MY PRIORITIES 

Alexandria deserves a learning environment where every student can thrive, our teachers are supported, and our schools are equipped to meet the evolving needs of our community. I will work to build a foundation for educational excellence in Alexandria by:

• Leveraging my deep understanding of the ACPS budget to make sure the City Council fulfills its vital role in supporting our schools.
• Streamlining the relationship between our City Council and School Board to meet the educational needs of our students.
• Valuing our teachers by advocating for competitive salaries that align with the cost of living in Alexandria and retain top talent in our schools.
• Addressing housing insecurity for disadvantaged students so that every student has a stable and secure living environment in which they can thrive.
• Tackling equity and capacity challenges with sufficient resources for schools and renovations for deteriorating facilities.

A robust and reliable transportation system is the backbone of a thriving economy and enhances quality of life. Alexandria deserves a comprehensive and sustainable transportation system and flood-resilient infrastructure that not only facilitate economic growth, but also improve the daily lives of our residents. I will work to create a city that is well-connected, resilient, and conducive to the well-being of all by:

• Supporting the continuous improvement of multimodal transit and connected mobility options such as DASH and WMATA, as well as implementing Complete Streets, the Alexandria Transit Vision Plan, and the Alexandria Mobility Plan to provide efficient and affordable public transportation options for our residents.
• Improving road safety by investing heavily in well-paved and safer roads and supporting the implementation of the Vision Zero initiative to eliminate fatal and severe injuries by 2028.
• Making strategic infrastructure improvements and investing in flood resilience measures that mitigate the impact of floods on roads, neighborhoods, and homes.
• Implementing the new Energy and Climate Change Action Plan (ECCAP) to reduce our city's greenhouse gas emissions, including by prioritizing sustainability in new commercial and residential buildings and decarbonizing existing units.

A safer Alexandria is one where our approach to law enforcement is best-suited to meet our city’s needs, including by making sure our police department is well-equipped, accountable, and closely connected to the community it serves. I will work to improve public safety with accountability and transparency at the forefront by:

• Ensuring APD has sufficient staffing levels and resources, by advocating for competitive pay and cultivating a positive organizational culture in APD that boosts morale and retention among officers and creates a dedicated and effective law enforcement workforce.
• Supporting community and alternative policing resources that address the root causes of crime, including mental health, housing insecurity, investment in out-of-school programs, and enhancing economic opportunities.
• Implementing mechanisms that enhance accountability, transparency, and public trust such as clear protocols for reporting and investigating incidents, open communication, community engagement, and joint initiatives that address public safety concerns.
• Supporting comprehensive training programs, continuing professional development, and mental health services for police officers.

Every Alexandrian deserves to find a home that meets their needs, especially as rising rental costs and home prices outpace income growth. According to City of Alexandria, approximately 3,500 homeowner and 15,500 renter households in Alexandria with incomes up to $75,000 face housing cost burdens while the supply of housing across the region continues to fall short of demand. I will use City Council tools such as zoning and permitting regulations, tax incentives, and partnerships to address the housing affordability crisis and build a diverse and inclusive community with housing options for all income levels.

• Boosting assistance programs that support residents who face housing challenges and ensure individuals and families have access to resources such as housing vouchers and subsidies, as well as homeownership assistance programs.
• Increasing affordable housing, including committed affordable and market-rate housing so that households aren’t forced to bear a disproportionate housing cost burden.
• Supporting the expansion of our city's housing supply by aiming to achieve the City's commitment to 11,500 new housing units with 4,250 affordable or workforce housing, in alignment with Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments housing targets, and the city’s master housing plan goal of 2,000 affordable units by 2025.

I had numerous concerns with the arena deal and didn't support it.

• A deal that failed to prioritize the welfare of our workforce inherently undermines the interests of Alexandria as a whole. The proposed deal lacked sufficient labor protections and commitments to uphold union standards.
• Similarly, a deal that neglected the needs of our commuters posed adverse implications for Alexandria's welfare. I had consistently voiced apprehensions regarding the anticipated surge in traffic resulting from the proposed arena development, compounded by insufficient state funding allocated for essential public transportation enhancements aimed at mitigating such concerns.
• A deal that would have compromised environmental or financial integrity poses detriment to Alexandria. The environmental ramifications of that project were undisclosed. There was uncertainty regarding the realization of revenue projections and the absence of safeguards to shield Alexandria from potential financial liabilities amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars in the event of unrealized projections. Furthermore, the transparency surrounding the presented revenue projections was lacking, as the underlying assumptions and data utilized to formulate these projections were not been disclosed to the public. Reports indicated that the assumptions were characterized by aggressiveness, yet the specific details of these assumptions were undisclosed. Notably, alternative scenario projections were not presented to account for potential discrepancies in the underlying assumptions.
• The proposed composition of the 15 member authority granted Governor Youngkin 5 appointees, the Speaker of the House 3 appointees, and the City of Alexandria 3 appointees. There were no safeguards are in place to protect a Democratic-leaning municipality like Alexandria from potential political retribution or coercion in the event of a Republican Governor and a Republican-controlled House of Delegates. Furthermore, Monumental still had over 20 years remaining on its lease agreement with the Capital One Arena. Despite this, the organization had chosen to seek legal counsel and terminate the arrangement. This prompts consideration: what measures would have prevented them from taking similar action towards Alexandria if they opted to alter any terms of the agreement in the future?