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State House: District 29: Democrat: Matt Heinz

Tucson, Arizona | Published: 08.02.2008
Name: Matt Heinz
Office seeking: State House, District 29
Party registration: Democrat
Age (DOB): 31 (06/06/77)
Occupation/employer: Physician (TMC)/IPC Hospitalists of Arizona Inc.
Family: Single
Religion: Lutheran
Residence: Armory Park
Education: Residency/internship, internal medicine, University of Arizona, 2006; Doctor of Medicine, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 2003; Bachelor of Arts, chemistry with Spanish minor, Albion College, 1999
Offices held/run for: Ran unsuccessfully for the state House in 2006
Civic activities/organizations: Healthy Arizona, treasurer; Pima County Democratic Party, PC; Democrats of Greater Tucson; Pima County Medical Society; Arizona Medical Association; Southern Arizona Stonewall Democrats; Equality Arizona; Phi Beta Kappa
Why are you running? I am running to serve the needs of Southern Arizona families, especially to assure access to quality health care and to strengthen education. As a healer, I feel that it is my obligation to do whatever is necessary to enhance the health and wellness of my community. Given the state of our medical system in Arizona, the best place for me to advocate for real solutions is in the legislature.
The biggest issue facing my constituents (or potential constituents) is: Continued rapid growth in the context of faltering health-care and education systems with limited water resources
Favorite local hangout: The Cup at Hotel Congress
NPR or Fox? I get my news from a variety of sources, but I prefer the programming on NPR
How long have you lived in Arizona? 5 years
What kind of vehicle do you drive? 1999 Toyota Camry Solara
What kind of mileage does it get? 19 city/27 highway
If I could have dinner with any living person, I would choose: Sen. Edward Kennedy. Ted Kennedy is one of the longest-serving U.S. senators, and he has demonstrated tremendous ability to work with members of both parties to achieve progress on many issues over the last several decades. He is an especially passionate advocate for the health-care needs of our people.
If I had my own reality show, it would be titled: "E.R.: The Real Deal"
First job: Paper route
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 them or see them stay the same to avoid cutting government programs?
Economic downturns can provide opportunities to trim fat from the state budget; however, given the severe underfunding of essential programs in Arizona, there is little remaining to be cut that will not adversely affect the provision of services to our people. I favor freezing implementation of previously approved tax cuts with targeted increases for sectors that are relatively under-assessed compared to other states. Making sure that the state most efficiently uses tax dollars must be a priority as well.
Education: What kind of policy would you support to improve the standing of Arizona schools in comparison to the rest of the nation?
Arizona ranks 49th out of the 50 states in per-pupil spending. We owe a debt of gratitude to our committed educators who, through investment of extra time and personal funds, have been able to keep our national test scores in the average range despite the lack of financial support. To strengthen public education we must increase funding to schools and bond for construction of new infrastructure where needed. We must also expand vocational-training options for our students with the collaboration of the business community.
Transportation: Do you support or oppose the proposed 1-cent-per-dollar sales tax increase to pay for new roads and public transit?
While in general I do not favor regressive taxation, we are severely limited in our ability to generate revenue, even for urgently needed public works such as the overhaul in transportation proposed in this initiative. The proposal also includes a large amount of funding for local upkeep, alternatives to roads, and mass-transit development plus a high-speed train between Phoenix and Tucson. Given how behind we are as a state with regard to transportation infrastructure, I support the measure.
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?
Please see my response to taxation above for my approach to resolving the budget deficit for the next fiscal year. Balancing the budget will again be a complicated, lengthy procedure during which many tough decisions will have to be made. Over the long term, Arizona's economy will shift to incorporate substantial solar and wind energy generation, which will bring in many more skilled, living-wage jobs. The Legislature must facilitate this process in every way possible.
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 for are self-employed or run small businesses?
Yes. The Legislature should bring back premium sharing associated with AHCCCS. This program was successful and allowed low-middle-income families to obtain health benefits on a sliding scale based on their income. This would prevent families from dropping off of AHCCCS into the uninsured pool when their income falls just outside the required levels. Both AHCCCS and KidsCare are programs that draw down large federal contributions, making the investment from the general fund a relative bargain for Arizona taxpayers. Arizona's children should be assured coverage by the state through one of the above programs. Spreading risk across a large pool of individuals is key to making health-care coverage affordable. Preventive measures must be covered under existing plans, and wellness education must become curricular in our schools to stabilize the health-care system in the long term.
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?
I believe that "marriage" represents a religious bond that should not be sanctioned in any way by government. There is a separation of church and state for many good reasons. People that choose to commit themselves to one another should enter into a civil union from the government's point of view. Whether or not the couple wishes to have their union recognized in a religious context should be entirely their choice. Any couple of legal age should be eligible for civil union, same-sex or otherwise. The Legislature has many more pressing matters to address besides enshrining hate and division into our constitution. Regardless, the matter will ultimately be decided by the U.S. Supreme Court.
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 state of Arizona cannot generate independent foreign policy with regard to immigration, which appears to be what many would have the Legislature do. I agree with the governor in that the federal government must compensate Arizona for the millions of dollars our taxpayers have spent as a result of uncontrolled illegal immigration. Furthermore, we need a comprehensive federal solution which includes a robust guest-worker program. Until such a solution has been implemented, Arizona should not attempt to target the business community with severe fines and license revocation. We should also avoid deputizing state and local officials to enforce immigration law. They lack the appropriate training and are already stretched too thin. Such a law would also deter individuals from reporting criminal activity and from seeking timely medical attention due to fear of retribution.
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?
Legislators must be stewards of Arizona's environment and many natural resources, including our limited water resources. We need to enforce existing laws to assure air quality. I would also support creating additional active water management areas throughout the state to protect our water supply. As climate change, dwindling water resources and skyrocketing fuel prices continue to plague the Southwest, we must encourage the development of high-density urban centers throughout the state.
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?
Health-care reform. As an expert in the field who is practicing medicine during this health-care crisis, I have a credible basis for presenting many of the needed policies. Regardless of party affiliation, people depend on the health-care system. Early in life, this mostly amounts to accidental injury. However, as we age, we rely upon the medical system more and more as chronic conditions develop and progress. As a rapidly growing retirement state, having a stable, reliable, responsive health system is a necessity for Arizona. Failure to act on health-care reform will directly and adversely impact our economy possibly for decades. All of these are reasons that compel us to act quickly in the best interest of ALL Arizonans to prevent further decline of the system. I will build support with my colleagues through growing relationships over the next months to years, and presenting research that demonstrates the points above.
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