Elections 2014 Just another Arizona Capitol Times Election Coverage site
Democrat – Legislative District 16 House
Phone: (602) 565-5796
Email: caraforazhouse@gmail.com
Website: www.caraforazhouse.com
Facebook: Cara Prior
Twitter: @CaraPrior2014
Address: 855 E Pima Ave , Apache Junction, AZ 85119
Age: 42. (04/24/72).
Arizona since: 1997
Occupation: CDI technician, Quantumclean, since 2013; engineering technician, L3 Communications, 2008-13; machine shop tech, Emerson, 2004-08.
Marital: Married
Education: High school diploma.
Political experience: Prior for Senate, 2012; Cara for AZ House, 2014.
Interests: Hiking, biking, motorcycle, riding, movies, music, animals.
Two biggest issues: The concentration on “social issues” and our state economy. If I am elected, I would push to focus on the real needs of Arizona: fixing the infrastructure, bolstering our lagging educational system, and working to stop the use of taxpayer funding in the for-profit industry. We need to create jobs in Arizona, and to do that we need to fix our education system. We need to focus on small businesses, which are the lifeblood of our individual communities. We need to increase the minimum wage, so that people can earn a living wage and not have to rely on assistance.
Budget priorities: My budget priorities would go to public education, public services, and boosting state revenue. We could cut expenditures by reducing taxpayer money to for-profit industries, such as private for-profit schools and the for-profit prison industry. The private prison industry already costs the citizens of Arizona $4 million dollars a year more than state run prisons, and creates a demand for prisoners. We could increase revenues if we legalize cannabis in Arizona for personal recreational use, and we could also increase revenue by increasing tourism in Arizona.
Fiscal philosophy: I believe that government should be completely transparent, and that all financial transactions in government should be available to the public in easy to use reports. I believe that money should not be spent frivolously, and that it should never be spent in ways that bring profit to lawmakers.
Common Core: This is a question that I would leave to educators that are experienced and knowledgeable in this area. We should as legislators be listening and taking recommendations from the experts.
Gifts to elected officials: I believe that elected officials should not be allowed to take ANY gifts. Legislators work for the citizens of Arizona, not special interests, not corporations, and not ALEC or CAP. I would be in support of any legislation that not only prevents elected officials from taking gifts, but also for legislation that has harsh punishment for any elected officials that violate those laws.
Transparency in government: Government should always be transparent and provide timely and accurate notice to the public. As elected officials work for the people, the people should have accurate information on what their elected officials are doing, including all facts surrounding the issue and from both pros and cons of the issue. All information should be factual and truthful.
Pro-life / pro-choice: My position on abortion is that it is a private matter between a woman and her doctor. A woman’s choice was guaranteed by the Supreme Court case Roe vs. Wade and should not be infringed upon by legislation or policy.
Public policy advice: I would of course rely on experts in the field for any policy that is created and voted on, both pro and con to decide what would be the best course of action.
