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Ernest Bustamante
Bustamante, Ernest (Democrat)
Phone: (520) 487-2192
Email: ernestbustamante2008@gmail.com
Website: www.votebustamante.com
403 Hetzel Ave., Mammoth, AZ 85618
(Mail: PO Box 73, Mammoth, AZ 85618)
Age: 54 (12/23/55, Phoenix, AZ).
Arizona since: Birth.
Occupation: Pipe-fitter, ASARCO, since 1974; small business owner, San Pedro Valley Transport, 1998.
Marital: Married (Martha, technology coordinator/college instructor).
Children: 3.
Religious preference: Catholic.
Education: Central Arizona College, 2002; high school diploma, Hayden H.S., 1974.
Political experience: Councilmember, Town of Mammoth, 2002-03; precinct committeeman, Pinal County; AZ House, 2003-05.
Memberships have included: Steel Workers Union; vice president, United Steelworkers Union (2 terms).
Interests: Music, playing guitar, hunting, fishing.
Issues:
Political influence: My children. All three of them graduated from Arizona public high schools and attended institutions of higher learning (ASU, Stanford, Central Arizona College). They keep me in tune with the future of Arizona and remind me that the decisions we make as a state today will affect generations to come.
Budget recommendations: Equalization (funds) must be returned for education. We must modify our tax structure. Other concerns: Increase funding for education. Job creation through tax fairness. We must end corporate welfare.
Fiscal philosophy: Reduce restrictions for startup businesses, which include keeping interest rates low for the consumer and homeowner. Background & experience: As a councilmember, I have worked to build roads and improve public safety. As a union leader, I have fought for health care for working families. As a small business owner, I have balanced budgets. As a legislator, I voted for all-day kindergarten, expanded enterprise zones for tax incentives in Pinal County and worked on a bipartisan basis to restore funding for transportation. I am proud of my record and hope to continue my service in the Legislature where I will fight every day for our families, our district and our future.
Proposition 100 sales tax: At this time we must support the increase in order to plug the deficit. We have no other choice.
Pro-life/pro-choice: As a Catholic, I am pro-life.
One last thing: I am a former amateur boxer and Arizona Golden Gloves winner. I’m still a fighter and will continue to fight for working families in Pinal County.
Campaign Finance: public.