Priorities
As a former refugee who has overcome significant challenges to pursue her dreams, Rima understands the importance of preserving and expanding opportunities for all. She recognizes that the opportunities she fought for are becoming scarce, and she is committed to ensuring that future generations have access to the same pathways to success.
"My lived experiences as a healthcare worker, educator, and mother raising my family in this district give me hands-on understanding of the issues facing our community". - Rima Mohammad
Rima’s experiences have instilled in her a deep empathy for working-class families and individuals facing adversity. She is determined to fight for policies that uplift and support working-class communities and advocate for an inclusive society where every individual has the opportunity to thrive and build a better future for themselves and their families.
Education
As a former refugee, my education was a crucial factor in my ability to rise out of poverty. As a professor and the Ann Arbor Public School Board President, I understand the vital importance of supporting public education. It's the bedrock of our society, offering every child a path to success and contributing to the future prosperity of our state. As your representative, I'm committed to advocating for policies that prioritize public education, ensuring every child in Michigan has access to a world class education.
Pre-K for all
At the 2024 State of the State address, Governor Whitmer highlighted the importance of pre-k and committed to continuing to expand access to free pre-K for four-year-olds across Michigan. We must ensure we continue on the path of expanding the state’s pre-k capacity, support a robust enrollment program, strengthen our education workforce, and coordinate our efforts with pre-existing birth-to-five early learning and care system.
Recruitment and Retention Initiatives
We must attract and retain top talent in our schools. Rima will work to implement initiatives that incentivize educators to join and stay in our education system.
Support Robust Enrollment
A robust enrollment program should prioritize ensuring that every child, regardless of their background or circumstances, has access to education. This means removing barriers to enrollment and ensuring that enrollment processes are transparent and accessible to all families.
Fostering Collaborative Partnerships
Improving education outcomes requires collaboration among all stakeholders. As your representative, Rima will work tirelessly to build partnerships between policymakers, educators, parents, and community members to ensure the success of our education system.
Healthcare
Healthcare policy and reform are not just matters of politics; they are fundamental to the well-being and prosperity of our society. As your candidate for state representative, I am deeply committed to ensuring that every individual in our state has access to quality healthcare. As someone who works in our healthcare system, I understand the critical importance of healthcare policies that prioritize the well-being of all individuals regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic status.
Access for All
Healthcare is a fundamental right, not a privilege. Rima will work tirelessly to ensure that everyone, regardless of their income, location, or pre-existing conditions, has access to the healthcare services they need to thrive.
Healthcare Workforce Development
A strong healthcare workforce is essential for meeting the needs of our community. Rima will support education and training programs to attract and retain talented healthcare professionals, ensuring that our community has access to high-quality care.
Affordability and Insurance Reform
Healthcare costs continue to rise, placing a significant burden on families and especially citizens who live on a fixed income. I will push for insurance reforms that improve transparency, reduce administrative costs, and make healthcare more affordable for everyone.
Mental Health
The mental health crisis demands urgent attention, grounded in compassion and a commitment to affordable access to quality healthcare. Every individual struggling with mental illness deserves support, understanding, and timely access to the care they need. By prioritizing mental health services and eliminating barriers to access, we can create a society where everyone can thrive, free from the burdens of untreated mental illness.
Common Sense Gun Safety
As a candidate for State Representative, Rima is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our communities. Gun violence is a serious issue that affects families, schools, and neighborhoods across Michigan. Rima believes in implementing common sense gun safety measures to protect our children and create safer environments for everyone.
Safe Schools
Rima is dedicated to making our schools safe havens for learning. This includes advocating for comprehensive background checks and securing school environments to prevent tragedies.
Responsible Gun Ownership
Promote education and training for responsible gun ownership, emphasizing safe storage practices to keep firearms out of the hands of children.
Moms Demand Action
Rima is proud to have the endorsement of Moms Demand Action, an organization committed to ending gun violence in America. This endorsement reflects her commitment to implementing policies that prioritize safety and responsibility.
Comprehensive Background Checks
Ensure that all gun sales and transfers, including private sales and gun shows, are subject to background checks. We need to close the loopholes that allow individuals with a history of violence to acquire firearms.
Red Flag Laws
Support the implementation of red flag laws that allow family members and law enforcement to temporarily remove firearms from individuals deemed a threat to themselves or others. However, we must ensure that we provide resources and training for law enforcement on how to effectively and safely enforce these laws.
Ban on Assault Weapons
Support a ban on the sale and possession of assault weapons and high-capacity magazines that are designed for military use and have no place in civilian hands. Collectively, we need to work towards legislation that addresses the proliferation of these weapons in our communities.
Housing Crisis
Rima’s personal experiences as a former refugee and growing up in poverty have deeply shaped her understanding of housing insecurity. Her firsthand knowledge of the struggles that come with finding and maintaining affordable housing fuels her commitment to addressing the housing crisis in Michigan. As your State Representative, she will leverage her problem-solving skills, empathy, and lived experiences to advocate for policies that ensure everyone has a safe and affordable place to call home.
Increase Affordable Housing Units
Rima supports Governor Whitmer’s goal of increasing affordable housing units by 53% (115,000 units) by 2026 and believes even more urgency is needed.
Incentivize Sustainable Development
Advocate for legislation and funding to incentivize development that prioritize affordable housing projects.
Expand Temporary Housing
Increase funding for temporary housing solutions for those struggling to find stable housing.
Reverse Rent Control Bans
Push for the reversal of rental control bans to manage rising rent costs and prevent excessive rent increases.
Protect Tenants
Sponsor and support legislation that enhances protections for tenants, ensuring landlords follow proper eviction procedures and offering rental relief programs to those facing financial hardships.
Government Corruption
Government corruption undermines trust in our public institutions and hinders progress. As a candidate for State Representative, Rima is committed to ensuring transparency, accountability, and integrity in Michigan’s government. She believes that public officials must be held to the highest ethical standards to serve the people effectively. She has a proven track record of holding public officials accountable when she believes the trust of the people is being taken for granted.
Campaign Finance Reform
We need to ensure we get corporate PAC money out of politics and limit the influence of multi-million dollar corporations on our government. The people of our state should be the only special interest group we listen to.
Improving Procurement Processes
We must ensure fair and competitive bidding processes for government contracts to prevent favoritism and kickbacks. That includes increasing oversight of government contracts to ensure compliance with regulations and prevent misuse of funds.
Accessibility
Rima is committed to opening an in-district office to ensure the people of House District 33 don’t have to drive to Lansing to speak to their representatives office.
Protecting Women's Rights and Body Autonomy
Rima is deeply committed to protecting women's rights and ensuring body autonomy for all. As a State Representative, she will advocate for policies that safeguard these fundamental rights, ensuring that every person in Michigan has the freedom to make decisions about their own body without interference.
Protecting Access to Abortion
Fight to ensure that access to safe and legal abortion remains available to all women in Michigan. She opposes any legislation that seeks to restrict this fundamental right.
Supporting Comprehensive Reproductive Healthcare
Advocate for comprehensive reproductive healthcare services, including contraception, family planning, and prenatal care. These services are essential for women’s health and well-being.
Promoting Education and Awareness
Rima believes in the importance of education about body autonomy and reproductive health. She will support initiatives that provide accurate information and empower women to make informed decisions.
Combating Discrimination
Work to eliminate discrimination in healthcare based on gender, ensuring that all women receive equal and respectful treatment.
Caring for our Seniors
Rima is committed to ensuring that seniors in Michigan receive the care, respect, and support they deserve. As a clinical pharmacist with 20 years of experience, Rima has witnessed firsthand the challenges seniors face, from navigating complex insurance plans to choosing between medications and basic necessities. Her plan focuses on improving access to healthcare, providing financial support, and enhancing community services to ensure a dignified and fulfilling life for Michigan’s seniors.
Affordable Medications
Advocate for policies that reduce the cost of prescription drugs, ensuring that no senior has to choose between their health and other essential needs.
Expanded Healthcare Services
Support the expansion of home healthcare services and telemedicine, making it easier for seniors to access medical care without leaving their homes.
Protecting Their Homes
Advocate for property tax relief programs to help seniors on fixed incomes remain in their homes and communities.
Protecting Pensions
Fight to protect and strengthen pension plans, ensuring that seniors can retire with financial security and dignity.
Environment
Access to clean, clear water is not just a luxury; it is a basic human right and an essential component of public health and environmental sustainability.
Investment in Water Infrastructure
Advocate for increased funding and support for upgrading and maintaining our water infrastructure systems, including water treatment facilities and distribution networks. This investment will ensure that communities across Michigan have access to safe and reliable drinking water.
Environmental Protection
Champion policies that protect our natural water sources, such as lakes, rivers, and groundwater, from pollution and contamination.
Equitable Access
Work to address disparities in water access, particularly in underserved and marginalized communities. This will involve targeted initiatives to ensure that all residents, regardless of their socioeconomic status or geographical location, have access to clean and safe drinking water.
Community Engagement and Transparency
Prioritize community engagement and transparency in water management and decision-making processes. Residents deserve to be informed about water quality issues and involved in developing solutions that impact their communities.
Criminal Justice Reform
As State Representative, I will prioritize initiatives that promote alternatives to incarceration, support rehabilitation programs for non-violent offenders, and advocate for policies that address disparities in sentencing and bail practices. By focusing on evidence-based approaches and community-centered solutions,we can create a more just and equitable criminal justice system that prioritizes rehabilitation and prevention.
Community Policing and Accountability
Promote community-oriented policing models that emphasize building trust and collaboration between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve.
Addressing Sentencing Disparities
Push for legislation that addresses disparities in sentencing, particularly for non-violent offenses, by advocating for sentencing guidelines that prioritize fairness and proportionality
Promoting Rehabilitation Programs
I will advocate for the expansion of rehabilitation programs within the criminal justice system, focusing on education, vocational training, and mental health services for incarcerated individuals.
Promoting Rehabilitation Programs
Advocate for the expansion of rehabilitation programs within the criminal justice system, focusing on education, vocational training, and mental health services for incarcerated individuals.