Posted by Bob Lord
Judged by how they affect our everyday lives, the votes we cast in local elections are the most important votes we cast. I’m supporting Kate Gallego for Phoenix City Council. Kate’s married to Ruben Gallego, but that’s besides the point. She had proven herself an effective leader when she was still Kate Widland. She is the longest serving Chair of the Phoenix Environmental Quality Commission (EQC). In that role, she championed the recently approved Complete Streets program, which ensures that city streets are designed to serve pedestrians, wheelchairs, and cyclists in addition to cars. Near to my heart, she was the founding Chair of the Commission’s Solar Energy Subcommittee, leading the effort to establish Phoenix’s goal of 15% of its energy from solar and other renewable energy, which Greg Stanton then championed at the city council. She was one of the first in Arizona to work with the solar energy industry at the city level to simplify the permitting process and reduce fees. It’s vital to our quality of life that Kate be able to continue her long-time advocacy of solar energy as a city councilwoman.
As voters and activists, we always should have our eye out for future stars, and do what we can to ensure the launch of their political careers is successful. From that perspective, the Phoenix CD8 election represents a huge opportunity for progressives. I hope you’ll join me in supporting Kate.
If you want to send her a few bucks or learn more, here's her website.