27 Apr Michelle Gorelow
Michelle Gorelow
Democrat
for
AD 35
Campaign Contact Phone: 7022855318
Website: www.michellegorelow.com
Facebook: facebook.com/michellegorelow
Twitter: twitter.com/michellegorelow
2022 Questionnaire
Please share briefly what inspired you to run for this office and why you feel you’re qualified for the position.
I have been an advocate for women and children's healthcare issues 20 years prior to running for office. It was working with low income families and seeing the racial and ethnic disparities that motivated me to do more and fight for everyone to not only have access to healthcare, but to improve social determinants that can lead to adverse health outcomes.
Would you support allocating more state funds to help DACA recipients to help with higher education?
Although I can’t commit to specific legislation or outcomes without seeing bill language, I do support the concept.
How will the state fight the growing issue of homelessness that is increasing in our communities and use funds to expand on shelters for these community members?
As the Chair of the Legislative Committee of Seniors, Veterans, and Adults with Special Needs, we will be hearing presentations in June on homelessness. We are bringing several stakeholders to discuss different opportunities to increase safety nets and programs aimed at preventing homelessness and assisting those who are homeless get off the streets. We will be targeting our discussions on BIPOC/LGBTQ communities, veterans, and those with mental health issues.
Nevada has historically protected the right to abortion, including protecting the right in statute 30 years ago by a vote of the people. However, there remain barriers to access in the state. Do you support not only the right to abortion but policies that improve equitable access to abortion care?
As an advocate for women's healthcare, I fully support a woman's right to choose and In 2019 I co-sponsored & voted in support of SB179 which removed obstacles in order to seek an abortion.
The state of Nevada is facing an unprecedented shortage of health care providers – a problem that impacts every area of medicine, including the provision of sexual and reproductive care. Do you support removing the physician-only requirement and allowing advanced practice clinicians (APCs) to provide this vital care to patients with training and certification?
Although I can't commit to specific legislation without seeing bill language, I support expanding scopes of practice for healthcare professionals as long as proper training has been received.
It is well documented that patients of color face greater obstacles to obtaining sexual and reproductive health care than non-Hispanic white Americans – a pattern that results in worse health outcomes overall for BIPOC patients. Do you not only acknowledge systemic racism’s role in public health disparities but will you pursue policies that seek to rectify the historical harm of systemic racism and advance equitable access to health care?
As an advocate for women's healthcare, the statistics are overwhelmingly supporting that African American women have the worst early prenatal care, adequate prenatal care, preterm births, low birth weights, and maternal morbidity & mortality. In 2020, I was the primary sponsor for AB189,which provided increased access to pregnant women by allowing them to seek care while their Medicaid application was being processed. This critical legislation will improve early access to care during the first trimester and increase adequate care, which should lead to lower preterm births, low birth weights, and decrease maternal morbidity and mortality. Although I can't commit to specific legislation without seeing bill language, I will continue to work hard to improve women's reproductive health care and specifically look at legislation that will specifically target racial and ethnic disparities.
Knowing that the death penalty is exorbitantly expensive, racially discriminatory, and does not promote true healing for victims family members, do you support its abolition and do you think ending the death penalty is a crucial part of criminal justice reform?
In 2022 I voted in support of AB395, which would have abolished the death penalty. Although I can't commit to specific legislation or outcomes without bill language, I would support another bill if introduced in 2023.
True Colors United, a national organization that implements innovative solutions to youth homelessness that focus on the unique experiences of LGBTQ+ young people continues to rate Nevada as critically low, for its State Index on Youth Homelessness (in collaboration with the National Homelessness Law Center) that ranks and scores laws and policies related to preventing and addressing youth homelessness in the United States. Are you willing to support legislation that helps to fund and provide oversight regulations to youth homelessness services?
Although I can’t commit to specific legislation or outcomes without seeing bill language, I do support the concept.
Anti-transgender bills are being introduced across the United States that attempt to prevent trans people from having access to health care, gender reassignment surgery, and access to sports in schools. Do you support transgender equality and access to healthcare and an athletic school experience?
Although I can’t commit to specific legislation or outcomes without seeing bill language, I do support the concept.
We have seen rental rates increasing at a very alarming rate, in some instances upwards of 30%. How do you see the Nevada Legislature taking action to keep Nevadans in their homes and not being priced out?
Rental rates is a complex issue. Although I can’t commit to specific legislation or outcomes without seeing bill language, I as well as my colleagues are working with stakeholders to discuss not just affordable housing, but obtainable housing and working hard to find solutions to the housing and rental crisis.
Nevada has one of the largest shares of federal public land of any state in the country, providing important wildlife habitat, places to hunt, camp, fish and hike, and acting as the foundation of a billion dollar outdoor industry. Even so, some lawmakers have promoted policies that seek wholesale transfer of federal ownership of our national lands to states. A) Would you support or oppose these land transfer policies? B) Would should the State of Nevada’s role be in the management and ownership of federal land?
I am not familiar enough with the issue and without bill language would not be comfortable stating if I would be in support or oppose these policies. I do however have an open door and would love to hear more pros and cons on the issue from experts.
State investments in conservation provide resources for a wide range of public benefit, like the management of wildlife and state land, and the creation and maintenance of trails and other recreational facilities. In 2019, the Legislature approved $217 million of bonding authority for conservation purposes, including for the acquisition of land for new state parks. A) Do you support or oppose state investment in conservation? B) Has Nevada’s investment in land conservation been too little, too much, or about right, and how would you change it?
I served in the Nevada Legislature in 2019 and voted in support of the $217 million bonding authority for conservation purposes. Although I can’t commit to specific legislation or outcomes without seeing bill language, I do support the concept of investin
Would you support addressing public health disparities in Nevada’s diverse Spanish speaking population by funding a “Promotores de Salud” program through the Nevada Office of New Americans that provides year round, culturally competent education and community engagement in Spanish on public health issues?
Although I can’t commit to specific legislation or outcomes without seeing bill language or know the projected costs, I do support the concept of culturally competent education.
What are you doing to center communities of color and low-income communities in your work, and how do you ensure that equity is part of every decision you make?
I believe that equity is critical to ensure that everyone, no matter who they or where they live, receives services or is treated fairly, which is why I work with several community organizations throughout Nevada that work with communities of color and/or low-income communities to address disparities and listen to their needs to find equitable solutions.
The APIA community faces the largest unmet financial needs when it comes to higher education. Nevada has the highest student loan default rate in the country. In Nevada, there are 333,100 student loan borrowers, $11.5 Billion in student loan debt, and $34,700 in average debt per borrower. What policies can we implement to ensure students and families are protected from predatory lenders and undue financial burdens?
Last session I supported legislation that would regulate student loan servicers and regulate private education loans. Although it passed the Assembly, it wasn't heard in the Senate. Although I can’t commit to specific legislation or outcomes without seeing bill language, I would probably support this legislation again if it was brought forth. Besides regulating student loan services and providers, I would also like to see Federal legislation review the FAFSA information and provide more grants to students on the front-end of education and regulate colleges/universities in the amount of tuition they can charge or increase year-to-year.
Latinx communities are extremely concerned about the drought and ongoing water shortages. What would you do to ensure our families have a sustainable water supply, not just now but also future generations?
Drought and water conservation is a concern for all of Nevada. During my past two terms, I have voted in support of several water conservation legislations including AB 356, which was sponsored by the Ways and Means Committee to require the Southern Nevada Water Authority to develop a plan for the removal of nonfunctional turf on certain property and require the Committee on Public Lands to conduct a study concerning water conservation. I look forward to continuing these type of conversations with experts in the area of water conservation and passing comprehensive water conservation policies to ensure Nevada has a sustainable water supply for future generations.
One out of seven people in Clark County are food insecure. What policies would you propose to ensure people are not residing in food deserts and have access to healthy food and water sources?
Over my past two terms I have supported several bills regarding food insecurities and food deserts. In 2021 I voted in support of SB370 which created the Nutritious Food Purchase Account to carry out the Home Feeds Nevada Agriculture Food Purchase Program, which provides nutritious food to persons through food banks and other providers. Although I can’t commit to specific legislation or outcomes without seeing bill language, I would support any legislation that would expand programs aimed at improving access to nutritious food and eliminate food deserts.