CYMI: Cafecito y Chisme: Honest Arizona & Tucson Leaders Host Hispanic Community Roundtable

TUCSON — Honest Arizona was joined by local Hispanic leaders this week to commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month. The group discussed how policies at the federal and state level, including the government shutdown hurt Arizona families and small businesses, particularly those in the Latino community. 

The event included State Representative Betty Villegas, Supervisor Andres Cano and local advocates Lindsay Heimm and Martha Reyes.

The group agreed that the government shutdown showed a huge lapse in prioritizing real people, and with Republicans holding all the power, they were to blame. 

“It is our obligation to say this isn't right. To put pressure on the Republican majority and lawmakers like Rep. Ciscomani, here in Southern Arizona who is directly enabling this behavior.” said Supervisor Andres Cano

Lindsay Heim, a local advocate said, “"Americans across the nation are being abandoned. Not only do we have tariff induced cost hikes, all around. Inflation has not gone down. We are getting hit at the grocery store, the gas station, our rent, utilities, everything. Meanwhile billionaires are getting tax breaks."

The group also echoed how devastating cuts to essential programs, like Medicaid and SNAP, are to Arizona families. Losing those federal funds will likely force the State to make their own cuts. 

Martha Reyes, a single mother, expressed her fear for her daughter’s health, “My daughter has sickle cell disease and it is a really tough illness. I don't know what would happen if she didn't have AHCCCS. She needs medication. She needs to be seen by a doctor. It is scary.”

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