Championed the creation of the Pima Early Education Program scholarships, which have allowed thousands of Pima County children to enroll in preschool programs and has led to the expansion of preschool capacity throughout our county.
Proposed that the Board infuse additional funds into the county’s road repair and maintenance program during two successive years, resulting in hundreds of additional miles of roads being fixed.
Introduced the resolution calling on the City of Tucson to not impose higher water rates on customers in the unincorporated county. Supported the successful lawsuit that resulted in the repeal of those rates.
Voted for the adoption of The Prosperity Initiative, which was the result of over a year of research and outreach. The focus for this policy framework will guide the county’s decision-making regarding budgets and resource allocation with the goal of addressing intergenerational poverty.
Engaged with county staff to suggest revisions to the recently passed economic development strategic plan, which takes a regional approach to encourage businesses to locate or expand in our county. The plan was approved by the federal Economic Development Administration, which will allow the county, cities and towns to compete for funds to support our economic development efforts.
Supported each salary and incentive package brought to the Board by the sheriff and the county administrator to increase staffing of deputies and corrections officers.
Has led efforts to promote common sense gun reform. Sponsored and saw passed a resolution calling for the repeal of the NRA-promoted state “pre-emption” statute that prevents local communities from enacting gun laws or regulations that are stricter than state law. The county may sue the state if the statute is not voluntarily repealed. Also sponsored and saw passed an ordinance that requires citizens to report lost or stolen guns, which will help law enforcement to prevent “straw purchases” of firearms by prohibited possessors.
Advocated for improvements to parks and recreation amenities in District 1 and supported the Mosaic Quarter development that will result in new facilities for adult and youth sports.
Introduced the measure that led to the creation of the Pima County Transition Center outside of the jail. This facility helps to steer people released from jail towards community resources that will help them to better their lives and stay out of the criminal justice system.
Spearheaded the development and passage of a county policy addressing vacant positions. Under this Board and previous ones, the county has averaged 900-1000 vacant positions at any given time. As a result of this policy being enacted, at the beginning of every fiscal quarter, positions that have been vacant for more than 240 days will be eliminated.
Has advocated for measures to increase the housing stock in our community, including voting for infill development, the use of county “gap funding” to support the construction of affordable housing, streamlining processes so that housing can be constructed more quickly and putting county-owned parcels of land on the market for purchase by affordable housing developers.
Voted for the first overhaul of the classification and compensation system for county employees since 1957 and other measures designed to increase recruitment and retention, as well as reduce turnover and vacancy rates. The ultimate beneficiaries of a more stable and contented workforce will be our constituents, who depend on our employees to deliver county services and supports.