Rep. Russell Pearce, R-18, chairman of a legislative budget committee responsible for reviewing a plan for the downtown Phoenix medical school says the very premise of the proposal is flawed. [JLBC Chair Questions Plan For Downtown Medical School, Sept. 9 issue]

“I’m not even sure we need a second one,” he says. This, despite the fact that Phoenix is the largest metropolitan area without a public medical school, Arizona is experiencing a critical shortage of doctors, the University of Arizona and Arizona State University collectively support it, the Arizona Physician Workforce Study supports it and area business and government leaders embrace the project.

But what is most incredible of all regarding Mr. Pearce’s stance is that he admits to not having yet read the comprehensive report on the Phoenix medical school prepared by the Arizona Board of Regents that was delivered to him on Sept. 1! What he is saying then, is “Don’t bother me with the facts, my mind is made up.” I would expect better of an elected official charged with making decisions for the public good.

Terry M. Hanson, Scottsdale