Sat, Jul 04, 2009
RANCHO RESORT MAINTANANCE POSITION Health Care Sierra Tucson Eating Disorders Program Coordinator General A1 Communications Cable Techs News ElsewhereState House: District 30: Republican: Frank AntenoriTucson, Arizona | Published: 08.02.2008
Name: Frank Antenori
Office seeking: State House, District 30
Party registration: Republican
Age (DOB): 42 (May 03, 1966)
Occupation/employer: Program manager/Raytheon
Family: Wife, Lesley; two sons, Frank III and Brodie
Religion: Roman Catholic
Income: Military retirement pension, VA disability, Raytheon salary, book royalties
Residence: Tucson
Education: Bachelor of Health Science, minor in Biology from Campbell University; Paramedic certification, University of Texas. Special Forces, Medicine, Intelligence and Operations from U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, Fort Bragg, N.C.
Offices held/run for: Ran for U.S. Congress, Arizona, District 8
Civic activities/organizations: President, Pima County Library Board; Veterans of Foreign Wars, Life Member; American Legion, member; Special Forces Association, member; Association of the United States Army, Life Member; Non-Commissioned Officers Association, Life Member; National Rifle Association, Life Member; Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, member; Joe Foss Institute, Presenter Veteran; Tucson Republican Women, auxiliary member
Why are you running?
After serving in the military for over 20 years, I've grown to appreciate the freedom we have. I see the uncontrolled expansion of government, excessive spending and taxation as an encroachment on that freedom. In recent years, the one constituency that has been ignored by the state government has been the taxpayer. I want to be the taxpayer's eyes and ears, but most of all their voice in Phoenix and restore people's faith in THEIR government.
The biggest issue facing my constituents (or potential constituents) is: I would have to say illegal immigration. Sierra Vista, Green Valley and Tubac have been experiencing a huge increase in crime and incidents related to illegal immigration. Not a single campaign visit to any of them goes by without the issue of illegal immigration coming up.
Favorite local hangout: At home with my family
NPR or Fox? Fox, C-Span, CNBC
How long have you lived in Arizona? Over four years
What kind of vehicle do you drive? Ford Explorer Sport Trac What kind of mileage does it get? 20 mpg
If I could have dinner with any living person, I would choose: Osama bin Laden, at which time I would immediately facilitate his journey toward his 72 virgins.
If I had my own reality show, it would be titled: "The Journey of a Grateful American."
First job: Paperboy, age 12
Taxes: In general, do you see tax cuts as a good way to grow the economy during the economic downturn, or would you prefer to either raise taxes or see them stay the same to avoid cutting government programs?
Yes, time and time again, tax cuts have been shown to stimulate the economy. Arizona businesses can't compete in a national or global marketplace because Arizona taxes are too high. I see this firsthand every day in my job as a program manager when I see lucrative contracts going to businesses in other states instead of staying here in Arizona.
Education: What kind of policy would you support to improve the standing of Arizona schools in comparison to the rest of the nation?
Encourage competition and accountability by providing parents with the power of school choice. I also believe there needs to be a standardized discipline and dress code (not uniforms) policy in our schools, much similar to conduct and dress standards at places of business.
Transportation: Do you support or oppose the proposed 1-cent-per-dollar sales tax increase to pay for new roads and public transit?
Ardently oppose. There is no need to raise taxes. Besides, public safety and education, one of the state government's primary roles is to provide for infrastructure improvements such as roads. If the governor wasn't spending our tax dollars on everything but what the state is supposed to, we'd have enough money to build new roads and repair our older ones. This is a primary example of why we need to prioritize spending.
Economy: The state's budget shortfall next year may be in the neighborhood of $2 billion. How would you balance the state's financial obligations with the constitutional requirement the Arizona have a balanced budget?
First, immediately freeze spending at 2007 levels. Then audit all government agencies to determine if they're wasting tax dollars, cutting funds to those that aren't good stewards of the taxpayer's dollars. Then prioritize all discretionary spending, drawing the line at the amount contained in the general fund. No bonds, no gimmicks, no speeding cameras.
Health care: Should the state expand government services to help those who lack health care? What other possible help could there be for Arizonans in the face of rising health-care costs, particular for those who are self-employed or run small businesses?
The state should immediately facilitate, through legislation, the ability for small businesses and individuals to group or pool beneficiaries, enabling them to leverage a larger risk pool so they can get cheaper policy rates. Setting up not-for-profit "Health Care Unions" that operate similar to the way credit unions do, but instead of banking services you would have health-care services. Another thing would be to eliminate all the excessive mandated health coverage businesses have to offer workers. For example, the state requires health-care policies issued to men to include coverage for OB-GYN services; this adds to the cost of health-care insurance. We should have an a la carte health insurance system that allows employers to offer or people to buy only the coverage they need. This would immediately reduce insurance costs.
Marriage: Do you believe that marriage is only between a man and a woman? If the answer is yes, do you support defining it that way in the Arizona Constitution?
Yes and yes. That said, I wish government would quit tying benefits and entitlements to marriage, get out of the marriage business altogether, and leave it up to the respective religions to define marriage. If you want to get married, fine; that's between you, your spouse and your God, not the government. This instantly does away with the marriage penalty. When it comes to property and children, consenting adults should enter into a binding contract prior to living together, similar to a contract when forming a business partnership. Breach of the contract results in a court decision to award damages, to include division of assets. Divorce lawyers of course will hate the idea.
Immigration: Several proposals have passed on the state level to deal with illegal immigration. In general, what should the state's role be when it comes to controlling immigration and mitigating its effects?
To start, interior enforcement of immigration laws and cooperation with federal agencies such as U.S. Border Patrol or Immigration and Customs Enforcement . When a police officer detains an individual for probable cause, irrespective of whether they're a U.S. citizen or not, the officer should perform an instant computer background (and) criminal record check, and a check of immigration status. It takes only a few minutes and will result in identifying those here illegally and in addition, the apprehension of fugitives from justice. Those discovered to be here illegally will only be detained long enough to turn them over to the USBP or ICE for deportation.
Environment: "The environment" follows "immigration" as the top concern of Arizonans in most public opinion polls. What policies, if any, can be passed at the state level to address these widespread concerns?
Arizona should allow non-violent inmates to work for a reduced time on their sentence. Those who volunteer for work details to pick up trash in the desert will have their sentence reduced one day for every five days worked.
Civility: What is one issue where you see the potential to work with members of the opposite political party on legislation? How would you build support?
Finding additional sources of water for Southern Arizona. I would start to build support by first asking each of them to go to lunch. After we get to know each other a little better, we can then begin to discuss the possible ways to implement some possible solutions. I say go to lunch, because there was a time when Republicans and Democrats, even though they might disagree philosophically, could still sit down together and discuss issues without bickering. I'd like to bring those days back, and lunch would be a good start.
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