Happy New Year! Thank you so much to everybody who has connected with our office over the past couple of weeks. We took advantage of the lull between Christmas and New Year’s Eve to hold a retreat now that we’re all staffed up. In addition to setting some best practices and standard operating procedures for fielding the hundreds of requests we receive each day, we talked about our vision, values, and priorities; set policy goals for the next four years; moved around furniture and organized the office; and strategized about how we can avoid burnout and overwork while continuing to provide excellent constituent services and champion thoughtful and bold policies.
In order to keep our work grounded and centered on the people we serve, we came up with guiding principles to refer to as we continue navigating thorny situations, solving problems, and building relationships both inside and outside city government (I briefly shared these in a recent Blenman-Elm meeting). You’ll notice that “accountability” is off to the side. We debated whether it belonged under “transparency” or “integrity,” but decided to include it as a standalone principle with the other five.
Transparency: Sharing the details and thinking behind my votes and policy stances
Integrity: Making decisions based on values, honesty, and the greater good rather than political expediency
Accountability: Tracking and evaluating the impact of decisions and making changes when needed
Accessibility: Meeting constituents where they are and making it easy for everybody to connect and get involved
Education: Learning from each other, asking questions, and providing spaces and platforms for sharing information
Love: Understanding that we are all here because we love Tucson, and engaging with each other in good faith
 Guiding Principles <3
When it comes to these newsletters, our goal is to be informative, accessible, and transparent, and to help you get to know us. You may have noticed that my weekly summaries often mention whether I biked or carpooled to get somewhere during the workday, and that’s on purpose. Many of us travelling from point A to B here in Tucson throughout the day literally take our lives into our own hands, and using a crosswalk properly is no guarantee of safety. Every day, at least one of us here at the W6 office bikes or takes the bus to get to work. Naming how we get around while we’re doing work on behalf of our constituents is an important reminder of the many ways transportation impacts us.
Speaking of safety, our public transit system has been in the headlines a lot lately. We have been receiving calls at the office every day from concerned constituents and bus riders. It can be easy to get caught up in the headlines, but it’s important to understand the facts. You may have heard about “100 incidents per day” associated with public transit, which is based on the statistic of 15,394 “incidents” occurring between January and May 2025. This sounds alarming but is a bit misleading. A recent AZPM article noted:
...the vast majority of the 15,394 events reported by Sun Tran fall under a broad definition including anything that ‘may compromise safety, security, or order within the transit system,’ according to a presentation shown to the Tucson Transit Advisory Committee in October.
“These represent routine, low-risk interactions—such as asking someone to move along, conducting welfare checks, or assisting passengers—and do not involve threats or safety concerns,” (emphasis mine) wrote Sun Tran’s general manager, Mikel Oglesby, in a statement to AZPM News. Only 1,097 of those events rose to the level of a “security incident,” in which a Sun Tran security officer writes an incident report, according to the advisory committee presentation. Almost all of those incidents were drug and loitering offenses occurring at bus stops. Only 28 were assaults.
According to recent Sun Tran data, and looking at that same time period (January - May), they generally register around seven million rides. Thinking about the 28 assaults in that context means that less than .0004% of rides involve that type of violent incident - and contrast that with the number of serious traffic incidents people driving cars will experience on a daily basis on Tucson's streets. While a precise probability per trip isn't available, Tucson has a high rate of vehicle accidents and fatalities, with some of the most dangerous roads in the nation due to speeding, drunk driving, and distracted driving. Around 1 in 68 people involved in a crash get killed, meaning the risk of injury or worse on any given trip is significant and above average compared to other cities.
While it’s true that bus rides are safe and uneventful 99.9% of the time, we do have our work cut out for us when it comes to improving the public transit experience. Increasing service frequency, expanding hours so that people with different jobs can use transit when they get off work, investing more in maintenance and cleaning, and adding staff who can de-escalate situations and connect people to resources are all essential. There are many actions we can take to move in that direction. One example: I was surprised to learn that prior to our approval of the Transit Safety Plan a couple of weeks ago, there was no clear suspension policy in place to be able to remove problematic people from the bus. I look forward to exploring ways to work on aspects like that in the coming months.
 Top Photo: Miranda with Mayor Romero, Pima Area Labor Federation (PALF) President Cecilia Valdez, National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Local 704 President Kathy Walter, AZ LD18 State Senator Priya Sundareshan, American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 255 President Michael Moriconi, and DSA Tucson Field Coordinator Jeanne Lukasko. Bottom photo: Group photo from Jobs with Justice event with Starbucks union organizers and labor advocates
At the end of the last newsletter, I mentioned that I would be attending an event hosted by Arizona Jobs with Justice-- a screening of a documentary about Starbucks workers unionizing in Buffalo, as well as an opportunity to hear from local organizers. Here in Ward 6, the store at Broadway and Randolph recently concluded their strike. Above are a few photos from the event, as well as a link to learn more about Starbucks Workers United (SWU).
Last weekend: On Saturday, I woke up bright and early to help put together food boxes for families in need at an annual event hosted by Tucson Fire Fighters Association (International Association of Firefighters/ IAFF Local 479). It was beautiful to see so many people coming together and showing up for the community, and also a great chance to connect with more union members (more than 98% of Tucson Fire Fighters belong to the TFFA).
 Annual Tucson Fire Fighters Association food-box packing event.
After that, I headed to the 20th Annual Holiday Express event at the Historic Train Depot downtown. It was a treat to finally get to check out the Southern Arizona Transportation Museum, and to see so many happy kids and families experiencing some local holiday magic. If you’re a train lover like me, you might be interested in checking out the work of All Aboard Arizona!
 "Women did men's work for the Southern Pacific Railroad in the 1940s during World War II. Photo courtesy of the Arizona Historical Society."
Last week: Last week kicked off with Becca’s first day in the office (read on to learn more about her!), and during our team check-in that morning, a Jewish family stopped by to connect and share their thoughts. We’re so thankful they took the time and effort to come into the office and speak candidly about how they and their two young children have been impacted by antisemitism. This week's newsletter includes our official statement regarding the attack earlier this month on the Jewish Community Center.
Later that day, we all sat down for briefing about Tucson Water with Director John Kmiec and Deputy Director Sylvia Amparano. Did you know that our reclaimed water system is over 40 years old and one of the largest in the country? Our conversation flowed from water rights to our anticipated future Central Arizona Project (CAP) allocation, diversifying our water portfolio, implementing smart meters through a multi-year grant, and the stakeholder group currently working on our large quantity water user policy. We’ll meet regularly with the Tucson Water team and will be sure to include useful information in upcoming newsletters.
On Tuesday, we got to sit down with Mike Czechowski from the Office of Economic Initiatives and learned so much! Our team peppered him with questions about everything from annexations to GPLETs and CBAs (we also asked about PLAs). GPLET stands for Government Property Lease Excise Tax and is a way to incentivize development because it abates property taxes for 8 years. The City passed a policy a few years ago requiring developments to have a CBA in place in order to receive a GPLET, which is a Community Benefits Agreement. I am very supportive of this type of model and am also interested in exploring how we can require Project Labor Agreements, or PLAs, for new development. PLAs are pre-hire agreements to hire union construction workers and agree to negotiated working conditions.
Thank you for taking the time to read and provide feedback about my little weekly summaries. I want to give you an idea of what a council office does, in the hopes that it helps you feel more connected to us. We’re excitedly planning events to bring you into the office so you can meet everyone, so stay tuned! We’ll have an open house after we’ve spruced the place up a bit and are also keen on hosting a big Lunar New Year celebration in February. 2026 is just beginning, and your Ward 6 team is ready to go!
In community,
The Ward 6 team and I unequivocally condemn the attack earlier in December on the Tucson Jewish Community Center, as well as antisemitism in all its forms. We stand with the Jewish community with heartfelt support and steadfast solidarity.
At the core of this condemnation is a fundamental belief that every person has the right to live in safety, free from fear, violence, or intimidation, and without having to hide who they are to feel protected. This right belongs to everyone, across all faiths, backgrounds, and identities, and it is especially vital for children, who deserve to learn, play, and grow in environments defined by security, acceptance, and respect. Attacks rooted in hate threaten not only individuals and communities, but the shared values that bind us together. We reaffirm our commitment to standing against hatred in all its forms and to fostering a community where everyone can live openly, safely, and with pride for their culture.
Becca joins the Ward 6 team with a strong background in nonprofit and public policy work. Her work centers on demystifying complex policy systems and equipping the community with practical advocacy tools to help direct resources toward community-based solutions.
Originally from the suburbs of Detroit, MI, Becca obtained her undergraduate degree from Kalamazoo College before serving as an AmeriCorps member in Alamosa, CO supporting people who were unhoused. She then moved to Prescott, AZ and served an additional two years as an AmeriCorps VISTA designing and implementing a reentry program to support people exiting the Arizona Department of Corrections.
 Lil Becca with a scraped knee
In 2013 Becca moved to Tucson to obtain her Master's in Public Administration and Public Policy from the University of Arizona. Upon graduating she was hired by Just Communities Arizona (formerly the American Friends Service Committee – Arizona office) to focus on reforming the criminal legal system, harm reduction policies, and civic participation for people with convictions.
Now fully rooted in the Tucson community, you may have crossed paths with Becca through her work with the Pima County Food Alliance, at a Read Between the Bars packing party, while she was making lattes at the (now closed) Tucson Coffee Cricket, sharing a story on the F*ST stage, walking her dog around Himmel Park, or digging through the racks at Speedway Outlet.
 Big Becca happily rooted in Tucson
The next Mayor & Council Study Session and Meeting is set for Tuesday, January 6th. Study session starts at 1pm and offers the M&C an opportunity to review reports and information, confer with city staff and subject matter experts, and ask clarifying questions on important topics. With the exception of executive sessions, you can watch study sessions on the City of Tucson’s livestream.
The M&C meeting is where final votes and decisions are made. It includes a Call to the Audience, in which individuals are welcome to speak, and occasionally includes additional public hearings before final votes. You can watch the meeting online at the same livestream link or attend in-person at City Hall.
Here are a few items on the agenda for the January 6th Study Session and Meeting (find the full agendas here):
- Executive Sessions about City Clerk candidates and legal cases
- Update on opioid settlement funds
- Amending and renewing agreements with AHCCCS, fire + EMS services
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Approving agreements to move forward on fiber optic construction and installations
And among the many topics coming to future meetings, our team is keeping a special eye on discussions about public drug use and pathways to treatment; next steps related to zoning changes for the citywide homelessness declaration; and continued RTA discussions. If you have thoughts or expertise on these items, as well as others, we encourage you to connect with us!
We continue to see the impacts our community’s housing crisis in Tucson, with limited housing supply and affordability challenges forcing too many neighbors to seek shelter or sleep outside. Like almost every community across the country, homelessness in Tucson frequently hear from concerned constituents wondering what is being done, what can be done, and how they can help.
As for what is already underway, the City of Tucson launched a number of programs and collaborations to both alleviate and prevent homelessness. The City's Housing First initiatives include accessible emergency shelter, street outreach, mobile showers, housing navigation, and supportive housing - learn more about the impact of these programs on the Housing First Dashboard. As part of the effort to put the right work in the right hands, the City also has dedicated staff in Community Safety, Health, and Wellness (CSHW) who bring specialized expertise in substance use and behavioral health case management and the Tucson Collaborative Community Care (TC-3) program to reduce and prevent emergency service reliance by identifying root causes and needs. Additionally, the City’s Commission for Equitable Housing and Development and the Safe City Task Force bring together community experts with experience in housing development, social work, behavioral health, public safety, and more to advise and recommend city policy and investment related to homelessness, public safety, and affordable housing development.
Much of our community’s work on housing and homelessness happens in collaboration. The City of Tucson is a key partner in Tucson-Pima Collaboration to End Homelessness (TPCH), our local coalition of service providers, government entities, faith-based organizations, and individuals dedicated to ending homelessness. TPCH leads regional strategy related to homelessness and stewards more than $15m in federal homelessness funds in our community. Starting in 2026, the City of Tucson Vice Mayor will have a permanent seat on the TPCH Board of Directors. City of Tucson staff also serve on Pima County’s Regional Affordable Housing Commission, which advises the Pima County Board of Supervisors on efforts such as gap funds for affordable housing and eviction prevention, and are currently collaborating with the Pima County Health Department and other local governments to invest Opioid Settlement funds in treatment, prevention, and support for people experiencing substance use.
Here are a few resources that can be helpful next steps for housing-related situations you may encounter in the community --
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City of Tucson 311: Reporting an issue or asking a question through our 311 system, either by calling or submitting an online request, is a one-stop shop to get information about your best next step in terms of city responses and resources related to shelter, behavioral health, safety, and more.
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TPCH Coordinated Entry: TPCH’s Coordinated Entry system is the one-stop shop to help people seeking housing identify what they qualify for and what is currently available across our community’s network of government and nonprofit resources. The link includes information about calling or visiting multiple access points across the community.
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Pima County Emergency Eviction Legal Services (EELS): The Office of Emergency Eviction Legal Services can help tenants in need of legal advice and representation in eviction cases. Navigators are available to explain the process and connect tenants with other county and community resources, like rent assistance, help finding a job, and much more.
And if you’re interested in getting involved in volunteer efforts, consider joining members of the Ward 6 team at the 2026 Everyone Counts effort (see below!) or connecting with some of our amazing nonprofit and mutual aid partners in the community.
The Tucson Pima Collaboration to End Homelessness (TPCH) 2026 Point-in-Time (PIT) Count- also known as Everyone Counts! -Pima County Street Count- will take place on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, during the early morning hours across Pima County. Volunteer registration is now open, and TPCH is seeking more than 500 community volunteers to support this annual communitywide effort.
The PIT Count provides a crucial snapshot of homelessness in Pima County on a single night and is required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). In context with other data, the Point-in-Time Count data is used locally and federally to plan priorities and system design.
DTM will be in the Speedway Park Addition neighborhood, also known as Palo Verde, in January, to begin prep work for a mill & fill project. This project is part of the Prop 411 – Tucson Delivers Better Streets Program. Please see attached postcard being mailed out to residents this week. If changes are made to the project schedule, we will immediately update the project website.
 Mill and Pave map of Palo Verde neighborhood
 Postcard sent to Palo Verde neighborhood
DTM will be in the West University neighborhood, starting in early January, to begin prep work for a mill & fill project. This project is part of the Prop 411: Tucson Delivers Better Streets Program. Please see the attached postcard being mailed out to residents this week. If changes are made to the project schedule, we will immediately update the above link.
Here is the link for the West University project website: https://arcg.is/1n91Tq
 Mill and Pave map for West University neighborhood
 Postcard sent to West University neighborhood residents
Attorney General Kris Mayes has been approved by the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) to intervene against APS and TEP's pending electricity rate cases, which would skyrocket already high electricity bills for Arizona consumers. Join the Attorney General for a listening session where she would like to hear more about the cost of your residential electricity bills, trends in electricity rates in recent years, concerns about future electricity price increases, and any other impact these utility rate hikes could have on you and your community.
WHEN: Tuesday, January 13th from 11am-12:30pm
WHERE: YWCA of Southern Arizona, 525 N. Bonita Ave.
Did you receive a notice in the mail from Tucson Water that has you wondering whether or not there’s lead in your pipes? Their crews are conducting inspections to identify your pipe materials and update our online inventory.
You do not need to take any additional steps after receiving this notice. If additional steps are required, Tucson Water will reach out with more information.
All the details to know can be found at the following website: https://www.tucsonaz.gov/Departments/Water/Water-Quality/lead-free
Ward 6 continues to inventory our vacancies on Boards, Commissions, and Committees, and we are encouraged by the number of inquiries that we’ve already received!
After our staff retreat last week, we decided that we’d like to try an interest form to collect information from potential applicants. This form will give us a better understanding of your experience, goals, and background and allow us to match individuals to different vacancies. We also hope that this process can help us maintain a running list of interest to fill future vacancies.
We ask that interested individuals, including those who already contacted us and/or those interested in re-appointment, complete this form, optimally by Wednesday, January 14th. (We will also follow up via email with those who already reached out!): Ward 6 - Boards, Committees, and Commissions Interest Form
And for reference, the following boards and commissions have vacancies for Ward 6 to appoint:
- 2017 Public Safety Tax Oversight Commission (PSTOC)
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Commission on Climate, Energy, and Sustainability (CCES)
- Convention Center Commission, Tucson (TCCC)
- Economic and Workforce Development Selection Committee (EWDSC)
- Environmental Services Advisory Committee (ESAC)
- Park Tucson Commission (PTC)
- Small, Minority, and Women-Owned Business Commission (SMWBC) (2 vacancies)
- Tucson Police Department Force Review Board
Join Sustainable Tucson on Zoom, Tuesday, January 6, at 6:00 pm for our Sustainability Spotlight, “The Environment in 2026: At the State Capital and Beyond.” The program will look ahead at what can be expected in coming months from state (and some national) legislative and administrative actions, with a focus on what will have particular impact on Tucson and Southern AZ – and what we can do. Our panel to date includes State Senator Priya Sundareshan (LD 18), Sandy Bahr, director of the Sierra Club's Grand Canyon Chapter, and Kirsten Engel, Chief, Environmental Protection Unit of the AZ Attorney General's Office. Their complementary perspectives will give us a full picture of what we can and should do to support an agenda of environmental protection and justice as we work for a sustainable future. The Zoom link for the meeting is on our website (www.sustainabletucson.org), Facebook, and Meetup.
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Join LSA on Wednesday, January 7th in the Ward 6 community room from 6 - 8 pm to discuss RTA Next.
We’ll take a closer look at key concerns surrounding RTA Next—also known as Propositions 418 and 419—which will go before voters in March 2026. Maass, who served on the RTA Citizens’ Advisory Committee, and Albert Elías, city planner, former public administrator, and chair of LSA’s Advocacy Committee, will share insights on what’s at stake and what a more forward-thinking approach could look like.
Join community partners for National Day of Racial Healing on Saturday, January 17, 2026, 12:30-3:30pm at YWCA of Southern Arizona. This 4th annual Tucson event is a time to contemplate shared values and create a blueprint for community sharing through appreciation of one another's stories, background, and culture.
United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona is excited to host their 5th annual MLK Day of Service on Monday, January 19th, 2026. More information about projects and how to sign up: MLK Day of Service 2026
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2026 Operating Support Grant for Organizations
- Deadline: January 6, 2026
- Amount: Up to $15,000
- Eligibility: Non-profit 501(c)(3) Arts Organizations in the City of Tucson, Pima County, Southern Arizona, and Tribal Nations. *Fiscally Sponsored Arts Organizations that meet all other requirements are eligible to apply.
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- Deadline: January 8, 2026
- Honorarium: $15,000
- Eligibility: Have resided in the City of Tucson for at least two (2) years prior to the date of submission.
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- Deadline: March 19, 2026
- Eligibility: The program is open to eligible applicants located within the Arts Foundation’s service area, which includes counties and Tribal Nations that reside between the southern edges of the Gila River to the US-Mexico international border. All complete and eligible applications will be part of a competitive peer-panel review process.
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Great Decisions is a nonpartisan/nonprofit program run nationally by the Foreign Policy Association and locally by the Tucson Great Decisions Association. It works like a book discussion group, except that instead of reading a book, we read and discuss a chapter in the Briefing Book that accompanies the program. (There’s also a video presentation that’s part of the program.) After an introductory meeting, there will be meetings for each of the eight topics to be discussed in 2026. It’s not designed to be lecture or a class, but rather an opportunity for members to informally gather to consider topics of worldwide importance. We promote active engagement in these discussions, based on our own backgrounds, our readings, and our awareness of the present global situations. This coming year the topics will include American foreign policy, tariffs and the world economy, US/China relations, nuclear proliferation, Africa, and human rights.
Ward 6 will be hosting meetings of Great Decisions, sponsored by the Tucson branch of AAUW, the American Association of University Women, on Mondays from 10 to 11:30 AM beginning on January 26th, 2026. There is no cost to attend and participate in meetings, but the cost of the Briefing Book is $32, a discount from the cover price. Members may also participate via Zoom, thanks to hybrid technology available at Ward 6.
All members in the community are welcome. Please contact Shirley Muney at smuney2k@yahoo.com, and visit the Tucson Great Decisions Association website at www.tgda.org.
Now Available – Know Your Rights Cards, Rapid Response Cards, ICE Out of Tucson placards from Gloo Factory. Pick them up from the office Monday - Friday, 9am to 1pm.
Tucson’s Community Safety, Health and Welfare Program has prepared a very useful document, Family Preparedness Plan for Immigrant Families, in English and Spanish. Click the buttons below to download a PDF file of the plans.
520-221-4077
Raids. Prolonged stops. Interactions with ICE or Border Patrol
Request witnesses and community presence to ensure your rights are respected
Thanks for reading and have a nice weekend!
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