The Daily Courier newspaper is publishing biographical information about all the candidates for the 1st Congressional District and Legislative District One who are facing competition in the primary election.
The newspaper also is running candidates' answers to several questions.
Only Republicans are facing primary election competition in the LD1 (House) and CD1 races. Two seats are available in the LD1 House race.
Early voting started July 29 and the primary election day is Aug. 24.
The primary winner in the CD1 race will face incumbent Democrat U.S. Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, and the primary winners in the LD1 race will face off against Democrat Lindsay Bell in the Nov. 2 general election. Incumbent Republican Arizona Sen. Steve Pierce also will face Democrat Bob Donahue in the LD1 Senate race.
Following is the fourth in a series of five questions The Daily Courier asked the Republican primary candidates for two seats in the Arizona House of Representatives District One. Their answers are paraphrased.
Question: What would you cut first in the state's 2010-2011 budget if more cuts are necessary? Is there anything the Legislature already cut that it needs to restore?
• Campbell - I wouldn't restore anything, and we can cut more.
I worked for the federal government for 27 years. The budget contains plenty of non-necessary items.
Since education is 60 percent of the budget, it can't be a sacred cow. We could consolidate school districts, for example. The Phoenix metro area has a dozen of them, each with their own superintendent and assistant superintendent. And get rid of government planes, including the one for the ADOT board.
• Fann - Right now, the final budget for the current year is uncertain, but we can find waste and get rid of it.
People on government health care should co-pay on a sliding fee scale based on income.
The state's home health care for adults has nearly doubled in the last seven years. Why? Part of the reason is add-ons such as paying to clean their homes. What happened to the days when people helped each other out instead of expecting the government to pay for everything?
We need to keep services that keep people alive, but a lot of people are taking advantage of the system.
• Tobin - We can always cut more, but I'd like to reverse some cuts in public safety, high schools with job training and adult education.
The state could privatize some services such as interstate rest areas, state parks, jails and health care.
