Because of our efforts, budget analysts and economists predict our state will have $133-$416 Million to spare this fiscal year.  Instead of spending the money, however, we need to put the money aside for upcoming hard times.

If economists are right, the rainy day is coming soon.  Predictions for fiscal year 2014 show our state may be $610 Million to $1.2 Billion short.  Extra money we have now should be used to offset this shortfall, not used for ongoing spending programs.  The uncertainties in our national economy, the threat that the federal government will push more costs onto the states, possible negative outcomes from lawsuits filed against our budget cuts, and the ending of the one cent temporary sales tax all play a role.

I am proud of our Governor and legislature.  Unlike the federal government, we have put our fiscal house in order.  When the pressure mounts for the state to spend all its excess money, please support those legislators who want to save the money for a rainy day.   Just like the responsible parents who scrimp and save to put money aside in case of bad times, a responsible government should do the same thing.

Listening to "The Maine"

Not only is it important that we keep Fender and other businesses in our community, but it is also important that our state legislature continues to provide a good environment for businesses to succeed and for their employees to live.  The Jobs legislation and regulation reforms our state legislature  passed last year provides a good business environment and our lower taxes and lower home prices provide a good place for employees to live.

While there, we were entertained by “The Maine” a band based right here in the Valley of the Sun and of course….they played Fender Guitars.

Pictures at

Luke AFB

In a tour led by 944th Fighter Wing Commander Colonel Jose “Hoser” Monteagudo, I learned the value of the Air Force Reserves and how important they are to our local community and to our nation.   The Air Force Reserves is composed of men and women who work right here in the valley in a variety of jobs, train for military operations at Luke, and often volunteer to deploy overseas.  If they deploy overseas, their employers, by law, must hire them back.

Many people know that Luke AFB is in the running to train new F-35 fighter plane pilots.  The environmental impact studies should be released for public comment sometime in September.
But most people, including myself, did not know that the 944th Fighter Wing Air Force Reserves has the facilities to house the F-16 mission alongside the F-35 mission.  It is believed that the F-16s will still be used for another 10 years, so this could be a huge benefit to our state.

In another wonderful development, local volunteers Jerry Iannacci from Glendale, Al Morton from Sun City, and VFW, American Legion, Blue and Gold Star Mothers, and corporate volunteers are helping veterans with everything from finding a job to providing transportation to the Surprise and Peoria Veteran Affairs Clinics.  Operation American Patriot, under the guidance of volunteer CEO Jerry Iannacci, is headquartered at the Banner Olive Branch Senior Center located at 11250 N. 107th Avenue in Sun City.  Veterans and their families can call 24/7 at 623-374-2332 or the emergency number 1-877-749-2332.  Advocates are in the office on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Appointments are recommended.

I want to personally thank Colonel Monteagudo, Msgt James McPhetres, the men and women from the 944th Fighter Wing, the businesses that employ our Reserve members, and the volunteers of Operation American Patriot for the dedicated work you do for our community and for our nation.

As we approach the 10th anniversary of the September 11th attack, please join me in asking God to continue to bless and protect our great nation.

Because of the actions of the current and previous legislatures,  Arizona leads the country in providing educational choices to parents and students through traditional public schools like PUSD and through alternative schools like the new BASIS Charter School in Peoria.  Its sister school, BASIS of Tucson, is ranked as one of the top 10 high schools in the country.  I’m excited to have BASIS in our legislative district!

A new innovative law, sponsored by Senator Rick Murphy and myself, now provides special needs children with even more educational opportunities. The Arizona Empowerment Account allow parents of special needs children who are not satisfied with the education at their traditional public school, to opt out of that school and instead receive 90 percent of the funding the state would have given to their child’s school, and use it elsewhere. They can apply the money to a private school, tutoring, therapy and other services. For more details, visit: http://www.ade.az.gov/ess/ESAs/

This new law not only helps the student, but saves the state money.

Thank you for your involvement in our community.  As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.

Letter to the Editor:

The good news is that the “Jobs Bills” supported by Republican legislators is already bringing new jobs into Arizona.  The bad news is that the national economy is still in the tank and good people throughout the country are still out of work.  Legislators had to make a decision.  Should   taxpayers pay for 1.5 years of unemployment benefits for those out of work or continue the payments to almost 2 years. Critics of the legislature have stated that we should have extended the benefits to 2 years since no state money would be used.  But, the money comes from your federal tax dollars or worse yet, from money borrowed from places like China. Let’s help create jobs, protect taxpayers, and save our Country at the same time.

House Majority Whip Debbie Lesko
State Representative, District 9

Memorial Day 2011, photo courtesy of The Glendale Star

I hope all of you had a good Memorial Day.  I was honored to have shared part of the day with Veterans, Active Duty Military, and families of fallen soldiers when I was asked to speak at the Resthaven Cemetery’s service in Glendale.  I was very moved by Chaplain Butler’s speech which included episodes of war.  He really embraced the meaning of Memorial Day.  It was difficult not to shed a tear.

On May 28th I also had the honor of being invited to Rosie the Riveter Day in Sun City.  What a great group of ladies! These women worked in factories and munitions plants while the men were fighting in WWII.  This group of ladies has a spirit about them that you just can’t compare!  One after the other shared memories and then they broke into song….singing a Rosie the Riveter tune.  The women wore Rosie the Riveter Shirts with a picture of a woman wearing a red bandana flexing her biceps.  Over the picture, the motto “We Can Do It” said it all.

Rosie the Riveters, Sun City

“WE CAN DO IT”…That is the spirit of America.  That is the spirit of the men and women who have given their lives and who fight for our Country.  That is the spirit of Rosie the Riveters. That is the spirit that I grew up with and that is the spirit I want to pass down to my children.

I wish all of you God’s Blessings today and every day and may God continue to Bless the United States of America.

It was the only time parents could tell their children to “go ride your bike on the highway”!  Adults and children alike were enjoying the highway before it opened.

Speakers included Governor Jan Brewer and County Supervisor Max Wilson.

Balancing our state budget was the biggest challenge we faced.  While the federal government was arguing over cutting less than 1% of their budget, Arizona closed a gap of over 12%.  The decisions were not easy, but ones that had to be made.

Summary of Spending Reductions as a percentage of their total funding:

1.  AHCCCS (free healthcare): 20.7%
2.  Dept. of Health Services: 9.1%
3.  Community Colleges: 6.1%
4.  Universities: 4.7%
5.  K-12 Education: 2.1%
6.  Dept. of Economic Security: 1.3%

It is important to note several factors:

• 1 out of every 5 Arizonans are on AHCCCS.  It is more generous than 44 other states.

• AHCCCS reductions will be made through attrition, fraud reduction, and co-pays.

• 42% of our state budget is spent on K-12 education, much more than any other agency.

• K-12 education reductions were made in non-classroom areas

• 48% of ASU students attend school for free.  According to a Board of Regents statement, 40% of a students tuition goes to subsidize other students tuition.  I don’t know about you, but I think all students should pay something toward their tuition.  That way, other students wouldn’t have to pay so much and tuition probably wouldn’t have to be raised.

I welcome your input and suggestions and I am willing to meet with you or give you a legislative tour.  In fact, I just gave a tour to a great group of Red Hat Ladies from our district.  In addition, I’d love to speak to your group.  I have spoken to school groups, Rotary clubs, Elks clubs, etc. I hope to hear from you soon.