Patricia Fleming

Patricia Fleming

Fleming, Patricia (Democrat)

Phone: (520) 378-4386

Email: pfleming@azleg.gov

3321 E. Ojibwa St., Sierra Vista, AZ 85650
(Mail: PO Box 2702, Sierra Vista, AZ 85636)

Age: 61 (3/10/49, MO).

Arizona since: 2000.

Occupation: Retired; manpower management analyst, Department of Army, civilian, HQ NETCOM, 2000-05; budget analyst, Department of Army, civilian, USAEUR, G3, 1999-00; budget analyst, Department of Army, civilian, HQ 5th Signal Command, 1997-99; manpower management analyst, Department of Army, civilian, HQ Army Signal Command, 1994-97; budget analyst, Department of Army, civilian, HC Army Signal Command, 1991-94.

Marital: Married (Robert).

Children: 5.

Religious preference: Unitarian Universalist.

Education: B.A., management, University of Phoenix, 1984.

Political experience: Candidate, House of Representatives LD25, 2006; chair, Cochise Democratic Party, 2005-06; president, Greater Huachuca Area Democratic Party, 2005; Platform Committee, Democratic National Convention, 2004; volunteer, Wes Clark for President, 2004; AZ House since 2009.

Memberships have included: AZ Women’s Political Caucus; AZ List-AZ; graduate, Emerge; National Association of Retired Federal Employees; American Association of Retired Persons; AFSCME; Cochise County League of Women Voters; AZ Parents for Public Education; National Alliance on Mental Illness; Southwest Association of Buffalo Soldiers.

Interests: Grassroots politics, country western dancing, exploring ghost towns in Southern Arizona.

Issues:

Political influence: Two people have had a significant influence on my political development. When I first told my mother that I was considering running for the AZ House of Representatives, her advice was to stay true to my own values of commitment and honesty. These were the values she taught me growing up, and they remain core values guiding my work today. My husband, Bob, has had a great influence as well, as a consistent voice of reason and a trusted sounding board.

Budget recommendations: The state budget has been repeatedly and severely cut over the past few years. Tax cuts over the past five to seven years are nearly equal to the overall state deficit. It’s time to get serious about a balanced approach, which includes increasing revenue. For example, I support broadening the tax base to include certain currently untaxed services to enable a lower overall sales tax rate, yet increase revenues. I also believe the state should scrutinize all tax deferments and credits to see if they are serving their purpose as originally intended.

Other concerns: Protecting public education is a budget concern, a long-term economic concern, and a moral concern. Public schools serve our communities in myriad ways, by producing the educated workforce of tomorrow, by ensuring that all children can learn and achieve their potential, regardless of their background or their parents’ income, and most importantly, public schools foster and enrich our democracy. That is why we cannot abandon our public schools, nor bleed them to death. We must invest in our schools to ensure they have the resources to continue to educate the tremendous diversity of children in our great state. The other major issue I am always focused on is ensuring that we provide much-needed and much-deserved services for our military veterans. Our veterans have put their lives on the line to defend our freedom and way of life. We must ensure that the debt we owe them is repaid.

Fiscal philosophy: I believe that investing in our children’s future is the number one priority of state government. Without a strong investment in our education system, from early childhood education through college, we risk losing out on the jobs and industries of the future, on which our long-term economic health and vitality depend.

Background & experience: A long time resident of Sierra Vista, I served as an analyst at Fort Huachuca for 19 years. My career in civil service has taught me how to bring different interests together to get things done. As a fiscal conservative, I can fight for adequate funding for education and public safety without standing for frivolous spending. My understanding of the area means I can continue protecting local livelihoods, limit groundwater pumping near our rivers and work with farmers, ranchers, and conservationists to ensure balanced public policies.

Proposition 100 sales tax: I opposed the referral for a variety of reasons. Taxing sales is regressive and is a greater burden on middle-class citizens. I still believe that we must take a more balanced look at our entire tax system, to ensure that nobody gets a free ride.

Pro-life/pro-choice: I am pro-choice because I am pro-family.

One last thing: As a representative for the people of District 25, I focus on policy that solves problems. I demand common-sense solutions. That’s why during my first year in office, I authored a bipartisan bill to allow Arizona veterans immediate qualification for in-state tuition at our colleges and universities. It is now law. We can build a brighter future for Arizona families and businesses – across urban, rural and tribal communities. But we must work together to get there.

Campaign Finance: private.