“I want to bring opportunity back to Arizona,” Democratic Legislative District One Representative candidate Lindsay Bell said. “Specifically what got me into the race? In spring, the legislature passed a budget that got me riled up. The budget was so bad, they were cutting the heart out of all the social services, cutting the state parks, cutting all the things that we really need. They were cutting so much, we have cut the revenue department so now we don’t even have any revenue collectors to collect the money we need. Instead of addressing our problems, they did a ‘birther bill.’ That seems like a waste of time when Arizona has the largest budget deficit in the country and the greatest jobs loss of any state.”
Bell continued, “We have cut billions of dollars from education when we were already dead last in the country in per capita spending.” Bell is concerned about cuts to all-day kindergarten; she worries that her grandson will not be able to attend school for the extra hours unless his parents are able to pay, and even then only if extended hours are available at his school.
“It was the education cuts that got to me, because that is cutting out our children’s future,” Bell said. “We’ve laid off fifteen thousand (15,000) teachers statewide, one thousand (1000) in Northern Arizona and this is just K-12.”
To revitalize the Arizona economy, Bell intends to approach the issue on two fronts. First, Bell believes that Arizona needs to diversify its economic base; second, the tax code needs reform to create a more stable revenue stream. Bell believes that Arizona has relied far too much on housing and its related industries, leaving the state particularly vulnerable to economic downturns.
Bell would like to see Arizona look at opportunities to attract bio-science industries, such as drugs and pharmaceuticals and advanced agriculture. These industries were previously supported through the Science Foundation Arizona which allowed state funds to be partnered with federal grants and universities, providing funds to these cutting edge industries, but the program was cut in the budget crisis, resulting in the loss of high paying jobs averaging an income of $55,000 per year.
Bell would also like to see the state be more aggressive in attracting the entertainment industry. She said, “Currently a lot of commercials, television and films are shot in Arizona but we should have the production industry here as well. Those jobs are more stable and pay well.’
“Tourism will continue to be an important piece for Arizona and I am particularly interested in eco-tourism, like the state parks, hiking, bird watching and conservation. In our Legislative District we have five state parks, five monuments and the Grand Canyon National Park. That’s a big draw for people interested in preserving the landscape. I support the National Scenic Area (NSA) for Sedona Red Rock Country and the Upper Verde being designated a Wild and Scenic River, both (designations) will help with eco-tourism and the economy.”
Addressing tax revenues Bell said, “The tax code is very regressive and it is very complex and it is not very well-balanced. We rely on Arizona state sales tax, not only does Arizona have a high sales tax rate but sales tax is about half the revenue coming into state coffers making us very vulnerable to downturns. If you combine that with the reliance on construction, it is a one-time deal, not a continuing revenue stream. Being overly-dependent on a single industry that is not sustainable is a recipe for disaster. That is what has given Arizona the worst budget shortfall in the country. Cut some taxes so we can raise other taxes, have a balanced tax code, a stable funding stream and be more fair.”
Bell is very concerned about Arizona water issues and she has some background with the issues. She was on the Prescott City Council when critical water issues were decided and has closely followed issues regarding the Salt River Project. Bell believes that because domestic wells are the third largest users of the aquifer, taken in aggregate, there is a need for users to be monitored and regulated in order to determine safe yields. She is committed to protecting the base flows so that the Verde can remain a “free flowing stream.”
“I have deep roots in Legislative District One. My husband was raised in Clarkdale and our family has lived in Prescott for the last forty (40) years. I am committed to this District and the communities of Northern Arizona. We are here to stay and I want to be able to serve in the state legislature and serve the citizens of Arizona District One. It’s my home too.”
For more information go to, www.electlindsaybell.com.
Article written by Joni Dahlstrom, sedonaeye.com Staff Writer. JoniD@eSedona.net
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