Civil Arizona Asked Me For Comments About State Spending and Jobs

Here are my Answers to www.civilarizona.org:

From Peggy Judd (Candidate for House LD 25)

(1) The level of state spending:
Spending increased proportionately with the explosive growth in Arizona in 2005 and 2006 however this growth has not only slowed, but Arizona's economy has taken a nose dive. We cannot allow this to go on and the current legislature worked very hard to cut the budget, but it wasn't enough. We will not be able to afford this budget, but will have to continue to turn down or shut off the faucets in many areas of state spending. I know it has been difficult on many government employees having mandatory furlough and cuts in benefits, but it is better in the long run to keep you jobs rather than to lose jobs as so many in the private sector have. Some of our rest areas, parks and recreation areas may need to remain closed and other items may fall into disrepair, but only temporarily we hope, while the economy truly recovers. Not because we pumped a lot of money in that we don't have, but because we provided funding to the businesses and organizations in this state in a manner that will encourage and grow the private industry; who, in turn, will pay taxes and spend money in the state and then fill the state coffers.

(2) The level of state revenues:
I know the state is still overspending and revenues raised by recent legislation, IE Proposition 100, will not begin to cover what it needed. I have one suggestion, that was made by a wise and thoughtful constituent and that is to initiate a Savings Bond Program. I will not ever vote to increase taxes and will work to lower corporate taxes to encourage business growth and new business, but I would like to see a voluntary program, such as Savings Bonds come into play. Arizona would not only get needed revenues, but participation in this program will instill a sense of renewed pride and ownership in the citizens. Hopefully, upon maturation, at least a small return on their investment will also be realized.

(3) Stimulating job growth:
There are too many government jobs and there is not enough private sector money coming in to pay for them. The government regulations and controls need to be lessened and then the need for additional clerks and assistants can be eliminated. I would suggest only by attrition, but eliminating the position as someone leaves and not rehiring is a non-evasive practice and just takes planning. This is opposite of job growth, I know, but it is one measure that allows for less spending to support the government. Therefore it becomes a way to pass savings to businesses as well as save them costs required for reporting, filing and regulating fees required to meet out of control government requirements.
Reducing business expenses in this way, as well as eliminating personal property taxes for business will give business more money to provide jobs. Giving them tax refunds and incentives when meeting prescribed new growth and increased hiring requirements, will provide more jobs in the private business sector. Corporations need to receive tax incentives and other advantages for moving to Arizona and Arizona needs to set a corporate tax rate that will be competitive with other western states, so we can attract these companies. We also cannot neglect our education system and our community infrastructure as well as local medical facilities. We cannot expect lower taxes, beautiful weather and sunsets alone to bring new businesses, industry and therefore jobs into our state.

What I Want to Accomplish in the Government - Why and How

Stop Illegal Immigration because it is draining our economy, through the misuse of public funds to feed, house, educate, treat medically, and incarcerate criminals who are infiltrating our borders at an alarming rate. LD #25 includes the majority of the Southern Border of Arizona. We have to build a fence that is effective enough to deter crossing. Much of the illegal crossing is happening on government protected sanctuary land/either reservations, environmentally or military protected, IE the Military Base. We have to allow the Border Patrol access to these areas, where and when it is deemed necessary to do their job. I have recently attended the Cochise/Graham Cattle Growers Annual Meeting and have learned, from the experts that the border patrol needs to be on the border. Yes, posted and patrolling the actual border, their checkpoints and operations that are up to 200 miles north of the border, could be eliminated, as crossing at the border could be eliminated if all of the border fence was being monitored at all times. I am in full support of enforcing a solid patrol of the border.

Illegals cannot cross undetected if there is always someone there to "detect" them!

The new SB-1070 will help as it will allow other law enforcement agencies the ability to detain and transport the illegals who have committed a crime and show reasonable signs of suspicion. The PB agents in my community often tell of their limitations on who and where they can pursue known illegals. It is hard to sit back and watch so many agents, just sitting back and not handling the immigration problem that we have in Arizona. They claim their hands are tied, with much frustration and I believe them. We need to resolve this problem and allow the PB to use the force they need to stop this flow of illegals, while also focusing on protecting these agents and the innocent citizens of the United States and their businesses (Farms and Ranches mainly).

We do not need to continue to protect the illegals that are sneaking across the border "illegally".

We do need to be careful to continue to welcome any and all immigrants who come to America wishing to embrace our culture and learn English and become valuable members of society.

Yes, there is work for them, and free english classes and they are welcome. A guest worker program for agriculture was an incredible asset in the past, and it would be easier than ever to manage and organize with the state of the art technology we have today. The implementation of a program that would allow day workers to come to farming communities to work in the fields legally is one of my goals. I believe in being good neighbors with Mexico by working with them, through a controlled border with clear points of entry, and I feel a great need to stop the damage and chaos of drug cartels and terrorist groups sneaking in under the disguise of innocent immigrants.

I pledge to do my best to support measures that will stop wasteful spending. There has been a decade of increased spending in Arizona. This was largely due to the housing boom and the added revenue to Arizona's blooming economic period in the past decade. For the time being - this period is over! We must go back to the "pre-boom" mentality and make hard decisions that will allow us to spend money more responsibly in this state. Too much money is being spent on things that are not necessary and do not improve the quality of life. I have lived frugally all of my life and recognize in my gut what it right and wrong when it comes to spending money. I am also a quick study, and intend to internalize and extrapolate all the data and knowledge I can to help me to encourage and attain a more responsible plan for spending our limited finances in this state.

We need to also attract new business and enhance the business community that we have by creating a reasonable amount of incentives and tax cuts that will cause them to see Arizona as a place where they can make a new start, rather than where they took their "last stand". The revitalization of the economy is needed and is only going to happen if there are new businesses and existing businesses stay and increase their production and scope of business. We must provide an environment that will allow this increase, even if we lose revenue initially, we will gain much more by the jobs provided and people who will again become taxpayers and begin to spend their money again in Arizona. An additional problem that will ease the burden on businesses needs to be addressed and that is there are too many government regulations. We have a nearly unlimited landscape, that can lend itself to many uses without infringing on property rights and human rights of others in the state. We need to investigate the possibilities of using the vastness of our resources and open spaces. We have been too afraid of small special interest groups, who have limited agendas (like saving a small native fish) and we need to get beyond that and take care of the people of the United States of America first. Not giving them what they need but providing an environment where they can flourish and grow on their own.

I am an everyday housewife with lots of talents and abilities, some largely unused. I am not your average politician by any means. I know the challenges faced by small businesses and understand their importance. I am not a politician, but am able to influence people and make friends easily. I love small and rural America, the Mom and Pop Stores in small towns and in cities as well. I love people and understand their needs and the needs of the people are identical to the needs of the small business community. They need to have freedom to make choices and use their resources the way they choose, to develop their lives and their businesses in the way they see fit. If they are giving the freedom to run their business in that way, then succeed or fail, they will always be strong enough to improve, pick themselves up and will succeed in the long run.

I PLEDGE MY SUPPORT TO SMALL BUSINESS and JOBS!
I have been owner of a small Autoshop business and have worked one-on-one with clients, decorating wedding cakes and drawing house plans for years. I know the satisfaction that it is to create, prepare a good or service and satisfy each customer. I know that small business owners do what they do, because they love it and would not need to be paid, if it weren't for providing for their own needs and the needs of their families and employees. I also know that, with the lack of large industry in our district the small business owners are the lifeblood of our district and many others throughout Arizona. I will pledge my support to free education programs, through local colleges, etc. and to creating an atmosphere where small business owners can improve their business through incentive programs and protection from over regulation and over taxation.

I AM DETERMINED TO REDUCE SPENDING!
I am severely concerned that there is overspending on all levels of government. There are ways to handle the expensive programs and facilities the state owns. There have been offers from business people to take over some programs, so they become privately run and more efficient with income going to the state rather than losses. I support this as it will create jobs, without the state being responsible for benefits and will provide return on Arizona's investment as well.

I also feel that there are positions in some programs where an excess amount of money is being spent to administrative positions. Public schools are a good example.

I believe the number one problem in spending is abuses of the state services for medical treatment, not only treating illegal immigrants, but an overuse and unnecessary use of funds by citizens who are on state programs. There needs to be a program of accountability set up, whether it be co-pays, recording and reporting of abuses (with appropriate action taken against violators), or people being removed from the program for excess violations. I do know that a strong course of action will help, but before that is implemented we need to educated the citizens who use the public health care system as to appropriate home medical treatment, so that people are not taking advantage of this program for a minor medical treatment, such as a stubbed toe or the sniffles.

I welcome all comments and suggestions. Many of the ideas presented here, that I have gladly made my own, were suggested by my constituents and I will listen and implement your needs and ideas into my work at the Capitol Building. This is your state as well as mine and I believe in a government by the people and of the people. I am doing this for you, so please let me know what you think.