Kate Brophy McGee

Republican
Candidate for Arizona House in Legislative District 28
Phone: (602) 359-3366
Email: kate@katemcgee.com
Website: www.katemcgee.com
Twitter: @KateMcGee2012
42 E Butler Dr, Phoenix, AZ 85020.

Age: 55. (1955 Tucson, AZ).

Arizona since: Birth.

Occupation: Legislator since 2010; school bd member, 1999-2007; AZ School Facilities Bd, 2001-2006; volunteer, mom and homemaker since 1986; community banker and accountant, 1974-1986.

Marital: Married (Robert, banker).

Children: 3.

Religious preference: Catholic.

Education: Post-graduate work, business administration, UofA, 1977-80; B.A., history (Spanish minor), UofA, 1977; extensive in-house banking courses in accounting, financial analysis, and lending practices; numerous education seminars and courses, including school finance, legal and legislative, curricula and communications; additional seminars and correspondence courses on accounting and accounting software systems for non-profit organizations.

Political experience: Precinct committeeman, precinct captain, state committeeman, LD11 Executive Committee member; AZ School Facilities Bd member, 2001-06, ASFB chair, 2005-06; Washington Elementary School Dist Governing Bd, four terms as Bd president, two terms as Bd clerk, 1999-2007; election volunteer for numerous Republican and non-partisan candidates at the local, state and national levels.

Legis exp: House since 2011.

Memberships: Member, Arizona Bioscience Roadmap Steering Committee (Flinn Foundation); member, Phoenix Rotary 100; member, Sunrise Toastmasters; first vp, Central Republican Women’s Club; co-chair, 2011 AZ Opera Ball; bd member, Cinnimon on Central HOA, since 2008, elected bd president in 2009; member, Central Republican Women’s Club; co-founder of Sunnyslope Graffiti Fighters; member, Betty’s Kids Committee.

Interests: Walking, hiking, reading, playing piano, and my family.

Political influence: Two people – one a politician, one not. Jon Kyl is my political role model and ideal. He fairly and truly represented all Arizonans and quietly accomplished significant policy enactments during his tenure in Congress. The other is my brother Mike, who died six years ago this September. Mike was a man of few words and great heart who valued honesty, courage and loyalty above all other traits. He profoundly believed in service and commitment to others.

Job creation measures: Comprehensive reform of the personal and corporate income tax systems – starting with a sunset review of all tax credits and exemptions and enactment of a statewide sales tax reform, which would reduce regulatory costs to businesses and simplify collections. Continued focus on aligning our education systems with employer needs, with particular emphasis on hard-to-fill positions and high paying jobs.

Top Issues: Health care: Continued work on health care solutions based on free market principles. It is crucial that individuals understand the actual costs of health care and invest in their health care coverage. Continuation of public health and wellness initiatives, with increasing focus on preventive care and treatment of disease in the early stages, where outcomes are more favorable and costs are lower. Water and Land: Continued study of Arizona water and land policies, learning the federal interfaces and the state, federal policies in place and being considered. Arizona’s long term success and prosperity depends on effective management of these resources.

Prop 100 sales tax extension: I do not favor doing so, for three reasons. First, Arizona has a very high sales tax in comparison to competing states. I believe we need to enact a statewide sales tax reform to reduce sales taxes overall and simplify and reduce the paperwork and filing burdens on small businesses. Second, continuation of this temporary revenue source masks the need for initiative spending reforms. Third, the proposed initiative extending the sales tax is a collection of earmarks, and will further hamper the Legislature’s ability to prioritize budget needs going forward.

Illegal immigration: First, I support the Cattlemen’s Association Restore Our Border Security Plan, which, when implemented, achieves operational control of the entire southwestern U.S./Mexico border. Second, continue enforcing all existing illegal immigration laws. Third, continue to pursue and support a federal solution for immigration reform. Last, but importantly, focus on improved trade relations with Mexico including infrastructure improvements at Arizona ports of entry to bring commerce into Arizona from Mexico.

Background & experience: Over these past two years I’ve learned that I have the temperament and training to be an effective legislator. My years as a banker taught me that small business is the backbone of our economy, and that listening is more productive than talking. My years raising our sons taught me patience, caring and perseverance; that giving up is never an option. My years on the school board taught me leadership and the art of public policy. Growing up a third generation Arizonan instilled in me a deep love of Arizona and an unshakable faith in our strength and uniqueness.

Pro-life / pro-choice: I am pro-life. I believe in and have supported legislation establishing informed consent, parental consent and waiting periods. I believe that legislation we enact must be constitutional. Legislation adopted should not interfere with a doctor’s decision-making about patient care within the scope of a legal, ethical medical practice.

One last thing: I think my efforts and actions in my first term reflect my commitment to constituents, to Arizona and to the enactment of constructive policies. I am independent in my decision-making, solutions-oriented and very effective in the actions I take.

Campaign finance: private.