IDRIS ON THE ISSUES

Access to affordable healthcare.

Every resident deserves access to affordable healthcare, mental health, and public health services. As the son of a front-line healthcare worker, I have always believed firmly that healthcare is a human right, not a privilege. 

As Supervisor, I will work to improve our local healthcare systems. I will do this by fighting for more funding to hire mental health professionals for the Community Services Board. I will also advocate for mental health clinics in the western region of the county, and work to expand mental health facilities. I will pass budgets that will provide funding and resources for wrap-around mental health services that address behavioral and substance abuse, as well as collaborate with the Cities of Manassas and Manassas Park to establish a local public health department.

Investing in our schools.

Education is one of the most important issues to me. Throughout my educational career, I graduated Prince William County Public Schools, Northern Virginia Community College, and George Mason University. I understand the importance of receiving a high-quality, world-class education.

When elected, I will vote to fully fund our public schools in support of our students, teachers, and educational support professionals. I will vote to support the expansion of universal preschool and early childhood education. I will work with our Board of Supervisors to provide funding for children with all types of accessibility needs. I will coordinate with the Prince William County School Board and Department of Social Services to create a better system of assisting children who age out of foster care or have developmental disabilities. As Supervisor, I will work with our School Board to expand our current school-to-job pipeline to create STEAM employment opportunities for our youth. I will pass budgets that will improve the infrastructure of existing schools in our community by upgrading and modernizing classrooms, and ensuring that we are up to date on modern technology.

Supporting public safety.

As a current resident of Prince William County, ensuring the safety of our community is a top priority.

As Supervisor, I will take proactive and preventative measures to reduce crime and recidivism. I will do this by passing a budget that will fully fund our police, fire, and emergency medical services. I will also work to fund both the Public Defender’s and Commonwealth Attorney’s offices in Prince William County, and invest in alternatives to traditional policing such as Co-Responder Units. These units will be composed of mental health professionals and social workers. Members of these units will work alongside law enforcement to provide services to individuals within our community who are facing homelessness, mental health crisis, and addiction. I will work with the Board of Supervisors to start an initiative to provide education and job training programs for residents who were formerly incarcerated by working with our workforce and higher education professionals.

Conserving and protecting our environment.

Our environment is important to our health and quality of life. I have always been active in protecting our environment locally. I have hosted clean-up projects and advocated for more solar panels in our community. I am one of the founders of the Greater Prince William Climate Action Network, which works to reduce greenhouse gasses, pollution and promote conservation efforts in our county.

When elected, I will take action to protect our environment and green spaces. I will also work to ensure that residents have clean air and water, and preserve the historical areas of the Coles District. I will achieve this by supporting the Sustainability Commission, and the Commission’s work in protecting the environment and directing our local government on ways to combat climate change.

Expanding affordable and attainable housing.

I believe that all residents in Prince William County should have access to affordable and attainable housing. As a long-time advocate to end homelessness, I will vote to support a Housing Trust Fund to attract more workforce and attainable housing for residents of the Coles District. I will advocate for an increase of availability and funding for permanent supportive housing solutions for residents experiencing homelessness. I will fight to ensure that we are able to keep residents in their homes for generations to come. 

Improving our local transportation and pedestrian safety.

As a resident of Prince William County, I have used our local buses to get to and from my home, school, church, and work. Currently, in order to get to your destination the travel and wait times can take hours. Additionally, pedestrian safety is a huge concern of mine. Many roads within the Coles District do not have safe crosswalks, sidewalks, or bike lanes.

As your Supervisor, I will work to ensure that residents are able to travel around the county more efficiently. One of the ways I will do this is by advocating for multi-modal transit options. I will also work on the safety of our pedestrians by investing in the addition of safer crosswalks, sidewalks, and bike lanes in the Coles District.

Supporting our local and small businesses.

When elected as Supervisor, I will advocate for the expansion of our small businesses in order to make Prince William County a community that provides fair-paying jobs to residents and is home to a diverse tax base.

I will work with the Board of Supervisors and our Economic Development Authority to further support micro and small locally-owned businesses. I will support initiatives that would attract more businesses to our county. I will work with our workforce development to amplify programs that will help create career paths for residents in the coun