Reform, reorganization key to Ulmer's House bid

  Theresa Ulmer says she's willing to take on an issue "nobody else wants to touch."

  The Democrat who is seeking a new term as Yuma County's state representative is trying to close loopholes on tax reform. The idea, she said, is to make the system fair for all citizens - especially those with lower incomes who have been hardest hit by the economic slowdown.

  A balanced and equitable system would ensure businesses and citizens both pay into and gain benefits from the set-up. Ulmer acknowledges that's more difficult in years with budget deficits.

  Part of the solution, she said, is tax credits for the development of new business and research and development. The focus on new business will draw employers to the area, allowing private citizens and the government to benefit from new jobs and taxes, respectively.

  Ulmer says the economic solution must be a multipronged approach.

  "We have to also look at different ways to budget. We have to be more efficient in our government and be sure we are spending taxpayer money wisely."

  Another of her ideas is health care and insurance that specifically target need as opposed to a one-size-fits-all idea. She cited examples of men's health insurance that contains personal pregnancy coverage as one glaring problem. Even women's insurance would not need to have provisions for such coverage, she said, provided the women agreed they did not want the coverage included.
 
 "Insurance companies need to offer insurance people can afford," said Ulmer, running against fellow incumbent Democrat Lynne Pancrazi and Republican challenger Russ Jones. "The state has health care that has not been solvent. We need for small businesses to be able to get affordable health care.

  "Right now, we are pulling in people who are uninsurable. We want to bring in healthy people as well to balance (the costs) out. And we want to give the people a choice as to what their healthcare looks like."

  Arizona could also adopt a premium share program so people who could not afford standard health care could buy into a state system on a sliding scale according to income. Trends, Ulmer said, have shown that people at just above the lowest incomes are often the ones going uninsured.

  Ulmer said she is also trying to make access easier to higher education.

  Making government more transparent is also goal. She wants to "establish more transparency in the process, to be more inclusive, not exclusive, and make sure the public is able to participate in all areas, including the budget.

  "People are not exactly engaged in the government process. They feel it doesn't matter anyway, so why get involved. Some think the government is doing deals anyway. We need to open it up."

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BIO INFO

Occupation: Business consultant, Mary Kay cosmetic salesperson

Education: Currently majoring in public administration, University of Phoenix

Prior offices held: State House of Representatives, 2006-present
Immediate family members: Single; two children: Eli Mangis, Henley Mangis

How many years resided in Yuma County: 12

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Matt Keller can be reached at mkeller@yumasun.com or 539-6857.