Elections 2014 Just another Arizona Capitol Times Election Coverage site
Republican – Legislative District 18 Senate
Phone: (602) 319-5103
Email: tpmorrissey38@gmail.com
Website: tomforazsenate.com
Facebook: Tom Morrissey
Twitter: @tomforazsenate
Address: 4802 E Ray Rd #23247, Phoenix, AZ 85044
Age: 76. (04/16/38, Brooklyn, NY).
Arizona since: 1986
Occupation: Retired chief deputy, U.S. Marshal, District of Arizona; retired chief, Office of Special Investigations, Arizona Dept of Economic Security; published author (currently on Amazon Books).
Marital: Married
Children: 5
Education: ASU Certified Public Manager Program, 2001; B.A. (magna cum laude), law enforcement administration, Ottawa University, 1997.
Political experience: Chairman, Arizona Republican, 2011-13; legislative district chair, old LD-20, 2001-05; first vice-chair, old LD-6; volunteer, re-election campaign for Sheriff Arpaio, campaign for Congressman David Schweikert and Laura Knaperek.
Interests: Author (three books published), writing screenplays (one in pre-production), writing music (songwriter for Ray Charles and Richie Havens, and several hit rock groups), martial arts instruction (over 40 years).
Two biggest issues: Attracting good jobs to Arizona. To do this I would support eliminating the state income tax and lessening the smothering red tape and bureaucratic rules and regulations on businesses in general and small businesses specifically. Improving our schools through standards set here in Arizona, by parents, local school boards and teachers. I believe deeply in the principles that adhere to teaching those subjects that are pertinent to our local communities and not those set according to views of people who have never set foot in our state.
Budget priorities: Having been part of a large state agency for eleven years as chief of the Office of Special Investigations in the Arizona Department of Economic Security, I am well versed in how our state agencies conduct their business. I know what to look for and where to go to find the efficiencies and inefficiencies in these agencies. Being able to identify where taxpayer money should not be going and reallocating it to where it should be going will solve many budgetary problems across the board. Simply throwing money at problems is not a sound method of solving them. Rather, it would be better to approach challenges with an eye toward innovation, respecting the fact that our resources and assets are limited and therefore must be protected by elected officials who truly understand that fact. I believe we should manage our government budget the same way we manage our family or personal budgets, and not spend money we don’t have.
Fiscal philosophy: I am a staunch fiscal conservative who believes in lower taxes and less government intrusion in our lives. There is no wisdom in mortgaging our future and our children’s future for the purpose of getting re-elected. Our country was designed for legislators to come from the citizenry, serve a reasonable amount of time and return to the reality of life in the private sector. In short, that is who I am, a citizen of Arizona, who is a true believer in a balanced budget.
Common Core: In my opinion, Common Core does not promote excellence in our education system. Rather, it promotes mediocrity and is a sharp departure from a system of education that involved the entire family, especially when it involved things like homework. I have been walking my district, going door to door, discussing concerns of those I meet. Among those have been several teachers, who are very troubled by the fact that they are being weighed down by the bureaucratic reporting system which is taking away their time and attention to the classroom as they attend to the overwhelming paperwork generated by Common Core. Changing the name from Common Core to what it is now, is like putting lipstick on a pig. The only thing different is the lipstick.
Gifts to elected officials: Gifts to legislators should be outlawed. No form of reward to those who are supposed to be representing their constituents is appropriate. Our laws should not be built on special interests. They should be built on the common good. If elected to the Arizona State Senate, I will be out in my district, conducting town halls and other meetings to stay current on the concerns of my constituents. My door will be opened to all, to voice their opinions. My votes will not be for sale, nor will I allow lobbyists to pen any legislation that I bring to the floor of the Arizona State. It is time we change the way the people’s business is conducted and I hope to be an agent of that change.
Transparency in government: Sunshine is the greatest disinfectant and it is the full light of day that ALL state business should be conducted. Last year, during a special session, in the middle of the night, with a suspension of the rules, Medicaid expansion was passed. Whether you agree with this law or not, how can anyone agree with the way it was passed? In my opinion, it was the introduction of Chicago-Style politics to Arizona. No offense to the Cubs or White Sox, but that type of legislative conduct is not the way legislative business should be conducted here. Many things hidden in the dark of night cannot stand in the light of day.
Pro-life / pro-choice: I have come to the point of believing that life begins at conception. In the ancient Chinese writing known as “The Tao”, Lau Tzu says, “when heaven’s energy (male) meets Earth’s energy (female) then you have Man(kind). What was written thousands of years ago is as true today as it was then. I am pro-life.
Public policy advice: I speak with my friends in the Legislature. The people I meet going door to door in my campaign. My wife. My children. My father and mother-in-law, my attorney daughter-in-law. I speak with friends who are doctors and other health care providers. Teachers give me lots of good advice. Young people have many good things to say. Senior citizens convey much wisdom my way. Most importantly, I pray every day for guidance from God.
