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State House: District 23: Democrat: Krista Pacion

Tucson, Arizona | Published: 08.02.2008
Name: Krista Pacion
Office seeking: State House, District 23
Party registration: Democrat
Age (DOB): 32, (05.19.1976)
Occupation/employer: Lead technical writer, Go Daddy.com Inc.
Family: Married
Religion: None
Income: $67,000
Residence: Casa Grande
Education: University of Arizona, BA with a double major in English and Creative Writing
Offices held/run for: Elected precinct committeeperson (2004, 2006),
Pinal County Democrats treasurer (2005 to 2008), state committee member (2004, 2006). Ran for state representative in 2006.
Civic activities/organizations: Pinal County Democrats, Business and Professional Women of Casa Grande, Emerge Arizona.
Why are you running?
My family didn't have a lot of money when I was growing up. But through my mother's guidance, I became the first in my family to graduate from college, which helped my family climb out of poverty.
Now I want to give back to the community that helped me succeed. I want to make sure children get the same opportunities and that families have the same resources that my family was fortunate to have.
I'd also like to build on those opportunities and resources to help more families.
The biggest issue facing my constituents (or potential constituents) is:
The economy is affecting every aspect of my district's residents, from education to jobs to transportation to health care. We must build the economy so we can continue to work on the other issues we face in District 23.
Favorite local hangout: Casa Grande Starbucks, on Peart and Florence
NPR or FOX? NPR keeps me informed and entertained.
How long have you lived in Arizona? Born and raised.
What kind of vehicle do you drive? What kind of mileage does it get? Volkswagen Jetta TDI; 43 mpg.
If I could have dinner with any living person, I would choose: Harper Lee, the author of "To Kill a Mockingbird," who has long inspired me as a novelist and fascinated me as an individual.
If I had my own reality show, it would be titled: "The Pacionate Politico: A Year in the Life of a Politician."
First job: Peer tutor at Casa Grande Union High School, 1991.
Taxes: In general, do you see tax cuts as a good way to grow the economy during the economic downturn, or would you prefer to either raise taxes or see them stay the same to avoid cutting government programs?
With our struggling economy, we need to concentrate on ways to boost the state's economy through business and new markets instead of by cutting taxes and programs that Arizonans are relying on. We must focus on drawing new businesses to Arizona, and we must take advantage of our natural resources to do so. Renewable energy, specifically solar energy, is a new frontier in business, and Arizona should seek out companies that will research renewable energy and renewable energy power plants. Renewable energy will benefit Arizonans and will serve as a commodity that we can trade with other states.
Education: What kinds of policy would you support to improve the standing of Arizona schools in comparison to the rest of the nation?
I'm a product of the Arizona public school system and want children to have the opportunities that come with a quality education. We must provide the tools, equipment, teachers, and classes that give our children a well-rounded education. We must increase the amount we spend on our public schools so our children have more opportunities to be successful in life. By investing in our children now, we invest in their future and in Arizona's future. We must also expand public education to include college degrees. Young adults who want to pursue further education should have that opportunity without the financial barriers that come with it.
Transportation: Do you support or oppose the proposed one-cent sales tax increase to pay for new roads and public transit?
As someone who commutes 122 miles a day, I have a lot of time to think about what I'd like to do to change transportation. I support Governor Napolitano's initiative to fund transportation projects with a one-cent sales tax increase. But we also need immediate relief. We need to explore tax incentives for businesses that allow their employees to telecommute or to work compressed workweeks. By reducing the number of cars on the roads during peak commuting hours, we reduce the burden on our roads and freeways. We also reduce the time spent in traffic and increase the amount of time we spend with our families.
Economy: The state's budget shortfall next year may be in the neighborhood of $2 billion. How would you balance the state's financial obligations with the constitutional requirement that Arizona have a balanced budget?
These are tough economic times, and one of the things we have to do is make choices. We must be careful to balance the needs of Arizonans by looking for alternative funding sources for revenue-generating programs, by making our dollar stretch further, and by seeking out alternative funding sources.
One area in which we have an opportunity to increase revenue is personal license plates. At $25 a plate, they're a deal. We should consider raising the price of these luxury items to help fund transportation.
By tightening our spending, we can make our dollars go a little further. Allowing state employees to telecommute or work compressed workweeks reduces the overhead needed to run government offices.
Applying for grants to fund our economy and infrastructure is another option we need to investigate as a way to keep our budget balanced.
Health care: Should the state expand government services to help those who lack health care? What other possible help could there be for Arizonans in the face of rising health-care costs, particularly for those who are self-employed or run small businesses?
My family didn't have a lot of money when I was growing up, and I remember our pediatrician giving my mother discounts for seeing us. In return, my mother baked homemade cookies and took them to my pediatrician's office as a thank-you. We wouldn't have been able to afford to see the doctor otherwise. Because this isn't an option available to most Arizonans, we must provide options that give Arizonans adequate health care by expanding current health-care programs to accommodate more families, especially families with children. In District 23, we need more medical professionals, especially in rural areas. We should work on drawing more professionals and medical businesses to those areas by offering incentives for medical professionals to work and open businesses in those areas. For small businesses and self-employed individuals, I support banding together to negotiate competitive health insurance options.
Marriage: Do you believe that marriage is only between a man and a woman? If the answer is yes, do you support defining it that way in the Arizona Constitution?
Marriage is a personal matter that should be left to individuals to navigate.
Immigration: Several proposals have passed on the state level to deal with illegal immigration. In general, what should the state's role be when it comes to controlling immigration and mitigating its effects?
The federal government is responsible for securing our borders, and we should hold our federal representatives accountable for our border security. On a state level, I support the employer-sanctions law and believe it will be effective in curbing the flow of undocumented immigrants to Arizona. However, it should be improved and expanded to prevent anonymous complaints and to modify the severity of consequences for employers in violation of the law.
Environment: "The environment" follows "immigration" as the top concern of Arizonans in most public opinion polls. What policies, if any, can be passed at the state level to address these widespread concerns?
Conservation starts at home. I remember learning about conservation in school — from water conservation to energy conservation. Arizonans have the opportunity to reduce their own energy use to reduce their environmental footprint.
On a state level, we can make a significant dent in pollution by reducing the number of cars on roads. In the short term, we can offer incentives to employers who allow their employees to telecommute or work compressed workweeks. In the long term, we can invest in public transportation. We can also invest in renewable energy and tax incentives for businesses that build renewable-energy plants in Arizona, especially solar energy.
Civility: What is one issue where you see the potential to work with members of the opposite political party on legislation? How would you build support?
We all have the same goal in mind: to help Arizona prosper. We must work together to help Arizona through this tough economic time. I will strive to work with all members of the Legislature to propose common-sense solutions to some of the issues Arizona faces. I am specifically passionate about working on education and believe Arizona's legislators want our children to have the opportunities a quality education provides.
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