Elections 2014 Just another Arizona Capitol Times Election Coverage site
Democrat – Legislative District 28 Senate
Phone: (602) 509-2790
Email: kellibutleraz@gmail.com
Website: KelliButlerAZ.com
Facebook: Kelli Butler
Twitter: @KelliButlerAZ
Address: 5926 N 33rd St , Paradise Valley, AZ 85253
Age: 46. (04/03/68, Phoenix, AZ).
Arizona since: Birth
Occupation: Small business owner, Butler Family Dental, since 2003.
Marital: Married
Children: 2
Education: Elementary education, UofA, 1989; Chaparral H.S., 1986.
Political experience: Chair, LD28 Democrats, 2012-14; vice chair, LD28 Democrats, 2011-12; volunteer, LD28 Representative Dr. Eric Meyer’s campaigns, 2010-14.
Interests: Hiking, skiing, backpacking.
Two biggest issues: The two most critical issues Arizona must confront results from our lack of vision for the future, including our failure to adequately fund public education and our refusal to make strategic investments designed to stimulate economic growth. Our Legislature continues to pass measures that hurt our public schools. We’ve slashed funding, directed increasing tax dollars to unaccountable private and for-profit schools, and undermined the ability of school districts to compete. Over 85% of Arizona’s children attend public schools – we must make sure they are receiving the highest quality education possible. Investment in public education is critical for our children, but it’s also an investment in our future workforce. Our economy is recovering from the recent recession, and now is the time to evaluate our priorities. This Legislature has been unwilling to allocate resources that would have stimulated growth. Instead of building and repairing roads and infrastructure, and creating jobs in the process, over the past decade we’ve swept hundreds of millions in designated HURF funding into the general fund, leaving needed projects undone. We’ve begun restoration of HURF dollars back to our cities, counties and towns, but much more needs to be done. Our state parks system is a huge economic engine, but instead of allocating resources for their maintenance and repair, the Legislature has chosen to raid $10 million per year in taxpayer mandated funding. These shortsighted fund sweeps deprive our citizens of much-needed jobs and improved infrastructure. As a state senator, I will make sure we strengthen our public school system by restoring funding and improving the funding formula itself, and by choosing wise investments designed to grow our economy.
Budget priorities: My first budget priority is to responsibly restore funding to our public schools. Arizona is near the bottom of nearly all education metrics – by failing to invest in our children’s education we are failing to train the qualified workforce needed for the jobs of the 21st century. We should end the giveaways to private and for-profit schools that take nearly $100 million of revenue each year. Instead, that $100 million should be used to restore all-day kindergarten to Title I schools statewide. We must ensure the safety of children by providing adequate funds for the department created to replace CPS. The current budget does not allocate enough resources to meet known staffing levels and provide preventative services designed to keep children in the home. We should increase revenue by closing tax loopholes and corporate giveaways. It’s time to identify which tax credits are working to stimulate our economy and attract high-quality employers and which are simply corporate giveaways. For example, we should carefully evaluate our Dept of Corrections’ contracts with private prisons to identify areas of waste and unnecessary capacity guarantees.
Fiscal philosophy: I am a fiscal moderate. With regard to revenue, we need a tax structure that is as broad, diversified and as fair as possible. In terms of spending, as a small business owner, I know there are times for calculated investment and there are times to rein in spending. The key to success is balance. Smart investment pays dividends. I consider myself a fiscal moderate because we should rely on strategies that stimulate economic growth through wise investment of our shared resources. In order for the Legislature to fully address the needs of the state and to implement sound policy that will accomplish our goals, we need bi-partisan conversation, including the input of those with varying fiscal philosophies. Unfortunately, this bi-partisan approach has been notably lacking in the current Legislature.
Common Core: I support Arizona’s College and Career Ready Standards. Proper implementation of these more rigorous expectations will help ensure that our children will be adequately prepared to succeed beyond high school. Our job market is changing and our high-tech, information-based economy requires more highly developed critical-thinking, analytical and problem-solving skills. In helping to provide higher standards and clear benchmarks, the Arizona College and Career Ready Standards are a valuable tool to more accurately compare our students’ progress and achievement. These standards will allow us to build the future workforce Arizona needs to remain competitive and attract the high quality jobs needed to grow our economy. There is legitimate concern about the implementation of the ACCRS, due in large part to the lack of funding provided by the latest state budget. For example, the AZ Dept of Education requires an additional $13.5 million to fund a new statewide assessment, aligned to the standards, but the latest budget provides only $8 million. The successful implementation of the ACCRS will also require adequate professional development for our teachers. Again, our Legislature failed to provide the resources necessary to ensure success of this critical program. I am running for state Senate to make sure our schools and teachers have the training, resources and materials needed to provide the high quality education our children deserve.
Gifts to elected officials: Arizona should ban all gifts and giveaways to elected officials because no one should have undue influence in the political process. There is often the need for specialists and lobbyists to provide expertise on the broad range of topics legislators decide upon, but there is no need for any exchange of gifts.
Transparency in government: Healthy democracy relies upon transparency in government. Every effort should be made to provide public notice of past and pending action. Transparency and open communication help to foster trust in elected officials and in the system itself.
Pro-life / pro-choice: I support a woman’s right to make her own health care decisions, without the interference of the government in those decisions.
Public policy advice: When deciding on public policy issues, it is essential to seek a broad range of opinions from a variety of stakeholders. As a native Arizonan, I have a large, varied network of contacts. I’m a small business owner and help manage our family’s dental practice, so I understand the pressures of running a business, and of making and meeting the budget. I have a network of other business owners, executives and health care professionals. Working within the health care industry gives me a background in health care and business regulations, as well as experience with the insurance industry. I have deep ties to the education community through my years of involvement on boards and committees in the Madison School District, Brophy College Preparatory, and at NAU. Public policy decisions must be made after seeking input from a variety of sources and stakeholders – my ties to the community will provide me with the range of perspectives necessary to help make sound decisions.
