2018 Congressional District Six Democratic Nominee and 2020 contender Anita Malik and her team have been working hard since the Coronavirus surfaced to keep the people informed of the vital issues affecting the community.
These include testing and reopening the economy, David Schweikert’s legal woes, the necessity for an all mail-in ballot election, improving technology in the public sector, getting accessible and affordable health care to everyone affected by the public health emergency, providing support for people who need assistance to get through this hectic period.
Ms. Malik graciously took the time to discuss important issues facing the constituents she would like to serve in January 2021.
The topics and her responses are below:
Testing and Reopening the Economy:
“We need to increase testing significantly before we can even consider reopening the economy. We need the metrics, the data to show we are ready and we won’t have that without the tests. We need to rely on science and listen to the experts. It is important to also keep in mind that we’ll need to continue economic aid even when we reopen. We must be thinking about long term financial assistance now.”
Representative David Schweikert and his legal troubles:
“It’s not just about the legal fees and his campaign money. This is about truth and transparency. It (his legal issues) is not just a clerical error. If you’re spending that much to defend yourself, there is something there. He needs to own up to it and talk about it. He needs to be accountable. Enough with hiding. We deserve representation with ethics”
Representative Schweikert supporting small businesses who are getting shortchanged by larger corporations in the first phase of the CARES Act.
“Large companies are getting aid when small businesses are getting nothing. Where are you David when these small businesses are getting denied while your corporate donors are taking advantage? Why are you not representing our true small businesses? Let’s hope there is better oversight with this second round of funding and it will get into the right hands.”
Funding the Post Office:
“ We must make the necessary investments to ensure an independent and modern national postal service. Congress needs to offer emergency funding now and then after this, we need to continue to support the USPS with other policy fixes such as repealing its mandate that requires the USPS to prepay health benefits and pensions for future retirees.
We must move to all-mail elections and we need the USPS now more than ever. It is critical to our democracy. “
Please click on the link here for a virtual town hall Ms.Malik had with Maricopa County Recorder Adrian Fontes on the importance of all mail-in balloting for 2020.
Enhancing Technology to meet the needs of the next Crisis
“It is a nice shift on Congress’s part to consider remote voting. But still, we are so far behind with technology. Consider the outdated systems at state unemployment offices that are faltering under the pressure of the record number of claims we are seeing. The technology that supports our critical functions needs to be ready for a time of crisis. This is infrastructure. We need the right type of leadership that is proactive as we move forward.”
Helping the Unemployed and those with the Coronavirus get affordable health care
“What are we doing for the more than 22 million now newly unemployed with regards to health care? I believe we must boldly move away from employer-based coverage, and if we can make a single-payer fix to this crisis, we must do it. But if our political will stands in the way of that, then we must act on a long list of critical fixes within our current structure.”
Please click on the link here of a health care town hall Ms. Malik held on April 11, 2020.
Helping the people in CD Six
“This campaign is about service. So we’re doing a number of things. This includes keeping the community informed through digital town halls and webinars about critical issues and updates. We’ve also been doing check-in calls to our vulnerable neighbors, providing homemade masks and now I’m working on a fund with several others and some local organizations to match those with critical economic needs to those who can help. A direct neighbor-to-neighbor connection.”
“As candidates, we have platforms we should be using to help our communities and to advocate for solutions. That is my priority during this time.”
Individuals and Families who want to find assistance during the Coronavirus Emergency can contact Anita Malik’s team by:
Emailing them at – info@anitaforarizona.com
Request masks here
Call them at (480) 482-0082
Find COVID19 specific resources here.
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