Local opinion: Tucson is a place of collaboration and hope

Tucson and the surrounding area have a long and rich history of diversity and inclusion. Just consider the uniqueness of our art, culture, social scene, and even politics. Founded in 1775, but settled centuries earlier by native tribes, it is one of the oldest cities in the country and remains a warm and welcoming place. In fact, it’s the reason my husband and I decided to live here. And it’s the reason we are so committed to preserving the rich and diverse experiences this area has to offer.

In 2025, Arizona Legislative District 17 Democrats traveled the area meeting voters, learning about their problems, and listening to concerns. This year was a particular challenge. People expressed frustration about the cost of living and worried about the fallout from federal funding cuts and executive actions. And of course, there is a great deal of concern about proposed changes in health care costs.

Unfortunately, some people are more affected than others, which is often the case. However, a thriving community is everyone’s responsibility, and we need everyone’s participation. We need strong public education, and affordable healthcare, housing, and food — the basics of living a good life.

Today’s attacks on public education funding are causing school closures, teacher shortages, and the loss of important programs. The budget constraints imposed by the voucher program and federal cuts to programs for disabled and disadvantaged students have put schools in dire situations. They desperately need capital investment, program support, teachers, and staff.

Twenty schools in Maricopa County have closed, and Flowing Wells in Pima will close five schools next year. Marana, Vail, Tanque Verde, Tucson Unified, Flowing Wells, and Amphitheater together have lost over $77M in funding.

We talk about freedom and choice in education, but we need more than talk. We need strong neighborhood public schools that adhere to recognized academic standards to educate our next generation of voters.

But even a good education isn’t possible if you have health issues.

Trump’s Medicaid cuts in the “Big Beautiful Bill” may result in 300,000 Arizonans (roughly half of Arizona Medicaid recipients) losing healthcare. This will destabilize the finances of Arizona health centers and hospitals — rural and urban.

Further, the government shutdown did not resolve the fight over health insurance premiums. Subsidies implemented during the pandemic are set to expire in January. Premiums for some families will rise significantly — affecting approximately 400,000 Arizonans enrolled in Affordable Care Act insurance programs.

So, 300,000 plus 400,000 = nearly 10% of Arizona’s population may have their healthcare eliminated, damaged or made unaffordable.

Trying to keep your family healthy while also trying to buy a home is almost impossible for many people. The median home value in Pima County is now $337,800. You need to make $110,000 annually to afford that, but the median household income in Pima County is $69,400. That’s quite a gap.

Inflation is another challenge. Grocery prices have risen by 29% since February 2020. According to Reddit, if you spent $273.46 on basic food items in 2019, you would now spend $386.77 — an increase of 48% — and many families can’t keep up.

Recognizing the challenges families are facing, in April 2025, LD17 Democrats held a food drive and collected 3600 lbs of food for a local food pantry. In October, we also collected two truckloads of school supplies for two Title 1 schools in the district.

During my time here, I’ve noticed a shared camaraderie among the people in the region. Our municipal history is a testament to hope and the power of collaboration. We are a land of beauty built on relationships between vastly different people and cultures. And it works because people want it to work!

I’m an optimist and believe we can get through this tough time together. I, along with a large group of dedicated volunteers, will continue the food and supply drives. We will continue to advocate for policies that help support families. We will work for Arizona House and Senate candidates who will buttress Arizona households. And we will continue to listen to the community and work toward solutions.