Patterson will help solve transit & lands problems

With your support, I will work with the Governor and all leaders to solve problems, help people and build bridges for positive change

TUCSON -- Now that the State Lands and TIME initiatives are off the ballot without any doubt, the Arizona Legislature should work more cooperatively with Gov. Janet Napolitano in 2009 to solve our problems on transportation and State Lands reform.

The Legislature has repeatedly failed to address these problems, but with your support and vote on Tuesday, Sept 2, I will work cooperatively across the aisle in the State House starting in January to build bridges for positive change on these and other critical issues.

I did support the proposed State Lands initiative, as a good first step toward reform to benefit education, the environment and our quality of life. But we can work for a better plan in the State House, and as an ecologist my proven skills in planning and natural resources will help solve this problem.

The failed TIME 18% sales tax increase, pushed by my main opponents in the district 29 primary, was not fair to lower income people and would very likely not pass in November during this bad economy. A Tucson City Council member estimated the sales tax increase would take at least $20M annually in disposable income out of the pockets of people in LD29.

The TIME approach also favored giant new roads too much instead of more for clean transit, which is the wrong way to go in this time of global warming and expensive peak oil, and drew opposition from the Sierra Club. In 2009, the Legislature will have to get serious about crafting a more supportable balanced and fair transportation plan, including making sure growth pays for itself, and I will help.

With better skilled leadership in the State House, we can solve these problems, help people and make Arizona a better place to live, work, raise a family and retire.