.   

 

 

Q1 The courts have already decided that matching funds are unconstitutional. This coupled with other aspects of the Clean Elections program that have proved problematic lead me to believe that Clean Elections may be on its last leg. I am running this year under the Clean Elections system but most of my campaigns have been funded traditionally and I support getting back to the traditional system.

Q2 Yes, as long as there is a reasonable reporting system so voters know who is trying to influence their vote.

Q3 I support more stringent requirements on paid signature gathering so that wealthy groups cannot just buy their way onto the ballot by paying for signatures. The minimum number of signatures required may need to be increased slightly.

Q1 No, funds are collected for specific purposes and those should be respected.

Q2 No, private property should not be taken except for legitimate public purposes, and with full compensation.

Q3 Yes, law enforcement should enforce all laws, and just as local governments expect their laws to be respected, they should respect federal law.

 

Q1 No. The monies in dedicated funds consist of fees or assessments collected for a specific purpose; they are not general fund dollars. The purpose of these funds is specifically spelled out in legislation. If the Legislature needs to tap into dedicated funds, they must be required to modify the enabling statute. Arizona should pass legislation prohibiting the practice of sweeping dedicated funds because it is unfair to taxpayers who paid the fees and denies them the benefits they’ve paid for. Several courts have already struck down legislative attempts to sweep dedicated funds.

Q2 No. Arizonans deserve strong protection of their private property rights. The power of eminent domain should be used responsibly and only in a way that allows communities to develop infrastructure that’s necessary in a growing state and to selectively clean up true nuisance properties that put communities at risk.

Q3 Arizona must use all available resources to stop the violent drug cartels operating on our border and ensure that nothing illegal crosses our border, whether it’s guns, drugs, money or people.

 

Q1 No.

Q2 I do not support the state of Arizona taking on additional debt, but I do believe that we should consider a more honest and transparent way of stating the limitation of our State’s debt.

Q3 No.

 

Q1 No, state government has been playing budget games instead of solving the problem. Selling off our State Capitol to big bailed-out New York banks is an embarrassment and does nothing to get our economy back on track. I’m the only candidate for Treasurer who will stop risking our state land trust investments on Wall Street and instead make safer investments in successful companies that create jobs here in Arizona.

Q2 The last thing we need is more debt. Both political parties have run up the debt over the past decade and we don’t have much to show for it. I’m the only candidate for Treasurer who will fulfill the office’s responsibility of auditing state government. We need to get better results for the money we’re already spending. 

Q3 It’s time to stop these kinds of budget gimmicks. As Treasurer, I’ll go after the Legislature and Governor when they’re not abiding by the Constitution and balancing the budget. We need to be auditing state government and not wasting our taxpayer dollars before we’re sweeping the funds that should be put to good use.

 

Questions for Congressional Candidates - U.S. Senate & House of Representatives

 

Q1 The border with Mexico must be secured -- it is an issue of national security and the safety and wellbeing of the citizens of Arizona. Senator Jon Kyl and I have proposed a 10-point Border Security Plan that includes immediately deploying National Guard troops to the southern border and increasing the number of Customs and Border Patrol agents in Arizona by 3,000. It also calls for funding and support of Operations Streamline and Stone Garden as well as completing the border fence.

Q2 I oppose changing the term "navigable waters" to "waters of the United States" under the Clean Water Act.  Such modification represents a massive expansion of federal regulatory authority over all water bodies and a subversion of states' rights to regulate waters within their borders. 

Q3 I was aligned with the Farm Bureau in my support of a Senate resolution to strip EPA of the authority to proceed with greenhouse gas regulations.  I believed it was important for Congress to attempt to prevent the EPA from imposing massive new regulations that will damage our economy.

Q4 I strongly support a secret ballot in labor elections and unequivocally oppose “Card Check.”

 

Q1 We need to immediately deploy U.S. Military forces to the U.S. Mexico border to gain operational control of our southern border.  Military forces should be utilized until Border Patrol is able to maintain an operationally secure border on their own where the CBP can detect, identify, classify, respond and resolve any border incursion. Additionally, we need to enforce all existing immigration laws both through law enforcement agencies and within the judicial branch and implement Operation Stream Line along the entire Arizona border. Finally we need to ensure that there is a communication system that works between agencies and with residents living in remote areas near the border.

Q2 No

Q3 No

Q4 No

Q1 Securing our borders means forcing Washington to live up to its responsibilities to Arizona. That includes putting more boots on the ground, which is why I have introduced a bill to increase the size of the Border Patrol by 3,500 agents and pushed Congress back into session to pass $600 million of new border security funding.

Q2 Changing this policy would replace common sense with more bureaucracy and place an unnecessary burden on our ranchers and farmers. I have stood by Arizona ranchers and farmers to oppose this expansion of federal power, and on July 17, 2009, I announced my opposition to the policy.

Q3 I do not. In these tough economic times, expanding federal regulations that will cost thousands of Arizonans their jobs is unacceptable, and I am determined to stop it. Just as I voted against the Cap and Trade bill, I bucked the party line to co-sponsor a joint resolution to block this plan on March 16, 2010, and I signed a letter to Congressional leadership shortly afterward demanding that funding for it be eliminated.

Q4 This is one issue where we may not agree, but I will always be clear about where I stand. For the vast majority of employers in Arizona, this should not be a major issue because they treat their employees fairly. This is aimed at those employers who severely mistreat or mismanage their workers. I am confident that our good employers will not have to worry if card check were to pass.

Q2 No.  The two terms may be interpreted differently.  Until they are clearly defined, “Waters of the United States” may be used to intrude upon private property otherwise not included in the CWA.

Q3 No.  These regulations are based on questionable science.

Q4 I am opposed to card check.

Q1 Passing the Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America's Security and Prosperity Act will provide more stable and legally authorized seasonable labor, reducing demand for undocumented entry, and direct resources to targeted areas (such as ports of entry) that most need enforcement and safety assistance. Our visa backlog and other processing issues are hurting the economy by discouraging legal entry and citizenship applications. The hunger for immigration to the United States will never go down as long as we continue to have a strong economy and a free society. The question is how to maintain our economic competitiveness and not cause unnecessary damage to families. This will require legal, economic, and social policy changes contained in CIR ASAP, including the AgJOBS Act to standardize and update immigration procedures for those who work regularly in the agricultural industry. AgJOBS is an excellent way to bring hard-working agricultural laborers into the American economy in a way that ensures their fair treatment and a good standard of living. Providing an earned path to citizenship for agricultural labor workers who pose no criminal threat would be an important step toward a saner border policy.

Q2Yes

Q3Yes

Q4Yes

Q1 We must secure the border now! District 8 contains three border counties. The trafficking and violence in these areas are having a very negative impact on the district. We must address this issue in order to reduce the threat to our domestic security and to protect our sovereignty. I have earned endorsements from Sheriffs Joe Arpaio, Larry Dever and Paul Babeau because of my consistent position on border security.

 

I am a strong advocate for completing the double-layer border fence along the US-Mexico border. I do not support public benefits for those who are here illegally. I strongly support employer sanctions and Arizona’s new law, SB 1070.

 

I will fight to dramatically increase the number of Border Patrol agents. Until they can be hired, I support deploying 10,000 troops in an active enforcement mode among the border. The troops would be drawn down as the fence is completed and more Border Patrol agents finish training.

 

It is premature to discuss any kind of guest worker program until the border is fully secured but I can clearly state that I will never support amnesty for those who have illegally entered the United States. They should return to their country of citizenship.

Q2 No

Q3 No

Q4 No

 

Q1 We need to secure the borders and make it safe for the Arizona residents along that part of the State.  They pay taxes and they deserve the rights we hold in America.  After the border is secure, we need to develop a guest worker program that is easy to use and protect the work force.  The H2a and H2B programs need to be expanded.    We cannot keep going like we have been.

Q2 No. In fact, hell no.  It is stealing from the education of the youth of our great state. 

Q3 No.  It was wrong, we did it and it hurt and we see what it has done.  No.  We need to be honest, stop spending.   

Q4 Tax reform has to happen.  We need to address current residents and small businesses and those that we want to attract and bring jobs to Arizona.  We could include things like raise the business personal property tax exemptions from $66,000 to $250,000.  This would make jobs.  We need to lend certainty to the State's budget so people will have no fear to move here that we will not be raising more taxes on them.  We also have to get the regulations of everyone's back.  This has got to happen.  Government is strangling our businesses. 

Q1 I don’t support Arizona using its limited public safety resources to enforce federal immigration law at the expense of protecting our growing population in our homes and streets.  I do support holding the federal government responsible for protecting our border with the 20,000 agents they do have available to enforce our border laws.

 

Q2 Yes, I support dedicating State Trust Land for open space and conservation.  A portion of what’s left of our heritage, the trust lands, should be used as open space today and preserved for future generations to enjoy tomorrow.

Q3 No, I do not support taking funds dedicated to early education and conservation and sweeping them into the general fund.  This is an attempt by the legislature to defeat the will of the people and use these funds as they, in their imperial judgment, deem best.

Q4 The biggest challenge to new business and business expansion is lack of financing today.  I propose a State Jobs Bank, overseen by a board of directors from our three state universities, to fund qualifying businesses based on the number of new, quality jobs they can provide in our state.  States that have funding available have been immune to the recession and have seen their unemployment numbers remain low.

Q1 Yes

Q2 No

Q3 No

Q4 Reduce the corporate income tax and abolish the personal property business tax

Q1 Arizona should place its focus and resources on securing the border. The legislature needs to give law enforcement the tools to crack down on human smuggling and other violent criminals. Arizona should explore the concept of a temporary guest worker program. There needs to be severe consequences for illegal actions committed by people illegally in the country and the employers that hire them. Arizona must work on areas that are in its sphere of responsibility, securing the border, cracking down on border crime, and employment practices.

Q2 I support the dedication of state trust land for open space and conservation. 

Q3 I support sweeping surplus not dedicated agency funds to the general fund. Agencies are already operating on a skeleton budget but if they can cut spending and function in a more efficient manner then the saved money should be redirected to the general fund.

Q4 Strategic tax incentives should be aimed at companies that produce good paying jobs for Arizonans.  Small businesses should be a main focus of priority, especially green businesses.  A tax friendly environment is important to businesses; however an educated workforce is essential.  Arizona must place a greater focus on educating our future and a high importance on job training programs. 

Q1 Yes, it is more than just following the law it is also about rather our country will remain sovereign. Immigration must be done in an organized manner within the law. The bottom line is we must secure the border before we will solve the problem.

Q2 No. We need the state lands for school funding, and what minerals, or natural resources that can be utilized for jobs and other revenues. The state has enough "open space" that the Federal Government controls.

Q3 No, I think it is a very short term fix that in the long run cost us more. We must face the fact that we do not have enough revenue and the only answer is to reform all agencies and programs. I believe we fund the critical needs of the State, by reducing regulations, downsizing, privatize, individual responsibility, etc.

Q4 It is not government that has created this country.   It is hard working people who take a risk, use their ingenuity and if government gets out of the way they will find ways to create jobs. I think we create an atmosphere of fair and equal taxes, fewer regulations, reform zoning, permitting, etc., after all how did the pioneers do it?

 

Q1 I do not think it is the state's responsibility to enforce these laws.  We are seeing that attempting to take over the federal government's responsibility leads to expensive lawsuits.  We need to keep pushing the federal government to do their job.

Q2 Yes

Q3 No

Q4 We need to do several things.  We need to offer tax credits to businesses for limited periods to help them with start-up or through a difficult time.  We need to do this especially for small businesses and those in renewal energy industries.  We need to encourage towns and cities to become more business friendly.  We should consider penalizing banks for refusing credit to promising and desirable businesses.  We must support our schools, colleges, and technical schools that educate and train workers in industries of the future.  We must also have a good pre-school through high school educational system so workers will want to come here and stay here.   

 

 

 

Q1 Yes. If our ex governor and her boss won't protect us, what's left?
Q2 Yes. Subject to, reasonable constitutional guide lines being agreed to and supported by the interested parties.
Q3 To a degree. I pay dues to a 90/10 board. The overriding issue on sweeps should be the public health, safety, and welfare priorities.
Q4 Simply put, we need to adopt, where we can, programs similar to those that states we compete with use so we can level the playing field and be more competitive.

 

Q1 Yes, our federal government has failed to protect Arizona and its citizens from a porous and dangerous border.  I believe in states’ rights and our state and its citizens have the right to be safe and protected in the U.S. from illegal’s who attempt to invade our country.  If our federal government would enforce the law- this question would be a moot point.

Q2 State Trust lands were designated primarily to help fund education in Arizona.  They are held in “trust” for the beneficiaries and therefore we have a fiduciary responsibility in managing them.  This means we can conserve lands without harming the trust.  Farmers and ranchers do this every day.

Q3  No, funds that were collected from taxpayers and citizens for a specific purpose should be held and deployed for such a purpose as they were collected.  The key word is “dedicated.”  If they are funds which were collected to perform a General fund purpose they were collected for the General Fund and as such they are available.  All other “dedicated” funds should be off limits to sweeps.

Q4 Reduce the regulatory burden on businesses.  Create a more equitable and fair tax code which does not punish risk and achievement.  Get government out of the way of private enterprise.

Q1 Yes, one cannot ignore the cost to taxpayers, the damage to citizens, jobs taken, crime, killings and maimings, the burden on our schools, our healthcare system, etc.  We are a nation of laws and we must enforce them to the fullest extent. 

 

We must demand real commitment from our elected representatives to enforce our immigration laws and maintain the rule of law, curb reckless spending and preserve our Constitutional liberties or the American quality of life will continue to decline.  We must elect strong leaders that will be vigilant in defending the taxpayer, to be fiscal responsible and protecting your constitutional liberties.

Q2 No I do not.  I believe that land should be available for ranching.  I love parks, but we cannot continue to take land and remove it from proper use by our farm and ranch community. 

Q3 No, I have fought this every year.  I believe there needs to be a distinction however.  Some of those funds are taxes set by the legislature and they have an obligation to put them to the best use.  Some of the dedicated funds (user fees) should be off the table in those debates, even in difficult times. 

Q4 Reduce the regulator burden on businesses and lower taxes.  Government is the problem.  We need to create an environment that is conducive to productivity, and you do that by reducing the regulatory burden and the tax burden on business.   Eliminate the Business personal property tax, reduce the corporate tax, lower the income tax burden and go to a flat tax that is a reduced burden on taxpayers.  Also look at property taxes for reduction. 

Q1 I absolutely support enforcing our federal immigration law. Illegal immigration is arguably the biggest problem facing Arizona today as it not only is bankrupting our state (in 2009 Arizona spent approximately $2.7 billion on healthcare, education, and imprisonment for illegals), but is also a major social and public safety issue (rancher Bob Krentz’s murder, deputy Sheriff’s being gunned down on the side of the road, Arizona being the kidnapping capitol of the USA, the out of control drug cartels and gang warfare, etc.). Unfortunately, my opponent Rebecca Rios voted against SB 1070.

Q2 Yes

Q3 No. Arizona is broke because of poor decision-making and out of control spending. If you want to balance the budget, stop all state funding of illegal aliens and that will solve our budget crisis with out taking money from other state programs, without a tax increase, and without layoffs. Remember, Arizona spent $2.7 billion on services for illegals in 2009 and our budget deficit that year was approximately $2.7 billion!

Q4 We must offer tax incentives and decrease regulations on businesses currently operating in or those wanting to come to Arizona. Currently, our tax structure is crippling them and, as a former business owner, I understand what the effects of burdensome taxes and regulations can do to a company. 

Q1 Yes. Arizona needs to provide resources for border security and for the protection of our families and communities against the violence occurring as a result of Human Smuggling and Drug Cartels. We need to demand Congress act now! And we need to acknowledge the need by agriculture for labor.

Q2 Not at the expense of Ranching and Farming.  We need to protect land that is currently leased for ranching and farming - or we risk losing a very important part of Arizona's history and culture, as well as putting families out of work.

Q3 No.  I voted against the sweep of the Agriculture funds.  It was stealing, plain and simple.

Q4 Make Arizona business friendly by providing targeted tax incentives for businesses to expand and/or relocate to AZ; ensure AZ has a competitive tax structure, and reduce overly burdensome regulations.

Q1 Yes. When the federal government fails in their responsibility to protect the citizens of Arizona then it becomes a state responsibility. I live close to the border. The break-ins and drug traffic is scary. I support the Cattle Growers 18-Point Security Plan.

Q2 No. Open Space designation of State Trust lands is not in the best interest of the Trust. We have enough open space in Arizona. We have less than 13% of land in Arizona in private hands. I would support a no net loss plan of private property.

Q3 No. I support the Department of Agriculture and I would not support the sweeping of their funds.

Q4 Restructure of the tax policies in Arizona is what is needed. If we reduce taxes we can attract new business, help existing business, stimulate the economy and provide a good business environment that will put people back to work.

Q1 Yes. Securing our borders both with Mexico and Canada should be a top priority. The federal government has failed to address our immigration problems and Arizona has the right to protect its borders and its citizens.

Q2 Protecting private property is very important. There is not enough private property in Arizona and more should be created. State Trust Land reform needs to be addressed and must be carefully crafted to satisfy the diverse needs of our urban and rural areas.    

Q3  No. Agency funds that are dedicated for a purpose usually come from user fees. Those fees should not become a general tax that is used to fund general government.

Q4 We need to reform our current tax system. Businesses are overtaxed in particular areas. We also need to create tax incentives that help being and expand  industries with stable and good paying jobs to Arizona.

 

 

Q1 We must continue to hound the federal government to make them understand that our border and immigration laws need to be revised. It would not be practical, nor helpful, to have fifty different sets of immigration rules

Q2 This should be part of the plan.

Q3 No.

Q4 Improve our public education system. We are 50^th in investment in our children. High-wage, technologically based businesses will overlook Arizona if we can not provide stellar public schools and an educated workforce.

Q1 I support any effort to support the rule of law, protect our national sovereignty and protect the liberty and security of our citizens.  If that means that the state of Arizona has to step up to the plate and fill the role of the Federal Government because the Federal Government has failed to act then so be it.  Arizona must do all it can to secure the border with Mexico and fight illegal immigration and the crimes associated with it

Q2 Not without buying it at auction and at fair market value as required by the State Constitution.  If people want to set aside State Trust Land then they must buy it.  The majority of revenue from State Trust Land goes to fund education in the state of Arizona, setting it aside without paying for it is essentially stealing from the children of this state.

Q3 I don’t think anyone supports sweeping of funds, however, in the extreme budget environment created by nearly a decade of out of control spending, it literally comes down to finding any way possible to protect the states vital and core services.  When the budget situation is resolved, those funds that were swept should not only be returned, but returned with interest.

Q4 There needs to be a major review of all regulation that effects business.  Too often I hear about all of the red and “green” tape that stands in the way of a new business starting in Arizona.  We also need to reform our tax code so that it positions Arizona for a 21^st Century economy. Eliminating the personal business property tax while implementing a low, but broad based flat tax is not only fair to all citizens of this state, but will create a stable and predictive budget and tax environment that will encourage business to move to Arizona.

 

 

Q1 Yes. It is a matter of national security for the whole country.

Q2 No. We have plenty of "open space" with our federal lands. State Land was established to fund our educational system.

Q3 No. This is why they are called dedicated. Funds were established for specific projects and regulatory purposes, not to be swept for general funds.

Q4 Reduce business and personal property taxes and reduce unnecessary regulations which hinder business from growing. Make Arizona a more business friendly state to bring new jobs.

 

Q1 Yes, I support 1070.

Q2 Not without compensation to the beneficiaries.

Q3 No. Sadly, only in a crisis.

Q4 Reduce taxes, please support the revised Jobs bill now being circulated and ask the governor to call us back into session to pass a jobs bill NOW.

 

 

Q1 As do all other states, Arizona routinely enforces many federal laws ranging from illicit drug enforcement to various environmental regulations; immigration is no different. I support the relationship between Arizona and the federal government regarding enforcement of laws that are in our common interest. I do recognize the need within the Arizona agricultural community for some form of worker program and am studying the various proposals that have been put forward in that regard.

Q2 The Arizona Enabling Act for the purpose of supporting education in Arizona set State Trust Land aside; therefore activities involving State Trust Land shall be for the purpose of generating the highest market revenues, which in turn shall be used for supporting education in Arizona. I am a very staunch supporter of education.

Q3 I am wary of any government entity that is financially beyond the reach of the citizen elected government. By their nature, dedicated agency funds with no legislative or executive oversight may be subject to misuse, or spent inappropriately.

Q4 Revise Arizona’s tax structure into one that isn’t a patchwork of laws creating winners and losers. Reduce Arizona’s regulatory structure into a pro-manufacturing, pro-agriculture, and pro-employment streamlined system that encourages innovation and entrepreneurship.

Q1 Yes

Q2 No.  I believe that State Trust Lands are a resource that should be used and managed. If we do not use these resources we will loose them.  An example of this is the Rodeo- Chediski fire.

Q3 These funds were generated through public funding.  During these hard economic times the state legislature has the obligation to look at every option for balancing the state budget without raising taxes.

Q4 best and proven way to attract and expand businesses is to have a business friendly tax structure that is fair and equitable to all. 

Q1 Yes

Q2 No

Q3 No

Q4 Arizona will see a robust economy and be designated a business-friendly state that attracts new companies by lowering taxes, developing job creation incentives, and enhancing our vocational education and workforce development programs.  To help existing employers, we must decrease the bureaucratic red tape that is strangling our businesses and get government mandates out of the way of our free enterprise system. 

Q1 I support comprehensive immigration reform and that is the responsibility of the federal government. We cannot have a different immigration policy for every state. State's can do a few things that would help, such as employer sanctions and providing our public safety officers with the tools they need to fight criminal cartels smuggling drugs, people and weapons illegally into our country.

Q2 I support dedicating State Trust Land for open space and conservation.

Q3 I do not support the funds sweep.

Q4 Policy makers, University leaders and Business leaders need to be equal partners in planning a vision for our future. We must have a sustainable, diversified economy so that when times get bad it doesn't take us as long to recover. We can lower the business property tax, but only after reforming the tax structure so everyone is paying their fair share. We could offer incentives and rebates for high-tech, bio-tech and renewable energy businesses to relocate here. Underlying all of this requires an investment in our education system over more corporate tax breaks. Without a great education system, it's more difficult to attract and retain businesses that create well paying jobs. In addition, without well trained, well educated students, who will fill those jobs? We can be smarter about improving Arizona's prosperity if we elect leaders who are more interested in public service than just winning elections.

Q1 I support SB 1070, but this bill does not secure the border.  My first priority is to secure the border - adopting recommendations from the Cattlemen's 18-point Border Security Plan, and my second priority is an Arizona Guest Worker program with no path to citizenship to recruit skilled labor in support our core industries - agriculture, hospitality and construction.     

Q2  I support a legislative solution negotiated by ALL parties with an interest in State Trust Lands - agriculture, education, conservation and developers - that includes a provision for open space and conservation in addition to other uses.   

Q3  I do not support such sweeps.  I would support legislation removing such agency funds from the general fund and placing them in trust.  

Q4 I support continuation of the regulatory moratorium instituted by Governor Brewer, and a comprehensive review of regulations to eliminate burdensome, redundant unnecessary regulations and to streamline the regulatory process.  In addition, I support a comprehensive tax review to lower business taxes and ensure tax fairness to all businesses, large and small.  I would support elimination of the personal property tax to spur capital investment, and lower corporate taxes.  I would support lowering the business and agricultural property tax rates.  All of this would help our existing businesses grow, and attract new business to Arizona. 

Q1 Illegal immigration is not just a federal problem, and Arizona’s taxpayers are paying billions of dollars each year to deal with the costs of the problem.  It is a shame that we have to do the job that the federal government won’t do, but the cost of inaction is financial ruin.
Q2 I continue to support responsible use of State Trust Lands, including open space and conservation.
Q3 I don’t support sweeping any funds, but desperate times often force us to do things we do not want to do.  I intend to see that any swept funds are restored when our economic situation improves.
Q4 Reduce business tax rates and cut the regulatory burden on our businesses.  Small businesses in particular are the engine of our economy and we need to free them up to expand and hire new workers.  We also need to create greater certainty so that businesses can make better long-term plans.  This includes a repeal of Obamacare to both protect our health care system and the businesses that are going to have to pay its astronomical cost.

Q1 I support working in close collaboration with federal authorities to enforce existing immigration laws.   I will work to help establish a viable guest worker program to legally provide the seasonal workers that have long been a vital part of our Agricultural industry. 

Q2We need to provide a balanced mix of using State Trust Lands to support funding of education through land sales for agriculture and development, while still enabling the conservation of unique regions to ensure we do not lose the character of our great state.  

Q3 All fees collected by a specific agency should be held in trust. These fees were collected to provide a service to a specific community, and that community should not be forced to subsidize a mismanaged general fund.

Q4 We need to ensure that our business environment is not only regionally competitive, but also internationally competitive, by modernizing our business tax, incentive, and regulation structure.   All revisions to our tax code, however, must be part of a comprehensive effort to rebuild our structurally defective state budgetary process.  

Q1 Absolutely. The failure to deal with border and other immigration violations at the federal level is obviously a bipartisan problem which has no end in sight. The state will not survive unless measures like SB1070 are used.

Q2 Yes. I support prop 110.

Q3 No. I think the deficit should be dealt with through a combination of spending cuts and tax increases and I say tax increases as a last resort, never without spending cuts.

Q4 Corporate taxes must be reduced.

Q1 All enforcement agencies should enforce the laws we have in our country. Where our laws are not doing what they were designed to do, we need to bring people together and update laws to reflect the needs of our country and its people. Government needs to protect its borders and its citizens.

Q2 Yes. We must balance the uses of our State Trust Lands, making sure that we maintain them for the productive use and enjoyment of our future generations.

Q3 No. Budget deficits must be managed without taking money from funds that are dedicated to specific purposes. The people of Arizona voted to dedicate that money and their choices should not be ignored!

Q4 There are several things we can do to improve our economy. First we should be encouraging sustainable energy, aerospace, and bio-tech industries. We have many undeveloped areas, lots of sunshine, good research universities and natural resources that could make us an economic leader in these areas. We can help our small and other existing businesses by simplifying our regulations and tax codes. 

Q1 Arizona enforces many Federal laws, including drug laws. Using all available resources to enforce our nation's laws makes sense. Illegal immigration has an inordinate impact on Arizona as a border state. So, yes I support Arizona helping to enforce federal immigration law.

Q2 State Trust Land was set up as part of our statehood to help support education. All proceeds from State Trust Land, whether land leases or the income from investments on land that has been sold go to benefit our state education system. So, no, State Trust Land should not be dedicated for open space/conservation, that is not the purpose or intent of this land.

Q3 No, this needs to stop. This sweeping of funds is essentially a tax on a small group of people.

Q4 This should be our number one priority in the upcoming session. We need to make sure that all taxes related to business are competitive with other states. Which means that we need to reduce the Corp income tax rate and that we need to phase out the business personal property tax to start with. We need to review all regulations and eliminate as many as possible that are hindrances to business. Last year's HB2250 needs to be passed.

Q1 While I support the enforcement of federal immigration law, I feel the key word is 'federal".  Since the Constitution includes the Supremacy Clause, SB1070 will not pass constitutional muster.  I applaud the Obama administration for doubling the number of National Guardsmen that Governor Brewer asked for.  I also appreciate the fact that they will be fully trained before deploying.  Since the governor has now admitted that SB1070 has nothing to do with boarder security, it leaves the question - Why was it passed?  It is a shame that politics has gotten in the way of true measures that could make Arizona's boarder more secure and its citizens safer. 

Q2 I have no problem with dedicating State Trust Land for open space and conservation as long as public schools and other entities are protected in the process.

Q3 No!  The citizens of this state have voted to support programs they feel are important.  Because the legislative majority feel health care for children and early childhood education are unimportant, they want to redirect these funds for programs they feel are important.  One example would be a $250,000,000 tax cut for large corporations.  The legislature should respect the citizens of this state and their priorities and not act to override them. 

Q4 Recently in the Arizona Republic, there was a wonderful article that expressed Mesa Mayor Scott Smith and his frustration at our inability to attract new business to this state.  The legislature must stop passing laws that make Arizona uninviting to businesses.  When Arizona is portrayed as unsafe, with headless bodies littering our rural areas what business would want to relocate to such a place?  Tax structure is important and must be looked at, but so is our quality of life.  Businesses want to locate to a state that supports strong K-University programs, not a state that spends less per child than Guam and Puerto Rico.  Businesses want to move to a state that takes pride in its state parks system, not one that wants to sell them to the highest bidder.  If the state has that little respect for its own heritage, it is sending a poor message to potential businesses.  For existing businesses perhaps a tax credit could be established for the hiring of new full time workers who are given a living wage and benefits.

Q1 This question would never be asked if the federal government was living up to its obligation to protect our borders. As one who believes in states’ rights, certainly I believe that the state must accept the responsibility of border protection when the federal government does not.

Q2 Many have probably forgot that we designated State Trust lands primarily for

the purpose of funding education in Arizona. The “trust” means that as long as the state meets its financial obligation to the beneficiaries, we’ve had a long tradition of putting the trust into the hands of ranchers and farmers who have proven to be the best conservators.

Q3 Funds collected from taxpayers for a specific purpose should not be used for purposes other than the one designated. We have to be very careful here, as some funds are for the General Fund; however, all dedicated funds must be used as defined.

Q4 Government is very often the problem. Less government intrusion in business is a proven method of providing an atmosphere for private business to grow and thrive. Government over-regulation has burdened private business to the degree that many are strangled.