Leah Landrum Taylor

Landrum Taylor, Leah (Democrat)

Phone: (602) 265-7324

Email: lantay2@earthlink.net

6814 S. 40th Ln., Phoenix, AZ 85041

Age: 43 (8/23/66, Phoenix, AZ).

Arizona since: Birth.

Occupation: Adjunct faculty member for Maricopa County Community Colleges since 1999.

Marital: Married (Gregory Taylor, mechanical engineer).

Children: 2.

Education: B.A. and master’s degree, political science, ASU; attended the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University; Xavier College Preparatory.

Political experience: Two runs for House in 1994 and 1996; vice-chair, District 16 since 1997; precinct committee work since 1995; AZ Senate since 2007; House 1999-06 (asst Dem leader 2003-04; Dem whip 2001-02).

Memberships have included: Founder and vice-president, Landrum Foundation; senior adviser, Arizona Children’s Association, alumna of American Council of Young Political Leaders; Aspen-Rodel Fellow; founder Arizona African American Legislative Days.

Issues:

Political influence: It boils down to family. I’d have to say my parents.

Budget recommendations: I think at this point we just have to cut to the bone. We also have to generate some revenue. I know there have been a lot of conversations about the various loopholes in the tax structure. It’s important to take a look at that; perhaps some moratorium could be placed on some things, even if it’s a couple of years, just to have that revenue coming in.

Other concerns: Education is going to be a big one that I am going to fight to protect, and I’m also concerned about issues involving children’s welfare.

Fiscal philosophy: I am fiscally responsible. I take a realistic look at things.

Background & experience: Having had an opportunity to be in the work-a-day world makes a big difference. Also having a family of my own and children that go to school. All that plays a big part of being an effective legislator. If you’re able to truly relate to those that you are representing, that makes a difference.

Proposition 100 sales tax: I favored the temporary sales tax early on. It was just one of those hard decisions that we had to make, but coming back and doing $1 billion in cuts? I don’t think so!

Pro-life/pro-choice: I have stayed very consistent on this. I have never supported minors being able to receive abortions without parental consent. I have been opposed to that from the very beginning. I am opposed to partial-birth abortions. When it comes down to other circumstances and a woman having a right to choose, then I am supportive. So, it depends on how you phrase the question.

One last thing: The only thing I can say is I have proven myself to be a hard-working legislator, and I will continue to do the same.

Campaign Finance: private.