Elections 2014 Just another Arizona Capitol Times Election Coverage site
Republican – Legislative District 28 House
Phone: (602) 315-4635
Email: mhamway@cox.net
Website: maryhamway.com
Facebook: Mary Hamway
Twitter: @electmaryhamway
Address: 7112 E Bronco Dr , Paradise Valley, AZ 85253
Age: 59. (08/13/54, Midland, TX).
Arizona since: 1994
Occupation: Retired; document management analyst, New Science Associates, 1990-94; regional technical manager, FileNet Corp., 1986-90; supervisor, interactive services, Rockwell International, 1981-86; manager, procedures & standards, Harris County Central Data Processing Dept., 1980-81; systems programmer, Harris County Justice Information Systems, 1978-80, 1975-76; product technical support, Applied Data Research, 1976-78.
Marital: Married
Children: 1
Education: B.S., social rehabilitation & criminal justice, Sam Houston State University, 1975.
Political experience: Paradise Valley town council, 2004-12; vice mayor, 2010-12, 2006-07; 1st vice chair, GOP LD28, since Nov, 2012; corresponding secretary, GOP LD28, June–Nov 2012; precinct committeeman, GOP LD11/28, since 2008; state committeeman, GOP LD11/28, since 2010; nominating committee,GOP LD11/28, since 2010.
Interests: Cooking, hiking, reading.
Two biggest issues: Improving educational outcomes for all children and controlling the rising cost of health care. I support school choice, high standards and high expectations for all students. Traditional public schools are one of several choices, but they need the funding and tools to compete. To control the escalating health care costs, Arizona should move toward a system that pays for performance outcomes rather than reimbursing for procedures. A block grant payment should be considered, seeking in return, the freedom to define a Medicaid performance-based program. Included in the program could be co-pays, employment requirements and different levels of eligibility.
Budget priorities: My budget priorities include adding to the current amount of funding for P-20 education, and ensuring that the new Division of Child Safety and Family Services is properly funded and processes are put in place to provide transparency and oversight. When developing a structurally balanced budget, the state must ensure that expenditures and the revenue forecast are balanced, that the Rainy Day fund is restored and the recommended pension contributions are being made. To add to the state’s revenues, I propose eliminating or reducing tax credits to private schools. And I would slow tax cuts until we have structurally balanced budget.
Fiscal philosophy: I am fiscally conservative, but understand that Arizonans have expectations for a high quality of life and demand that government be efficient and effective. I support regulations that promote fairness to all citizens and businesses. I think government should be a facilitator to success, not a roadblock to progress. To that end, our tax policies must be fair and low enough to be competitive, but high enough to cover the services that our citizens expect, especially funding quality education for all children and providing the necessary infrastructure for the future.
Common Core: We are three years into the implementation and to back out now would be counterproductive. We don’t have good standards to fall back on, and precious time would be lost developing new state standards. The most glaring issue is the lack of a comprehensive plan that defines expected educational outcomes and how those outcomes will be achieved. The Arizona College and Career Ready Standards are just one piece of this puzzle; the real challenge is in honestly assessing our current status and putting the programs in place at the local level to achieve the educational outcomes we need to compete nationally and globally.
Gifts to elected officials: I would lower the amount that needed to be reported to $50, and I would support enforcement of the law. As a Paradise Valley Council member, our limit was $25. Since the limit was so low, it created a culture that it was best not to accept any gift. One exception was if every council member was offered the same opportunity, for example, attendance to an event. If every member of the Legislature is offered the same opportunity, that might be an acceptable exception.
Transparency in government: An open and transparent government promotes accountability, strengthens the people’s trust and encourages greater public participation. Technology should be used to live-stream meetings. Notices, agendas and minutes should be posted in a timely and consistent manner. Special attention should be given to not violating open meeting laws. The public has a right to know not just what is decided, but how the decision was reached. Exceptions are allowed under executive session laws.
Pro-life / pro-choice: My focus would be on responsible, appropriate education efforts designed to teach young women the value of life and the need to make responsible decisions. A state representative has little influence over federal abortion laws. However, each year there are several “abortion bills” that need to be considered. I believe the laws we have on the books in Arizona today are adequate to address this issue, however, the health and welfare of the child and mother should never be ignored.
Public policy advice: I was fortunate enough to be in the 4th class for the Flinn Brown Civic Leadership Academy, where we had the opportunity to meet some of the best policy makers in Arizona, and that is my first stop. Business leaders also offer an important perspective. I have relationships with council members and a few mayors that I check in with if the issue concerns cities and towns.
