Questions for Urban Legislative District candidates

Beyond the issues, here are some questions for candidates seeking to represent urban legislative districts in the Arizona State Legislature.

[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.]

elex2014questionsThe State of Arizona has two metropolitan areas with emerging urban areas: Phoenix and Tucson. Urban areas thrive on continuous creation, diversity, density, and governments that understand the uniqueness of the urban condition. In the past four years, Arizona’s cities have been under attack from state-level legislation that undid the energy of those cities: starting with 2010’s SB 1070 and, most recently, 2014’s SB 1062.

In Phoenix, these questions apply for candidates running for Legislative Districts 24, 26, and 27; in Tucson, this applies to Legislative District 3.

Here are the questions (which are strangely similar to the questions asked of the candidates for Congressional District 7):

  1. In your opinion, what is the role of the state government in creating vibrant, strong, and diverse urban spaces, like downtown Phoenix or downtown Tucson? How will you work with cities, the State of Arizona, and your partners in the Federal government to achieve your vision?
  2. 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?
  3. 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, if you support it, how will you help make it happen?
  4. What is your view on expansions to Phoenix’s and Tucson’s transit system, including METRO light rail and the Tucson Sun Link Streetcar?
  5. What is your approach to governance? Do you intend to remain ideologically rigid or will you seek compromise and consensus?
  6. What are your policy proposals for making urban schools equal in quality to suburban schools?
  7. What is the last book you have read on cities or urban issues?

List of Candidates (1 Senator and 2 Representatives per legislative district):

  • LD 3 Senate: Baldenegro (D), Cajero Bedford (D, inc.) / House: Gonzales (D, inc.), Saldate (D, inc.)
  • LD 24 Senate: Follette (R), Hobbs (D, inc.) / House: Alston (D, inc.), Bauer (D), Clark (D), Cortez (R)
  • LD 26 Senate: Ableser (D, inc.) / House: Mendez (D, inc.), Roy (R), Sherwood (D, inc.), Will (L)
  • LD 27 Senate: Marquez (D), Miranda (D) / House: Bolding (D), Muñoz (D, inc.), Quiñonez (D), Rios (D)
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