Questions for Congressional District 7 candidates

Some questions for candidates running for Arizona’s Congressional District 7 seat.

[editor’s note: All this week on edwardjensen.net, we are bringing you some questions for the various candidates for statewide office that aren’t necessarily being offered by the candidates themselves nor are they being asked. This is the first post in the series. As of Sunday evening, August 3, none of the candidates had responded to the questions. In addition, this post has been updated with a new graphic and a list of the candidates running for the Arizona Congressional District 7 seat.]

elex2014questionsWe’ve all seen the mailers, received telephone calls, and heard the campaign commercials: it’s political campaign season once again.  But something’s missing from the discussion: policy proposals for the geographic area that is Congressional District 7 in the great State of Arizona.  It’s easily forgotten by candidates and their cheerleaders that the representative does just that: represent the entire constituency, not just those who supported them.

Congressional District 7 includes central Phoenix, downtown Glendale, the city of Tolleson and the town of Guadalupe in toto, and (most importantly) downtown Phoenix. With that, here are some questions I’d like to ask the candidates:

  1. In your opinion, what is the role of the Federal government in creating vibrant, strong, and diverse urban spaces, like downtown Phoenix?  How will you work with cities to achieve your vision?
  2. How will you help cities humanely address immigration?
  3. A study came out in the past couple months saying that at the end of this century, the average summer temperature will rise 10º F (5.6º C).  What are your policy proposals and how will you work past those who incorrectly deny climate change to address the climate crisis?
  4. The Arizona Department of Transportation is in discussion to build intercity passenger rail between Phoenix and Tucson.  What is your view on this project and does your support include making Federal financial support happen?
  5. What is your view on expansions to the Phoenix metropolitan area’s transit system, including METRO light rail?
  6. How will you work with your fellow Arizona congressional colleagues to continue to bring Federal financial support for large-scale infrastructure improvements to our constituency?
  7. What is your approach to governance?  Do you intend to remain ideologically rigid or will you seek compromise and consensus?
  8. What is the last book you have read on cities or urban issues?

I invite you to ask your own questions below and I invite the candidates to respond to these questions.

Here are all of the candidates running per the Arizona Secretary of State’s candidates list:

3 thoughts on “Questions for Congressional District 7 candidates”

  1. Ruben Gallego

    1) In your opinion, what is the role of the Federal government in creating vibrant, strong, and diverse urban spaces, like downtown Phoenix? How will you work with cities to achieve your vision?
    – The Federal government has been instrumental in supporting projects in cities, particularly in the initial stages, that spur economic development and make our urban areas more vibrant and dynamic. Public investment in our parks, libraries, and arts makes our cities better places to raise families. I would strongly support federal funds to help Downtown Phoenix continue its growth and revitalization. One of the best ways federal spending can help with this is infrastructure spending on big projects like light-rail that makes these urban spaces more accessible.
    2) How will you help cities humanely address immigration?
    – We need to pass comprehensive immigration reform and give stability to millions so they can come out of the shadows, and President Obama needs to end his hurtful deportation policy that breaks up families. In the meantime, I would support giving cities ways to help their residents find work and educational opportunities so they can provide for their families and work towards their American dream.
    3) A study came out in the past couple months saying that at the end of this century, the average summer temperature will rise 10º F (5.6º C). What are your policy proposals and how will you work past those who incorrectly deny climate change to address the climate crisis?
    – I have made environmental protection a priority, and have been endorsed by the Sierra Club and League of Conservation Voters. We need to address climate change as what it is – the biggest long-term threat facing our society today. Unfortunately, we in Phoenix will have to deal with the effects of climate change sooner and more severely than other places, and poorer residents will be disproportionately affected, so we need to act quickly.
    We need to stop subsidizing oil companies that pollute our environment, and start supporting the energy of tomorrow, clean energy like solar and wind. This will not only help the environment, but can bring jobs to Phoenix. We need to convince climate-change deniers to support the green-energy jobs of tomorrow by explaining the economic case for it – because the longer we wait to fully embrace this sector, the more other countries get ahead and gain those jobs and economic impact.
    4) Arizona Department of Transportation is in discussion to build intercity passenger rail between Phoenix and Tucson. What is your view on this project and does your support include making Federal financial support happen?
    – I would support Federal funds to build an intercity passenger rail line. We see the Federal government support passenger rail to connect other cities, particularly on the East coast, and we’ve seen the synergies and economic boom that occurs when residents can easily travel to other cities. We can develop those same economic gains here in Arizona by connecting Phoenix and Tucson, and we need our tax dollars that we send to the Federal government to help kick-start that project.
    5) What is your view on expansions to the Phoenix metropolitan area’s transit system, including METRO light rail?
    – Expanding mass transit makes our local businesses, jobs, and public establishments like schools and libraries more accessible to thousands of people, expanding economic opportunities for both public transit riders and business owners. I have been one of the biggest proponents of expanding light rail, particularly down Central Avenue, to make Phoenix and surrounding cities more accessible and vibrant.
    6) How will you work with your fellow Arizona congressional colleagues to continue to bring Federal financial support for large-scale infrastructure improvements to our constituency?
    – For years, we have not received a fair share of the tax dollars we send to the Federal government. The Arizona Congressional delegation needs to stand united to ensure our citizens get the funds they deserve, which can pay for large-scale infrastructure projects like expanding light-rail, working on our roads, and improving our airport. These projects will positively impact all Arizonans and attract more economic activity.
    7) What is your approach to governance? Do you intend to remain ideologically rigid or will you seek compromise and consensus?
    – I will remain principled in my core beliefs, such as expanding economic opportunities for working families, making college more affordable and funding our public schools, defending women’s reproductive rights, and protecting the environment, but will seek to find common ground and compromise when it’s possible to get legislation done. For example, I was able to work with members of the entire legislature to pass my first bill making college more affordable for veterans.
    8) What is the last book you have read on cities or urban issues?
    – I recently read “Smart Cities,” by Anthony Townsend, about the unique ways different cities and metropolises are implementing technology to make public services more efficient and accessible. There are many fascinating proposals we could implement in Phoenix.

Comments are closed.

%d bloggers like this: