Eric Shelley

Eric Shelley

Shelley, Eric (Democrat)

Phone: (602) 705-7883

Email: eric@ericshelley.com

Website: www.ericshelley.com

2027 E. Hillery Dr., Phoenix, AZ 85022

Age: 37 (8/10/72, Mesa, AZ).

Arizona since: Birth.

Occupation: Budget specialist, CIGNA Healthcare.

Marital: Did not respond.

Religious preference: Did not respond.

Education: MBA, global management, University of Phoenix, 2002; B.A., psychology, ASU, 1995.

Political experience: 2nd vice-chair, LD7 Democrats; worked on the campaigns of Jeanne Lunn for State House and Tim Nelson for County Attorney, both in 2008.

Interests: I am an amateur musician and have performed around the Valley with various musical groups in the past. I also enjoy hiking hills and trails in and around the Phoenix metro area.

Issues:

Political influence: The first time I found myself thinking in political terms was after reading E. J. Dionne’s “Why Americans Hate Politics”, a text I was assigned in college. It helped me see that many of the most important issues facing Americans can be seen from multiple points of view. Knowing this, it helps me understand that challenges we face may have more than one solution, and that lawmakers and public officials should keep an open mind to ideas they may not have previously considered.

Budget recommendations: Expand job opportunities increases state payroll tax revenues. That must be the highest priority for the Legislature. I also support public/private partnerships to maintain state parks and rest stop facilities. Ensuring that our tourist destinations remain open provide needed stabilization to sales tax revenues and job opportunities for Arizonans.

Other concerns: Stabilization of the housing market and an expansion of solar industries will be my top priorities as a legislator. Keeping people in their homes, promoting clean energy and job creation will help all Arizonans.

Fiscal philosophy: Governments are accountable to their citizens for managing the resources of the state. I take this responsibility very seriously. It has been my role in my employment for the last several years and my goal is to bring that same level of accountability to the Capitol.

Background & experience: In my work as a budget specialist for a large local employer, I am responsible for managing budgets and finding opportunities to save money whenever possible. Sometimes saving comes in the form of belt-tightening. Sometimes it comes in the form of investment for the future. Sometimes it comes in the form of innovation and technology. I will leverage all of these tools to improve the function of our Legislature.

Prop. 100 sales tax: Arizonans have spoken on this issue, and they have said at a 2-to-1 margin that certain things are critical to our community, and schools and public safety are at the top of that list. I believe legislators have an obligation to manage resources to ensure that education and public safety are assured for our state. As a legislator, I will not lose sight of the things that Arizonans demand of its public officials.

Pro-life/pro-choice: I support efforts that address the causes of unwanted pregnancy and implement comprehensive solutions that lead us to a day when every child is a wanted child.

One last thing: As a native of Arizona, whose family has been here since before statehood, I care a great deal about Arizona. I feel it is truly “my state”. Over the last few years, I have watched it move from a state beginning to realize its great potential to one that has been run into the ground. That is not OK with me. We still have great potential, we just need the right leadership at the Capitol to put us back on the right track. I want to be part of that solution.

Campaign Finance: public.