Richard Miranda

Richard Miranda

Miranda, Richard (Democrat)

Phone: (602) 469-2393

Email: rmiranda2@cox.net

2626 S. 85th Ave., Tolleson, AZ 85353

Age: 54 (3/06/56, Phoenix, AZ).

Arizona since: Birth.

Occupation: Non-profit director.

Marital: Married.

Children: 6.

Religious preference: Catholic.

Education: Attended, ASU, 1974-75; Phoenix College, 1975-77; UofA, 1977-79. Political experience: Tucson aide, U.S. Rep. Udall, 1979; assistant mayor, city of Phoenix; chair, AZ Legislative Latino Caucus; AZ Senate since 2003, assistant Democratic whip 2003-05; AZ House, 1999-02.

Memberships have included: Director, Cesar Chavez Museum; Neighborhood Housing Services Board of Directors; Boys and Girls Club of America.

Issues:

Political influence: I’d have to say my brother, Rep. Ben Miranda. I would have never dreamed of running for office. I have always worked on different campaigns and different issues since I was 15, but he more or less encouraged me to run for office.

Budget recommendations: To increase revenue, I think we took a very positive step, which was to pass the one-cent sales tax. You can always talk about cutting down and downsizing, but when it has gotten to the point where you’re cutting basic services off, I can’t agree with that philosophy. There’s also expanding the tax base idea that has been floating around for the last 25 years.

Other concerns: We’re going to still concentrate on education. If nothing else, I think past experiences and history show that the smartest way to improve our economy is to have an educated work force. [I will also focus on] behavioral health. There is a huge amount of money being poured into behavioral health. I don’t think we do a good enough job of making sure money that is poured into certain behavioral health organizations and companies is used wisely.

Fiscal philosophy: I don’t think cutting taxes is the way to rebound an economy such as ours. I think people use these catchy five- or six-word phrases and it seems like they’re popular. It seems on the surface to make some sense, but it’s all just catchy phrases. There is not a whole lot of thought, in my opinion, being put on these catchy phrases.

Background & experience: I have always worked in community-based organizations and for community service issues. I have always been a volunteer and coach and helping young people. Wanting to help people to grow as individuals and to help a community grow as a whole has helped me in trying to serve my community.

Proposition 100 sales tax: I favored the temporary sales tax increase. We got to the point where we were going to really start cutting down on services and on education that we really couldn’t afford to cut. So we didn’t have an alternative to that.

Pro-life/pro-choice: As a legislator, I am not going to vote to abolish abortion. I think it’s a difficult decision, and I think women do have a choice to do what they feel they must.

One last thing: [I am] just trying to make a difference in my district, and [I am] always willing to talk to people.

Campaign Finance: private.