State lawmaker thankful to be re-elected, outlines 2017 plans

Thank you for re-electing me to the Arizona Senate! I am blessed to have the support of so many great people and to work at a job where I can make a positive difference in our state and nation.

Our legislative session starts on Jan. 9. I am honored to be that I have been named Senate president pro-tempore and Senate Appropriations chairman.

My priority will be to balance the state budget in a way that provides good quality services to Arizonans, but also ensures that government lives within its means. I also plan to continue my work on pension reform.

In 2016, legislation reformed the firefighter and police pension plan, savings taxpayers millions. In 2017, I plan on introducing legislation that will reform the Correction Officers Retirement Plan. I am also working on a problem commonly referred to as “surprise medical billing.”

It is not fair that a patient who has worked hard to make sure a surgery is covered by insurance receives a surprise bill from an “out of network” anesthesiologist or radiologist that the patient had no control in selecting.

Every year I have also sponsored legislation to solve a problem brought to my attention by a constituent. If there is a problem that needs solving, contact me at Dlesko@azleg.gov or 602-926-5413. — Debbie Lesko, Legislative District 21