Elections 2014 Just another Arizona Capitol Times Election Coverage site
Democrat – Legislative District 7 House
Phone: (928) 380-2158
Email: joshualavarbutler@gmail.com
Website: www.ButlerForArizona.com
Facebook: Joshua Lavar Butler
Twitter: @joshualavar
Age: 37. (01/16/77, Tuba City, AZ).
Arizona since: Birth
Occupation: Business owner, Sandstone Public Relations, since 2010.
Marital: Married
Children: 1
Education: B.S., political science/history, NAU, 2007.
Political experience: Navajo Nation Council, tribal elections, 2010; campaign manager, Pat Carr for State Rep, 2009-10; campaign manager, Lynda Lovejoy, Navajo Nation president, 2010; communication director, Lynda Lovejoy, Navajo Nation president, 2006.
Interests: My interests are family-oriented. Between serving in my elected capacity, to running a company, to my involvement with my other civic obligations, I treasure my time spent with my family. I love to travel and see new places with my family.
Two biggest issues: Strengthening economic development and strengthening access to quality education. If elected, I will help with efforts to boost economic development and tourism throughout the state of Arizona. Like most states, our backbone is small business and local commerce. We must streamline any process to help small businesses thrive and help provide them the means to capture tourism dollars. Second issue is strengthening our educational system. Learning begins at home and at an early age. We must strengthen access to early education. Education is also a life-long process, so we must continue to do what we can to fund schools across our state and make secondary education affordable.
Budget priorities: My budget priorities will be to protect direct services of our constituency, to increase funding for education, public safety, senior services, and veterans services. We must review and analyze the state’s budget and make educated decisions that are data-driven. If there are any cuts to expenditures, it should be done after a thorough analysis has been conducted and duplication of services would more than likely be the first cut.
Fiscal philosophy: I consider myself to be a fiscal conservative and believe that you do not have to spend all incoming revenues. We must think about the state’s long term future and begin building a savings.
Common Core: I support the concept and adoption of the Common Core standards as an accountability measurement tool to track progress of our schools across the state. When implemented, Common Core encourages schools to refine their curriculum, instruction and assessment components to higher criterion-based standards. Schools must be serious about this implementation and do what they can to revamp and develop educational reforms in their schools. Success and progress can be measured and achieved. We have schools that were once failing and now they are improving with this implementation. The state’s education department must continue to push forward and not deviate from this plan. We cannot fail our children and provide them a new system that only lowers their expectations. Our children are smart.
Gifts to elected officials: Each situation differs and we must be guided by principles and transparency. We must ensure accountability is promoted and “gifts” are not influencing decisions at the Legislature.
Transparency in government: Transparency in government is vital. We must continue to do what we can to promote this concept, along with accountability. Public notice should not even be a question! We must encourage participatory government – after all, we would not be elected officials if it were not for the people.
Pro-life / pro-choice: I support a woman’s right to make decisions regarding her health, especially when the life of the mother is at risk, when pregnancy was caused by rape or emotional trauma. Life is precious and families should pray about their decision. I also believe politicians and government must have limited involvement in a person’s health decisions.
Public policy advice: I have found that seeking advice from my constituency has proved worthy time and time again. As elected officials, we should seek advice and input directly from the people it will impact. We must also learn to make data-driven decisions based on facts and statistics as well.
