Issues

Government Spending

Ted believes that government must live within its means just like every Arizonan does.  In these difficult economic times and reduced revenues, Arizona must adjust its spending to balance its budget.  When our economy does recover, Arizona must exercise greater fiscal discipline to ensure that government does not grow beyond its means.  Otherwise, we will be faced similar budget crises in the future.

Taxes

Personal liberty and economic liberty are closely linked.  Ted believes that you know how to spend your money better than the politicians in Phoenix or Washington, D.C.  If you have greater control over your money and your lives, you will make better decisions for your future and that of your family than government can.  More importantly, it’s your money, not the government’s.  You earned it.  You should keep more of it.

Education

Education is fundamental to a free and prosperous society.  A quality education provides the next generation with the tools necessary to achieve their full potential.  Ted knows that there are many different ways to get a quality education.  Each child is unique.  An educational program that may work for one child may not be suitable for another.  Parents know what is best for their children.  A strong educational system, robust with choice, will empower parents to choose the best educational setting for their children. This will best serve the children of Arizona.   Essential to this will be better pay for effective teachers.  We’ve all had a teacher who inspired us and changed our life profoundly and for the better.  We need to encourage and reward these teachers.  Likewise, we should also identify critical subject areas that will make our children more competitive in tomorrow’s economy—such as math, science, and English—and provide a bonus to teachers in those subjects.

Jobs

While government cannot create jobs, it can make smart policy decisions to create an environment in which businesses flourish.  A simplified tax code and regulations will help attract businesses and jobs back to Arizona.  By returning more Arizonans to work, we will be able to grow the tax base in a fair manner, and restore funding to essential government programs in a responsible fashion.

Second Amendment

Ted is a strong supporter of the Second Amendment and will defend your constitutional right to keep and bear arms.  Through the Second Amendment, we can protect our families, ourselves, and secure the blessings of liberty promised to us in our Constitution.

Border Security

Securing our border with Mexico is essential to national security, and it is increasingly becoming an issue of personal security for the citizens of Arizona.  The federal government has failed in its responsibility to do so.  Therefore, it is incumbent upon the state of Arizona to take necessary steps to protect its citizens.