by admin | Jun 23, 2014 | Uncategorized
The Arizona Free Enterprise Club PAC today announced the endorsement of Vince Leach and Anthony Kern for the House of Representatives. Both are first time candidates for the legislature who are strong advocates for limited government and economic freedom.
Vince Leach is a candidate in LD 11, which covers most of Western Pinal County. Leach has been campaigning on a pro-growth economic agenda and ending the practice of picking winners and losers at the legislature. For conservatives, Leach is the obvious choice in the primary.
Anthony Kern is a conservative from LD 20 currently in a tough primary with 4 other candidates. A resident from Glendale, Kern has seen first-hand how fiscal mismanagement and reckless spending by the City Council hurts taxpayers and diminishes economic growth. “Anthony Kern has fought reckless spending in Glendale, and now he wants to take on the spending lobby at the legislature.” Executive Director Scot Mussi said. “Kern, along with Leach, will be welcome additions to the House of Representatives.”
by admin | Jun 2, 2014 | Uncategorized
Today the Arizona Free Enterprise Club is announcing a new feature to highlight the growing number of sweetheart deals and special favors that have become commonplace throughout Arizona’s political system: The Crony of the Month. The Crony of the Month will be awarded to elected officials and political figures that use their position of power and close relationships to benefit insiders and special interests at the expense of taxpayers and the free market.
The first recipient of the Club’s Crony of Month goes to Secretary of State and Gubernatorial candidate Ken Bennett. Bennett secured the award for his request to star in ‘voter education’ television advertisements about the upcoming election, which will be paid for/subsidized by Arizona taxpayers. “One of the worst forms of cronyism is when politicians use their position of power and taxpayer money to benefit their re-election efforts, which is what Ken Bennett is attempting to do.” Executive Director Scot Mussi said. “There is no reason for Bennett to appear in these ads right before an election, except that it improves his political fortune.”
Ken Bennett isn’t the first politician to use taxpayer funded ‘voter education’ ads to boost their public image, but this instance is more questionable and unique given the timing of the ads and the fact that Bennett is running as a clean elections candidate. “Not only is Bennett funding his entire campaign with taxpayer money, but he also wants to leverage his position to get access to special benefits that no other gubernatorial candidate in the race has,” Mussi continued. “Simply put, taxpayers should not be funding political campaigns for candidates or ideas they don’t support. If Ken Bennett believes it is that important for him to appear in these ads, he should pay for it himself.”
Taxpayers will know soon enough if Bennett follows through on his desire to appear in these subsidized campaign ads, but for now we will have to settle for him being the Club’s Crony of the Month.
by admin | May 21, 2014 | Uncategorized
The Arizona Free Enterprise Club PAC today has announced the endorsement of Justin Pierce for the office of Secretary of State. Pierce’s proven track record as a strong conservative leader was the deciding factor in earning the Club’s endorsement.
“In his time at the legislature, Justin Pierce developed an impressive resume taking on the establishment and fighting for sound pro-growth policies” Executive Director Scot Mussi said. “We need a consistent conservative leader in an office as critical as Secretary of State”
Also what sets Pierce apart in this contested primary is his support and knowledge of Arizona’s electoral system and campaign finance laws. “The Secretary of State’s primary responsibility is to ensure the integrity of our election process and to safeguard our free speech rights,” Mussi Continued. “There is no doubt that Justin Pierce is best suited to perform these responsibilities as Secretary of State.”
by admin | Apr 2, 2014 | Uncategorized
The Arizona Free Enterprise Club urges that the House of Representatives vote NO on SB 1484, tax credit legislation that will provide millions in special tax breaks to corporations that generate renewable energy for manufacturing. In fact, it has been an open secret at the legislature that only 2 companies (at most) will benefit from the tax credits being provided in SB 1484. This is crony capitalist special legislation and a raw deal for taxpayers.
If the tax policy wasn’t bad enough, the purpose clause provided in the bill should give legislators pause as well. In the actual text of SB 1484, it declares that the credits are needed to incentivize companies in Arizona to “reduce their carbon footprint.” Tax credits to fight global warming?? There couldn’t be a more wasteful use of taxpayer money than to provide special tax breaks to two companies that will have virtually no impact on carbon emissions. We should not be picking winners and losers, especially when it is for a questionable environmental agenda.
The Club urges a NO vote on SB 1484.
by admin | Apr 1, 2014 | Uncategorized
A few years ago, a group of smart entrepreneurs and innovators came up with a revolutionary idea on providing an alternative transportation service to the traditional cab company—‘Ridesharing’. With ridesharing, private drivers have the freedom to provide rides wherever and whenever they want, while consumers have the luxury to explore the new service and compare the cost to taking a traditional cab.
This new service was an instant hit, with both drivers and consumers being able to enjoy a better (and often cheaper) transportation option than what was available. Two companies that have been leading the rideshare revolution, uberX and Lyft, have taken this model worldwide, expanding to over 40 U.S. markets and providing thousands of rides each year.
Normally this type of innovation is a cause for celebration, but instead the entire business model is in jeopardy. Fearing the competition, the entrenched taxi cab industry has been working tirelessly to shut ridesharing down. They are trying to shut the service down in New York City and San Francisco, and they were successful in stopping ridesharing in Seattle. Now they are trying to do the same in Arizona.
That is why the Free Enterprise Club is supporting HB 2262, legislation that will allow for ridesharing to continue in Arizona. HB 2262 sets up the regulatory structure to gurantee that ridesharing will continue in Arizona. The cab companies know this, and that is why they are pulling out all the stops to kill the bill (and with it, their competition).
The Free Enterprise Club urges the legislature embrace innovation and support HB 2262.
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