Issues

These are the topics that I feel need legislative attention. This campaign is about all of us, though, and I want to hear what is important to you.  Please contact me.

Women’s Health

  • I agree with and have signed the AZ Abortion Access petition which when passed is not enough.

  • The government should not have roadblocks to abortion access, which currently include mandatory counseling, an ultrasound and a waiting period.

  • The government should not restrict the use of medication used for abortions.

  • The government should not require special qualifications for medical professionals to use procedures needed for other care, for example following a miscarriage.

Education

  • We need to fund our schools to provide a high-quality education and healthy environment for our students and competitive salaries for our teachers.

  • Educating our children should be the primary investment for our future.

  • An educated population makes better decisions, earns more money and generates more income tax for the state.

  • A well-educated and well-trained workforce attracts high paying jobs and improves property values.

  • Vouchers should be a separate item in the State budget.

  • The voucher system needs major revision; vouchers should not be given to families with a combined income over $100K.

Immigration

  • The Federal Government is responsible for immigration legislation and enforcement. 

  • Passage of the bipartisan border bill would provide additional funding for border security to help alleviate the backlog in processing asylum seekers.

  • Arizona can help speed up the process based on existing Federal law by recruiting and training temporary employes and requesting reimbursement from the Federal government.

Climate Change

  • The amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has increased by 50% in the last 200 years.

  • Carbon dioxide helps trap heat. 

  • We have a problem which can be addressed by: 

    • Reducing emissions of CO2.

    • Capture and sequestration of CO2 from the atmosphere.

    • Geoengineering, shielding of the world from the full intensity of the sun.

  • I support action in all areas with respect to the part that Arizona can play.

  • The use of residential and commercial solar power is particularly effective in Arizona.

Gun Safety

  • In America, we believe in the second amendment, and many people in Arizona from all walks of life own guns.  That is not going to change. 

  • Unfortunately, the far too many school shootings and deaths cannot be ignored. 

  • I would like to see two things for our future. 

    • First, that gun owners recognize that their right to own guns comes with the responsibility to keep them safely secured.

    •  Second, I would like to see the gun owning community recognize that the number of deaths that are occurring requires action from the government.

  • We must work together to solve this crisis. Taking no action is not an acceptable option.

Security

  • Arizonans should have access to affordable housing.

    • Some Arizona cities and towns are trying a variety of approaches to encourage development of less expensive housing.  Analyzing the results and encouraging the most successful programs will help towards achieving this goal.

  • Access to affordable healthcare could be provided to all Arizonans by:

    • Encouraging Community Colleges to provide classes, including evening classes, that can be transferred to medical schools.

    • Simplifying the rules to allow immigration of doctors and nurses.

  • Personal security is something that no one should have to worry about. 

    • Individual responsibility, that is respecting the law and each other, helps us a great deal.  I would encourage increased police interaction with communities.

Water

  • We do know that much groundwater is being used without restriction.  We don’t know how much groundwater we use nor how much is remaining.  The Arizona Department of Water Resources has started evaluating the state’s water resources. 

  • Agriculture uses more than 70% of Arizona’s water.  I support pricing to reduce usage and encourage migration to less water-intensive crops.

  • Arizonan families also need to conserve water; appropriate pricing structures will help to encourage this.

  • New construction can drive towards lower water use much easier than retrofitting existing building. There is room for legislation to encourage innovation.