Issues

Attract Quality Jobs

Attracting quality jobs to Arizona is my number one priority.  We must recognize the critical needs of this state, especially in infrastructure and education, and invest our resources in a way that will improve our growth in the long-term. We need to diversify our economy, and in particular, encourage high- tech industries to develop in Arizona. We need to focus on strengthening our schools, training workers and making our universities world-class centers for research that also offer a solid education for every Arizona child. We need to work hard to attract high-tech businesses, whether it’s through Science Foundation Arizona, research and development tax incentives or investing in alternative forms of energy.

Protect Education

I believe strong public schools are the foundation for Arizona’s future. As a school board member for the past four years, I see how many of our critical education needs go unmet every day, and the critical choices educators face in the classroom. We need to be smart about our investments in education, but we clearly need to adequately fund our education system so that all our students are ready for the 21st century. We must work to keep dollars in the classroom and reduce class sizes. We must also strive to make college affordable to every Arizona family and to increase our number of college graduates.

Keep Our Neighborhoods Safe

I have worked to keep our communities safe.  I have been endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police, the Arizona Highway Patrol Association, the Arizona Correctional Peace Officers Association, and the Professional Fire Fighters of Arizona.  Our police officers and fire fighters need the resources to protect Arizona’s neighborhoods.   I will ensure that they have those resources.

Immigration Reform

We need sensible immigration reform that solves the real problems facing our state. This must include increased border security to stop human smugglers, drug and gun traffickers, and criminal cartels from entering our country. Our visa system is flawed and needs to be fixed so that foreign citizens return to their country of origin immediately when their visas expire.  We need a mechanism for dealing with the 12 million people who are already here illegally without overburdening our existing judicial system or draining resources from fighting more serious criminals. I promise to work towards real solutions to immigration reform that will make our state safe and our economy strong.

 

 

Eric at work on the Scottsdale
Unified School District Governing Board