NPR 89.1

2020 Pima County Supervisors District 2 Candidate Guide

Board of Supervisors candidates respond to an AZPM survey, weighing in on issues facing the community and how to solve them. Responses have not been edited.
The Candidates
Matt Heinz
Pima County

Matt Heinz

Democrat
Anthony Sizer
Pima County

Anthony Sizer

Republican

Why are you running for this office?

Matt Heinz
Matt Heinz As a practicing hospital physician during the COVID-19 pandemic, I am running to bring a unique perspective to the Pima County Board of Supervisors. Especially in light of the absent/inadequate federal/state responses to date, it will fall to the county and other municipal governments to provide guidance and best practices as we continue to navigate through the crisis. As a county supervisor, I will work tirelessly to improve the health of our families, the health of the economy, and the health of our environment.
Anthony Sizer
Anthony Sizer Current Supervisor is failing to represent the district residents in an accountable manner!

What do you think are the top issues of concern for Pima County in the next 5 years?

Matt Heinz
Matt Heinz • Preparing for and responding to the ongoing pandemic
• Successful distribution of a coronavirus vaccine once one is made a vailable
• Rebuilding the post-pandemic local economy
• Job creation and economic development for Southern Arizona
• Environmental stewardship and sensible water use
Anthony Sizer
Anthony Sizer Funding for Law Enforcement, Funding for First Responders, Finding for county Roads need to be primary budget use not secondary use!

How well is the county handling the COVID-19 pandemic? If elected or reelected, would you change anything to respond differently?

Matt Heinz
Matt Heinz Overall, the county response has been good given the lack of any coordinated federal or statewide efforts which has been severely limiting. Going forward, it is important for the county to be even more proactive and implement the latest public health recommendations under the guidance of our county health department. We must ensure that there is adequate viral surveillance and contact tracing capacity to pinpoint future outbreaks and direct the necessary resources to mitigate such hotspots appropriately.
Anthony Sizer
Anthony Sizer The COVID related facts need to be more transparent with the public!

What ideas do you have to help the local economy recover after the pandemic fallout?

Matt Heinz
Matt Heinz This pandemic has caused unprecedented economic distress for many families in Pima County. As supervisor, I will work to help rebuild our local economy by supporting Job Path, which assists individuals with training/retraining resources. I will also advocate for increased unemployment benefits by engaging with our state and federal legislative delegations. Looking ahead to 2021 and beyond, I will work to grow businesses locally and to attract out-of-state businesses interested in relocating to expand the number of available living-wage jobs here in Pima County with an emphasis on a clean, green industry.
Anthony Sizer
Anthony Sizer Tax incentives to help support small businesses! Retention of businesses in Pima County!

If elected, would you vote to accept Stonegarden funds?

ResponseMatt Heinz HeinzAnthony Sizer Sizer
Yes
No
Explain your answer to Stonegarden funding (optional).
Matt Heinz
Matt Heinz Accepting these funds in the past had the unfortunate effect of inflating pensions which over time will cost the county taxpayers more than the original grant amount. In a different federal administration and with multiple safeguards and financial protections in place, along with money allocated for humanitarian aid for asylum seekers, I would consider voting to accept the funds.

What do you think of Pima County's property tax rate?

ResponseMatt Heinz HeinzAnthony Sizer Sizer
Too high
Good as is
Too low
Explain your answer to the property tax rate question above (optional).
Matt Heinz
Matt Heinz While it is true that the property tax rate in Pima County ranks among the highest in Arizona, it is important to view this issue within the context of the overall tax burden. Due to a lack of county sales tax to support the general fund, the tax burden is actually average to low average for Pima County residents.

Do you support "defunding" the Pima County Sheriff's Department in any way, and shifting any of its duties to other departments (mental health, for example)?

Matt Heinz
Matt Heinz I support increased funding for mental health and social services collaborative programs that presently exist within the department. I would also be open to pilot programs to explore additional efforts to help law enforcement more appropriately respond to the needs of the community. It would be irresponsible to remove deputies from the important work that they do which includes serving as primary law enforcement for the 400,000+ residents of unincorporated Pima County.
Anthony Sizer
Anthony Sizer No! I support our law enforcement at all levels fully!

Voters rejected new bonds to pay for road repair. Should the county ask the voters again, or continue with its current approach?

Matt Heinz
Matt Heinz The best approach to fund infrastructure construction and improvements/repairs is to allow the existing RTA(Regional Transportation Authority) renewal process to proceed through the ongoing public planning phase, and then once reviewed and by the RTA, work in support of passage. The authority exists for the board to develop and implement the renewal plan with appropriate and dedicated funding, therefore there should not be a need to bond for road repairs at this time.
Anthony Sizer
Anthony Sizer No! County needs to manage funds in a more responsible manner. Balance budget as-is with no new bonds or tax increases!

Do you support Pima County using taxpayer funds to assist businesses, especially startups like WorldView Enterprises?

Matt Heinz
Matt Heinz Every economic development project requires independent scrutiny to determine potential job creation, number of positions, salary level, capital investment required among other issues. Generally, I support public-private partnerships that demonstrate clear benefits for county residents but not corporate handouts. Pima County has benefited significantly from many such investments including partnerships with Raytheon Missile Systems, Accelerate Diagnostics, Caterpillar and others. I especially support investing county funds in local small businesses to help in the post-pandemic recovery.
Anthony Sizer
Anthony Sizer This needs to to more expanded as worldview is a unique situation and was already kickstarted by county taxpayer dollars.

Should the county be responsible for making universal early childhood education a reality? If yes, how would you go about making that happen?

Matt Heinz
Matt Heinz Pima County should take the lead on early childhood education by convening a broad coalition of community stakeholders to join with the county and other jurisdictions in funding a scalable pilot program as soon as possible. Not only is the research unequivocal with regard to the lifelong benefits of investing in our children from ages 0 to 5 years, it’s a workforce availability and development matter as well. This issue enjoys broad support including from the local business community.
Anthony Sizer
Anthony Sizer This needs to be reviewed with what state education superintendent plans and guidelines.

What do you think of the job County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry is doing?

Matt Heinz
Matt Heinz The residents of Pima County have been well-served by our current county Administrator for nearly three decades, benefiting from his vast experience and knowledge of county issues. We have also benefited from his financial stewardship throughout the years.
Anthony Sizer
Anthony Sizer Poor! Clear appearance of politically motivated spending and allocations of Taxpayer dollars.
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