TAC: How do you rate your chances of re-election this year? 

AB: Excellent.  

TAC: What are the key issues in this year's race? 

AB: The budget will continue to be a big issue as long as Arizona runs a deficit nearing $1 billion.  

TAC: Why should voters re-elect you? 

AB: I hold to the ideals and principles that inform the Republican Party platform: protection of individual liberty, fewer taxes, fewer business regulations, smaller government. I have been voted the #1 Friend of the Taxpayer for the past two years. I work to expand educational choice. I have been consistent with the platform that I ran on two years ago. You can trust me to continue my work on behalf of Arizona families.

TAC: What were your top accomplishments in your first term? 

AB: I worked to protect the Arizona homeowner by increasing the homestead exemption. I sponsored legislation which provided equity in college admissions for home schoolers. I have sponsored legislation that passed out of the House and Senate which would have penalized organizations which are involved in environmental terrorism against farmers, ranchers and businesses.  

TAC: What's your opinion of this year's budget bill? 

AB: I led the fight against a budget that increased government spending by 14 percent when revenue growth is projected at 8 percent.  

TAC: How did the Legislature do on the social issues this year, in your evaluation? 

AB: We took a large step by passing out a bill supporting informed consent for women who are thinking about getting an abortion. But, we failed the families of Arizona when the Senate rejected a measure encouraging Congress to pass the Federal Marriage Amendment. We need improvement. 

TAC: Can Republicans resist the governor's incessant push for tax increases? 

AB: We can if we get more Republicans who truly  appreciate the platform of the party. 

TAC: The 2002 GOP primary was a great election for conservatives. Do you expect that trend to repeat this year? 

AB: I think that we will see a more conservative Senate and House.  

TAC: Have you determined which bills you plan to introduce next term, if re-elected? 

AB: Sen. Thayer Verschoor and I will reintroduce our Animal and Ecological Terrorism bill, which was vetoed by the governor. We also are considering a bill that would expand the school voucher program and another that will revamp Arizona's arcane tax scheme. 

Should the transportation tax extension (which features several billion dollars for a trolley system) referendum fail, we will introduce a bill that will extend the tax to build freeways, improve roads and provide a better bus system. 

TAC: In light of some legislators refusing to represent their district and refusing to vote on key issues (namely the marriage amendment postcard), will you commit to voting on all the bills for which you are physically present in the Senate chamber?  

AB: I vote on every issue unless I am ill or out of town. 

TAC: Do you believe the legislature can make better progress next term on judicial reform? 

AB: I hope so. It depends on who is appointed Judiciary Chairman in both houses. 

TAC: Do you support or oppose the Clean Elections initiative? 

AB: I support the initiative to repeal Clean Elections. 

TAC: Do you support or oppose the Protect Arizona Now initiative? 

AB: I support this commonsense, simple initiative which requires identification and proof of citizenship before voting and receiving taxpayer sponsored services.