As the year comes to a close, I’m sending warm holiday wishes to you and your loved ones. This season has been a time of reflection for me -  looking back to see the path that brought me here, being present in the spirit of the holidays with my family, and working hard to strategize delivering positive results for our communities in the future. We cannot predict the future or fully grasp the impact of the choices we make today. The decisions we turn into actions will bear fruit in ways we may not yet foresee. Life will continue to evolve in its own rhythm, reminding me of the philosopher Kierkegaard’s wisdom: life is not a problem to be solved but a reality to be experienced.

I hope the next two weeks bring you moments of rest, joy, and connection. However you celebrate, may your heart be full and your peace abundant.

Thank you for being part of this journey. Let’s continue building a brighter future together in the New Year. Wishing you a happy close to this year and great start to 2025!

With kindness,

Sarah

Legislative Look Ahead

I’ve been working overtime to prepare for the legislative session starting on January 13th. My days are packed with meetings alongside community groups, stakeholders, policy experts, newly elected legislators, and my Democratic caucus. I’m diving deep into key policy areas, including childcare, housing access and affordability, criminal justice reform, medical fraud reform, and water management.

This session, I’m proud to serve on the following committees:

• Health and Human Services

• Natural Resources, Energy, and Water

• Science and Technology (as Ranking Member)

  
  

Your voice matters, and I want to hear from you! Please don’t hesitate to reach out with your policy thoughts or questions.

Two day House Democrat retreat, with special guests Attorney General Mayes and Governor Hobbs.

Community Corner

Yesterday was Homeless Persons' Memorial Day, a somber day to reflect on the 600 unhoused neighbors who lost their lives this year in Maricopa County. "Let this day be a day of mourning and reflection. But let tomorrow be a day that you take action," the National Alliance to End Homelessness says, encouraging Americans to fight for more affordable housing and service options.

Taking action can be as simple as offering a smile and hello to someone you see on the street, carrying things like socks and ChapStick in your car to pass out, or volunteering time or dollars to groups like St. Vincent de Paul, CASS, Homeless Youth Connections, and Keys To Change.

While you won’t be reading the Rundown until the new year, here are a few of my favorite recent reads.

• Why Utilities Are Struggling To Meet AI Data Centers’ Need For Electricity

  
  

• Why Texas Business Leaders Are Gearing Up For ‘One Heck Of A Fight’ On Public Education

  
  

• Three-Quarters of Earth’s Land Became Permanently Drier In The Last 3 Decades

  
  

• Americans Agree More Than They Might Think − Not Knowing This Jeopardizes The Nation’s Shared Values

  
  

• Nobel Prize In Economics Awarded To Trio For Explaining Why Some Nations Are Rich And Others Are Poor