Candidate Questionnaire:

1. Have you ever owned or operated a small business?

Yes, I have owned and operated multiple small businesses since graduating from college.  I have not been employed other than as a small business owner since 1984.

2. Small business provides the economic lifeblood of many communities.  How will your agenda assist and encourage small businesses in supporting their communities?

I will continue to be an advocate for lower commercial property taxes, lower corporate income taxes, and less regulation on businesses.  The solution to the current budget challenges lies in job creation and the vast majority of those jobs will be created by small businesses.  The legislature must continue to strive to improve the business environment in Arizona in an effort to remain competitive with other states and the world.

3. What will you do specifically to help the government reduce its spending?

A first step in reducing government spending is to reduce the size of the numerous social programs that were expanded during the term of the previous governor.  The current population being assisted by the State with their healthcare is very similar in size to the number of students attending school in grades K-12.  This is nearly one in five people being cared for by the state.

The legislature must have greater control over State spending.  Voter mandates have limited the ability of the legislature to reduce spending.  Furthermore, voter mandates require continued increases in spending without sources of funding.  These mandates must be repealed or suspended.  Voters must take the time necessary to elect quality people to represent them in the legislature and then give them the control necessary to manage the affairs of the state.

4. Jobs are a huge issue for families in Arizona.  What can the Arizona legislature do to encourage job creation and job retention?

The commercial tax structure in Arizona is one of the most burdensome in the country.  As previously stated, the commercial property tax and the corporate income tax rates need to become more competitive with other states, particularly with those in the Western United States.  Creating a more competitive environment for business is the first step in job creation and retention.

5. “Creating green jobs” is a popular thought today.   What does this mean to you?

I don’t necessarily distinguish between creating green jobs and creating non-green jobs.  We are in the middle stages of a deep recession.  Our focus should be on job creation and economic development.

6. What government regulations do you believe are unnecessarily imposed on small businesses and should be changed or eliminated?

We extended the moratorium on rulemaking last year to continue to offer relief from the excessive bureaucratic requirements that government places on business.  The extensive licensing and taxation regulation that burdens business does not benefit business or the State.  Government should not participate in creating barriers to entry thus impeding fair market competition.  I support removing all government regulations that result in limiting factors for a competitive environment.

Candidate Bio

Laurin Hendrix was elected to the Arizona State House of Representatives in November of 2008. Representative Laurin Hendrix brings to the House of Representatives considerable business experience as an entrepreneur. Laurin has been self employed since leaving college. Over the past 20 years, he has owned and managed businesses specializing in auto repair, manufacturing, home construction, land development, retail sales, import/exports, business consulting, and banking.

Laurin is a fiscal and social conservative. He believes in limited government and increased personal responsibility. Laurin is a strong advocate of private property rights and a staunch defender of the citizens right to bear arms as guaranteed by the second amendment. He is a supporter of promoting moral values and encouraging the family structure.

Laurin has been selected as the Vice Chairman of the Commerce Committee and serves as a member of the education committee. In addition to being a political advocate, Laurin enjoys a variety of hobbies including acting as a private pilot, backpacking, reading, gardening, traveling, and flying remote control airplanes.

Laurin was raised in California, and moved to Arizona in 1987 in pursuit of a better quality of life, lower taxes, and less government intervention in his personal life. After moving to Arizona, he met his wife, Evelyn, and now has five children attending public schools.

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