Reagan, Michele (Republican)
Phone: (480) 922-7370
Email: VoteReagan@cox.net
Website: www.VoteRegan.com
5235 N. Woodmere Fairway, Scottsdale, AZ 85250
Age: 40 (10/16/69, Rockford, IL).
Arizona since: 1991.
Occupation: Owner, Fast Signs, 1992-2002.
Marital: Married (David).
Children: 1 step-daughter.
Religious preference: Presbyterian.
Education: B.S., communications, Illinois State University, 1991.
Political experience: Precinct committeeman and state committeeman; former treasurer, LD28, 1999-00; Scottsdale Republic Forum; AZ House since 2003.
Memberships have included: AZ Small Business Association; Citizens Action for the Arts, board member; NFIB; Scottsdale Foundation for the Handicapped, board member; Women of Scottsdale; Scottsdale Leadership Advisory Council; Paradise Republican Women, member.
Interests: Reading, running, tennis, my dogs.
Issues:
Political influence: My parents — Mike and Donna Reagan. I have learned so much from working with my parents when we owned our business. I watched how honest and decent they were. How their word was a bond. And owning that business shaped how I feel about new mandates, rules and regulations. Plus, mom and dad were in the Young Republicans too.
Budget recommendations: Consider a better arrangement with the tribes when the gaming compact comes up for renewal. Arizona gets the lowest percentage from tribal gaming compared to the other states with casinos on Indian land. Put a sunset or a date when each item that goes on the ballot (that contains spending) comes up for review by the people again. Spending mandates should have to be periodically voted on every few years as citizens’ priorities change.
Other concerns: Jobs. Bringing more companies to our beautiful state and encouraging existing companies to grow. I’d like to start by re-writing our existing enterprise zone statutes to make it available to more businesses, regardless of location.
Fiscal philosophy: Compassionately conservative.
Background & experience: Owning a small business taught me the best political lesson ever — bills may sound good, but can (and usually do) have unintended consequences. These unintended consequences usually hit our smaller businesses, who have fewer resources to comply.
Prop. 100 sales tax: I voted yes to put the sales tax referral on the ballot.
Pro-life/pro-choice: Pro-choice, but not pro-abortion. I don’t want abortion to be completely outlawed, but I do favor certain restrictions. For example, I voted to ban partial-birth abortions and voted for better reporting requirements. I take each bill and consider it individually. I do not blindly follow either “side,” which means that neither group likes me sometimes.
One last thing: I am a very open and honest legislator. I have no problem with working with members of the other party, or including opposition in stakeholder meetings. I feel disagreements usually lead to better legislation. I also give my constituents 150 percent effort. It is such an honor to represent District 8 — the best in the state!
Campaign Finance: private.