Robert Meza

Democrat
Candidate for Arizona Senate in Legislative District 30
Phone: (602) 421-1702
Email: elizmf@yahoo.com
Twitter: @mezaarizona
1919 W Virginia Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85009.

Name pronunciation: MAY-za

Age: 48. (02/12/64, Phoenix, AZ).

Arizona since: Birth.

Occupation: Did not respond.

Marital: Single.

Religious preference: Catholic.

Education: B.A., American studies, University of Notre Dame, 1986.

Political experience: Ten years working on political campaigns: Mayor Phil Gordon, County Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox; state political director, Joe Lieberman presidential campaign.

Legis exp: Senate since 2011; House 2003-2010.

Memberships: Bd member, YMCA Community Initiatives; Coalition to End Homelessness.

Interests: Cycling, weightlifting.

Political influence: Drew Christiansen S.J., a Jesuit Priest who has been my mentor and counselor for 25 years. His guidance has exposed me to great literature, global problems, and solutions that influence our world. He taught me how to question and analyze problems that affect our neighbors, friends, and the state of Arizona. His gentle demeanor created a positive influence; it helped me treat people with respect, kindness, and compassion even if I disagreed with them. He instilled in me the virtue that helping others is the greatest gift that we can give each other and the world.

Job creation measures: In order to spur job creation, we must invest in our infrastructure and in solar technologies. Investing in solar technology would allow us to become the global leader in solar energy production by the end of the decade. The new jobs that would be created, both in constructing the infrastructure, as well as maintaining and running the power stations, will stimulate huge growth in the Arizona economy.

Top Issues: My two top priorities, aside from ensuring a sustainable budget for Arizona and getting Arizonans back to work, will be improving education and ensuring Arizona is the global leader of solar energy by the end of the decade.

Prop 100 sales tax extension: I support extending the temporary sales tax increase as long as the funds are earmarked for education. We have schools without paper, without teachers, and without the classrooms to fit all of our students. This is unacceptable. Every Arizonan has the right to a first-class education and it is my goal that we bring our educational system to the forefront of the country.

Illegal immigration: There needs to be a paradigm shift with the way the federal government of the U.S. is interfacing with the country of Mexico. Mexico has systemic problems that are the root causes of immigration. One, they have a failing economy. Two, they have a current system that is not benefitting the people of Mexico; their economy is in dire straits. The U.S. should strategically partner with Mexico to help clean up the corruption and provide them with techniques in order to develop long term sustainable solutions to their economy.

Background & experience: I have spent 10 years in the Arizona Legislature defending the rights of my constituents. I have passed legislation that has kept thousands of jobs in the Valley, I have passed legislation that makes it more affordable to invest in green technologies in Arizona, and I have passed legislation that makes it safer to drive on Arizona’s roads. My record has proven that I am ready to legislate.

Pro-life / pro-choice: I am pro-life, which means that I firmly believe that a mother has reproductive rights. It is simply unjust to force a mother through the mental anguish of carrying the child of a rapist or to carry a stillborn baby to term, and it may even cause severe health risks to the mother. The role of a politician is not to legislate science or medicine.

One last thing: The highest priorities facing all Arizonans today are jobs and the economy. I have a proven record of focusing on the core issues and working across the aisle to bring about the best solution. Having hit the pavement and talked to tens of thousands of my constituents over my decade in office, I know what my friends and neighbors need in order to create a more prosperous future.

Campaign finance: private.