Jay's Priorities

When we think of the environment, we often picture clean air, clean water, and green spaces. But it’s more than that.
Our environment includes the places we live, walk, and gather. It also means the medians we drive past, the sidewalks we use every day, and the public lands we share. Today many of those spaces are neglected. I believe caring for our environment means addressing trash in washes, weeds growing tall in medians, and basic maintenance falling through the cracks.  We should care about responsible stewardship of city resources, smarter infrastructure maintenance, cleaner streets, and real attention to the places that shape our quality of life.

I once waited 45 minutes on hold with 9-1-1 while trying to report a serious injury that occurred in my neighborhood. That should never happen.

Public safety means that help shows up, and it should never feel out of reach. I support increased visibility, improving response times, and strengthening trust between first responders and the communities they serve. City policies needs to foster a system that protects our families, our streets, and our neighborhoods. I’ll make sure that public safety in Tucson actually feels like safety.

Homelessness is a complex issue, a symptom of deeper, interconnected problems.

Too often, city policy focuses on the surface rather than the source. What we need is a shift in approach: one that engages directly with local non-profits, faith-based groups, and community organizations already doing the hard work to address root causes. As a City Council member,  my focus would be on strengthening partnerships, improving coordination with the right government agencies, and amplifying the efforts of those who care most and know our community best.

As for housing affordability, outdated policies and excessive fees make it nearly impossible to build affordable casitas and infill projects at a reasonable cost. That shuts out potential solutions to the problem. I support development policies that allow for practical, attractive, and community-friendly homes while maximizing the use of vacant land and repurposing land already in use. We need to rethink how we allocate housing funds, and enhance solutions like first-time homebuyer programs, consider zero-interest loans to people in substandard conditions or other creative solutions that build ownership and responsibility.

Everyone deserves a shot at stability, and I’ll work to make that possible.

When I look at city budgets, I see opportunities to do better. My experience running a business taught me that every dollar should have a purpose, and that real leadership means being accountable for how money gets spent; investing where it counts, cutting waste where it doesn’t, and creating a culture of responsibility inside City Hall. This isn’t about party politics. It’s about showing respect for the people who fund our city with their hard work and tax dollars. We don't need to spend money just because its budgeted. We need efficient and thorough government committed to a practical people-focused budget, prioritizing results over politics.

I love Tucson, but we need to improve our image. Traveling from the airport into town is not a good representation of who we are and does not show the beauty and culture that our city has to offer. The roads are rough, the weeds are high, and the areas that should welcome first-timers and visitors look neglected. This city has so much beauty and potential, and I want to help us present that. That means maintaining our entryways, fixing basic infrastructure, and celebrating what makes Tucson special through public art, strong design, and community pride. It's time to act. Let's get it done!