Sally Ann Gonzales

Sally Ann Gonzales

Gonzales, Sally Ann (Democrat)

Phone: (520) 883-7968

Email: gonzalesforstaterep@yahoo.com

Website: www.votesallygonzales.com

7444 S. Camino Benem, Tucson, AZ 85757

Age: 52 (10/2/57, Brawley, CA).

Arizona since: 1961.

Occupation: Program director for teacher training program, ASU, 2002-06; educational director, Pascua-Yaqui tribe, 2001-02.

Marital: Married (Luis).

Children: 5; 19 grandchildren.

Religious preference: Yaqui-Catholic.

Education: Master’s degree, multicultural education, UofA, 1994; bachelor’s degree, elementary education, ASU, 1986.

Political experience: Yaqui tribal councilmember, 1992-06; AZ House 1996-00.

Memberships have included: President, Guadalupe Community Development Corp.; treasurer, Native American Directions Association; former board member, Pima Prevention Partnership.

Interests: Spending time with my grandchildren, reading, playing baseball, sewing.

Issues:

Political influence: I would have to say my mom. She raised me and my siblings to always do the right thing. And she provided good examples of doing the right thing. In the 1960s, she fought for protecting the Yaqui land in Guadalupe. And the other example she provided was that she always voted. She once drove all the way from Yuma to Guadalupe to vote because it was so important.

Budget recommendations: We need to look at the tax structure because it’s not working, and look at eliminating some of the tax credits that are going to big corporations. We need to re-evaluate tax credits for private schools because it’s taking away revenue from public schools.

Other concerns: Education and health care. We need to fund education – for example, I would hope we can reinstate full-day kindergarten and adult education. If people have a GED or high school diploma, these adults would be in a better position to take care of their families. And if people can’t afford health care for their families, then we as a state need to provide that. We need to reinstate KidsCare because thousands of children don’t have health care, even if their families are working families trying to provide for their children.

Fiscal philosophy: I think we need to live within our means, so we have to set our priorities and stay within that. I would have to research what has been passed during the past two sessions. I know when I left, we had a surplus of money. It all has to do with the economy. We’re not keeping enough revenue. The wealthiest of the citizens in Arizona need to pay their fair share of the taxes. We need a budget that lets us provide for the most needy and vulnerable in Arizona.

Background & experience: I would say my past experience in the Legislature is first and foremost, because I’ve learned the process and I know what it takes to get the job done. Being part of the tribal council and being part of the Legislature, as well as my directorships, I’ve seen how important it is to prioritize the needs of the communities.

Proposition 100 sales tax: I support it, although I would normally not support sales tax increases. It’s unbalanced when rich people and poor people have to pay the same amount. But I supported it because I want the state of Arizona to provide for the education of all the kids, so we can have well-educated children and a skilled workforce to improve the economy in Arizona.

Pro-life/pro-choice: I am pro-choice, not because I’m for abortion but because I’m a woman. And I don’t believe the Legislature or judges should be deciding for a woman what she is to do and put restrictions on women.

One last thing: I’m a strong advocate for people in Arizona, especially those in District 27, and I believe my record shows that. I’d like to serve the people again if they so desire. We need women representation because we are half of the population and we provide a different perspective than men.

Campaign Finance: public.