Tom Chabin

Democrat
Candidate for Arizona Senate in Legislative District 6
Phone: (928) 714-9625
Email: tomchabin@live.com
Website: www.tomchabin.com
PO Box 3441, Flagstaff, AZ 86003.

Age: 61. (05/20/51, Hutchinson, KS).

Arizona since: 1972.

Occupation: Public policy consultant; ombudsman, Area Agency on Aging and Northern AZ Council of Governments, 2006-2007; director, business development, Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation, 2003-2004; self-employed, public policy consultant, 2001-2003; Coconino County Board of Supervisors, District 4 supervisor, 1992-2000.

Marital: Widowed.

Children: 1.

Religious preference: Catholic.

Education: B.A., NAU, 1976.

Political experience: Coconino Bd of Supervisors, 1993-2000; Coconino County Planning and Zoning Commission, 1986-1992; Tuba City Public School Board, 1989-1992.

Legis exp: House since 2007.

Memberships: Northern AZ Centennial Forest, Little League board and coach, County Supervisors Assn, Coconino County Planning & Zoning Commission, Foster Parent, AZ Juvenile Justice Advisory Bd.

Interests: Golf, reading, hiking.

Political influence: Bill Schulz. Retired today, Bill barely lost to Barry Goldwater in 1980 and ran as an independent for governor in 1982. I worked for Bill on his campaign against Sen Goldwater. Bill and his wife Lelia laid the foundation of being highly successful, highly intelligent, and highly ethical when building an apartment empire that dominated the Phoenix market during the 70’s and 80’s. As a result of that foundation, Bill was and remains fearlessly independent of all the distractions of political power and wealth. He taught me that it is easier to build and maintain a strong foundation than it is to shore up a weakness in a structure built on a weak foundation. A strong foundation in business or politics takes more time, more thought, more deliberation. When crisis comes, you will be better prepared. Bill and Lelia live life that way. They have taught me that it is best not to be a “quick fix” politician. I admire Bill and Lelia Schulz greatly.

Job creation measures: One measure (I introduced it) would have the most effect to create jobs: tax reform. My bill would ask Arizona voters to “sunset” every exemption and tax credit passed by the Legislature seven years after it becomes law. This forces the Legislature to review the entire tax code every seven years and pass only the exemptions that create jobs or serves most of us. The result would likely be the elimination of outdated loopholes, new tax credits for the creation of jobs and lowering our sales tax rate, giving every Arizonan more money in their pocket. The second, would be to attach the goal of hiring classroom teachers in our local public and charter schools to any tax reform bill. This would result in new teaching jobs in every community throughout Arizona.

Top Issues: Tax Reform. Most of us agree that we need a greater investment in education in Arizona. I believe the best way to achieve new revenue for education is tax reform. A bill I have introduced would ask Arizona voters to “sunset” every exemption and tax credit passed by the Legislature seven years after it becomes law. Mental Health. Either mental illness, alcohol addiction or drug addiction is an issue with nearly every Arizona family and has a tremendous impact on our criminal justice system. In fact, the largest mental health treatment facility is located in the Maricopa County Jail. We must focus on contemporary solutions to mental health issues so that our communities have resources to treat the mentally ill and addictions.

Prop 100 sales tax extension: Should the issue be on the ballot as a result of voter signatures, I will vote for it. I support it because its elimination will result in cuts to education, classroom teacher job loss in rural Arizona, and higher tuition at our community colleges and universities.

Illegal immigration: Enforcement is only part of the solution. Utah passed laws that established a strategy for workers to be employed legally through a state sanctioned program. This concept was signed into law by the governor and supported by members of both major political parties, civic and national religious leaders, including the Church of Christ of Latter Day Saints. Arizona should follow Utah’s example. This concept is known as the Utah Compact.

Background & experience: Having been a legislator, county supervisor and a school board member, I have a strong record for rural Arizona. My record speaks for itself.

Pro-life / pro-choice: The only person in the only position to make a difficult abortion decision is a woman who is pregnant. Government should never limit a woman’s liberty to make that decision.

One last thing: I have been in the House of Representatives for five years and established a strong record of creating jobs on bills backed by business interests, protecting children, protecting the environment and advocating for mental health and health services. I have fought against radical bills that would put guns on campus, mine uranium in the Grand Canyon and put a militia at the bBorder. With a strong independent record, I have received awards and recognition from bipartisan interest groups. They include “Legislator of the Year” from the Arizona Humane Society and “City Champion” the last two years in a row by the League of Cities and Towns. Find me on Facebook, go to tomchabin.com and look up my record at the website for the Legislature.

Campaign finance: public.