Debbie Lesko - State Representative

On June 4th and then again on June 30th, the Arizona State Senate and House of Representatives passed a balanced budget that makes positive steps to solve the state’s current and future budget problems without implementing a tax increase that may further hurt an already fragile economy.

One of the key differences between the June 4th and June 30th approved budgets, the Governor’s proposal, and the democrat’s proposal is a tax increase. (Please click on the link to the left entitled, Budget Explanation, for more details.) The plan approved by republican legislators on June 4th and June 30th does not include a tax increase. The Governor’s proposal includes a $1 Billion/year sales tax increase and a $164 Million property tax increase for 2010. The democrat’s proposal includes $1.2 Billion/year increase in sales tax and a $1 Billion/year property tax increase.

Another key difference in the proposed budget plans is the amount of spending cuts. Since 2004, the state has increased spending by $3.7 billion. Our state is now $3 billion short. The more we reduce spending now, the easier it will be to balance the budget in the future. Without making cuts, economic models show that the gap between spending and revenue will just continue to increase each and every year through at least 2012.

The budget passed by the republican legislators on June 4th and June 30th cuts spending by $631 Million in 2010. In comparison, the Governor’s proposed plan cuts $278 Million and the democrat’s plan cuts $78 Million.

In the June 4th plan; no major agency was cut more than 3.3% as a percentage of their total funds. As an example, Kindergarten-12th grade education was cut by 2.2% of their total funds. Although difficult, these modest cuts will allow school districts to rehire many of the teachers they had let go.

I hope that I have at least shed some light on what is happening down here at the legislature. I know some of you will not agree with me on every issue, but I am confident that we agree on many more issues than we disagree on. I truly believe that we can solve this problem if we continue to work together.

On Friday May 29th, 2009 the Governor signed a bill, called Lexie’s law that, in my opinion, is a win-win situation for all. If you read Friday’s AZ Republic editorial column, they seem to agree.

This bill, which will become law August 27th gives parents the opportunity to place their special needs or foster-care children in schools that are best for their child and doesn’t cost the state and taxpayers any extra money.  In fact it will save the state money, thus freeing up limited funds for public education or other purposes.  I was honored to vote for and speak in favor of this bill on the floor of the House of Representatives.

Here are the reasons I support this bill:

1.    This bill provides a great opportunity for parents to place their special needs or foster-care child in a school that best serves their child’s educational needs.  I am Vice Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee.  We listened to testimony in committee on this bill.  Andrea Weck testified that the public schools were not meeting her daughter Lexie’s educational needs and that her daughter was now flourishing in a private school funded by the scholarship program.  It is an opportunity that she could not otherwise afford.  We heard testimony that foster children are often moved from school to school with changing foster parents and that this bill will give them the opportunity to attend one school.

2.    This bill will save the state money since the private school scholarship is capped at 90% of what would have been spent for that same child in a public school.  That’s a saving to the state of 10%.

3.    This bill will relieve the public schools of the cost of educating hundreds of special education children that will instead attend private schools. The public schools have complained for years that special education funding is not enough and they have to pull money away from other sources to supplement the special education costs.

I believe our goal should be to provide the best education possible to each child.  If a private school can provide a better education at a lower cost to the state and taxpayers, why wouldn’t we want to do that for our children?

Opponents, including the public school teachers’ union (AZ Education Association) and the democrat legislators who are often politically supported and funded by the teachers’ union, tell parents that the public schools will receive less money since they get paid per child.  While that is technically accurate, they fail to add that the child will no longer be in the public school, thus the school no longer has that expense.

If our goal is truly about providing the best education, and not just about growing public schools and protecting jobs for public school employees, I think most will agree that this legislation is truly a win-win for all.

The endless amount of federal government bail-outs and unprecedented levels of debt have got to stop. President Obama has spent over $1 Trillion in just 100 days and plans to double the national debt in just 5 years. Even China, who is now America’s largest creditor, is starting to say no more. To give some perspective, this would be equivalent to the typical Arizona family which makes $47,000/year spending $72,000/year and cutting $2/year (the mathematical equivalent of what Obama says he will cut spending by), and put the remaining $24,998/year on a revolving credit card.  We wouldn’t do that in our homes and the government shouldn’t do it using OUR money either.

Concerns about the future of our state and nation and the belief that I can make a difference are the reasons I ran for office to be your State Representative. Now, more than ever, I am deeply concerned about our nation’s future and strongly believe that Americans need to unite to fight for the America that our founding fathers gave us and that our military so bravely defends. If you are concerned too, please contact me at DLesko@azleg.gov or 602-926-5413 so we can join forces to work together.

I believe the very soul of our nation is at risk. We are a nation founded on the principles of individual freedoms, market competition, and a nation where any hard-working person can achieve his or her dreams.

But in just a few months, we have turned into a nation whose government owns and controls auto industries, has taken over control of banks, fires and hires executives, and hands out endless amounts of bail out money, in the form of our tax dollars, to individuals and businesses that probably didn’t act responsibly to begin with.

Our President and democrat-controlled congress have increased spending by over $1 Trillion in just 100 days and have plans that will double our national debt in just 5 years. Even China, which is now America’s largest creditor, wonders if it should lend us more money.

Now our President and democratic congress members want to expand national healthcare to everyone even though Medicare, just founded in 1965, will run out of trust funds in only 9 years. How are we going to afford that if we can’t even afford what the government runs now?

On top of that, Obama recently expanded a program that will make it easier for homeowners who owe far more than their houses are worth to sell them at a loss, costing taxpayers billions more on top of the billions we’ve already spent.

We simply can’t continue to grow government more than we can afford. That is why I will do my part at the state level to balance our state budget and decrease regulations that stifle individuals and businesses. That is why I want to work with you to influence actions at the national level. Let’s work together before it is too late.

Being your state legislator is both challenging and rewarding. Many of my days are filled with people asking me not to cut the part of the state budget that affects them. Each one has a valid argument and many of their stories are heart wrenching. Unfortunately, our state is severely short of money. We are another $500 million short for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009 and $3 Billion short in FY2010. Even more concerning is that our deficit is projected to increase each and every year if we don’t do something to get our state spending in line with projected revenues.

One of my jobs is to figure out what to do. Experts from every sector of our population have been asked to give their input. Almost all agree that there will have to be spending cuts. Some say we should increase taxes. Others say we should borrow money and others say we should do some of each.

Some problems and answers are clearer than others and every legislator has their own items that they feel are important.

One item important to me is helping our elderly. Over the last few days I have received phone calls and letters from our elderly fearful that some of their in-home services may be cut and that they will have to move into a nursing home, which will cost the state even more money. This sure doesn’t make any sense. I am investigating the issue and will do whatever I can to help.

Another item important to me is education. At this point, K-12 education looks like it will fair well compared to other areas because of the federal money. Many of the fired teachers will probably be re-hired after the schools receive their final budget numbers. All the republican legislators, including myself, voted for legislation that would have prevented many teachers from being fired, just to be re-hired. Unfortunately, the teacher’s union fought against the legislation and almost every democrat legislator voted against the bill and the 2/3 vote needed for an emergency clause did not pass.

Please know that all legislators, both republicans and democrats, are working hard to resolve this problem. We have a huge challenge with very few options. One of the reasons I ran for office was to help people and to make a difference. I know we can do it if we work together.

Everyday I work at the State Capitol is challenging and rewarding. I meet with and hear from so many different people who have so many different problems and concerns that I can’t help but be thankful for the things I have in my life.

The other day hundreds of people were marching with signs at the Capitol protesting budget cuts. Some were angry and upset. I mingled with them because I wanted to hear what they had to say. A loving father told me that his daughter was disabled and confined to a wheel chair after a car accident. He was concerned that budget cuts would reduce her care. She reached out to me and I gave her a hug. The previous day I met with employees from the Peoria School District concerned about cuts to education funding. A few days before that, a group told me they were afraid that budget cuts would leave children without a place to go before and after school. Then I read letters and emails from constituents who voiced concerns about cuts to programs ranging from music therapy to poison control. All the people had a valid argument and a valid concern, but my answer was, by necessity, always the same… Legislators don’t want to make the cuts, but we have to because we simply don’t have the money.

State legislators are required by law to balance the state budget, a budget that is expected to be short by over $3 Billion next year. The shortfall is caused by the combination of a poor economy and spending more than we had coming in. Unlike the federal government, we can’t print money, so we have to find other solutions. If we don’t get a handle on this problem, our state will run out of money and ALL the services will be in jeopardy.

I have co-sponsored legislation that will identify and reduce fraudulent use of our welfare and assistance programs. I want to make sure that American citizens truly in need be given top priority. But this is only a start.

I can assure you that I personally know our legislators are working over time tocome up with solutions. They are meeting with leaders in business, universities, cities, counties, and school districts from all over the state.

I became a state legislator to make a difference. Please know that I am working hard for you.

Debbie with Senate President Burns

I started my job as your new State Representative on January 12^th. The job is both exciting and challenging! I work at the State Capitol full time. Since I’ve started, we worked until 2:30am Saturday January 31^st to balance the state budget which was $1.6 Billion short and we have voted on bills that may become new state law. In addition, I have helped constituents with problems, answered hundreds of emails, and met with great people from all over our district and state. Some people ask why I would do all this for $24,000 per year. The answer is I love learning new things, solving problems, meeting new people, and most of all making a difference.

Balancing our state budget is the biggest challenge facing legislators this year. Our budget shortfall, projected at $3 Billion next fiscal year, is caused by a combination of a very bad economy and spending more than what we are bringing in. Since 2005, our state increased spending by 14% per year, while revenues have historically increased by only 7% per year. Now revenues are decreasing, not increasing. Sales taxes are down dramatically due to huge decreases in car and construction sales. Individual and corporate income taxes have plummeted.

State legislators had no choice but to cut state spending in almost all areas. Doing anything else would have been irresponsible. If we didn’t cut as much in one area, we would have had to cut even more in another.

Six state agencies account for 91% of State General Fund spending. Of those six, Kindergarten-12th grade education makes up 42% of state general fund spending and Universities make up another 11%. (These percentages do not even include property tax or federal monies education receives). As a percentage of their total funds (which includes property taxes and federal monies), Kindergarten-12th grade was cut 2.3%, Universities 4.1%, Community Colleges .6%, Department of Economic Security 3.6%, medical care for the poor (AHCCCS) 1.7%, and prisons 2.1%.

The decisions were VERY difficult. A mother called me desperate that her son would die without an organ transplant. Veterans were concerned about program cuts. People in wheelchairs came to testify, and the AZ Education Association (teacher union) and universities rallied people to oppose education cuts.

I hope this helps you understand the severity of our state budget problem. I know that we will get through these rough times if we work together.

Please know that I am working hard for you. I ask for your patience, your understanding, and your prayers.

I officially started my job as State Representative on January 12, 2009.

I am:

Vice Chairman on the Ways and Means Committee (which sets tax policy).  I’m a fiscal conservative, which means I want to keep taxes low, so that you can keep more money in your pocket.

Member on the Public Employees, Retirement and Entitlement Reform Committee

Member of the Ethics Committee

Please read below about what I’ve done in the last few weeks.

Did you know that Banner Thunderbird Hospital is adding 200 new beds to it’s facility?  On December 23rd, I met with  Tom Dickson, CEO of Banner Thunderbird Hospital for a tour of the hospital and an explanation of their expansion.

On December 18th, I joined two other new legislators for a presentation on SRP’s supply of water and electricity to the valley.  After the presentation, we toured by air the Verde and Salt Rivers, plus various dams and lakes via helicopter.

Note: No taxpayer money was used for this tour.