Debbie Lesko - State Representative

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.

On December 17th, I joined City of Glendale Neighborhood Leaders from throughout Glendale at the Glendale Adult Center.  I have been a City of Glendale Neighborhood Leader for my neighborhood for many years.

On December 16th, I joined several other new legislators for a presentation by DPS officials and an ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) official.  We also toured the crime lab facility.