Selena Elizabeth Torres

Selena Elizabeth Torres

Selena Elizabeth Torres


Democrat


for


AD 3


Campaign Contact Phone: 7027162273


Website: selenatorresnv.com


Facebook: www.facebook.com/selenatorresnv


Twitter: @selenatorresnv


2022 Questionnaire

Please share briefly what inspired you to run for this office and why you feel you’re qualified for the position.

 

As an educator I see first-hand how broken systems impact hardworking Nevada families. As a legislator I fought to protect working families, improve our education system, and provide Nevadans with more economic opportunities. The work isn't done. I am seeking re-election so that I can continue the work we have started.

Would you support allocating more state funds to help DACA recipients to help with higher education?

As a legislator I was a strong supporter of reforming our policies to allow immigrant students to receive access to scholarships. There is still work to be done. All immigrant students should have access to a higher education regardless of where they come from or their immigration status.

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?

 

Nevada legislators must collaborate with local governments and community stakeholders to understand how to expand shelters and provide Nevadans with the tools they need to escape homelessness. I am committed to working with stakeholders to tackle the issue of homelessness by expanding social services.

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?

 

Yes.

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?

 

I support removing unnecessary barriers to care and access sexual and reproductive care.

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?

 

Yes.

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?

 

I support the abolition of the death penalty. During the 2021 legislative session I supported the abolition of the death penalty and would do so again.

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?

 

Yes.

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?

 

Yes.

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?

Throughout the interim several legislative committees have started to discuss the alarming increase in rent. I am eager to partner with stakeholders to find permanent solutions that will protect working Nevada families.

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 oppose the transfer of federal land to our state as it would be costly for our state. In the past this conversation has been had without considerations for the economic impact on the state nor the ways the state would conserve land.

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 support Nevada's investment in conservation and am committed to working with stakeholders to understand the various ways in which we can improve conservation efforts.

 

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?

 

Yes.

 

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?

As a lawmaker I have worked with myriad organizations to sponsor legislation that dismantles systems of oppression for working class Nevada families. I have sponsored legislation that improves our English language Learner programs, addresses the school-to-prison pipeline, promotes criminal justice reform, and improves the quality of life for immigrant families. I am committed to continuing this work in Carson City.

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?

I have consistently supported legislation that expands access to state colleges and universities and helps students understand the different tools available to help them fund their secondary education. Now more than ever we need to find ways to support Nevadans.

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?

 

I am committed to working with stakeholders to find ways to mitigate the impact of the drought. I am eager to work with the community to find policy that ensures we have a sustainable water supply.

 

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?

 

Nevada must find ways to incentivizes grocery stores in food deserts across the state. I am eager to work with stakeholders to see what solutions have been effective across the state and how we can address food deserts.