Michael Powell

Democrat
Candidate for Arizona Senate in Legislative District 20
Phone: (602) 330-6371
Email: mpowell@powellforazsenate.com
Website: www.powellforazsenate.com
Twitter: @powell2012
2 E Calavar Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85022.

Age: 57. (08/26/54, Berkeley, CA).

Arizona since: 1990.

Occupation: Adjunct faculty, Maricopa Community Colleges, since 2000; service learning faculty coordinator, Estrella Mountain Community College, since 2011; adjunct faculty, Arizona College of Allied Health, 5-week contracts when needed, 2011-12; employee development coordinator, City of Avondale, 1997-2008.

Marital: Married (Patricia, registered nurse).

Religious preference: Living the principles of Christ.

Education: Graduate certification, integral studies, Fielding Graduate University (Santa Barbara, CA); M.A., conscious evolution, The Graduate Institute (Bethany, CT), 2009; M.A., organizational management, Univ of Phoenix, 1999; B.A., political science, Cal State Univ-Long Beach, 1983.

Political experience: Helped with statewide initiative campaigns in 1990 and 1996.

Memberships: Adjunct Faculty Assn; Phoenix Area Chapter of the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge; Arizonans for Children; American Society of Training and Development (ASTD); certified public manager; volunteer occasionally for different projects for various nonprofit groups.

Interests: I love spending time with my wife. I read a wide range of books that help me with my spiritual practice to live the teachings of Christ. I read various magazines and newspapers and watch the news every day to inform me of the issues of the day. When possible, I enjoy socializing with people. I enjoy watching various sporting events on television when I want to take a break.

Political influence: Mahatma Ghandi. The teachings of nonviolence enable me to be firm in the principles I know are essential and be flexible where progress improving the human condition is possible. The writings of Thomas Paine inspired, fueled and funded the American Revolution. Abraham Lincoln: the driven pursuit to keep the nation together. Martin Luther King, Jr.: the practical application of spiritual strength and human purpose. John Kennedy: the call to service that I have consistently responded to throughout my life.

Job creation measures: Funding infrastructure projects throughout Arizona. Put people to work and build a new, solid foundation for Arizona for the next twenty years. Simplifying the tax code by eliminating the incentive to cheat on your corporate, business, or personal taxes and keeping the tax code stable for a specific amount of time (3-4 years at least) so that certainty in the tax code can be created for businesses and the general population.

Top Issues: Taking steps to support Arizona’s education system so that it is competitive globally. Take actions (see previous question) to support job growth.

Prop 100 sales tax extension: I favor extending the temporary sales tax for two years or until the tax code is reformed.

Illegal immigration: The greater need today is to strengthen the border to protect from the criminality that is being exported into this country. As far as illegal immigrants are concerned, the data shows us that a net migration from the United States to other countries is taking place because work is not available. Preparing for the next wave of workers into the country when our economy improves is a priority to ensure that every worker is documented and here on a contractual basis, if the need is demonstrated by employers.

Background & experience: Through the classes I teach and the civic engagement that I participate within, I have kept myself informed of the issues. My personal studies have taught me the ability to embrace a number of perspectives and learn to bring those perspectives together to form innovative, coherent processes to meet the complex challenges that face all parts of our society today. If elected to serve, I will ensure that the Senate as a body moves past the surface noise of partisan politics and take seriously our duty to actually develop workable solutions to better “the general welfare” as stated in the preamble of the U.S. Constitution.

Pro-life / pro-choice: I support a woman’s right to choose. Furthermore, I do not support the Legislature passing and the governor signing legislation this past session that is based on the arbitrary statement “life begins two weeks before conception.” Not only is it biologically impossible, this extreme law will be used to eliminate the use of virtually all forms of birth control if those who voted for it are left in office. It has already been used to eliminate funding for a variety of health care services for women in Arizona.

One last thing: I am running because I will be accountable, rational, and innovative in the approaches to solving the problems and real challenges faced by the people who live in Arizona. Unlike my opponent, I will not be directed by extreme partisanship and driven to impose a very narrow political and philosophical view of the world on everyone else. I will bring together various viewpoints and develop real solutions to the challenges we face.

Campaign finance: public.