Childcare and Family Life
“Children are the future.” We always say that, yet, as a young person in politics, it often feels like we have had the ladder pulled up from us. The older generations have failed to mitigate many of the pressing issues of our day, laying the fallout at our feet. Yet, these same elders often refuse to retire from leadership and have neglected their duty to train a new generation. I am determined to change this culture. It’s time to create a robust pipeline of youth in politics and beyond. Everyone needs to be seated at the table before the important conversations can begin!
In terms of those conversations, families, too, must be at the center. I would personally like to raise a family here, yet the lack of affordability, safety concerns, and climate challenges all seem to stand in the way. If the status quo continues, I don’t see how I can achieve that in the next fifteen years. This is a fight for my own family as it is just as much for yours. I will not be satisfied until I can confidently say Nevada is an excellent place for families to live.
Policy Priorities:
Youth Advisory Board: I believe that if we want to usher in the next generation of leadership, we have to develop a pipeline for youth to ascend. Therefore, when I take my seat, I will be saving some for a cohort of young students too. To give students a space to share their experiences and their opinions on policy, I will form a student advisory board for high school, college, and trade students in AD-1.
Universal Childcare: A policy of universal child care is simply common-sense. It’s good for our kids, who deserve quality care and could benefit developmentally from publicly funded pre-k as a part of the program. It’s also essential for working parents, who both struggle to get to work because of lack of childcare and also struggle to afford it in the first place! States like New Mexico and cities like New York are leading the nation in their efforts to deliver universal childcare. Nevada needs to join before we fall behind.
Paid Family & Medical Leave: The ability to spend quality time with your newborn is vital to both parent and child. It’s a huge life transition that requires time away from work, and it is a critical time for childhood development. The ability to properly heal from injury and illness is also an issue for families. Without paid medical leave, a parent could be forced to choose between food for their kids and their own health. Even worse, a child could lose a parent as a result of that choice.
From the 83rd Legislative Session →AB 179: This bill, sponsored by assembly member La Rue Hatch, would expand paid leave by closing loopholes used by private employers to exempt themselves from providing paid leave. It would also set standards of employer retaliation for the purpose of banning these practices.
Strong Public Schools: Access to quality education is essential to the future of America and our children. I am dedicated to funding our public schools and demanding equitable outcomes for ALL students.
See Education
Urban Planning: Main Street USA is dead. The older generations reminisce about walking to local shops, knowing their neighbors by name, and riding their bikes outside with their friends. We don’t build our cities for people anymore; we build them for cars. I believe that strong towns produce strong families.
See Housing; Responsible, Dense Growth; and Tenant’s Rights
See Community Safety
