Scott Bundgaard

Scott Bundgaard served in the Arizona State Senate for six years (01/1997 - 01/2003) and in the Arizona House of Representatives for two years (01/1995 - 01/1997). While in the Senate, Bundgaard served as Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee.http://www.azleg.state.az.us/members/sbundgaa.htm]

As Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, Bundgaard was part of the team that negotiated and engineered Arizona's $7 billion budget, which included income tax cuts for individuals and Arizona businesses, and the elimination of the marriage tax penalty. Bundgaard was named the "Friend of the Taxpayer" every year he served in the Legislature.

Bundgaard worked on projects that included public and private financing for a $600 million stadium, $50 million lake facility, $400 million infrastructure improvements, including the consolidation and restructuring of grant anticipation notes. He also worked with two global banks on the development and underwriting of the Arizona IDA to construct large, low income housing projects.

Bundgaard worked with high level executives at major state, national and global industries including agriculture, aviation, banking/financial, construction, environmental, manufacturing, shipping, technology, and transportation. He helped initiate a public/private venture capital program, using $100 million in insurance premium revenues as security for funding various high-tech ventures, but the plan was defeated. Bundgaard was awarded the first ever "Arizona Tech 10" Award for his efforts to support the technology community in Arizona.

While serving in the Senate, Bundgaard demonstrated leadership on matters of fiscal policy by cutting taxes and cutting spending, working to eliminate racial preferences,http://michellemalkin.com/2008/07/28/mccain-finally-endorses-campaign-to-end-racial-preferencesor-does-he/] working to end dependence on foreign fuels by promoting renewable energy,http://www.azsolarcenter.com/calendar/expanded/03-19-02.html#2] working against powerful interests to end corporate secrecy and business corruption in order to protect the public from unsafe products and financial scams. [http://www.lermanet.com/scientologynews/azrepublic-11092002.htm] He worked toward ending discrimination by public schools against student-led Bible clubs, http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2001/04/25/32caps.h20.html?print=1] and putting pressure on HOAs who worked to prevent members from flying the American flaghttp://www.ccfj.net/flyoldglory2.html] and on the Phoenix Art Museum for using public funds to support exhibits that desecrate the American flag.http://www.tucsonweekly.com/tw/04-04-96/curr1.htm]

In 1998, Bundgaard was selected by the Department of State to travel to Israel and Egypt to examine and monitor the "Land for Peace" peace process.http://www.acypl.org/]

During his tenure, Bundgaard demonstrated an ability to communicate and coordinate with all levels of government. He worked with others to craft legislation on many complicated issues affecting city, county, state, and federal entities, including federal DOC, DOD, EPA, FHA, FHLB, IRS, and the Department of State.

Bundgaard was a member of the following Senate committees: Appropriations, Banking and Insurance, Commerce, Natural Resources & Environment.

President George W. Bush appointed Bundgaard to serve on the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars from 2001-2008 and later to the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars Foundation from 2004-2008.http://www.presidentialscholars.org/commissioners/default.htm]

Additional information

* Arizona Opera League: Opera Ball fundraising chairman, 2003 [http://www.azopera.com/]
* Arizona Project Challenge (Boot camp for at-risk youth run by National Guard): Mentor, 2003-2005http://www.ngycp.org/site/state/az/]
* The Business Journal: "40 Under 40" Award, 2001 inaugural classhttp://www.linkedin.com/pub/0/854/42B]
* International Reading Association: “Celebrate Literacy” Award for “exemplary promotion of literacy and education in the state of Arizona,” 2001http://www.linkedin.com/pub/0/854/42B]
* MatchPoint: Board member/Mentor, faith-based mentoring organization for at-risk kids, 1998-2002http://www.linkedin.com/pub/0/854/42B]
* Arizona Leukemia/Lymphoma Society: “Man of the Year”, 2000http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/all_chap]
* Cystic Fibrosis Foundation: “Arizona’s Finest Fundraiser”, 1999 http://www.cff.org/chapters/arizona/]
* American Legion: "Distinguished Legislator" Award, 1999 [http://www.azlegion.org/]
* Heartland Institute: Board member, legislative public policy think tank in Chicago, 1995-2002 [http://www.heartland.org/]
* Glendale Parks & Recreation: Youth Basketball Coach, “Coach of the Year”, 1994 [http://www.glendaleaz.com/ParksandRecreation/]
* Arizona Youth Sports: Youth Basketball, Soccer Coach; Soccer Referee 1991-1994http://www.nysonline.org/]
* Church High School Youth Group Leader: 1991-1994
* Rotaract (Collegiate level of Rotary Club International): Founding Director - Grand Canyon Univ., 1989http://www.rotaract.org/]

References