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JOBS AND BUSINESS Andrew's stand on Jobs and Business.
Business development and jobs: we cannot rely on service sector jobs to rebuild our economy. I would work with all state Chambers of Commerce and organizations like GPEC, education institutions, our religious communities and businesses and others to develop a practical and affordable strategy for sustainable (e.g., persistent) job creation and economic development. Since the start of the recession in 2007, Arizona’s economy has suffered more than other states. I attribute some of this to the lack of business skills in the legislature. Too many of them have no experience in meeting payrolls, generating sales, raising investments or truly understanding how regulations and laws can affect business decisions, profits and losses. They may listen to someone tell them how it is, but until you live it, like I have, you really can’t know what it’s like. In an interview on MSNBC's program "Your Business" my opponent, Russell Pearce, was telling a local businessman how the economics of business works, but got it wrong. In fact, one of the program's "Board of Directors" commented that what he "thought what was interesting is the businessperson, who has a lot more credibility in this, is being told by the non-businessperson how markets work." We don't need politicians telling business owners how markets work, politicians need to be listening to the business people so they don't make matters worse. Here are three policy recommendations: First, the legislature needs to reverse its recent record of passing or attempting to pass the most anti-business legislation in memory (such as HB2701). Businesses don’t come to states they believe have an unstable political or business environment. They don’t come to places where education is ranked last or within five places of being last. Arizona’s climate gets us only so far, but in a recession, it simply isn't enough. We need to be aggressive and forward thinking. Second, we need to develop our local businesses and help them create and retain jobs. All governments in our state, be they local, county or state, should buy from Arizona businesses as much as possible. I would sponsor legislation that will give extra weight to businesses that may not have won business before. Choosing the usual businesses all the time doesn't give small business the experience in winning contracts that they'll need to grow. We can’t afford to discourage small business in Arizona. Finally, we need to be practical in recognizing that the rest of the country doesn't play by our rules or use our thinking when it comes to business and economic development. The legislature and organizations like the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry or GPEC cannot attract 21st-century businesses using mid-20th century thinking or policies. It’s time to get real. By getting the business back on track, I believe we will have gone a long way to address the state’s budget problems. If businesses are selling their goods and services, people are being paid wages and taxes are paid to the state from business owners and employees.		MORE. Andrew's stand on other important issues. Education Immigration Healthcare Seniors Tourism

Business development and jobs: we cannot rely on service sector jobs to rebuild our economy. I would work with all state Chambers of Commerce and organizations like GPEC, education institutions, our religious communities and businesses and others to develop a practical and affordable strategy for sustainable (e.g., persistent) job creation and economic development.

Since the start of the recession in 2007, Arizona’s economy has suffered more than other states. I attribute some of this to the lack of business skills in the legislature. Too many of them have no experience in meeting payrolls, generating sales, raising investments or truly understanding how regulations and laws can affect business decisions, profits and losses. They may listen to someone tell them how it is, but until you live it, like I have, you really can’t know what it’s like.

In an interview on MSNBC's program "Your Business" my opponent, Russell Pearce, was telling a local businessman how the economics of business works, but got it wrong. In fact, one of the program's "Board of Directors" commented that what he "thought what was interesting is the businessperson, who has a lot more credibility in this, is being told by the non-businessperson how markets work." We don't need politicians telling business owners how markets work, politicians need to be listening to the business people so they don't make matters worse.

Here are three policy recommendations:

First, the legislature needs to reverse its recent record of passing or attempting to pass the most anti-business legislation in memory (such as HB2701). Businesses don’t come to states they believe have an unstable political or business environment. They don’t come to places where education is ranked last or within five places of being last. Arizona’s climate gets us only so far, but in a recession, it simply isn't enough. We need to be aggressive and forward thinking.

Second, we need to develop our local businesses and help them create and retain jobs. All governments in our state, be they local, county or state, should buy from Arizona businesses as much as possible. I would sponsor legislation that will give extra weight to businesses that may not have won business before. Choosing the usual businesses all the time doesn't give small business the experience in winning contracts that they'll need to grow. We can’t afford to discourage small business in Arizona.

Finally, we need to be practical in recognizing that the rest of the country doesn't play by our rules or use our thinking when it comes to business and economic development. The legislature and organizations like the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry or GPEC cannot attract 21st-century businesses using mid-20th century thinking or policies. It’s time to get real.

By getting the business back on track, I believe we will have gone a long way to address the state’s budget problems. If businesses are selling their goods and services, people are being paid wages and taxes are paid to the state from business owners and employees.