California State AssemblyCandidate for District 11

As stated above, one proposal I support is the 30x30 initiative. I would also support legislation to strengthen the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act to better protect drinking water supplies, and funding for a statewide low-income rate assistance program for water.

More generally, I would prioritize advocating for disadvantaged communities that disproportionately suffer from a lack of access to clean water and who are often left out of legislative conversations. As the first black person elected as mayor in Suisun City, advocating on behalf of BIPOC is inherent in every policy decision I make.

Addressing the lack of affordable housing in California is one of my top priorities in the Assembly. Outside of my public service, I have spent the majority of my career at organizations that promote increased access to housing. I have served as the Chief Accountant at Fair Housing Napa, Director of Finance at Meritage Homes, and  Director of Finance at KB Home. My unique fiscal perspective provides me with the experience, knowledge, and passion to push forward smart legislation that increases access to affordable housing. 

There are several proposals I would support to alleviate the affordable housing shortage. Firstly, I support allowing for higher densities around transit corridors. Not only does the greater supply of housing drive down costs, but building more housing near transit corridors helps people get to work and save money on their commutes. Secondly, I support state intervention to accelerate the review and approval of proposed housing developments. Thirdly, I would support a law that increases the production of market rate housing. Lastly, I support Prop 13 reform – Prop 13 is an antiquated law that prevents  from everyone from paying their fair share in taxes and directly affects the number of housing units a community can build.

Increasing our state’s investment in education is also a top priority for me. It is troublesome to me that what should have been the minimum we invest in children’s’ education has become the ceiling. I plan on working to secure more funding and invest in our classrooms, teachers, classified staff as well as facilities and services that combined provide quality education and a productive learning environment for our future leaders. We have made modest progress, but we still rank 30th in the nation in per pupil funding and that isn’t good enough.

Specifically, I support increasing taxes and allocating other funding streams to help maintain schools and colleges and provide quality education. I supported Proposition 15, the Schools and Communities First measure in 2020 and look forward to working on both district and statewide level to advocate more measures that will generate revenue for schools. I also support state funding for staff development and training as well as requiring school districts to appropriate a mandatory percentage of those funds to in-service training days for classified staff. Lastly, I support AB 2635, which would establish eligibility for African American students as a fourth subgroup to receive concentration and supplemental funds, based on persistently low academic performance. As the first black woman elected as mayor in Suisun City, I strive every day to address and overcome inequities that have heavily impacted African American families, children and youth. These inequities start with education or the lack thereof and I support the LCFF to provide funding that will support students of color who have for too long been disenfranchised.

I strongly support and am proud of California’s goal of carbon neutrality by 2045. As a member of the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, I understand the importance of California maintaining is status of a global leader on climate change policy. As we in California advance, so does the Nation. Two specific proposals and policies I support to reach carbon neutrality are the 30x30 Initiative and the California Renewable Portfolio Standard. I would also support efforts to decarbonize  new and existing commercial and residential buildings.