Lauren H. Kuby

Civil Rights

I am an advocate for fair, accessible elections that uphold democratic principles. We must halt the erosion of Arizona’s Voter Protection Act and restore integrity to our state's ballot initiative process. By reversing detrimental legislation, we can reaffirm Arizona as a leader in voting access. Furthermore, we must safeguard election officials across the state who face violent threats in our divisive political climate. Learn more

Education

The expansion of Arizona's Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program — a deceptive name for school vouchers — is a failed legislative experiment, harming our public schools and draining our state treasury to the tune of 1B. Public tax dollars should not be invested in private schools. The voucher program has allowed taxpayer money to fund non-educational expenses, such as water park tickets and at-home rock walls. It’s time to eliminate the expansion of ESA vouchers and reinvest those dollars back into public education. Vouchers should be restricted to students with special needs, students in a failing school system, or homeschooled children. I’ve introduced legislation to reform the ESA voucher scam, prohibiting funds from being used past high school and having funds revert back to the General Fund if not used in the school year. Learn more

Every child in any Arizona school district has the right to accessible, quality public education in their neighborhood. Unfortunately, our public schools, particularly in low-income communities, have been underfunded and lack the necessary support to provide top-tier education to our youth. To ensure a strong foundation for our growing state, our public schools need long-term, reliable funding resources. Learn more

Arizona has no shortage of qualified educators capable of teaching our youth. What we lack are competitive wages, benefit packages, and safe working conditions needed to attract and retain this invaluable workforce. We cannot continue to let our public educators go without the proper pay and support needed to educate the next generation of Arizonans. Our teachers, paraeducators, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, custodians and all who keep our public schools going are our future and they deserve respect commensurate with that responsibility. Investments in the workforce and education infrastructure will pay dividends in the societal impacts of a strong public education system. Learn more

Environment / Energy

We must mobilize Arizona’s Clean Arizona Plan and Priority Climate Action Plan to reduce pollutants, create high-quality jobs, and enhance the lives of Arizonans. These plans include increasing mass transit options, electrifying our transportation system, and adopting zero-emission vehicle standards. Learn more

Central Arizona is consistently ranked in the top 10 most polluted cities in the country, and don’t we all deserve clean air and water? The Legislature needs to seize the day — and the sun — to spark a clean-energy economy, which will have a multitude of beneficial impacts, including creating good union jobs and lower utility bills. We must move beyond our predominantly fossil fuel–powered state so we can build healthier and safer communities. Learn more

Arizona's water management strategies must be science-based and proactive to protect Arizona families and our beautiful environment. We need to expand the Groundwater Management Act, to include rural areas. With cuts to the Colorado River looming, we must protect our scarce water resources and regulate corporate pumping that harms our rural communities and small family farms. Learn more

Government Reform

I am a long-time champion of campaign finance reform and for safeguarding our democracy. We must strive to eliminate obstacles for citizens in the referendum process, combat voter intimidation, and make voter registration easier for our citizens. I serve on the Judiciary/Elections Committee in the State Senate, where I fight to preserve voting rights, remove barriers to citizen initiatives and referendums, and enhance voter participation through measures like automatic voter registration. Learn more

Housing

I champion legislation that prioritizes affordable and workforce housing over market-rate developments. We must enhance Arizona’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund, which: 1) can provide direct financial assistance to the housing insecure; and 2) enable nonprofit developers to build more affordable options. I advocate for funding community land trusts to create permanently affordable housing and opportunities for generational wealth. Learn more

Additionally, we need to spark partnerships with nonprofit housing developers to offer diverse, affordable housing choices in sustainable, walkable neighborhoods. I am committed to passing a Tenant’s Bill of Rights to protect renters and provide stability to Arizona’s working families. Learn more

Taxes / Budget

Child tax credits and subsidies are essential for working families, reduce child poverty, and build strong communities. Learn more

Wages / Job Benefits

The labor movement is gaining momentum day by day, and I am inspired as the younger generation is embracing the labor movement. As a Senator, I will advocate for collective bargaining, worker protection, and living wages. In the words of UAW leader Shawn Fain, I will “stand up, speak up, and show up.” Walking the talk translates into crafitng worker-friendly legislation that supports prevailing wages, Project Labor Agreements, and other worker-friendly policies. Learn more