John Christopher Ackerley

Details

Office: State Representative Legislative District 2
Age: 40
Employer and Position: High school physics teacher, Amphitheater Public Schools
Education: Bachelor’s degree in physcial science from Northern Arizona University
Political Experience: Elected Precinct Committeeman
Top priority: Effective representation for Southern Arizona and public education.

How would you use your position as an elected official to help businesses create jobs in Southern Arizona?

Of the three things needed to create jobs; capital, management and labor,
the State can have the largest impact by supporting efforts to ensure a
qualified work force. The State must also create an environment and public
attitude that will encourage employers to locate in Arizona with confidence
that the state in cooperation with other jurisdictions will expedite and
assist with regulatory processes.

Should the qualifications for Medicaid or AHCCCS be broadened to make more people eligible?

I believe the State does have a role in ensuring low-income adults and
children have access to health care. However, I am not sure anyone has a
clear picture of a comprehensive solution at the moment given the turmoil
created by the Affordable Care Act. Access to affordable health coverage is
not as simple as broadening eligibility. We must push for some commonsense
market based reforms such as interstate sale of policies and more usable
high deductible/medical savings account plans. We must also guard against
the Federal Government forcing states into plans that either do not meet the
state’s circumstances or that bankrupt the state.

If you were in a position to vote on SB1070, would you have voted for or against it?

I am supportive of the primary concept in SB1070. Local law enforcement
cannot turn a blind eye to immigration status and cannot summarily choose
not to enforce the law. At the time of its passage, I expressed concerns
about the legislative language. Had I been a legislator at the time, I would
like to think I could have impacted the language. Asking a hypothetical
question based on hindsight is problematic, especially for someone who
evaluates issues based on logical arguments instead of ideology, but
ultimately I would have voted for the measure.  While SB1070 may have
focused attention on the issue, we are still in need of a comprehensive
solution to a broken federal immigration policy, and it must be preceded by
a secure and workable boarder.

In a world of finite resources, what if anything would you be willing to cut to better fund education?

Education must be among the State’s top priorities. Given that the State is
not currently meeting its obligations, any state expenditure not related to
public health, safety or education should be evaluated for possible
elimination.

Should local government fight to keep the Rosemont Copper Mine out or encourage the company to stay?

It is not government’s place to “fight” for or against an individual
economic interest. It is government’s place to protect the public’s
interests by ensuring an equitable and transparent process accompanied by
mechanisms to hold parties accountable for the commitments they make. I am
not yet satisfied this has or will be accomplished concerning the Rosemont
Copper project, particularly with respect to protecting the water supply. If
Rosemont is to move forward, there must be sufficient provisions to ensure
their promises are kept.

What is the most important issue in your race?

Ensuring southern Arizona has effective representation at the state level.
Arizona must make a renewed investment in education and public
infrastructure to promote economic recovery. But we cannot simply restore
expenditures to the previous unsustainable levels. We must look toward the
future, establishing a common set of priorities that are reflected in the
State budget. Voices from Southern Arizona, particularly from areas outside
Metro-Tucson, must be part of that conversation.