Elections 2014 Just another Arizona Capitol Times Election Coverage site
Republican – Legislative District 10 House
Phone: (520) 906-5059
Email: tc@tc4az.com
Website: tc4az.com
Facebook: Todd Clodfelter
Twitter: @tc4az
Address: 11287 E Placita Molino , Tucson, AZ 85749
Age: 57. (04/17/57, Topeka, KS).
Arizona since: 1970
Occupation: Small business owner, Ace Graphics & 3dTeez, since 1983.
Marital: Married
Children: 3
Education: B.A., speech communication, UofA, 1984.
Political experience: Precinct committeeman; chair, LD30 Republican Party; Tucson City Council, 1995; candidate, campaign volunteer for Rawson – Tucson City Council, Vogt – Tucson City Council, Brian Miller – Congress, McSally – Congress, and others.
Interests: Aviation, automobiles, firearms, music, movies, humor, politics, inventing and tinkering, writing, reading, camping, cooking, home brewing.
Two biggest issues: Jobs/economy/sustainable and balanced state budget. These all go hand in hand, so I identify them as one challenge. Further reduction of taxes on business which allows for job creation and expansion. Promoting a friendly business environment across the state for more balanced industry and commerce. Identify and implement equitable tax structure that will sustain the states core needs for a minimal/lean government but that will not fluctuate drastically with the economy. Education: Reform educational finances; funding, reapportioning, support parental choice and skills training, such as JTED. Promote “Un-Common Core” education with community, business and industry participation.
Budget priorities: An actual “no gimmicks” balanced budget so monies do not have to be “swept” to bolster shortfalls. Minimize the waste of overlapping services and agencies, evaluate and reduce or eliminate unnecessary “net loss” regulatory agencies with exceptions to public safety, public commodities and consumer protection such as the 90/10 agencies and their contributions to the general fund. Reduce the “spend it or lose it” budget philosophy. Privatize wherever possible. Increase revenues with more industry and jobs – nullify EPA suspensions on value industries that belong to Arizona, i.e. copper and coal, power generating facilities and smelters. Business = revenue.
Fiscal philosophy: I am a fiscal conservative. You cannot spend what you don’t have. Overspending is and always has been the cause of our economic duress. We must allow the Legislature to have access to more of the states revenue so it can effectively manage the budget. Trimming waste and eliminating fraud from our systems will allow us to sustain a smaller, limited government with no additional taxes. We must determine funding sources and their stability before we implement new programs or services. Surplus is not “surplus” if you have debt, and “surplus” with debt should be used to pay down debt.
Common Core: The cost of implementation is too great for the results we will achieve. Leave the curriculum to the districts, schools and ultimately the parents. I would prefer “Un-Common Core”. I want students to go beyond what is considered common – we need to develop our education programs to address the individual needs and return to the idea of teaching people how to learn not to strive to reach a “standard”. This program gives too much latitude to the government and takes even more authority from the parent.
Gifts to elected officials: I am not certain that more “laws” should be made. Perhaps transparency should be required and this issue should be left to the ethics committee that operates in the state Legislature. I would need more information on this issue from both positions before I could decide.
Transparency in government: I believe it is good for the public to have access to government activity and there should be transparency. I believe that the government should make the best effort to make public those activities, but should do so efficiently and with minimal expense. The people, if interested, should take the time and responsibility to look up the information that is made available. I do not believe it is the responsibility of the government to “put it in the hands” of the people.
Pro-life / pro-choice: I opposed abortion, but ultimately it is the choice of the woman, legally or illegally. Being that I am the son of an unwed, teenage mother who chose life and adoption over abortion, I would encourage any woman considering an abortion to reconsider. Perhaps if the adoption process were made easier and less costly, women would be more encouraged to make the right choice. I would also urge greater community and faith-based support for those considering abortion as an alternate to legislation. Educate, don’t legislate.
Public policy advice: I turn to several intelligent, informed friends who are in business, retired from business (and finance), other parents, teachers, my children and my granddaughters. I also read articles in various periodicals with opposing views to get closer to the center of the truth and the facts. Information and education are what allow for informed decisions.
