Priorities
CLIMATE CHANGE, WATER, AND CONSERVATION: In my role as Senior Vice President at the League of Conservation Voters, I have been a national leader on climate justice and conservation. Through that work, I founded Chispa, a national community organizing program that engages Latinx communities on climate and environmental justice issues in seven states, including Arizona. My election will mean the Board of Supervisors will support bold climate justice measures that reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, build our green union economy, and ensure the resiliency and adaptability of the communities hit the first and worst by climate change's impacts in our arid desert.
I will champion the development and implementation of a regional comprehensive climate action plan that focuses on combating extreme heat; climate-clean energy; economic and workforce development; reducing emissions from buildings, housing, transit, and industry; building sustainable affordable housing without exacerbating suburban sprawl; residential and commercial water conservation; and more. I will also ensure that the nationally recognized, science and data-driven Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan continues to be implemented and informs land-use decisions across the County.
ACCESS TO ABORTION AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE: While the fight for abortion access is largely at a state and federal level, District 3 constituents care deeply about protecting every person’s right to make their own decision about if and when they want to start a family. Pima County Health Department clinics must continue to serve as a safety net for people who seek essential health care services.
During my time as Executive Director of ACLU of AZ, we played a critical role in challenging the state’s fetal personhood statute and supported Planned Parenthood’s challenge of the 15-week ban and the 1864 law. We also worked with statewide organizations to help launch the Arizona Abortion Access (AAA) ballot initiative. Members of our campaign and I carry the AAA petition as we are canvassing across District 3. I am a past awardee of the Arizona List award and as a former board chair and board member of Las Adelitas Arizona, I have collaborated frequently with reproductive justice organizations on pro-choice advocacy.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING: While housing needs look different across District 3, it is imperative that we increase the availability of quality, affordable housing, that we support senior care and senior housing, that we ensure management companies are in compliance with standards for safe, livable housing, and we will support legislative action to develop rent control measures that prevent exorbitant rent increases that push families, seniors and others to the streets. We will also support a repeal of the state preemption against inclusionary zoning, another barrier to County and Municipal providing affordable housing to their residents. As a member of the Board, I will treat the housing crisis as exactly that, and fight to bring all resources at our disposal to keep people in their homes.
ADDRESSING THE RESOURCE, SERVICE, AND INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS OF PIMA COUNTY: District 3 is the largest and most diverse district in Pima County. It encompasses the distinct incorporated areas of Tucson, Marana, and the western part of Sahuarita, as well as small remote towns like Ajo, Arivaca, and Amado, dispersed rural communities like Three Points, the Tohono O’odham Nation, and tiny border towns like Sasabe and Lukeville. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to issues facing our district given the uniqueness and diversity of it. However, constituents are consistent in their calls for greater investment in our communities, be it roads; access to transportation; enforcement of codes that protect safety and equity; activities for youth and seniors; affordable, quality childcare; programs that will protect people who are living paycheck to paycheck from losing their homes; and comprehensive care and services for those who become unhoused.
PIMA COUNTY JAIL: Instead of investing $800 million in a new jail, we need to decrease our over-reliance on incarceration and instead invest in the services and quality treatment for trauma, addiction, and mental health. Our first responders need to include social workers and health care workers who can identify the causes and effects of crisis situations that often involve law enforcement and too often result in arrest and incarceration that only exacerbates people's health and mental crisis. Relatedly, we need to continue to invest in workforce development and economic development that brings family-sustaining jobs and job training to Pima County residents that enable people to have opportunities and hope for their future and their children's future.