Does your Representative actually represent you? In our system of government, our elected representatives are supposed to represent us and make decisions that reflect the best interests and values of the citizens who elected them. These governmental processes are sometimes called “working for the common good.”

That’s how it supposed to work, but is that what we are getting from our elected representatives? Take a look at John Kavanagh’s record and ask yourself, “Does this record agree with values and beliefs of the citizens of Fountain Hills and Scottsdale?”

Representative Kavanagh voted to do the following: Cut $3 billion from education over the past five years; sweep $700 million from the highway users revenue fund; repeal the First Things First education program and send the funds to the general revenue fund (where it could be sent to his cronies who own private prisons?); sweep $50 million from funds specifically allocated to help homeowners facing foreclosure; allow guns in public buildings, including libraries; block transgender persons from using public restrooms; increase funding to a private prison by $900,000, simply because their lobbyist said they needed the money; allow physicians to withhold information from pregnant women, if the physician believes the woman might consider having an abortion; block the Clean Elections Committee from investigating potential campaign finance violations by certain candidates.

This is only a partial list of Representative Kavanagh’s record…a record that seems to reflect the reactionary plutocratic values and priorities of A.L.E.C. but not the people he is supposed to represent.

Electing Paula Pennypacker as our Senator will be a first step toward restoring real representation and sanity in the Arizona Legislature.