Economy

These are uncertain times. You don't have to watch the political pundits on television to know that the economy is bad. Our wallets are hit every time we make a simple trip to fill up the gas tank of the family car or the weekly trek to the grocery store. These days, the family's budget is stretched to the max.

Home foreclosures are on the rise. So is the unemployment rate.

As a small business owner, I understand that we need to keep Arizonans working. We must take action to keep the jobs we have while attracting even more jobs. Government must attract and retain businesses by providing a favorable economic environment. We need to keep Arizona jobs from leaving the state. We have to go the extra distance and attract new businesses to come to Arizona.

For the Arizona economy to thrive, government has to:

• create fair and balanced economic conditions that allow businesses to prosper.
• foster a competitive market so consumers can enjoy the benefit of lower prices and increased customer service.
• operate an open and transparent regulatory structure to prevent market abuses and manipulation.
• keep taxes as low as possible.
• provide a talented and educated workforce.

As your legislator, I have worked to maintain an Arizona economy that can withstand a national economic downturn:

• I have NEVER voted for a tax increase.
• I sponsored legislation to keep your monthly mortgage payment low by repealing the state property tax.
• Fought for a 10% cut in the personal income tax so that you can keep more of your hard earned dollars.
• Supported a tax credit to get more movies filmed in Arizona.
• Support funding accelerated highway construction so that people and goods can travel more quickly.
• Supported incentives to bring the largest solar power plant to Arizona which will create hundreds of new jobs.
• Supported incentives for research and development for high tech businesses.