by marketfreedomalliance1 | Aug 24, 2016 | Political Profiles
August 24, 2016
Market Freedom Alliance 2016 Candidate Questionnaire
Section 1: Biography
Name: Kevin Payne
Specific office running for (include district): AZ House LD21
Address: Peoria, AZ. 85345
Campaign Phone: 623-229-1439
Campaign E-Mail: [email protected]
Campaign Website: www.electkevinpayne.com
Facebook address: www.facebook.com/electkevinpayne
Occupation: Owner/operator K Star BBQ
Previous occupations: DSET Laboratories IT Manager since 1993.
Education: USNavy and three years at UOP with a 3.85 GPA.
Family: Married with four children and 7 grandchildren
What is your party registration and how long have you been registered as a member of that party: Republican since 1980.
Clubs/Organizations you currently belong to: I’m a PC in the LD21 Republican Party
Are you using public funds in your campaign: NO I am not.
Section 2: Getting to know you
- If you could sum up your platform with three key issues, what would they be:
Grow Economy – To grow the economy you must grow and create jobs. This is best done with small business whether it is new startups, growing existing businesses or importing businesses from elsewhere. We must keep the regulatory burden in check eliminating unnecessary regulation. Finally, we must keep corporate taxes low and reduce where we can. For too long AZ has been cutting individual taxes while ignoring corporate taxes.
Education – I believe in school choice which I think leads to competition between schools. When you have competition you have improvement. Arizona has three of the top ten schools in the nation so it’s not entirely a money issue. We need to emulate those top schools and keep our best teachers. AZ is ranked last in the nation for teacher pay so it is difficult, at best, to attract good teachers. Along with increased pay comes increased accountability so we can ensure teachers and schools are performing to our standards.
Transportation – Another key for business in AZ is our highways. AZ is in a great position to grow if we have a good highways, railways and modern airports. If we can manufacture goods in AZ and export them elsewhere that would be good for AZ. AZ could be a trade hub with Texas not far to our east, Mexico to our south and California to our west. Goods could ship overseas via California, south to Mexico and all over the country via rail and interstate highways. We must maintain our existing roadways and be ready to expand as needed.
- Name one achievement, either professionally or personally, which you are most proud of: The opening of our family business.
- What are your thoughts on the current Presidential election: I was so exited by some of the candidates when it all started last summer. However my candidate didn’t win, but I will support the one that did.
Section 3: ISSUES
1. What are your thoughts on Arizona’s sharing economy, specifically, do you believe that it needs more regulation or less regulation: Less regulation.
2. What are your views on companies like Uber and Lyft? Do you think there is merit in the argument that commercial hotels and car services are making that the sharing economy needs more regulation: I’d like to see the government stay out of it. If people want to use those services so be it at their own risk.
3. Name two areas where you believe there is too much Government regulation (either on a state or federal level): The EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers are out of control. At the state level and one that I have to deal with is the Maricopa County Health Department. My wife and I started a family business last summer (2015) which is a mobile food kitchen called K Star Ranch BBQ, LLC. Since then we experienced first hand the burdensome regulations put on some businesses. For example they regulate the size of our serving windows, whether they are self closing and if they have a wind screen or not. They regulate the size of fresh water tanks, the material used to cover the interior walls, floors and ceiling. The list goes on and on.
4. Do you believe that crony capitalism is a problem in Arizona? If so, how would you change that: Yes. I don’t believe in picking winners and losers. If an idea or product is good it should not need subsidized.
5. Recently, many companies have left Arizona citing the lack of an employable workforce. Do you see this to be a true problem in Arizona and if so, what do you think can be done to fix it: I think it is a perception rather than a fact, however we must be able to overcome this perception. I do believe most school districts under fund the classroom. As stated above I believe the money should follow the student which leads to competition between the schools for the dollars. I also believe that the school boards need to ensure the money goes to the classroom so AZ schools can compete with other states in bringing in the best teachers. I also believe in pay for performance so if a teacher does well they should be rewarded.
6. Subsidies have become prevalent in our economy, often times artificially supporting an entire industry for extended periods of time. What are your views on subsidies: I don’t like them. A business or idea should be able to stand on it’s own without government assistance.
7. Is there an Arizona industry which you believe relies too much on subsides: Yes, solar companies.
8. Do you think that Arizona should lower its corporate property tax with the goal of encouraging new businesses to move here? If so, what do you think the new rate should be: Yes I do. I think the property tax is very complicated. It needs to be reworked. At the least property taxes should be level for all meaning that business and residential should be equal.
To learn more about Kevin, visit his website at www.electkevinpayne.com
Kevin Payne is a Candidate for LD 21 House. He is running against Tony Rivero and Deanne Rasmussen-Lacotta ( D )
by marketfreedomalliance1 | Aug 11, 2016 | Political Profiles
August 11, 2016
Market Freedom Alliance 2016 Candidate Questionnaire
Section 1: Biography
Name: AZ Representative Bob Thorpe
Specific office running for (include district): State House LD-6
Address: 490 Lake Mary Rd, Flagstaff 86005
Campaign Phone: 928-310-8811
Campaign E-Mail: [email protected]
Campaign Website: www.thorpe4az.com
Twitter handle: @azrepbobthorpe
Occupation: State Representative, residential remodel
Previous occupations: Price Waterhouse accounting, Walt Disney, aerospace, software industry and IT, UCLA Ext. instructor, K-12 public education, Firefighter EMT,
Education: B.A. Liberal Arts
Family: married with a daughter and son
What is your party registration and how long have you been registered as a member of that party: Republican for 41 years
Previous public offices you’ve sought/held: State Representative for 4 years
Clubs/Organizations you currently belong to: GOP
Are you using public funds in your campaign: Y/N N
Section 2: Getting to know you
- If you could sum up your platform with three key issues, what would they be: growing AZ jobs and economy, improving choice in affordable effective education, protecting and increasing state’s rights
- Name one achievement, either professionally or personally, which you are most proud of: my family and my business and political experiences
- What are your thoughts on the current Presidential election : I support my party’s candidate
Section 3: ISSUES
1. What are your thoughts on Arizona’s sharing economy, specifically, do you believe that it needs more regulation or less regulation: less regulation, AZ needs more job creators and expanded economy
2. What are your views on companies like Uber and Lyft? Do you think there is merit in the argument that commercial hotels and car services are making that the sharing economy needs more regulation: less regulation, I support creative business models like Uber and Lyft
3. Name two areas where you believe there is too much Government regulation (either on a state or federal level): federal control over AZ lands (only 17% in private hands and generating taxes for education and local government) and federal regulation on healthcare and education
4. Do you believe that crony capitalism is a problem in Arizona? If so, how would you change that: we need an open economy where all businesses are treated equally
5. Recently, many companies have left Arizona citing the lack of an employable workforce. Do you see this to be a true problem in Arizona and if so, what do you think can be done to fix it: I do not fully believe this argument, however we must hold AZ K-12 education responsible for producing quality graduates who are fully prepared for higher education and employment
6. Subsidies have become prevalent in our economy, often times artificially supporting an entire industry for extended periods of time. What are your views on subsidies: I do not support subsidies, I believe that we need to have low taxes and regulations and give our businesses the best environment where they can compete and be successful
7. Is there an Arizona industry which you believe relies too much on subsides: not at the state level
8. Do you think that Arizona should lower its corporate property tax with the goal of encouraging new businesses to move here? If so, what do you think the new rate should be: I would like to eliminate all personal and business property and income taxes and switch to consumption (sales, TPT) taxes instead
To learn more about Bob Thorpe visit his website at www.thorpe4az.com
Bob Thorpe is a LD 6 House Candidate. He is running against: Brenda Barton, and Alex Martinez ( D )
by marketfreedomalliance1 | Aug 8, 2016 | Political Profiles
Republican Mary Hamway is a current Councilwoman and former Vice Mayor for the Town of Paradise Valley. At the end of her term (December of 2016), Mary will have served 10 years on the Paradise Valley Town Council. During her time on the Town Council, Mary was Chair of the Town’s Water Committee and Chair for the restoration of Kiva Athletic Field. She also served as Co-Chair for the Town’s 50th Anniversary Visioning Committee and on the Town’s General Plan Advisory Committee.
She has now set her sights on leading LD28 in the AZ House of Representatives. Watch her interview to hear about what inspiried her to run and how she plans to improve Arizona.
To learn more about Mary visit her website at www.maryhamway.com
Mary Hamway is a candidate for LD 28 House. She is running against: Kenneth Bowers, Alberto Gutier, Maria Syms, Matt Morales, and Kelli Butler ( D )
by marketfreedomalliance1 | Aug 2, 2016 | Political Profiles
Sonny Borrelli – Candidate for LD 5 Senate
August 02, 2016
Sonny Borrelli was elected to the Arizona House of Representatives in 2012. He is the Vice-Chairman of the Transportation committee and also serves on the Government Committee and the Public Safety, Military and Regulatory Affairs Committee.A native of Lake Havasu, Borrelli served in the United States Marine Corp for 22 years and is a former small business owner.
Unless you plan to vote by mail, find out where to vote in the August 30th primary, by visiting: https://voter.azsos.gov/VoterView/PollingPlaceSearch.do
by marketfreedomalliance1 | Aug 1, 2016 | Political Profiles
August 01, 2016
Market Freedom Alliance 2016
Candidate Questionnaire
Section 1: Biography
Name: Mark Finchem
Specific office running for (include district): House of Representatives, LD-11
Address: PO Box 64399, Oro Valley, AZ 85737
Campaign Phone: (520) 955-7695
Campaign E-Mail: [email protected]
Campaign Website: http://www.votefinchem.com
Twitter handle: MarkFinchem
Facebook address: https://www.facebook.com/mfinchem
Occupation: Realtor
Previous occupations: 21 Years Law Enforcement Officer, 7 Years Sr. Manager at Intuit. Inc.
Education: AAS Law Enforcement & Criminal Justice
Family: Married to Tanya, Sons Benjamin & Brandon, Daughters Katelyn & Tiffany, and Son-in-law Vikram Mohan
What is your party registration and how long have you been registered as a member of that party: Republican, the last 10 or so years.
Previous public offices you’ve sought/held: Sought oro Valley Town Council, Elected Arizona House of Representatives in 2014 (serving 2015-2016).
Clubs/Organizations you currently belong to: Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), National Association of REALTORS, Tucson Association of REALTORS, National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), Arizona Citizens Defense League (AZCDL), National Rifle Association (NRA).
Are you using public funds in your campaign: Y/N
I am not using public funds for this campaign
Section 2: Getting to know you
- If you could sum up your platform with three key issues, what would they be: Personal Freedom, Economic Freedom and securing a Debt-free Future.
- Name one achievement, either professionally or personally, which you are most proud of: Delivering on my commitment to those who voted me into office in 2014, namely to pass legislation t repeal and replace common core, to enact legislation to acknowledge parental authority in the government school system.
- What are your thoughts on the current Presidential election : It has been over 2000 years since there walk a perfect man to lead. I will support the candidate who is willing to push back against the vast uber-left consortium that has overtaken American politics in both the state and federal spheres of power. Right now that appears to be Donald Trump. While I originally supported another man in the primary, Mr. Trump has emerged as the candidate who most represents the resistance to further decay of our standing in the world and here at home.
Section 3: ISSUES
1.What are your thoughts on Arizona’s sharing economy, specifically, do you believe that it needs more regulation or less regulation:
Staying out of the way of commerce is what we should be known for, bureaucracy is obsessed with regulating anything it can interfere with, even if there is no need to regulate it. Until there is a demonstrated need to protect the general welfare of the community I don’t believe we should interfere in the name of governance.
2. What are your views on companies like Uber and Lyft? Do you think there is merit in the argument that commercial hotels and car services are making that the sharing economy needs more regulation:
No, what hotels and tai cab companies want to do is make us think that for our own protection these “sharing economy” solutions must be controlled. They want to use government as tool to limit competition, I say let the games begin and the consumer will pick the winners.
3. Name two areas where you believe there is too much Government regulation (either on a state or federal level):
Federal Land Management and State Department of Administration.
4. Do you believe that crony capitalism is a problem in Arizona? Yes I do believe it exists. If so, how would you change that:
Sunshine is the best solution to an infection; shine the light of real investigative journalism on elected officials who are using their position of authority to specifically line their pockets and those of their cronies and reveal to the voters know who they have in office allegedly representing their best interests. This would be a great state for a true investigative journalism outlet to open up shop and report on news without an agenda linked to one party or another.
5. Recently, many companies have left Arizona citing the lack of an employable workforce. Do you see this to be a true problem in Arizona and if so, what do you think can be done to fix it:
I would like to know what companies are included in the alleged mass exodus from Arizona. According to Forbes Magazine, “Arizona’s projected job growth is 3.1% annually through 2019, best in the nation … Rounding out the top five states for future job growth are Florida, Texas…” And as a Realtor I am serving companies like Roche and Caterpillar which are both moving operations and personnel into Arizona. I don’t buy the argument that we I don’t have an employable workforce.
6. Subsidies have become prevalent in our economy, often times artificially supporting an entire industry for extended periods of time. What are your views on subsidies:
We should not be offering subsidies, if a business can’t make it on its own merits and performance why should the taxpayer support it? At the end of the day why should the consumer pay twice for the product or service a business delivers (first through a taxpayer subsidy, then at the checkout lane for the product itself)?
7. Is there an Arizona industry which you believe relies too much on subsides:
Government itself. There is a management test that is simple, if a business unit stops doing something and nobody notices that it has stopped, that business unit is no longer needed and should be retired as a “business”. Inefficient and ineffective bureaucracy should be sought out and eliminated when fund. I would like to see a performance standard set for the subsidies that we do offer that assure the taxpayer that they will get a reasonable return for their investment. I’m not sure we do a very good job of evaluating such endeavors.
8. Do you think that Arizona should lower its corporate property tax with the goal of encouraging new businesses to move here? If so, what do you think the new rate should be:
I think one of the most damaging taxes we have is the corporate private property tax. The reality is that if I buy a computer at a retailer in 2015, I pay a sales tax on the purchase, take it home and use it until it is no longer serviceable. I don’t pay the government every year on the anniversary of the purchase again for the privilege of using what I already paid for in 2015. But those evil, greedy corporations do. And, the dirty secret that tax-and-spend politicians will not tell the public is that such a tax is built into the cost of the product everyone buys from the evil, greedy corporations. IN reality such a hidden tax is a drag on the economy. I would prefer to see an itemized tax statement on everything we purchase, that would shock consumers and would drive them to shrink government “regulation” to make products and services more affordable.
To learn more about Mark, visit his website at www.votefinchem.com
Mark Finchem is a candidate for LD 11 House. He is running against Vince Leach, and Corin Hammon ( D )
by marketfreedomalliance1 | Jul 26, 2016 | Political Profiles
Market Freedom Alliance 2016 Candidate Questionnaire
Section 1: Biography
Name: Andy Biggs
Specific office running for (include district): Arizona’s Fifth Congressional District
Address: 1234 S. Power Rd. Suite 251 Mesa, AZ 85296
Campaign Phone: (602) 726-2013
Campaign E-Mail: [email protected]
Campaign Website: biggsforcongress.com
Twitter handle: @andybiggs4az
Facebook address: facebook.com/biggsforcongress
Youtube channel: Andy Biggs
Occupation: President, Arizona State Senate
President & CEO, Free Man Press
Previous occupations: Attorney at Law
Education: Brigham Young University - B.A. Asian Studies
Arizona State University - M.A. Political Science
University of Arizona - J.D. Degree
Family: Married to Cindy Biggs (35 years) , six children and four grandchildren
What is your party registration and how long have you been registered as a member of that party:
Republican Party, life (40 years)
Previous public offices you've sought/held: Arizona State House, LD 22 (2003 - 2010)
Arizona State Senate, LD 12 (2011 - present)
Are you using public funds in your campaign: No
Section 2: Getting to know you
1. If you could sum up your platform with three key issues, what would they be:
- Dismantle the regulatory bureaucracy
- Reduce the tax burden
- Restores power back to the states
2. Name one achievement, either professionally or personally, which you are most proud of:
- I am proudest of my family. The best thing in the world is to be married and have children and
grandchildren. Outside of that, I love being able to have written a couple of books.
3. What are your thoughts on the current Presidential election:
- Supporting our Republican Party nominee, 100%.
Section 3: ISSUES
1.What are your thoughts on Arizona’s sharing economy, specifically, do you believe that it needs more
regulation or less regulation:
- The sharing economy needs less regulation.
2. What are your views on companies like Uber and Lyft? Do you think there is merit in the argument that
commercial hotels and car services are making that the sharing economy needs more regulation:
- I support the sharing economy. I believe the regulated established businesses have a fair argument. I
have proposed reducing the regulation on the established regulated businesses so that they too have less
regulation and can innovate the way their business in the way the sharing economy can.
3. Name two areas where you believe there is too much Government regulation (either on a state or
federal level):
- Department of Education
- Environmental Protection Agency
4. Do you believe that crony capitalism is a problem in Arizona? If so, how would you change that:
- I believe crony capitalism is a problem in Arizona. I have fought to eliminate the Arizona Competes
Fund, which transfers taxpayer money to businesses.
5. Recently, many companies have left Arizona citing the lack of an employable workforce. Do you see
this to be a true problem in Arizona and if so, what do you think can be done to fix it:
- We need to improve our education system, be more innovative and work with businesses to find out
what training they believe is necessary for Arizona to have an employable workforce. I have met with
many business leaders and many of them are very pleased with our high tech and engineering workforce
that is available.
6. Subsidies have become prevalent in our economy, often times artificially supporting an entire industry
for extended periods of time. What are your views on subsidies:
- I have a 14 year track record of fighting government subsidies and transfer of taxpayer money to support
industries.
7. Is there an Arizona industry which you believe relies too much on subsides:
- I think that some of the jobs training programs for large industries paid for Arizona taxpayers is
unjustified. One of the most attempts that we see regularly is to subsidize the film industry.
8. Do you think that Arizona should lower its corporate property tax with the goal of encouraging new
businesses to move here? If so, what do you think the new rate should be:
- Arizona should revamp its entire state tax code by eliminating the personal and corporate income tax,
and moving to a consumption tax.
For more information on Senator Biggs, visit his website at www.biggsforcongress.com
Andy Biggs is a Congressional District 5 Candidate. He is running against: Justin Olson, Christine Jones,
Don Stapley, Talia Fuentes ( D ), and Kinsey Remaklus ( D ).
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