On The Issues
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Education
Underinvesting in education has real consequences for our community. Education accounts for 50% of Georgia’s budget, yet Georgia ranks 38th in the nation and underpays its teachers due to an outdated QBE Formula. We must update the formula to pay our teachers more and reinvest in our schools, and meet the basic needs of our students. Our future depends on it.
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Economic Opportunity
Lack of public services like public transportation and childcare, along with inadequate workforce development programs, have created a chasm for many when it comes to economic opportunity. We need a holistic approach that creates opportunities for all! It's time to protect workers, increase apprenticeship programs, empower small businesses to thrive, and provide childcare support.
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Healthcare
Our healthcare system is being pushed to the brink because of COVID-19. Georgia’s hospitals are shutting down because Republican lawmakers won’t expand Medicaid. This means people are dying for no reason and communities are losing access to healthcare. We need to expand Medicaid to give our communities the care they need. Every Georgian deserves affordable and accessible healthcare.
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Voting Rights
Our democracy is under attack by Republicans who do not believe in the fundamental right to vote and do not respect our election results. It is time for bold leadership in the State House to face these issues head-on. We must protect the fundamental right to vote. This includes ensuring enough voting locations per capita and repealing unnecessary ID laws. Voting must be easy, accessible, and efficient for every voter.
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Climate
Climate change is one of the most pressing and expansive existential threats of our time, and its impacts will ripple across every area of people's lives. Georgia is ranked among the most vulnerable states in regard to climate change, and least prepared in terms of dealing with public health impacts of a climate crisis. We must support climate change policy at every level of government, including transitioning energy sector jobs to well-paying union and green jobs, supporting climate policies which center racial parity, and transitioning Georgia to a net zero carbon economy.
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Civil Rights
Our civil liberties are increasingly under attack at every level - locally, statewide, and nationally. Civil rights and liberties are the heart of our state and nation. We must turn this tide, and ensure protections for all people. This includes protecting our LGBTQ+ community, expanding upon the Georgia Equal Pay Act, advocating for policies which address systemic racial inequities in housing, healthcare, education, voting rights, and criminal justice, and much more.
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Crime
Everyone deserves to feel safe in our community, and safe neighborhoods are critical to maintaining a high quality of life in Gwinnett County. Ruwa will work with local leaders and law enforcement to help ensure our first responders have the resources they need to serve our communities, and she will work to pursue innovative public safety policy that reduces crime and improves our criminal justice system.
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Taxes
Increases in property taxes have placed an unfair burden on homeowners and businesses in our community during a cost of living crisis. High property taxes are yet another barrier to families being able to afford homes in Gwinnett. Like many families in our community, Ruwa and her family have seen their tax bill rise to a record level. Ruwa will work to deliver meaningful tax relief in the State Legislature to benefit homeowners and small businesses.
