Jennifer Chawla headshot

Jennifer Chawla

Sacramento City Council - District 1

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Top Issues

Economy As your Councilmember, I will focus on growing our local economy while ensuring the benefits stay within our district. Growth will be based on whether or not it is Smart, Transparent, Fiscally Responsible and Union Friendly. Education In addition, I will support programs that teach practical life skills that many young people never learn in school. Taxes / Budget If reductions become necessary, they should begin at the top, including reviewing compensation among the highest paid positions, elected officials, and long-standing vacant positions before considering impacts to frontline services. Education Our young people deserve opportunities to learn, grow, and build a strong future right here in District 1. I believe in creating programs and spaces that support both personal development and real-world skills. Social Services I will work with the City’s Department of Community Response to relocate individuals living in unsafe encampments to designated safe camping locations where they can keep their belongings and be offered access to health services, housing resources, and support programs. Economy I will work to create seasonal and part-time job opportunities for young people during school breaks and summer months, giving them the chance to earn income, gain work experience, and develop responsibility. Government Reform I will establish a satellite District 1 office within the district, staffed during normal business hours, where residents can come in person to discuss issues, receive assistance, and stay informed about city matters. Economy The City previously allocated 13.5 million in economic incentives related to the Centene project that ultimately did not deliver the promised jobs. I will push to have those funds reallocated toward attracting and creating high-paying jobs directly within District 1, ensuring public dollars are used to benefit our residents and strengthen our local economy. Taxes / Budget I will also hold Sacramento County accountable for the funding it receives to address homelessness but too often fails to deploy effectively within city limits. The city cannot carry this burden alone, and the county must be an active and responsible partner in addressing this crisis. Government Reform I will host weekly town halls, either virtual or in person, following City Council meetings so residents can hear directly about what happened, ask questions, and share concerns. Social Services For younger residents, I will work to make the North Natomas Aquatic Center free for all District 1 residents year-round. Safe recreational spaces keep kids active, healthy, and engaged in positive activities within their community. Criminal Justice / Public Safety Residents deserve to feel safe in their neighborhoods. I will push for the deployment of a dedicated full-time Sacramento Police officer assigned to patrol District 1, ensuring consistent visibility, faster response times, and stronger relationships between law enforcement and the community. Economy I will work to develop a Town Center featuring international cloud kitchens, where entrepreneurs can offer cuisines from around the world in a shared, modern food marketplace. This destination would celebrate our diversity, support small food businesses, and become a regional attraction for residents and visitors alike. Criminal Justice / Public Safety Mail theft has become a widespread problem across our neighborhoods. I will allocate a portion of my City Council budget to establish a dedicated Mail Theft Task Force that works in coordination with local law enforcement, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and community partners to investigate theft, identify patterns, and hold offenders accountable. Criminal Justice / Public Safety Too many streets in District 1 were built without the traffic infrastructure needed to keep residents safe. I will prioritize traffic safety improvements, including installing stoplights, improving crosswalk visibility, and implementing traffic calming measures in high-risk areas. Infrastructure / Transportation I will advocate for the development of a minor-league specification cricket pitch at North Natomas Regional Park. This facility would attract regional and national tournaments, bringing visitors and economic activity into our district. I will ensure that revenue generated from this amenity is reinvested directly back into District 1, helping expand local amenities and support our growing economy and help build additional amenities like competitive soccer fields! Infrastructure / Transportation I will work to expand public transportation options in District 1, including restarting Jibe mobility services for residents without reliable transportation. These services should also extend to the Robla and South Natomas corridors, ensuring more residents can access jobs, schools, and services throughout the city. Infrastructure / Transportation I will work to develop a community center within the North Natomas Regional Park Aquatic Center complex, which has significant room for expansion. Taxes / Budget I will push for greater transparency in city finances and demand thorough reviews and audits of city expenditures to identify inefficiencies and ensure responsible spending. Economy My goal is to build an economy in District 1 where local businesses can grow, entrepreneurs can succeed, and residents have access to well-paying jobs close to home. Taxes / Budget My goal will always be to balance the city’s budget without layoffs whenever possible by identifying waste, redundancies, and unnecessary spending.

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