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Republican – Legislative District 28 Senate
Phone: (602) 957-3761
Email: adam@driggslawgroup.com
Website: www.adamdriggs.com
Facebook: Adam Driggs
Twitter: @adamdriggs
Address: 4231 E Clarendon Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85018
Age: 49. (04/22/65, Phoenix, AZ).
Arizona since: Birth
Occupation: Attorney, Ridenour Hienton law firm.
Marital: Married
Children: 5
Education: J.D., ASU, 1993; B.A., Portuguese, BYU, 1990; Arcadia H.S., 1983.
Political experience: Volunteer for Matt Salmon’s gubernatorial campaign.
Legis exp: Senate since 2011, majority whip since 2013; House 2007-10.
Interests: I enjoy spending time with my family, whether I am coaching their youth sports, spending time in the White Mountains and other beautiful places in Arizona or just hanging out at home with them. I love ASU football and other Sun Devil athletics. I also enjoy Civil War history.
Two biggest issues: Economy and education. We must foster a business friendly environment in Arizona by creating sound public policy which benefits existing employers while attracting new investment into our state. We must also promote policies in education to raise expectations which will enable our children to be college ready when they graduate from high school. Additionally, we must insure that our universities produce a quality workforce. I have been a strong advocate for the business community and our schools, and I will continue to do so.
Budget priorities: K-12 funding. The recession has had a very drastic and negative impact on state revenues over the last six years, but I believe that without my advocacy along with other pro-education legislators, the funding hit to education could have been much deeper. I am proud that we have made great strides on restoring education funding over the last two budget cycles, and I pledge to continue to provide leadership in this area. I do not believe the state needs to cut expenditures in the near future as we anticipate slow but steady revenue growth over the next two years.
Fiscal philosophy: Conservative. I believe that government should live within its means just as Arizona families must do.
Common Core: I have four children currently attending public schools. I think it is very important that we increase expectations for all Arizona school-aged children, and I support raising the standards in Arizona schools. I fully support local control in setting curriculum in our schools; this is why we elect our local school boards. I do not support federal mandates regarding curriculum. While the Arizona College and Career Ready Standards are our new minimum sate standards, I hope that education leaders and the Legislature will pursue the implementation of even higher standards in Arizona that will supersede Common Core standards.
Gifts to elected officials: I would support legislation to clarify the somewhat ambiguous statutory definition of a gift and make any gift given to elected officials more transparent. Current law prohibits elected officials from receiving gifts from lobbyists over $10.
Transparency in government: I feel it is important that the citizens have the ability to find out what is happening in their communities and that there be a proven mechanism to provide notice to the community members so that they have the ability to be informed and respond.
Pro-life / pro-choice: Pro-life.
Public policy advice: I don’t really have one person who I turn to. It really depends on the subject matter. I try to seek advice from individuals who have day-to-day expertise in matters under consideration at the Legislature, and I particularly seek individuals who have an objective viewpoint and don’t have skin in the game, which is not always easy. For general public policy advice, there is no doubt that my father, former Phoenix Mayor John Driggs, has been a positive influence on me and I appreciate his political experience, thoughtful ideas and practical wisdom.
