Democrat – Legislative District 10 Senate

Phone: (520) 429-3062

Address: 5909 E 3rd St, Tucson, AZ 85711

Age: 61. (11/13/52, Seattle, WA).

Arizona since: 1957

Occupation: Chief development officer, La Frontera Arizona, since 2011; CEO, La Paloma Family Services, 1993-2011; private behavioral health care consultant, 1991-93; administrator, Ramsey Canyon Psychiatric Hospital, 1986-91; therapist, CPS, 1985-86; therapist, Palo Verde Hospital, 1980-85; U.S. Navy, cryptologist, 1972-80.

Marital: Married

Children: 4

Education: M.B.A., University of Phoenix, 1996; M.S.Ed., counseling, Old Dominion University, 1979; B.S., psychology, University of Maryland, 1977.

Political experience: Precinct committeeman since 1992; chair, Pima County Democratic Party, 2001-02; president, Democrats of Greater Tucson, 1997-99; worked on numerous campaigns.

Legis exp: House since 2013; House 2003-10.

Interests: Sports, reading, gardening.

Two biggest issues: Comprehensive tax reform. In the 12 years that I have been involved in the Legislature, it remains the number one issue that, until it is dealt with, makes all other issues secondary. I will continue to encourage the leadership of both parties to make it a priority. Comprehensive sentencing reform. Similarly, our growing prison population has to be dealt with at the front door. Mandatory and truth-in-sentencing laws have increased our prison population many fold since their inception. The majority of the discretionary funds of the Legislature are being eaten up by this situation. We have to change the trajectory of the number and type of people being imprisoned. I will continue to encourage the leadership of both parties to deal with this ‘third rail’ issue.

Budget priorities: Education throughout the lifespan should always be the number one priority of the state. Through comprehensive tax and sentencing reform, enough resources can be allocated to meet this priority. The infrastructure of the state including roads, schools, water storage and delivery systems, utilities and health care facilities must be a priority. We have short-changed our capital needs for the last ten years at least. We need to invest before it is too late.

Fiscal philosophy: I believe government should do all that it can do to lift people up from poverty and then step back and let them grow in the free market. Government cannot and should not meet every need, but it has to contribute consistently and comprehensively to the common good by providing educational opportunities for people throughout the lifespan, ensuring that the infrastructure of the state is adequate to attract and retain commerce and ensure that public safety and health are perpetual priorities. Comprehensive tax reform that reduces dependence on sales tax and evenly distributes the tax burden in income and property tax should be a priority.

Common Core: Arizona should continue the Arizona College and Career Ready Standards because they are a reasonable foundation to build the public education system upon. That does not mean that the state should invest inordinate amounts on testing of individual students. It should however have a reasonable way to gauge the success of schools to meet the standards in whatever way they see fit and provide for remediation to those schools who struggle to meet the standards. The education system must leave enough of its resources to provide for the development of its students into good citizens, which is the primary purpose of an education that includes the arts and physical education as well as core studies.

Gifts to elected officials: With the exception of the lunches on the lawn, which I think are helpful to people to get to know their legislators, everything else can go. There are no other perks necessary for the job.

Transparency in government: The Legislature in general and legislators in particular should be open books in regard to their government functions. All of the money spent in campaigns is a terrible waste and could be better used in so many ways. All donors to all political entities should be made public regardless if they are contributing to individual campaigns, PACs or other political entities. The state budgeting should be open to the public and made part of the regular legislative process instead of being completed beyond closed doors with little input as it has the last few years.

Pro-life / pro-choice: The focus of the abortion debate should be on establishing and building upon common ground. No one wants unintended or unwanted pregnancies to occur. The focus should be on preventing that through science-based sex education, teaching individuals, particularly the young, about the need to make good decisions, promoting the values of families and faith-based organizations in everyday life and the availability of appropriate contraceptives. Neither extreme position in the abortion debate provides much opportunity to find that common ground. Like many issues, people have to stop screaming at one another and do what makes sense to prevent unintended and unwanted pregnancies.

Public policy advice: Usually to legislative colleagues who I have come to trust over the years followed by experts in a particular field regarding a specific public policy. I also rely on my own research and try to always keep in mind that my initial inclinations may be wrong and need to be substantiated or altered through objective research.

Bradley, David

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