Orlando, Matt

Meet the Candidate

Running For:
City Council
Political Affiliation:
Ind
Phone:
(602) 370-7536
Age:
66
Occupation:
Current Chandler City Council
Education:
MBA Golden Gate University, BA Rutgers University
Biographical Info:

Matt Orlando is in his 5th (four year) term as a member of the Chandler City Council. He has the unique experience of serving on the council when the city was the fastest growing community (for 3 years in a row) in the nation and served during the past recession and COVID epidemic. During his tenure as a council member, he supported and led many activities and initiatives that benefitted and “laid the foundation” for a quality of life and fiscal policies that Chandler residents and business owners enjoy today. A few examples of Matt’s initiatives…implemented neighborhood policing; expanded fire and medical services; renewed emphases on Parks and Recreation programs; neighborhood enhancement programs to include graffiti removal and practical code enforcement; and economic development opportunities that created tens of thousands of jobs.
Matt was a small business owner who worked at numerous high tech companies and understands their needs for infrastructure, an educated employee base, transportation corridors and first rate public safety. He retired from Honeywell in 2016. His final role was Director of Technical Sales and was responsible for a $500M product portfolio. Matt led a world-wide sales and business team of 26 people and directed successful business ventures in the US and international markets.
Matt retired as a Colonel after serving in the US Air Force both on active duty and in the Arizona Air National Guard. Finally, Matt enjoys being an Umpire for both baseball and adult and youth softball.
He is married to Pat, for 44 years and three children: Matt, Anthony, Leah, and two grandchildren.

Statement:

To keep working to build a better quality of life for all of us; continue to be a strong advocate for safe and clean neighborhoods; foster smart growth policies; and continue to provide the open and transparent communication that you have come to expect and is critical for maintaining trust.
I want to continue to utilize my experience, leadership, and knowledge gained from 20 years as a councilmember, 30 years of military service and 35 years of working at high tech companies. We need to ensure we continue to have sound fiscal policies, enhanced private-public partnerships and support our schools
Chandler is a first-class community. My vision is to make Chandler a world-class community! World-class communities have top-notch public safety, an educated workforce; lots of green spaces and cultural attractions, vibrant and sustainable downtown/entertainment districts, and a high-capacity transportation system that connects employees and goods to business nodes.

Survey

Response Legend

  • SSupports
  • OOpposes
  • *Comment
  • Declined to respond
  • Declined to respond, Position based on citation

Question Response Comments/Notes
1. Denying government funding to "sanctuary cities" that do not comply with federal immigration laws -* Chandler isn’t a sanctuary city. There is no movement for or against changing the status. Our city abides by Federal and State laws
2. Allowing all parents to use tax credits, vouchers, or education savings accounts to enable children to attend any public, charter, private, homeschool, or online academy -* N/A This isn’t an issue the City Council addresses, this is in the Federal and State domain
3. Expanding background checks to include guns purchased from private individuals -* N/A This isn’t an issue the City Council addresses, this is in Federal and State domain
4. Using taxpayer funds to support any organization that provides, promotes, or provides referrals for abortion -* N/A This isn’t an issue the City Council addresses, this is in the Federal and State domain
5. Prohibiting abortion except when it is necessary to prevent the death of the mother -* N/A This isn’t an issue the City Council addresses, this is in Federal and State domain
6. Providing tax breaks to certain industries over others -* By law, Cites have certain boundaries for any tax breaks. Chandler doesn’t pick “winners or losers”; we apply our taxes and incentives equally across all entities
7. Adding "sexual orientation," "gender identity," or "gender expression" to the protected classes of race, religion, age, sex, and ancestry in nondiscrimination ordinances -* Numerous Religious institutions, State wide economic organizations and 10 cities including Mesa, Scottsdale, Sedona, and Glendale support NDOs. It gives our state an economic completive advantage.
8. Protecting a parent's right to seek professional counseling for their minor child with same-sex attraction or gender identity issues to help them reach their desired outcome -* N/A This isn’t an issue the City Council addresses, this is in Federal and State domain
9. Setting minimum wage above the state minimum wage -* N/A Chandler follows Federal and State minimum wage laws.
10. Protecting individuals and businesses from being required to use their artistic expression in a manner that violates their conscience -* The current NDO language would except and protect individuals and small business owners
11. Requiring any government entity, including schools, to inform parents about their child’s physical, emotional, or mental health -* N/A This isn’t an issue the City Council addresses, this is in Federal and State domain
12. Establishing electric retail competition to eliminate the current monopoly system for electric utilities -* N/A This isn’t an issue the City Council addresses, this is in Federal , State (to include the Corporation Commissions) domain