CRYSTAL’S PLATFORM

A Vision for a Stronger, Safer, and Healthier Baltimore.

Crystal Jackson Parker is running for Delegate in Baltimore City’s District 40 with a bold, community-centered platform that prioritizes the needs of residents and builds a brighter future for all. Her campaign is rooted in the belief that every Baltimorean deserves safe streets, fair housing, affordable healthcare, and clean air and water. Below is her comprehensive platform to uplift and empower the people of District 40.

PUBLIC SAFETY.

  • Invest in Community-Based Violence Prevention Programs: Expand funding for proven, community-based initiatives to reduce violence and provide alternatives for at-risk youth.

  • Support Law Enforcement Accountability and Reform: Advocate for transparent policing practices, increased accountability, and stronger community-police relationships to ensure safety and justice for all residents.

  • Expand Youth Opportunities: Create more after-school programs, mentorship opportunities, and job training initiatives to keep young people engaged and off the streets.

  • Improve Street Infrastructure: Ensure well-lit streets, functional traffic signals, and safe pedestrian crossings to reduce accidents and improve public safety.

Fair Housing.

  • Fight for Rent Stabilization: Advocate for rent stabilization policies to protect renters from predatory rent hikes and ensure housing stability for families.

  • Expand Affordable Housing: Push for increased funding to build and preserve affordable housing units, ensuring that all residents have access to safe, quality homes.

  • Strengthen Tenant Protections: Support legislation that prevents evictions without cause, combats housing discrimination, and holds landlords accountable for maintaining livable conditions.

  • Promote Homeownership Opportunities: Create programs that help first-time homebuyers, particularly in historically underserved communities, access affordable financing and resources.

health and wellness.

  • Expand Access to Affordable Healthcare: Fight to ensure every Marylander has access to affordable healthcare, regardless of income or employment status, by expanding Medicaid and affordable insurance options.

  • Support Mental Health Services: Increase funding for mental health programs and ensure care is accessible, affordable, and stigma-free.

  • Address Health Disparities: Work to eliminate racial and economic disparities in healthcare access and outcomes, particularly in underserved communities.

  • Lower Prescription Drug Costs: Advocate for policies that cap prescription drug prices and make life-saving medications affordable for all.

  • Combat the Opioid Crisis: Expand access to addiction treatment, harm reduction programs, and recovery services to address the opioid epidemic.

  • Promote Food Security: Support urban agriculture, farmers’ markets, and food assistance programs to ensure every family has access to healthy, affordable food.

  • Improve Emergency Preparedness: Strengthen disaster response plans to protect residents from extreme weather events, public health crises, and other emergencies.

Economic Opportunity.

  • Support Small Businesses: Provide grants, low-interest loans, and technical assistance to help local entrepreneurs thrive.

  • Create Good-Paying Jobs: Advocate for workforce development programs that connect residents to high-quality jobs in growing industries like healthcare, technology, and clean energy.

  • Raise the Minimum Wage: Fight for a living wage that allows workers to support their families and contribute to the local economy.

  • Promote Economic Equity: Address systemic barriers to economic opportunity, particularly for women, people of color, and historically underserved communities.

  • Improve Public Transit: Advocate for reliable, affordable, and accessible public transportation options that connect residents to jobs, schools, and healthcare. Work to eliminate gaps in transit access, particularly in underserved neighborhoods.

Education for All.

  • Fully Fund Public Schools: Ensure that every child in District 40 has access to a high-quality education by advocating for full funding of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future.

  • Support Teachers and Staff: Increase teacher pay, provide professional development opportunities, and ensure schools are fully staffed with counselors, nurses, and support personnel.

  • Expand Early Childhood Education: Invest in universal pre-K and early learning programs to give every child a strong start.

  • Promote Career and Technical Education: Strengthen vocational training programs to prepare students for high-demand careers in trades, technology, and healthcare.

OLDER ADULT BENEFITS.

  • Public Safety: Prosecute violence against older adults as hate crimes.

  • Housing: Advocate for safe, affordable, senior-only housing options and policies to address abusive management practices.

  • Transportation: Secure funding for more mobility vehicles, targeted services, and priority scheduling for seniors.

  • Health and Wellness: Increase SNAP benefits, reduce drug costs, and provide caregiver support.

  • Retiree Benefits: Guarantee medical insurance, exclude pension, Social Security, and IRA income from taxes and program eligibility, and establish funds for a Baltimore Department of Aging.

Clean Air and Water.

  • Combat Pollution: Hold polluters accountable and enforce stricter regulations to reduce air and water contamination in Baltimore’s most affected neighborhoods.

  • Invest in Green Infrastructure: Support initiatives to modernize stormwater systems, reduce flooding, and improve water quality.

  • Promote Renewable Energy: Advocate for clean energy solutions like solar and wind to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and create green jobs.

  • Address Environmental Justice: Prioritize environmental protections in communities disproportionately impacted by pollution and climate change.

RETURNING WITH SUPPORT.

  • Re-Entry Programs: Mandating education and workforce training during incarceration to prepare individuals for success.

  • Workforce Agreements: Partnering with employers to create viable workforce opportunities for justice-impacted individuals.

  • Holistic Support: Increasing access to substance use treatment, mental health services, and housing support to reduce homelessness and recidivism.