Fri, Jan 09, 2009
MEDLEY COMMUNICATIONS INSTALLATION PROFESSIONAL General Drexel Height Fire District Firefighter Part Time Employment AVIVA Children's Services Monitor: Parent-Child Visits Tucson RegionState Senate, District 30: Democrat: Georgette W. ValleTucson, Arizona | Published: 10.05.2008
Name: Georgette W. Valle
Office seeking: State Senate, District 30
Party registration: Democrat
Age: 83
Occupation/employer: Author of "Always a Rebel and Never without a Cause"
Family: Husband—Dr. Odd Valle, retired dentist. Children—Christine Valle Goonetilleke, married with two children; Peter Valle, married with two children
Religion: United Church of Christ, a member of Good Shepherd U.C.C. in Sahuarita
Income: $120,000
Residence: Green Valley
Education: Bachelor of Science, University of Minnesota, in occupational therapy
Offices held/run for: State representative, Washington state, for 24 years; city councilperson, Burien, Wash., for 4 years
Civic activities/organizations: Tucson League of Women Voters—fundraiser; tutoring a student at Anza Trail Elementary School in Sahuarita; American Association of University Women—lifetime member; Sierra Club, Rincon Chapter—lifetime member
Why are you running? Because of Southern Arizona's water crisis. Committed leadership is needed to address this issue.
The biggest issue facing my constituents is: The erosion in family incomes after 17 years of Republican legislative leadership in Arizona.
Favorite local hangout: Ragazzi Restaurant in Green Valley Mall
NPR or FOX? NPR
How long have you lived in Arizona? Three years; was a winter visitor for an additional four years
What kind of vehicle do you drive? What kind of mileage does it get? A Buick and it gets 29 mpg
If I could have dinner with any living person, I would choose: Hillary Clinton
If I had my own reality show, it would be titled: "From Poor to Rich"
First job: Placing corn cobs in a bin for Green Giant's Blue Earth Canning Co.
Do you see tax cuts as a good way to grow the economy during the economic downturn, or would you prefer to raise taxes or see them stay the same to avoid cutting government programs?
Before I were to make any decision on cutting or raising revenues, I would ask that the issues be studied to determine their impact on taxpayers, business viability, and services to those in need. My priorities are economic development, education of workers so that they will be qualified for existing and new jobs, environmental sustainability and health care, so I would be looking at the impact of revenue decisions on these arenas.
What policies would you support to improve the standing of Arizona schools in comparison to the rest of the nation?
I would devote more financial resources to state education funding to stem the dropout rate and raise AIMS scores. Specifically, I support increasing teacher preparation and increasing their pay — we are 49th in this country in pay for teachers and "you get what you pay for."
Also, I support early-childhood education and much stronger science, math and environmental instruction. Everyone has to impress upon our students how important education and academic achievement are to the students' financial future. Parents have to set aside time to help their children and use online curriculum assistance. If they do not understand the curriculum, they should be able to take advantage of tutoring that is available during the school day and after school. Special programs geared to the individual student, with assistance by teachers, staff and volunteers, will help overcome the special difficulties the student is having. Students will be better prepared for college, technical training or work.
With the transportation tax off the ballot and the federal transportation trust running dry, how would you pay for growing transportation needs?
I supported the transportation tax, particularly with both business and gubernatorial support. I will work to convene public hearings aimed at reintroducing legislation that could accomplish similar goals along with light-rail options.
The state's budget shortfall next year may be in the neighborhood of $2 billion. It must be balanced. How do you do that? Raise taxes/which ones? Cut programs/which ones?
Once again, I would want careful study on these issues. I do not believe that the legislature has worked for bipartisan learning and cooperation on budget shortfalls and their impact. I would lead in developing an informed bipartisan consensus on what should be cut. One area ripe for savings is the Arizona Department of Corrections. Based on the experience of other states like Kansas, with more effective prisoner re-entry programs, we can become safer at a much lower cost for corrections.
Should the state expand government services to help those who lack health care? What else can or should the state do in the face of rising health-care costs, particularly for those who are self-employed or run small businesses?
Yes, however there are several things the state can do to minimize the cost impact: (1) The state should require insurance companies to provide for portability of health insurance and eliminate restrictions on pre-existing conditions. (2) The state should seek full reimbursement for treatment costs for illegal immigrants, since there is no federal legislation in place to address current immigration issues.
Encourage the federal government to restore cuts to states for their children's health programs, as well as focus on preventative medicine and encouraging lifestyle changes for those facing or experiencing chronic illnesses, such as diabetes and heart conditions. Require that insurance companies provide affordable group plans for small businesses and sole proprietors and their families.
Do you support the constitutional amendment on this year ballot defining marriage as between one man and one woman?
No, marriage is already defined in Arizona law.
What should the state's role be when it comes to controlling immigration and mitigating its effects?
This is really not a state responsibility, as immigration laws are a federal responsibility. Because of the failure of the federal government to act, Arizona chose to address it with the employer-sanctions law in 2007, which has been modified from the previous punitive damages passed by the Legislature. I am pleased that the law has been modified. However, I think that the employer penalties (losing their business licenses) for hiring undocumented workers are a very drastic move. We should have a system like Canada's which allows a contract to be set up between an employer and an undocumented worker that set forth the wage, hours of employment and length of contract. The system uses withholding of a part of wages owed the employee to be sure that he/she returns to Mexico at the end of the contract. There should be specific locations for prospective workers/returning workers on the US/Mexico border to serve the workers and employers and ensure compliance.
What policies can or should be passed at the state level to address clean air, water and natural open space preservation concerns?
I would support legislation that addresses conservation of water and alternative energy sources.
We need to decide what kind of economic development is best for this state. Because of the drought and increased demand for water, we must seriously question the establishment of new mines for copper and other minerals. Their demand for water will likely limit the availability of water for other cleaner and less intrusive industries that could hire as many or more workers. I would work to devise a new plan to protect our groundwater both to support economic development and environmental sustainability in this state.
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