Elections 2014 Just another Arizona Capitol Times Election Coverage site
Democrat – Legislative District 19 House
Phone: (623) 509-6308
Email: josediegoe@yahoo.com
Facebook: Diego Espinoza
Address: 803 N Christa Way , Tolleson, AZ 85353
Age: 40. (01/02/74, Phoenix, AZ).
Arizona since: Birth
Occupation: Small business owner, Fuego Bar & Crill, since 2007; ethnic sales manager, Hensely & Co., 1994-2007.
Marital: Single
Education: B.S., business management, Ottawa University, 2003; Estrella Mountain Community College, 1997; Tolleson H.S., 1997.
Political experience: Tolleson City Council, 2003-14.
Interests: CrossFit, outdoor activities, family time, sports, reading, traveling.
Two biggest issues: Economy and education. The solutions to these issues are related. First, we must adequately fund our public school system while requiring higher standards for students and more accountability to our schools and teachers. We should encourage these students to continue to seek higher education by maintaining affordable and attainable college education. At the same time, we should be attracting new high paying 21st century jobs to the state to help build the economy, but to also encourage our graduates to stay in-state and help develop a growing economy.
Budget priorities: Adequately fund K-12 education. During the recession, our education system took deep cuts to education and we continually rank extremely low in per-pupil funding. We must fully fund education and recognize the benefit it has for the state in the long term. It is critical that we close tax loopholes and ensure that every agency, including the Legislature, is running as efficiently as possible.
Fiscal philosophy: It’s easy. We must first fund our obligations, then we can have a discussion on where the remaining dollars go. But, our expenditures shouldn’t be more than our revenues.
Common Core: We need higher standards in our schools in order for our graduates to be competitive in the increasingly global economy. The College and Career ready standards are implementing these higher standards, and although there are still some kinks to be worked out, they will better prepare our students for the future.
Gifts to elected officials: Yes, we need to avoid situations where special interest groups are able to affect lawmaking in an inappropriate manner.
Transparency in government: Transparency and public notice are completely necessary in government and particularly at the state Legislature. Agendas should be set and legislation should be available with enough time for public comment. Decisions should not be made late in the night or on legislation that is published hours before votes are taken – a tactic that has been used increasingly the past few years.
Pro-life / pro-choice: As a member of the Catholic Church, I am personally pro-life. However, I do not believe that the state should be the decision-maker for our women and their spouses. That personal decision should be left up to them.
Public policy advice: Through my past experiences as a council member, it is vital to network with individuals of all professions and backgrounds to gather opinions and share past experiences that will help form policy and make the best decision for our community.
