Why are you running for this State position?

Eddie Farnsworth
Our nation and state are in a crisis situation, not only with a budget meltdown, but with an ongoing push to expand government regulation, increase mandates, and adding additional tax burdens upon the citizens. I decided to run for State Representative because I have the education, knowledge and experience to help guide the state in a more fiscally and regulatory responsible direction. I have a proven track record of supporting critical infrastructure while opposing unnecessary government expansion and intrusion.

Laurin Hendrix
I am running for the legislature because I see a continued need for leadership, integrity, and conservative values in the State legislature.

Paul Howell
Honestly, I never considered myself a politician. In 2008, I saw a need for strong leadership in the Higley Unified School District. I felt strongly that with my educational background I could help the district move forward in a productive way. I feel that I have accomplished that. Today, I once again see a need for strong leadership, this time in the State Legislature.  I believe I can contribute some common sense ideas and solutions to help the State move forward in many areas: economic development, education, creating government efficiencies, and many other things.

Brett Petillo
Because there is a leadership vacuum in our state. We are still dealing with the same problems that we were dealing with a decade ago, they have only gotten worse and there is no long term plan in place to fix it. We have mortgaged our future to pay for programs that are not even within the parameters of the role of government. It is time for a new vision, a new voice. One that has had to persevere through the negative consequences of a negligent government.

Kelly Townsend
Did not respond to questionnaire

Steve Urie
The state legislature needs creative, innovative, think outside the box elected officials. I believe that my eleven (11) years of experience as an elected official in a municipal government that has no primary tax, no use tax, the lowest sales tax, the lowest number of employees per capita; yet, it is the safest community in the state and ranked nationally for its quality of life has been achieved by thinking outside the box, partnering with state, county and other municipalities, as well as, for profit and non-profit organizations. I believe that this same approach that I have been using on a municipal level can be taken to the next level and creatively applied to the state. We need a creative can do attitude in the state legislature. It is time we think outside the box.

What are the top three (3) priorities you plan to pursue to improve Arizona’s economic recovery?

Eddie Farnsworth

1. I will work diligently to bring fiscal responsibility back to Arizona. We cannot continue to tax and borrow to support an insatiable appetite for spending. 
2. I will work to restructure our tax system. The tax burden on Arizona Businesses is excessive, reduces the opportunity for investment by business and puts us in a competitive disadvantage with our neighboring states.
3. I will work to reduce the excessive regulatory burdens placed on business by government. One very important side of the economic recovery equation is to strengthen businesses already in Arizona through reduced regulation and taxation while attracting new business to the state. It is critical that we reduce the government barriers to entry and gain a reputation of being business friendly. 

Laurin Hendrix

1. I believe in conservative fiscal policies firmly grounded in reducing the size and scope of government programs and I am unalterably opposed to government borrowing or increased taxation. To that end, Arizona cannot continue to use accounting gimmicks to balance its budget
2. The impact of organized labor on business in Arizona has continued to grow during the current recession. I will continue to work in cooperation with the business community to reduce labor interference in the free market economy.
3. The Arizona tax code must be fully overhauled to make Arizona a more attractive environment for economic development. The real property tax must be restructured to be competitive with other Western States. Corporate income tax must be modified to be less burdensome on business. I will continue to work toward the repeal of the business personal property tax.

Paul Howell

1. Increasing Arizona’s competiveness in attracting solid businesses that have the potential to grow and provide outstanding jobs.
2. Development of a strategic plan to attract emerging technologies to Arizona. 
3. Demand efficient use of tax dollars.

Brett Petillo

1. Remove unnecessary regulation and legislation (i.e. the REST Standards)
2. Lower the state's corporate tax rates (income and property)
3. Getting the state fiscally under control to show businesses that would potentially move here that we are no longer a circus.

 
Kelly Townsend
Did not respond to questionnaire

Steve Urie

1. Target and recruit clean, green and high salaried business, industry and manufacturing to Arizona while reducing the barriers (property tax, corporate tax, 25% personal property tax) to businesses wanting to expand or re-locate in or to Arizona. 
2. Coordinate community colleges and universities to teach the skills necessary to support those targeted clean, green and high salaried businesses, industries and manufacturing to provide an skilled and educated work force so those business will hire their personnel from within Arizona.
3. Secure the border, build the border barrier, reform immigration policy and then if there is the political will work on a guest worker program.

What changes to solve the State’s budget deficit issue, if any, would you make and what effect would they have on businesses?

Eddie Farnsworth
First, I would move to a zero based budgeting process. The state has limited funds and we must prioritize our spending. Instead of building the budget from last year’s spending baseline, each agency budget would begin at zero. The agency would have to justify it’s existence and needed funding levels. Constitutionally mandated programs, such as public safety and k-12 education, would receive top priority. Spending would be limited to projected revenues. Less important programs would be reduced or eliminated.

Laurin Hendrix
The solution to the state budget deficit lies in a combination of reduced spending and improved economic development. The recent increase in sales tax was nothing but a short term feel good answer to a long term problem. Arizona must create a business environment that is competitive with other states and with the rest of the world. The first step must include an overhaul of our tax structure including the changes suggested above. Additionally, it will be necessary to stop the continued increase in government regulation of free enterprise that leads to barriers to entry and protectionist trade policy. The free market must be allowed to develop in all markets.

Paul Howell
Arizona needs to take an honest look at the budget problems we face as a state. Arizona started many new programs while cutting taxes throughout the last 10 years. That formula worked when we had hyper-growth. Currently, that is not the case and we find ourselves in a very tough situation. There are several things we need to do: 1) find efficiencies to operate state government better and less expensively, much the way corporations look to increase productivity. 2) Eliminate non-essential spending. 3) Develop a long term, strong strategic plan to increase economic development and activity. 4) Be honest with our citizens and pass real budgets in a timely manner.

Brett Petillo
We have to address the Voter Protection Act, which mandates actual state level expenditures. No one who does not have direct access to the proper resources to understand the complexities of a multibillion dollar budget should have a say in how 65% of it is spent, except through their elected representatives. We are a Representative Republic, not a Direct Democracy for reasons such as this.

Kelly Townsend
Did not respond to questionnaire

Steve Urie
The state needs to facilitate the creation or the replacement of jobs that have been lost. This can only be done by attracting out of state businesses or expanding current business in Arizona. Businesses will only expand or re-locate to Arizona if the barriers to business, industry and manufacturing (corporate income tax, the 25% personal property tax, and the business property tax) are reduced or removed.

What do you believe has been the impact of the passage of SB 1070?

Eddie Farnsworth
First, Arizona has said it will enforce the rule of law. This is a profound position because without the rule of law and its enforcement, we have anarchy. Second, it sends a message to congress that Arizona wants enforcement of existing federal law. Third, it will reduce the illegal population in the state and the commensurate costs associated therewith. It is estimated that Illegal Aliens cost the state 2.5 billion dollars annually. This law will reduce that burden at a time when we still face a 2 billion dollar deficit.

Laurin Hendrix
I was a co-sponsor of SB1070 and a strong supporter of the content of the bill. The impact of SB1070 will be a reduction in the number of illegal aliens burdening the State while failing to contribute to the State. Furthermore, SB1070 will challenge the Federal government to begin to fulfill its responsibility to protect the borders of the United States and prevent the illegal entry of aliens into the country.

Paul Howell
1070 has finally brought attention to a problem that has been neglected for decades. It highlights the need for comprehensive immigration reform. I appreciate what 1070 is trying to do, but I don’t believe this is an issue that should be solely handled by local law enforcement draining local resources. The United States needs a policy that is effective and can and will be enforced. I believe it needs to tackle the problem from a variety of angles, including proper monitoring of the border, an effective program that monitors people that come across the borders legally and then overstay their document dates and never leave, and a simple way to verify citizenship for employment.

Brett Petillo
I think it sent a clear message that the Federal Government has been derelict of their constitutionally mandated duty and that just because they have been does not mean that state of Arizona should be. It is a bill that I support, but I also realize it is simply a bandage on a gushing wound. Until we build a wall and legitimately secure our borders, protecting our citizens from the likes of Al Queda, Hezbollah, the illegal drug trade and illegal incursions from the Mexican militarty, no law can possibly be as effective as necessary.

Kelly Townsend
Did not respond to questionnaire

Steve Urie
It has become a flash point between political ideologies. It will make the issue of immigration reform the focal point of the mid-term elections. Special interests groups will challenge the law and other states will duplicate SB 1070 for their own state while unauthorized persons to leave the state. The next step will be a court challenge of the law. Unless a motion to stay is granted, the law should be enforced come July 29th.

What would you do to ensure there is a qualified and competitive workforce available to businesses in the future?

Eddie Farnsworth

1. Establish and enforce high standards in our education system (K-12 and Universities) so our students are qualified to compete with the world.
2. Continue to encourage a competitive education environment in Arizona through Districts, Charter Schools, Home Schooling, and Private Schools. Competition provides options for students and promotes success.
3. Dialogue with business to understand their workforce needs in the short-term, medium-term and long-term. This involvement helps direct and focus education goals and standards.

Laurin Hendrix
We must demand a better product from our K-20 system including our universities and research centers in a continued effort to improve the training and quality of the work force in Arizona. As we move to higher paying jobs requiring greater degrees of technological training, we will need to place a greater emphasis on the skills of the graduates from our universities and technical training centers.

Paul Howell
There has been so much written claiming that a quality workforce is essential for economic development. I agree. We need to encourage strong relationships between our educational institutions and business. This collaboration is essential. In addition, we cannot be timid in investing in education. The majority of Arizonans are dissatisfied with the school system and feel the state has done a poor job of providing a solid education for our youngsters. We need to demand excellence for all schools from primary grades through college.

Brett Petillo
By enforcing the illegal immigration laws, both 1070 and those that have been in place for years and decades, cracking down on employers who hire illegal workers, we will see an increase in the wages that have been suppressed by these workers in the marketplace. We also will have to fight to repeal Obamacare. As the cost for benefits for the employee increases on the owner, they will have two choices pass that increase onto the consumer or hire new employees at a lower base rate.

Steve Urie
We need to identify the businesses, industries and manufacturing that we want to expand or re-locate in Arizona. Once identified, the skills that the work force while need should be identified; after which, the community colleges and universities need to teach those skills in order to have a qualified and skilled local work force to fill the new jobs. This is the same approach the Williams Gateway Transition and Reuse Committee used. 

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