Elections 2014 Just another Arizona Capitol Times Election Coverage site
Republican – Legislative District 25 House
Phone: (480) 773-3503
Email: electmichelleudall@gmail.com
Website: michelleudall.com
Facebook: Michelle Udall
Twitter: @michudall
Address: 3447 E Caballero St , Mesa, AZ 85213
Age: 38. (03/23/76, Mesa, AZ).
Arizona since: Birth
Occupation: Small business owner & bookkeeper, AAA Udall Accounting Services, since 2009; math & science tutor, since 1999; medical biller, Advanced Dermatology, 2010-13, gymnastics coach & judge, 1996-2010.
Marital: Married
Children: 4
Education: B.S., computer science, ASU, 2001; MIT, 1994-95; Westwood H.S., 1994.
Political experience: Mesa Public Schools Governing Board, 2011-14; clerk, Mesa Public Schools Governing Board, 2014.
Interests: Reading, gymnastics, diving, dancing, hiking.
Two biggest issues: Education: We need to ensure that Arizona’s high school graduates have the preparation they need in order to be successful and self-sufficient. We must set high goals and then work together with teachers, administrators and parents to reach them. As a representative, I will work to make sure teachers and administrators have the support they need to meet the needs of our students. Economy: Arizona has recently been recognized as one of the best states in which to start a business. Employers and business owners are noticing the steps that have been taken in recent years to improve the business environment in Arizona. We must continue to reduce unnecessary regulations, streamline licensing procedures, and keep a competitive tax climate. As more businesses recognize our commitment to education and our positive business environment, the economy in Arizona will improve more quickly and jobs will be more plentiful.
Budget priorities: I believe education is one of the most important responsibilities of our state government and ought to be our biggest budget priority.
Fiscal philosophy: I am a fiscal conservative. I believe in reducing regulation and cutting associated costs, keeping low, broad-based taxes, and doing only those things that are the government’s responsibility.
Common Core: I support high standards and am against federal involvement in education. Our new standards are significantly higher than our previous standards. They represent the minimal skills a student needs to have in order to be successful in entry-level college classes and careers. We need to continue to implement these new standards and work towards ensuring that our students are prepared not only in English and math (the subjects covered by these standards), but in all necessary subjects. As we see things that may be lacking from these standards, we need to add them. We also need to ensure that the test chosen to replace AIMS is appropriate, accurate, unbiased, and gives timely, actionable data to teachers and administrators. Further, each district needs to work with parents to ensure that learning materials chosen to implement the new standards are appropriate to the needs of their communities.
Gifts to elected officials: Did not respond.
Transparency in government: Transparency is essential to a government for and by the people. Only when the people know what is happening within their government can they be actively engaged in improving it.
Pro-life / pro-choice: I am adamantly against abortion.
Public policy advice: I believe the best people to talk to about policy issues are the people the policy will most directly impact. If I am dealing with a question of education policy, I will talk to parents, teachers, and administrators. If I am looking at policy that will impact a specific business, I will talk to business owners and customers. Often, policies intended to solve one problem cause another. I believe the greatest way to prevent such situations is to talk to the people who will be implementing the policy before making the decision.
