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"During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act."

-George Orwell

This Week At The Legislature

Thursday marked the 53rd anniversary of Roe v. Wade, which was commemorated with press conferences from the Governor’s office and reproductive rights groups. Senator Analise Ortiz and I are running a slate of bills to repeal outdated abortion laws that are inconsistent with both medical practices and Arizona law after voters resoundingly affirmed access to abortion care in our Constitution. You can see my remarks alongside abortion provider Dr. DeShawn Taylor here ([link removed]) .

That same day, HB 2085 ([link removed]) , an anti-LGBTQ+ bill, moved through the Health and Human Services Committee reflecting the same troubling belief that government should insert itself into personal healthcare decisions, despite overwhelming scientific research and established medical guidance to the contrary. The bill passed on party lines, even in the face of strong opposition and clear warnings that policies like this put children at risk.

Advocating for reproductive healthcare access

Ananya Lakkaraju shadowing at the Capitol

This week I was thrilled to have a shadow at the legislature, a Chandler high-school student I had met at the Governor’s Celebration of Innovation Awards Dinner in the fall. Ananya Lakkaraju received the “Future Innovator of the Year Award” for her research in Novel Machine Learning Method and Drug for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Depression. It was wonderful to have her join us for an AI luncheon with tech leaders as well as introduce her to her legislators Rep.’s Willoughby and Wenninger. She has a very bright future ahead!

We Can Handle The Truth

What are we to think when we are being fed different realities from social media, news sources, and our government? It feels that we have shifted to a time where "truth” is being re-packaged to fit the political narrative rather than the hard facts of reality we can plainly see and understand.

Partisan rhetoric may always have a history of slant, but what we are experiencing right now is the ultimate betrayal of our federal government in weaponizing their messaging to hide the truth and lie to the American public. Case in point, a few of the articles I read this week all share this theme of our President and government lying about everything from constitutional breaches, public health, and video evidence, to a silly Super Bowl trip. Each day America loses more support globally and locally because of this lack of credibility.

One of the biggest myths we’ve been sold since the start of the Trump administration is the claim that tariffs are paid by other countries, not by the American people. In reality, tariffs are a tax on working families and small businesses, as we, and every economist and financial analyst has said so from the beginning. A report released this week by the Kiel Institute of Economic Policy ([link removed]) reaffirmed that truth, showing that Americans have already paid $192 billion for Trump’s reckless tariff scheme.

The research team analyzed more than 25 million shipment records covering a total value of almost four trillion US dollars in US imports. The findings are clear:
* US customs revenue increased by approximately 200 billion US dollars in 2025.
* Foreign exporters absorbed only about four percent of the tariff burden, 96 percent passed through to US buyers.
* Trade volumes collapsed, but export prices did not fall.

DHS immigration enforcement is the same lie. It was sold as a way to detain people with criminal records, but the stats, and pictures of 5-year old’s being removed from school by ICE, are the actions that speak louder than words.

As the outrage to ICE continues to grow, students and educators are taking action into their own hands. Last week, multiple high-schools had student led walk outs to protest at the Capitol and the ICE offices in Central Phoenix. I am proud of these students and grateful for their education community that surrounds them to keep them safe and supported.

The Arizona Education Association has many resources for allies, volunteers, and students. Please take a look at their full Action Toolkit HERE ([link removed]) that includes links to print red cards like the one below, training opportunities, and community resources.

Last week I shared how Renee Good could be me, or any one of mothers that are standing up across the country for immigrants and our rights. This week, as Minnesotans stood in sub-zero temperatures demanding ICE leave their state, a second tragic killing of an American citizen occurred. Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year old VA ICU nurse, was a caring outdoorsman who dedicated his life to helping others. The description of Alex could also describe my 37-year old brother.

My heart is with his family, who is not just reeling from the loss of their brother and son, but who has to defend their son’s life against a manipulative government by publicly condemning the “sickening lies told about our son by the administration.”

So for the second week in a row I will end my newsletter the same.

We can not let lies normalize our realities. Nor stand for the atrocities tearing apart families at the behest of this administrations desire to erase people of color and violently silence peaceful protestors.

I don’t feel safe with ICE, not as an American, a legislator, or person of privilege.

We are going on.

With kindness,

PS - Some good news…A bipartisan bill I have been working on with environmental groups and firefighters will be heard in Public Safety and Law Enforcement committee on Monday at 2pm. HB 2641 ([link removed]) will continue what the legislature started in 2019, and fifteen other states have since done, in replacing toxic PFAS laden firefighting foam with a substitute foam that is safe for public safety officers and our groundwater supply. If you are signed up on the Request To Speak system and like the bill, click below to show your support with the committee.
Support The Removal Of PFAS From Firefighting Foam ([link removed])


** Upcoming Events
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Join us February 1st for a community party to celebrate Sarah’s re-election campaign!

Food, drinks, and merch along with special guests Nathan Smith, CEO of Central Arizona Shelter Services and Dr. Teresa Leyba Ruiz, candidate for AZ Superintendent of Public Education.

Location will be sent out on Tuesday to those who have RSVP’d in the link below.
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RSVP HERE ([link removed])


** Community Corner
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Policy and advocacy are essential when tackling big, complex challenges, but too often we overlook an equally important piece: putting our values into action. That’s at the heart of the mission of Habitat for Humanity of Central Arizona. They don’t just talk about community; they literally help build it, working side by side with volunteers and future homeowners to construct a place they will soon call home.

This year, Habitat brought that spirit to the Legislature by hosting the first-ever Red and Blue Day, where lawmakers met at a build site instead of the Capitol and worked together not on policy, but on building a home. Legislators helped raise the walls on two new homes and carry Habitat’s legacy forward at a moment when housing access is out of reach for so many.

It meant a great deal to see my colleagues rolling up their sleeves to hammer out differences and help build a stronger, more stable foundation for Arizona families. A lot of learning and fun was had, and only a little about of blood was shed, nothing a band aid couldn’t fix.
Volunteer With Habitat For Humanity ([link removed])

Rep. Liguori and Sen. Kevin Payne stopping for a lunch break with the volunteer crew

LD 5 has tragically lost two community leaders recently, with the passing of Brad Bauer and Ginger Mattox. They were long time advocates in their neighborhoods and they will be forever missed by neighbors and friends.

Local Eats

I’m always proud to talk about how lucky we are to live in a place with such a delicious culinary scene, in fact, it is the point of this entire section of my newsletter! This week gave us even more reasons to celebrate and eat as the semifinalists for the prestigious James Beard Awards ([link removed]) came out and 12 of our Arizona chefs ([link removed]) and eateries, many in LD 5, were recognized.

Congratulations and thank you to the incredible local chefs and restaurants for cooking with passion and bringing community together around your tables.

I hope you’ll make a list of the honoree spots you want to try to support our local restaurants while getting a taste of these award-nominated creations.
Support Sarah‘s Work ([link removed])
Sign Sarah’s Ballot Petition ([link removed])

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