Colette Rosati Interview

CANDIDATE INTERVIEW

Q&A with State Rep. Colette Rosati

By Dennis Durband, Editor

Ed. Note: Republican Colette Rosati is running for re-election to the Arizona House of Representatives in Legislative District 8, which includes Fountain Hills, Rio Verde and Scottsdale. Rosati is recognized by “CR,” and The Arizona Conservative by “TAC.”

Questions

TAC: How would you rate the competition for the two GOP tickets out of the primary this year?

CR: As far as my House race goes, I've known for two years that the left was going to try and take me out. I suppose I should be encouraged that they've only found one person to try it so far. My seatmate, Michele Reagan, and I are being joined in the race by Royce Flora, a government employee who claims to be running against me because of my positions on the environment. As the current vice-chair of the House Environment Committee and as a leading proponent of open-space preservation, this is laughable… Everyone knows he was recruited because I am a pro-life conservative. I am currently in line for the vacant chairmanship of the House Environment Committee next term and this would give Scottsdale and Fountain Hills an excellent position from which to pursue our environmental goals and Mr. Flora's primary actually jeopardizes this. Still, we'll run hard like we always do and we'll take nothing for granted!

TAC: What are the key issues in this year’s District 8 primary race?

CR: Every Republican primary will deal with the same key issues. Right now, voters are interested in defending traditional marriage, fighting illegal immigration, controlling wasteful spending, defending human life and cutting taxes.

TAC: Why should voters re-elect you?

CR: Alright, a softball question! Well, looking at my answer above, I am the only candidate in my race who has been a consistently strong advocate for traditional marriage, I am the only candidate in my race who supports the PAN initiative, I am the only candidate in my race who opposed our recent budget, which was irresponsible at best, I am the only pro-life candidate in my race, and I am the only candidate in my race who wants to reduce taxes and the size of government. That puts me on the right side of every important issue.

TAC: What were your top accomplishments in your first term?

CR: We fought for the taxpayers and managed to win some battles. Even on the budget battle my first year, which was no great triumph, we held the line and kept it from being even worse. Unfortunately, too many Republicans share the liberal addiction to spending other people's money and are willing to support bad bills. Until they are replaced with more responsible Republicans, we aren't likely to pass a good budget.

Passing informed consent was a good feeling, at least until the governor vetoed it. I was one of those who was actually surprised because, while we knew she was a pro-abort, we really didn't think that she would go out of her way to deny women life-saving information just to satisfy the liberal fringe. That seemed extraordinarily callous of her.

TAC: What’s your opinion of this year’s budget bill?

CR: It was too big, ran a deficit, failed to address the state's structural deficit, and has us headed for a tax increase in the future. They spent your money to win a personality battle with other House members. That seemed pretty shameful to me.

TAC: How did the Legislature do on the social issues this year, in your evaluation?

CR: The House passed the postcard to Congress defending marriage, then the Senate dropped the ball. Can you believe that only 14 of 30 Senators would stand in defense of marriage? That was shocking…

TAC: Can Republicans resist the governor’s incessant push for tax increases?

CR: It was liberal Republicans who passed her spending plans and liberal Republicans who refuse to address our structural deficit. Frankly, you should be asking if those liberal Republicans even want to resist tax increases. I'll fight against tax increases and a large group of us will, but there remains a group of Republicans who are not loyal to their party or its platform who embrace government spending. Still, I'm confident that we can block tax increases for now…

TAC: The 2002 GOP primary was a great election for conservatives. Do you expect that trend to repeat this year?

CR: If we turnout, we will win. But people need to wake up to the dangers that are lurking in the form of more government, higher taxes, homosexual marriage, etc. If you want to stop all of that, then vote on September 7th and get your neighbors to vote on September 7th.

TAC: Have you determined which bills you plan to introduce next term, if re-elected?

CR: I'm looking at several bills which I have been advocating this session and some potential new ones. But now it’s time to campaign, so that's where my attention has to be.

TAC: In light of some legislators refusing to represent their district and refusing to vote on key issues (namely the marriage amendment postcard), will you commit to voting on all the bills for which you are physically present in the House chamber?

CR: There are legendary tales of members hiding under their desks in their offices so that they can duck tough votes. We get paid for the tough votes. I'll be there, and the other members should be too.

TAC: Do you believe the legislature can make better progress next term on judicial reform?

CR: I don't believe the will exists at this time. Ask me again after the election when we see the makeup of the incoming class. We need more conservatives in Scottsdale, Tempe and Tucson.

TAC: Do you support or oppose the Protect Arizona Now initiative?

CR: I am a supporter of the initiative and plan to continue my fight to reduce the flow of illegal immigrants into Arizona. It is bankrupting our state.

TAC: General comments: Please comment on anything that hasn’t been included in the questions above.

CR: To get involved in my campaign, please go to www.rosati2004.com or call me at (602) 750-3233. God Bless!