What are your top three priorities for the next legislative session?
I would like to continue to focus on healthcare, immigration, and housing while incorporating civil rights as a priority. During my first term, I passed landmark legislation like the Colorado Option, the largest healthcare bill in Colorado history, established the Office of New Americans, a clearing house of resources for our newest neighbors to Colorado, and protected renters by taking evictions from 48 hours to 10 days. That said, while protecting our civil rights has always been at the center of every piece of legislation I work on, I’ll be looking at incorporating that as a legislative focus moving forward.
The chamber may see split Democrat-Republican control next year. On what issues do you see common ground with the opposite party?
One issue that continues to receive bipartisan support is mental and behavioral health. As a member of the House Public & Behavioral Health committee, I was proud to support the bipartisan bill establishing a Behavioral Health Administration. We also passed bipartisan bills to increase the number of mental health beds and resources for our youth. Access to mental health care is lacking all across Colorado, in urban and rural areas, I hope we can continue to find solutions, increase resources and capacity for care, and ensure our investments are being actualized.
What perspective or background would you bring to the chamber that is currently missing?
As the first Muslim and first Arab woman elected to the Colorado Legislature, I have proudly represented my communities and brought a voice to the legislature that was missing. As a Representative, I have been a resource, preventing legislation from producing unintended consequences for my communities. I have also fought racism toward Arab Americans and bigotry towards Muslims, hopefully changing minds and hearts. My presence means our State Legislature better represents and reflects Coloradans. I want to continue that representation as a Muslim, Arab American, and progressive Democrat as I use my legislation as an example of our shared humanity.
What more can the state legislature do to ease housing costs across Colorado?
The legislature should continue to build upon the good work we’ve already done around affordable housing. Last session, we invested approximately half a billion dollars into housing. Now, it is incumbent on us to make sure local governments are being proactive about applying for those grants. That said, we must address the entire housing spectrum, which includes providing support for Coloradans experiencing short-term or chronic homelessness and supporting Coloradans who want to buy a house but currently find themselves priced out of the market.
Do you support the current law on fentanyl possession and resources for treatment?
Colorado saw an almost 70% increase in fatal fentanyl overdoses from 2020 to 2021(CBS). Coming into the 2022 session, it was critical we do something to address this crisis. I am glad we took action to increase resources for treating addiction, educating Coloradans about fentanyl, and training in administering (and access to) Narcan – all in an effort to prevent overdoses and reduce deaths. It was also important we increase law enforcementap ability to help Coloradans in custody and strengthen their ability to go after the high-level dealers and distributors responsible for getting this deadly drug into Coloradans’ hands.
What are your top three priorities for the next legislative session?
Crime Reduction – Support law enforcement, strengthen innovative crime prevention programs;
Affordable Living – Incent entrepreneurship, attract new businesses that create high paying jobs;
Raise Education Standards – Support parental school choice and funding Amendment 41.
The chamber may see split Democrat-Republican control next year. On what issues do you see common ground with the opposite party?
I believe both parties can agree that our top priorities for the state should be to address escalating crime, affordable living, and raising the quality of education for all of our students.
What perspective or background would you bring to the chamber that is currently missing?
Voters in general feel like they are not being heard. They feel taken for granted. They want new perspectives from regular people who understand their concerns and elected representatives that will communicate with them and be transparent.
What more can the state legislature do to ease housing costs across Colorado?
Reduce and/or eliminate regulations and fees that increase the cost of housing; inhibit frivolous lawsuits against landlords and property developers; delay the implementation of costly green policies until they are proven to be efficient and cost-effective; and give renters tax credits that are designed to mitigate the cost of year-over-year increases in rent.
Do you support the current law on fentanyl possession and resources for treatment?
Fentanyl possession penalties should be tougher, treatment should be increased holistically. Suppliers and dealers should be swiftly prosecuted and addicts should be rehabilitated.
How candidate order was determined: A lot drawing was held at the Colorado Secretary of State’s Office on Aug. 3 to determine the general election ballot order for major and minor party candidates. Colorado law (1-5-404, C.R.S.) requires that candidates are ordered on the ballot in three tiers: major party candidates followed by minor party candidates followed by unaffiliated candidates. Within each tier, the candidates are ordered by a lot drawing with the exception of the office of Governor and Lt. Governor, which are ordered by the last name of the gubernatorial candidate.
