THE FUTURE

CAN BE OURS

W. John Williamson

DEMOCRAT

CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 6

480-607-9726

Dear Friend,

Governor Doug Ducey is on the cusp of a critical decision in his
administration: Either he can decide to grow and possibly achieve
greatness, or he can adopt an unconciliatory stance that does not make
constructive use of the strengths that Democrats have to offer.

The key to his success as our new governor will, I believe, be whether he
consults with Democrats in the Legislature when seeking solutions to the
problems that our state faces. Only then will he avail himself of the full
range of ideas and experience to bring to bear to problem-solve. Not to do
so would be, in my judgment, to run the risk of unilateral decision-making
or, as some might put it, a situation where “Fools rush in where angels
fear to tread.”

For example, the Governor should be sure to consult not just the majority
leader in the House, but also the Democratic minority leader, Dr. Eric
Meyer, from District 28, especially on education issues. Yes, it is true:
Dr. Meyer may have views quite different from those of the Governor on
education; but for that reason, the Governor should be sure to give Rep.
Meyer a hearing. Rep. Meyer has vast experience as, first, a former member
of the Scottsdale Public Schools Governing Board. Secondly, Rep. Meyer has
served on the Education Committee in the House for a number of terms.
Moreover, Democratic Rep. Lela Alston, from District 24, has a resume
similar to Rep. Meyer’s. For the Governor not to at least consult with Dr.
Meyer and Rep. Alston on Education issues would be a big oversight on his
part.

While not at all comparing Democrats to parents, I would offer this
analogy. Someone once told me when I was younger, that, even though, when
making a decision, I might not want to listen to my parents, I should
still do so. I should listen to them fully, then make my own decision,
even if I did not follow their advice. The idea was to make an informed
decision.

So also with Governor Ducey and this newly elected 52nd Legislature. He
should have enough of an open mind to at least give the Democrats a
hearing; let them be part of the decision-making process at least in that
way. If the Governor incorporates some of the Democrats’ ideas and they
don’t work out, the Democrats, too, could be blamed for any failure. But
not to include them in the decision-making process is not to recognize and
put to work the full resources of the brainpower and experience at hand ON
BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE OF ARIZONA. And with the problems our state now
has–the $1 billion deficit for one–we need all the political resources
that we can marshall to meet the serious challenges confronting us.

One thing I like about Doug Ducey is that he seems to want to succeed as
governor. He has enthusiasm. I suggest that he bring the Democrats in our
Legislature into the fold as much as he can, allowing them to participate
meaningfully in the decision-making process. Only then will Arizonans get
the full benefit of the talent in our Legislature; and only then will
Governor Ducey be a real, and perhaps a great, success.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,
John

W. John Williamson

Scottsdale, Arizona