Children & Families Archives - Democrats of Greater Tucson

The Demise of Build Back Better is a Gut Punch to Kids and Poor Families

The failure to pass President Biden's $2 trillion social spending and climate bill is a massive blow to the middle class and the environment. But the consequences, and in particular the continued lack of federally mandated paid family leave, as well as the lack of an extension of the enhanced child tax credit, are especially dire for poor families and their children. Even though paid family leave is associated with a 13% reduction in infant mortality, the U.S. does not guarantee it, one of just seven countries that do not. Although federal workers receive 12 weeks of paid leave, only [...]

By Stephen Seligman|2022-01-21T16:45:36-07:00January 21st, 2022|Children & Families|

Act Now: Say No to Culture Wars, PEVL Purge & Anti Sex-Ed Bills

As the session drags on, things are getting weirder at our state legislature. A few examples: 1) On the same day, in what felt like the biggest "I'm not a racist" flex ever, Michelle Udall (R-25) sponsored a surprise amendment to fine teachers $5,000 for discussing "controversial" issues like racism in the classroom, and also bucked her party's leadership to advance in-state tuition for "Dreamers" (undocumented youth). 2) When the PEVL purge bill failed the Senate last month, Kelly Townsend (R-16) said she voted against it because she wouldn't support any voting rights attacks until the Senate's so-called "audit" concluded. [...]

By Melinda Iyer|2021-05-09T18:31:50-07:00May 9th, 2021|Arizona Politics, Children & Families, Elections, Local Activism, Uncategorized|

JoAnna Mendoza Will Improve Covid Response, Education and Healthcare in Tucson’s LD11

Gunnery Sergeant JoAnna Mendoza is the Democratic candidate for the State Senate in Arizona’s Legislative District 11 Gunnery Sergeant JoAnna Mendoza, the 2020 Democratic candidate for the State Senate seat in Arizona’s Legislative District 11 (Marana, Catalina, Oro Valley) is ready to advance policies supporting healthcare, education and the coronavirus response. Mendoza is a 20-year military veteran and staple of the LD 11 community that will use her seat in the State Legislature to actually work for the people, not the reactionary special interests that Leach caters to. She, unlike incumbent Vince Leach, will work to help people: [...]

By David Gordon|2020-08-25T11:01:57-07:00August 24th, 2020|Arizona Politics, Children & Families|

Build Back Better: Joe Biden’s Jobs and Economic Recovery Plan for Working Families

Joe Biden believes to his core that there’s no greater economic engine in the world than the hard work and ingenuity of the American people. Nobody has more respect for the working women and men who get up every day to build and sustain this country, or more confidence that they can meet the challenges we face. This plan is from https://joebiden.com/build-back-better/ Make no mistake: America has been knocked down. The unemployment rate is higher than it was in the Great Recession. Millions have lost jobs, hours, pay, health care, or the small business they started, through no fault of [...]

By Larry Bodine|2020-07-20T14:57:03-07:00July 20th, 2020|Black Lives Matter, Children & Families, Economics, Elections, Joe Biden, Labor|

Keeping Kids Safe: Senator Victoria Steele and Childcare Advocates Launch Arizona Child Abuse Prevention Initiative

Child abuse doesn’t stop during a pandemic, it gets worse and during this period of social distancing, concern for children’s safety is growing. This is especially true considering the latest numbers for child neglect and abuse from the Arizona Department of Child Safety. DCS has reported 2,081 reports of neglect and 794 reports of abuse in the month of April. In light of these numbers and concerns, State Senator, Victoria Steele, (LD-9 Tucson), gathered child advocates from across Arizona and created a statewide initiative to help keep children safe. It consists of a public information campaign urging caring adults to [...]

By Michael Bryan|2020-06-06T17:57:03-07:00June 6th, 2020|Arizona Democratic Party, Behavioral Health, Children & Families, Community Organizing, Domestic Violence, Local Candidates and Electeds|