Access to a strong, high-quality early education prepares our future teachers, engineers, small business owners, nurses, and doctors. Alaskans who learn in state, stay in state, and forward funding of our public education systems is demanded, but it is not enough. We must adequately invest in a high-quality public education system that works for every family. 

We must establish a strong foundation of inclusion and cultural education within our existing educational infrastructure to ensure that every student sees themselves reflected in the classroom and in the lessons they learn.

Inclusive workplace policies uplift every Alaskan. We must reduce the arbitrary burdens that prohibit fair wages so that struggling Alaskans can live with dignity. We must prioritize pay equity, eliminate workplace discrimination, ensure access to affordable child care, promote flexible family-friendly workplace policies, guarantee universal access to health care and mental health services, enshrine dependent leave, and reinstate defined benefits for all public employees.

As the spouse of a law enforcement officer, I know the dedication and sacrifices made everyday by our public safety officers. Ensuring our public safety officers have strong community ties and professional relationships with stakeholders means stronger, more resilient communities.

Unfortunately, Alaska is often number one in many of the bad things: death by suicide, domestic violence, missing and murdered Indigenous women and people. We need real solutions that intervene before situations become dire and provide citizens with pathways out of violence.