Ariz. State Representative: Lynne Pancrazi

Name: Lynne Pancrazi

Age: 56

Hometown: Yuma

Office running for: Arizona state representative

In district: District 24, Yuma and La Paz counties

Political experience: 4 years as your Arizona state representative

Family: Husband, Mike Pancrazi; one daughter, two grandchildren

Party: Democratic Party

Please describe your platform:

I first ran for this office because of my concern for public education in the state of Arizona and this continues to be my major focus. The economy is the other major concern for this session. We need to assist our small business owners and help them recover from this recession. Protecting our agriculture industry, military bases and public safety are also issues important to District 24 and me. The biggest issue to be addressed this session will be the Arizona state budget. We have to balance our budget without cutting vital services to education and public safety. I am determined to work in a bipartisan manner to move Arizona in the right direction.

If elected, what is your first priority?

The Arizona State Legislature has one main responsibility: to balance the Arizona state budget. This will be our first priority.

Who do you think is your biggest challenger and why?

I am running to serve the people of District 24 and Arizona. I feel I have the experience, knowledge and dedication necessary to meet the needs of our rural communities.

What do you think sets you apart from your opponent(s)?

I love this community. I was born and raised here and feel a deep responsibility to the people I represent. I tell people, I taught you to swim, taught you to read, coached you or sold you a house. The decisions I make at the Legislature reflect that. This is home, and I will always put that first and foremost in the decisions I make as a legislator.

What would you do to achieve more transparency in government, and should government officials be in charge of managing those efforts?

More than making government transparent is the need for individuals to access it. The computer has made it easier than ever to access budgets, meetings, individuals and know what is going on in government on the local, state and national level. I feel the problem is more that people are so busy making a living and raising a family they do not have time to spend being involved in the process. I am elected to represent those people and do what is in their best interest so they can focus on making a living and raising their families.

Public notices are regarded as one important way for the public to find out what is really happening in government. Newspapers currently not only print public notices but also operate a free, consolidated, online, searchable database. Some people advocate that public notices should be available only on government websites. Do you agree that the Legislature should change the current law to mandate that public notices be available only on government websites?

The more we make government available to individuals, the better informed those individuals can be. Access should be everywhere, including government websites.

What do you think is the biggest challenge right now facing Yumans, and Arizonans?

We need to get people back to work. This means we need to be creating an educated work force in order to draw businesses and industry to our corner of the state. Economic development is the biggest need in District 24.

What would you do, if elected, to help change that?

The Legislature needs to focus on a jobs bill that will impact small businesses and not huge corporations. It should also focus on rural Arizona where the highest unemployment exists. We need tax incentives for small business with hooks that require these businesses to keep their promises.

What is one of your strengths? Weaknesses (something you'd like to improve upon)?

My dedication to the people of District 24 is my main strength. I want what is best for this district and not what is best for me. I also feel I am accessible. I work hard to listen and respond to the needs of the folks in District 24. We all have weaknesses and need to acknowledge them to ourselves and then work to improve on them.

What is one thing that you want voters to know?

It has been an honor to serve the people of Yuma and La Paz counties as your District 24 Arizona state representative these past four years. I have appreciated your support in the past and hope I have earned your support in the upcoming election. I care about this district and will continue to work my very hardest on your behalf.