New lawmaker profile: Rep. Rick Gray, R-Sun City

Chamber: House of Representatives

Party: Republican

Profession: Plumbing contractor and small business owner.

Hometown: Sun City

Legislative District: No. 9, which includes northern Glendale, southern Peoria, Sun City and Youngtown.

Committee Assignments: Transportation (vice chair); Commerce; Ways and Means.

Previous or Current Elected Offices: Precinct committee member for District 9 Republican Committee; state committee member for District 9 Republican Committee.

Highlights of Community Involvement: Sun City Homeowners Association; Sun City Taxpayers Association; Peoria Rotary Club; Sun City Area Transit Board.

Why He Ran: “I basically looked at who I would want representing me, and … I wanted someone who had been a businessperson. There’s a different experience when you have to sign both sides of the check.”

His Focus: “Building the type of business environment that will attract businesses so that we [have] a regulatory and a tax policy that is conducive to business … If we start setting up hurdles and hindrances to business, then … we’re inhibiting the prosperity of our state and our citizens.”

A Bill: Signed on as a primary sponsor of HB 2707, which would limit state spending to a maximum revenue limit set annually by the Joint Legislative Budget Committee in accordance with population and inflation.

Reporting by Ashley Slaney, Cronkite News Service