Ben Arredondo

Ben Arredondo

Arredondo, Ben (Democrat)

Phone: (480) 250-4737

Email: benarredondo@cox.net

Website: www.benarredondo.com

2310 S. Gary Dr., Tempe, AZ 85282

Age: 63. (b 07/03/47, Mesa, AZ).

Arizona since: Birth.

Occupation: Administrator, East Valley Institute of Technology, 2010; biology and health teacher (PE teacher and coach), Mesa High School, 1972-04.

Marital: Married (Ruthann, retired teacher).

Children: 3.

Religious preference: Lutheran.

Education: Administrator’s certificate, ASU, 1979; M.A., education, ASU, 1972; B.A., education, ASU, 1971.

Political experience: Tempe City Council since 1994; Tempe Elementary School Board, 1984-94; Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, 1989-91.

Memberships have included: National Association of Latino Elected Officials since 1994; AZ Coaches Association, 1972-92; AZ Education Association, 1972-88.

Interests: Outdoor activities, bicycling, fishing.

Issues:

Political influence: My mother and father, who left as a legacy that we should give back to our community.

Budget recommendations: I think you have to take a look at expenditures first because, to me, it shouldn’t be that complicated. It’s very simple, like running your household — how much money you’re bringing in and how much you’re spending. And they have to be close to balancing. One of the things that we would have to take a look at is diversifying the economy and what it takes to bring jobs to Arizona. We can’t rely on one trade, one industry to always be there. I believe that we should work harder on aeronautics and promote green and wind technology like we have never seen before. On cutting expenditures, I would take a look and see. I think the best thing to do sometimes is bring people into the mix — not your professional politicians.

Other concerns: The top issue is the economy and jobs, jobs, jobs. The second one, with my background, is education. We cannot sit still and let education keep on going in the direction that it is.

Fiscal philosophy: I think I am a conservative when it comes to viewing issues, but I also believe it’s very important to view every issue independently. So I consider myself a conservative when it comes to financial matters, a conservative when it comes to making people decisions, and I think we have to remember that we’re serving a constituency of people.

Background & experience: I believe that I’ve prepared myself very well because as a legislator you have to be able to make tough decisions. I believe I can. In my coaching I’ve had to make tough decisions, a multitude — and not just about winning and losing, but about kids and about parents. And then the school board was a continuation because I worked on running a school district. And then with the county in the early 90s, I learned how to make financial, budgetary decisions that were very, very far reaching. And then at the city for the last 16 years on the City Council, I continue to help form the way the city will go financially, recreationally, anyway.

Proposition 100 sales tax: I favor it because of two things — a majority of the money will go to education, and it has a sunset clause.

Pro-life/pro-choice: I don’t believe I am in any position to ever take the primary choices of a woman away. I’m pro-choice.

One last thing: I think I bring a strong work ethic with me. I think I’m a no-nonsense kind of person. I will work toward the results that are best for the state based on what my constituents say. The third thing is that I’ve developed an understanding that you need to be a very good listener if you’re elected to any position. And listening is the key to having a successful government.

Campaign Finance: private.