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"I believe in good governance that exudes integrity, accountability, transparency, equity, and empathy. TOGETHER, we can do better for our families, our schools, our small businesses and our community. With nearly a decade of community work experience, I know what it takes to get this community on track, find solutions, and get things done. We are STRONGER TOGETHER!
PLATFORM
Community and Public Safety
Our district has been in the national spotlight for the most unfortunate reason: the loss of life of one of our community members. We must work together to rebuild the trust that has been lost, hold officers and law enforcement agencies accountable, and provide sustainable solutions that focus on de-escalation. I support community-based interventions that work hand-in-hand with police agencies to address social problems in ways that do not involve the use of a gun and handcuffs. We must also prioritize the need for support services that address the continued trauma that people of color--especially men--face due to systemic racism . I am committed to championing a transformed, community-centered public safety policy that calls for justice, equity, and accountability regarding police brutality in our state.
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Safe, Healthy and Affordable Housing for All
Every resident deserves access to a safe, healthy, and stable place to live. A place to call home and raise our families. That means understanding the population changes our district has undergone and what current needs this presents. Similar to the rest of the state and the country, housing is a critical issue in our district. Many of our community members lack safe, healthy, and affordable housing. We can no longer ignore that SD38 is one of the most impacted districts. Our district also has one of the highest home ownership gaps in our state, especially for people of color. My priority will be to increase accessibility to safe housing options. I will work to build the necessary partnerships and bring the resources needed to increase homeownership in our district.
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Early Childhood Care and Education
Early childhood education is the most critical investment we can make to secure our children’s future and that of our community. When families have access to quality early childhood care and education, it sets precedence for a holistic growth and development that continues throughout their lives. In our district, families continue to struggle with finding affordable early childhood care and education that meets their needs. While we as a district have made strides in education, there is still a lot left to be done to ensure equitable access to all residents. I am committed to working with families in championing equity in early childhood care and education in our community. I am committed to supporting efforts to ensure we have teachers in the classroom who represent the unique diversity in our community.
Cultivating a Growing and Thriving Business Community
The story of Senate District 38 is not just one of challenges, but also of many missed opportunities. The pandemic has contributed to the challenges that our business community continues to experience. Our small businesses--the pillars of our community--and their owners have suffered great loss due to the pandemic. Our district is geographically well placed and equipped with resourceful and hardworking business owners. With the right support system and resources, we can become a leading and thriving economic hub in our region. I am committed to leading the vision to make this a reality. I will work to increase partnerships that bring investments to our communities and also increase access to resources for both small and large employers.
Environmental Justice
The health of our communities is dependent upon a safe environment where we live, work, play, and learn. Our district has one of the highest pollution indices in the state. We also have high asthma rates and rank high in other respiratory illnesses. We must forge a new path to create a healthy community that we can be proud to pass on to our children and future generations. We must create an environment that meets basic needs such as clean water, food, air, and safe housing. I am committed to supporting initiatives that promote clean energy, fight pollution, and reduce hazards that compromise the health of our community.
COVID Response and Recovery
As a community leader who has been at the forefront of the rapid response to COVID-19, I am very aware of the impact on our district. I have been honored to work alongside many resilient community leaders and organizations in crafting innovative solutions that helped sustain our community so far. However, we want to THRIVE, not just survive! Our district is still grappling with the effects of the pandemic. As your Senator, I will continue to build partnerships and collaborations that will result in effective sustainable solutions to get our community back on track to recovery. I will work to ensure every member of SD38 will emerge stronger and live a healthy and prosperous life.
Gun Violence
It’s time to challenge the narrative that we are powerless to prevent gun violence and that reasonable reform is impossible. Creating change through grassroots activity and influencing policy are within our power.
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We CAN reduce gun violence while respecting the rights of responsible gun owners.
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We CAN expand and strengthen background checks for those who want to purchase a firearm.
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We CAN do more to ensure that guns don’t fall into the hands of terrorists, domestic abusers, other violent criminals, or those who have shown signs of danger toward themselves or others.
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We CAN support candidates that believe in gun law reform.
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We CAN ensure funding for social safety net resources for our youth.
Gun violence is a deadly public health crisis, and I am committed to doing what it takes to stop the assault on our children and communities. I stand with students, families, and fellow community organizers who are fighting to enact commonsense policies to keep our communities safe.
The Right to Choose
I will always work and vote to protect sexual and reproductive health and rights. I strongly and unequivocally support Roe v. Wade and a woman's right to make decisions regarding her pregnancy, including a safe and legal abortion, regardless of ability to pay and oppose any and all efforts to weaken or undermine that right. Abortion is an intensely personal decision between a woman, her family, her doctor, and her clergy; there is no place for politicians or government to get in the way. I recognize that health care and education help reduce the number of unintended pregnancies and thereby also reduce the need for abortions.
I strongly and unequivocally support a woman's decision to have a child by providing affordable health care and ensuring the availability of and access to programs that help women during pregnancy and after the birth of a child, including caring adoption programs.