Q&A with Frank Pratt

Candidate Interview

Frank Pratt, Arizona House of Representatives

Ed. Note: Frank Pratt is running for one of the District 23 Arizona House of Representatives seats this year. He is recognized by the initials "FP," and The Arizona Conservative is recognized by "TAC."

Questions

TAC: What are the top issues facing the state this year?

FP: The top issues facing the state this year concern balancing the budget and solving the issues associated with the State Trust Lands.

TAC: What are the top issues in your district?

FP: I would like to promote a vibrant economy and improve the business and government partnerships for District 23.

TAC: Do you consider yourself a pro-life conservative?

FP: I am a pro-life moderate; there are some narrow circumstances where I am undecided.

TAC: Do you support or oppose tax increases to help solve the state's budget problems?

FP: I oppose tax increases unless they are the only viable option.

TAC: What is your opinion of the 2004 state budget approved by the legislature this spring?

FP: This budget needs more work. There is still too much spending in this package.

TAC: Do you support or oppose Prop 200, the PAN initiative?

FP: I oppose this as I believe parts of this initiative are unconstitutional.

TAC: How do you evaluate the legislative record of the incumbent(s) in the seat you are pursuing?

FP: The incumbents for the office that I am seeking seem to base their accomplishments on what they are spending.

TAC: If the Clean Elections initiative makes it on the ballot, will you support or oppose it?

FP: I support the fact that this issue is before the voters; personally, I will vote against it.

TAC: How long can Arizona sustain the type of pressure on AHCCCS that raised the expenditure five-fold from 2001 to 2003, from $200 million to $1.2 billion?

FP: Not long ...we must reign in costs.

TAC: How can Arizona improve its K-12 education system and lower the high school dropout rate?

FP: Schools need to be creative in their approach to solving educational issues. Not all school problems are solved by more money. Schools that have shown flexibility have been successful in lowering the dropout rate.

TAC: What social issues legislation is needed in 2005?

FP: I think that Child Protective Services will need more accountability. Education will always be a top issue. There is a high concern for southern Arizona rural counties about border issues.

TAC: General comments: Please comment on any issue or topic not raised above:

FP: We need to promote a vibrant economy in the state, while at the same time we must ensure that decisions about growth issues are made responsibly. We need to protect our quality of lifestyle resources, such as water and open spaces. Most importantly, we must safeguard our security and personal freedoms.