Policy

Jamescita Peshlakai joined the military for a job at the age of 20 years old and to be able to afford school, just as many young people in our country do. Jamescita is a combat war veteran of the Persian Gulf War, Desert Storm and she knows the United States government has failed veterans. Indigenous people serve at the highest percentage in the military, more than any other population. The Trump administration's cuts to the VA and healthcare, the massive lack of mental healthcare, and lack of support in general has led to the millions of veterans living on the street. These are policy failures from our Government that must be addressed.

Our world is a living being and all life is tethered to Mother Earth. We are all in this together. We must focus on de-growth and slowing gas production. The best solution is to switch to renewables immediately. Nuclear energy is a false climate solution. The burden should not be on Indigenous, low income communities, but Indigenous and low income communities should be at the forefront of planning the solutions.

As indigenous women our candidates know that Missing and Murdered Indigenous People issues are directly connected to lack of housing, lack of economic opportunities, loss of culture, domestic violence, and just surviving. Representative Mae Peshlakai is extremely proud to co-sponsor and pass Emily’s bill into law creating the “Turquoise Alert System”. Emily’s bill was named after Emily Pike, a 14 year old who went missing from a group home and was later found murdered. Despite the passing of Emily’s Bill there is still so much that needs to be addressed to protect vulnerable people. The Republicans in control of the legislature have stopped creative legislation addressing this epidemic.

Public Education is the most important investment we can make as a state. Our youth are our future and a strong public education system is needed to set our young people on the right path. Over the last few decades in Arizona we’ve seen the result of our underfunded public school system. We rank near last in the nation in most categories and that is because we’ve refused to properly invest in our children. With the recent expansion of the ESA program to allow for universal vouchers we are now seeing;

1. Schools closing around the state 

2. Over $1 billion being looted out of the system. 

3. Over $124 million of these dollars are approved with 0 oversight and have been used to pay for luxury items like diamond rings and electric bikes. 

This will have the most negative impact to our rural communities where our public schools have been dealing with decades of budget cuts and under-funding. This is the wealthy stealing and ensuring that the majority of public schools students in Arizona have less opportunity for a decent future. 

We must repeal the universal voucher program, pay teachers and staff a fair wage, and support our students' mental health. We must once again prioritize public education in our state. Our legislature is one of the only guardrails to this injustice.

Arizona has 23 indigenous tribes. Arizona must recognize the authority and sovereignty of the tribes to govern themselves. For far too long the federal and state governments have exploited indigenous people. If the state legislature plans to sell state lands, it should be first offered to indigenous tribes for $1 (which is more than what the US Government paid to tribes).

Healthcare is a human right, and providing that care is the responsibility of the government. Healthcare on Tribal lands is mandated by treaties and we must respect those treaties. Additionally, let us expand on that idea. Healthcare should be a right for everyone. 

Legislative oversight is key to ensuring Federal commitments are adhered to. We will raise our voices and ensure that allocation of funds meet the guidelines of Federal commitments. Angela, Mae, and Jamescita will also push our state towards Medicare-For-All in any way they can at the state level.

Regardless of gender, race, religion, or sexual orientation you should be treated with equality and respect. The trailblazers are committed to honoring our values and protecting our communities.

Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) is a new agency, it was only created in the last 25 years. It has become a cruel, broken way to engage in immigration enforcement. The agency is rotten to its core. We must completely abolish ICE and create a humane immigration policy. Being a border state, Arizona has a key role in the national conversation. We must support our immigrant neighbors. Remember that you live on stolen land.