Bringing opportunity, stability, renewal to Arizona's future
OPINION — I am seeking election to the Arizona State House in LD14 because I believe Gilbert and Arizona deserve a future defined by opportunity, stability and renewal. Our community is growing, but growth without a plan is a burden; I am running to ensure that growth works for everyone.
My plan:
1. Real solutions for affordable housing
Arizona has seen rapid growth in luxury apartment construction, but the supply of affordable units has not kept pace with demand. Many communities report rising rents, limited availability of starter homes, and long waitlists for affordable housing programs. Our first responders, teachers, and many of our young college students struggle with the possibility that they may never be able to buy a home.
We need to increase the supply of diverse, attainable housing options. My goal is to expand or create programs that will allow more affordable housing. Ways to accomplish this include allowing duplexes and triplexes in more single-family zones, requiring a percentage of affordable units in large new developments, and expanding local down-payment assistance for first-time buyers, teachers, and first responders.
2. Investing in our public schools, taxpayer accountability
As the product of public-school education. I know our schools are the heart of our community. We must fund public schools fairly and adequately. I will work toward increasing per-student funding and ensuring that resources are used for the classrooms that need them most.
Teachers' salaries in Arizona are significantly below the national average. In fact, they are the lowest in the U.S., with starting salaries below a livable wage. Arizona’s teachers shouldn’t have to choose between their passion for teaching and a livable wage. We must support and retain great teachers, which can be accomplished with competitive pay, continued professional development, and respect.
Arizona’s Empowerment Scholarship Account program has grown significantly; unfortunately, so has the misuse of these vouchers. Families deserve choice, but they also deserve confidence that public dollars are being used as intended. I will work to restore the original intent of the ESA program — supporting students with special needs and those in underperforming districts, while ending the lack of transparency that has led to the misuse of public funds. Accountability isn’t about politics — it’s about fairness.
3. Securing our water
We live in a desert. Water is a precious resource. Arizona’s long‑term water stability is a major concern as drought, population growth, and climate pressures strain supplies. Individuals and our business partners must be the stewards of water conservation.
We can do this in the following ways:
Enforcing urban water budgets to reduce waste, modernizing infrastructure to prevent leaks and improve efficiency, protecting shared aquifers through regional cooperation, and expanding reuse, recharge, and conservation technologies
The bottom line
At the heart of everything I care about is a simple belief: Arizona works best when we look out for one another. Whether it’s housing, wages, education or water, I’m driven by a commitment to fairness and long‑term responsibility.
Mary Rose is running as a Democrat for the Arizona House of Representatives from District 14.
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