Compare the Votes
The Clear Choice: Senator Paula Aboud
(HB2702) - Sponsored and passed Rio Nuevo funding, keeping OUR tax dollars in TUCSON, not in Phoenix
Senator Paula Aboud spearheaded the effort to bring home $600 million dollars of Tucson's tax dollars for downtown revitalization, working closely with Senators on both sides of the aisle as well as with the business community and city of Tucson staff to pass the Rio Nuevo legislation. 14 out of 15 Southern Arizona State Legislators supported and worked to pass Rio Nuevo's 12 year extension. This was a big win for Tucson!
Mr. Downing was the only Tucson-area legislator to not sponsor or co-sponsor this legislation out of 15 legislators and the only one to vote against it (Third read).
(HB 2381) - Fought to maintain TUCSON's local control to levy impact fees on developers
Senator Aboud believes that Tucson, not Phoenix, should choose whether or not to have Tucson's growth pay for itself. She fought for Tucson's local control against developers and against Phoenix.
Mr. Downing voted with Phoenix and the Developers against Tucson's local control.
(HB 2863) - Voted for $597 million for crucial democratic budget priorities
Senator Aboud was present every hour of the day and night when the Democratic negotiated budget came up for the final vote. Nearly $600 million dollars of services was at stake for seniors, kids, education, women, universities, domestic violence, AHCCCS, Alzheimer's and autism research, etc. She didn't mind missing a couple hours of sleep to vote for these important budget bills. Our community depends on these funds, and Senator Aboud is dedicated to S. Arizona getting its fair share.
Mr. Downing missed the crucial votes on the Democratic budget.
(HB 2583) - Real solutions, not gimmicks, for our public schools
Senator Aboud is a former English teacher at Rincon High School and she understands that our schools, teachers and students are in need. All too often teachers purchase out of pocket basic need supplies to supplement classroom needs. When the flag bill and the constitution were mandated, without funding, to be placed in every 7-12th grade classroom, community college and university classroom, Senator Aboud voted NO. She wants real solutions for our public schools, not gimmicks! Alicia Cybulski teaches elementary school and has 40 students and 33 desks and not enough math books. She needs real solutions.
Mr. Downing amended the flag bill to require a bill of rights and a constitution be mandated, without funding, in every classroom. Private schools are exempted from this mandate.
This bill could cost our community colleges, alone, over $50,000 at a time when those funds could have been used for student services. The U of A has done a preliminary cost analysis and their costs are projected over $100,000.