Democrat
Candidate for Arizona House in Legislative District 2
Phone: (520) 648-2092
Email: dalessandroforaz@gmail.com
Website: www.DalessandroForAZ.com
Twitter: @andreaforAZ
2214 E Falcon Vista Dr, Green Valley, AZ 85614.
(Mail: PO Box 1141, Green Valley, AZ 85622-1141)
Age: 65. (06/07/47, Jersey City, NJ).
Arizona since: 2004.
Occupation: Retired; owner, Andrea Dalessandro, CPA, tax accountant, 1981-2006; asst professor, Rutgers; The State University of New Jersey, (taught a wide variety of accounting courses including governmental accounting); asst accounting professor, The City University of New Jersey, 1986-1987; corporate tax accountant, Josephson International (NY, NY), 1983-1985; senior tax accountant, Price Waterhouse, 1981-1983; mathematics teacher, Jersey City Board of Education 1970-1981.
Marital: Married (Andrew, retired).
Children: 1.
Religious preference: Catholic.
Education: Doctoral candidate, business, NYU, 1987-1993; taxation, Pace University, 1984-1986; M.B.A., professional accounting, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 1981; administration and supervision, The City University of New Jersey, 1976-1977; M.A., mathematics education, The City University of New Jersey, 1975; B.A., mathematics education, The City University of New Jersey, 1970.
Political experience: Elected Democratic precinct committeeman since 2005; elected Democratic state committeeman since 2006; treasurer, Jeff Latas for Congress, 2006; Democratic candidate for LD30, representative, 2008 and 2010.
Memberships: Sahuarita at Anamax Park Coordinator, since Jan 2010; www.Beyond-Tucson.org; American Assn of University Women scholarship chair; charter member, Sahuarita Elks Lodge # 2851; Southwest Assn of Buffalo Soldiers; Running and Winning Friends of the Santa Cruz River; Sierra Club; Tubac Rotary; Sky Island Alliance; volunteer, Wade Carpenter Middle School (Nogales); judged senior projects at Nogales H.S.; League of Women Voters; retired, Nat’l Education Assn; retired, AZ Education Assn; American Red Cross (blood and platelet donor); Alliance for Retired Americans; Christian Foundation for Children and Aging; bd member, Town of Sahuarita; AZ Public Safety Personnel Retirement System Bd.
Interests: Civil discourse, fiber arts including Navajo weaving, reading.
Political influence: State Rep. Lena Saradnik. I observed her as a very prepared and thoughtful representative in 2007. Sandra Day O’Connor for her efforts with O’Connor House for finding common ground that will lead to a better future for Arizona. Current State Rep. Katie Hobbs for her commitment to sound values and for her professionalism.
Job creation measures: First of all, I would encourage everyone I encounter to stop the inaccurate rhetoric that hurts the people and businesses of southern Arizona. To say that we are in a danger zone with open borders is just not true. This inaccurate talk severely and negatively impacts our businesses, especially tourism, real estate and small businesses as well as our future growth in economic development that is so desperately needed.
Top Issues: Jobs and economic development with a public education system to support their growth.
Prop 100 sales tax extension: Although sales tax is my least favorite form of taxation because it is regressive, I support the extension only because K-12 public school funding has been so drastically cut by the GOP led Legislature. Sixty percent of the revenue generated will go to K-12 education. $100 million will go to transportation projects including roads and mass transit. This will provide jobs that we desperately need. Another important provision bans the “sweeping” of HURF funds, which has had a negative impact in all of LD2, especially in Tucson and Nogales.
Illegal immigration: Comprehensive immigration reform on the federal level is long overdue. An orderly guest worker program needs to be implemented.
Background & experience: As a teacher, I prepared to make sure our kids have a good public school education; as a CPA/tax accountant, I prepared to work to diversify our economy with green, renewable energy and high tech jobs; as a small business owner, I prepared to help small businesses grow to create jobs; as an environmentalist, I prepared to ensure that our air is clean and that we have enough good quality water; as the wife of disabled USMC Vietnam veteran, I prepared to develop programs to honor, respect, and support our veterans.
Pro-life / pro-choice: We should be working together to reduce the number of abortions. I fear that the defunding of Planned Parenthood will have the opposite effect.
One last thing: I will provide a strong, articulate voice for all people of LD 2 with my prepared, professional experience.
Campaign finance: public.