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TAXES

Adamantly Oppose Proposed New Sales Tax on Services

Some legislators want to begin taxing services, from haircuts to legal fees and more.  I oppose such a measure.

Limit Tax Breaks Given to Large Companies

Arizona cities and counties give away hundreds of millions of dollars every year to companies that will locate somewhere in the state anyway, just to have them choose their area. This corporate welfare makes it tough for small businesses, which are the source of most new jobs, to compete.

Eliminate Business Personal Property Tax to Create More and Better Jobs

Arizona’s current punitive tax on non-real estate property drives companies with large capital assets (most high-tech companies) to other states, like Nevada and Texas.  If we want to bring more and better high-paying technology jobs to Arizona, we must stop penalizing the companies for being here in the first place.

Replace State Income Tax with a Consumption Tax

It is an established fact of economics that any activity that is taxed will be performed less often.  Taxing productivity (income) is counterproductive in the long term and always harms the economy.

True Top-to-Bottom Reform of Child Protective Services

CPS has historically been one of the most inept, mismanaged and ineffective agencies in state government.  It routinely fails to meet the needs of parents and the children it is charged with protecting.

Remove Children From Bad Parents Sooner

CPS currently calls a long-term pattern of drug use/abuse a "lifestyle choice" when that should by itself be sufficient grounds for the permanent removal of a child.  Too often, the first “documented evidence of abuse or neglect” is the child’s lifeless body.  This ongoing disgrace is simply unacceptable.

Make Children Adoptable Sooner

Children removed from parental custody should become adoptable after 12 months if the parent has failed to make substantial improvement.  The sooner abused or neglected children are given a permanent loving home, the lower their likelihood of becoming criminals and the brighter their future.

Three-Strikes Law for Felony Violent Crimes

The three-strikes law in California has been successful in getting violent and “career” offenders off the streets and was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court.  Arizona should enact a similar measure.

Eliminate the Marriage Penalty for Tuition Scholarship Tax Credit        DONE!

Individuals are currently limited to $500, while the maximum for married couples is only $625.  Raising their limit to $1,000 would eliminate this Marriage Penalty.  Corporate donations should also be allowed.

Scholarships for Private School Costs

Parents who prefer private school for their children should get a credit of $5,000 to use at the non-public school of their choice.  Most private schools cost less per year than the over $8,000 we currently spend per pupil for public schools.  Competition on the basis of results will force public schools to improve.

Cap School District Administrative Costs

School districts should not be allowed to use more than 5% of their total expenditures on administrative costs.  Cutting waste will improve schools more than continuing to throw money to unaccountable bureaucrats.

New Health Insurance Strategies for the Chronically Ill & Disabled

Widen availability of health insurance through the private sector for chronically ill persons so that they can move from AHCCCS/public assistance to being as self-sufficient and productive as their condition allows.

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