RFS feel-good update (2/13): Read about a social studies teacher turned state legislator
We have a candidate on the ballot tomorrow!
Hi all - We’re starting off this week with a profile of Colorado State Rep. Meghan Lukens from The Colorado Sun: What drove a 29-year-old Colorado social studies teacher to jump from the classroom to the state Capitol.
The headline alone sparks joy, but please read the whole thing if you want to start the week off with some hope.
Last fall, about 25 Steamboat Springs high schoolers received an unexpected knock at the door. Standing in front of them upon opening it?
Their social studies teacher.
Meghan Lukens wasn’t there to confront her students about poor grades or attendance but instead to campaign for their families’ support in the race to represent Colorado House District 26.
“The students would open the door and be shocked,” said Lukens, who won the November election and in January began representing Routt, Moffat, Rio Blanco and Eagle counties at the statehouse.
Now, the 29-year-old teacher-turned-lawmaker has stepped outside her classroom to practice what she previously taught: how to write a bill and turn it into a law, how to find consensus amid controversy and how to represent constituents effectively at home and under the gold dome.
We love what we do because of stories like this, whether or not they make the newspaper. But we can’t do it without your help. So for the first time in 2023, we’re asking you to make a contribution to Run for Something. We try not to ask you often here, but with candidate filing deadlines coming up across the country, we can’t afford to wait. If you can donate this week, we’d appreciate it.
We have an endorsed candidate on the ballot tomorrow! Oklahoma City Councilwoman JoBeth Hamon is running for reelection. She’s been a strong advocate for improving public transportation, as well as sidewalk and bicycle infrastructure to create safer streets for all users. Councilwoman Hamon is also committed to increasing affordable housing options to address the housing crisis. And she loves her campaign volunteers:
Because Councilwoman Hamon upset the status quo in Oklahoma City to get things done for her constituents, a big business focused dark money group has spent over $37,000 in digital advertising and canvassing opposing her. This, from her opponent, is worth all the eye rolls:
Cornett, in an interview with The Oklahoman, said she has had no involvement with the group and regrets that there is dark money involved in any level of politics, let alone the local and nonpartisan level. There should be no other voices involved besides herself and Hamon, she said.
But Cornett said it also isn't her place to denounce the advertisements.
🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄
You all know there’s nothing we love more than RFS alums collaborating on policy, and we have a few to share this week.
Colorado State Reps. Iman Jodeh and Javier Mabrey worked together to pass legislation out of committee that would make EpiPens more affordable for uninsured Coloradans and would institute an out-of-pocket price cap on insurers.
Also in Colorado, State Senator Julie Gonzales and Rep. Mabrey filed legislation to establish “just cause” requirements for evictions in the state, which would limit why a tenant can be expelled from their home.
“We can walk and chew gum at the same time,” said Sen. Julie Gonzales, a Denver Democrat. “Land-use is structural, long-term. Tenant protections and just-cause eviction protections are immediate, clarifying for both the landlord and the tenant, and will help keep Coloradans housed.”
And in Kansas, State Sen. Ethan Corson and state Rep. Rui Xu filed legislation to eliminate racist deed restrictions that are illegal to implement but remain in writing in some homeowners' associations bylaws.
Does seeing volunteers helping out RFS endorsed candidates make you as happy as it does us? If so, here’s a great way to start your week:
Make sure you read Iowa State Rep. Sami Scheetz’s column speaking out against Iowa Republicans’ plan to severely restrict what people can buy with food stamps.
As currently written, the proposed restrictions in House File 3 include banning the use of SNAP dollars to purchase fresh meat, butter and American cheese. The bill would prevent most families who own more than one vehicle from participating in the program through a provision called “asset testing.” …
What the speaker fails to mention is that SNAP is entirely funded by the federal government — not by our state government. Iowa’s only cost is a split with the federal government to pay for administration of the program. The proposed changes would likely increase the state’s costs by increasing the amount of paperwork and administrative oversight, while callously taking food out of the mouths of 100,000 Iowa children, who represent one-third of the approximately 300,000 people in our state who experience food insecurity.
And here’s what some of our alums have been working on:
Minnesota State Rep. Cedrick Frazier was the chief author of legislation that was passed by the state House that would restore voting rights to people on parole or probation. About 55,000 Minnesotans would be able to vote if this becomes law.
Colorado State Rep. David Ortiz is featured in an NPR story about how physically disabled Coloradans face disproportionate challenges in finding affordable housing. Rep. Ortiz, an Army veteran who is the first legislator in the state to use a wheelchair, has filed legislation to increase housing access for Coloradans with a disability.
Virginia Delegate Sally Hudson spoke out against the Republican-led Virginia House of Delegates for refusing to even hold a vote on legislation to protect abortion rights in the state.
Dr. Ravi Shah is the new President of the Tucson Unified School District Governing Board after being elected to the post unanimously by his colleagues.
In more proof that representation matters, here’s Montana Rep. Zooey Zephyr standing up for trans students in her state in a committee hearing:
And finally, watch Florida House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell’s take down Gov. Ron DeSantis in this MSNBC interview:
That’s all for this week. As a programming note, we’ll be in your inbox next Tuesday rather than Monday because of the President’s Day holiday.
Ross and Abe
P.S. ICYMI, make sure you read our Medium post about four young, gifted, and Black RFS Candidates shaking up Chicago politics.