Sandeep Kumar Srivastava

[{"question": "Ballotpedia survey responses", "answer_html": "<p>See also: <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a></p>\n<div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-10 col-md-6 col-xs-offset-1 col-md-offset-3\"><p><a href=\"https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\"><img align=\"middle\" alt=\"Candidate Connection\" src=\"https://cdn.ballotpedia.org/images/8/88/Candidate_Connection_Logo.png\" width=\"90%\"/></a></p></div></div>\n<p>Sandeep Srivastava completed <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a> survey in 2026. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Srivastava's responses.</p>\n<p><span class=\"expand-all\">Expand all</span> | <span class=\"collapse-all\">Collapse all</span></p>\n<div aria-multiselectable=\"true\" class=\"panel-group\" id=\"accordion\" role=\"tablist\"><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-390123-2026-04-29\" id=\"heading-bio-390123-2026-04-29\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-bio-390123-2026-04-29\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-390123-2026-04-29\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWho are you? Tell us about yourself.\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-bio-390123-2026-04-29\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-bio-390123-2026-04-29\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tSandeep Srivastava is a longtime Plano/Frisco resident, small business owner, and dedicated community advocate. A first-generation immigrant, Sandeep has helped build and operate childcare centers across DFW, helping to meet the growing demand for affordable, accessible child care for working families. He is also a longtime community activist and the founder of a nonprofit organization that supports new immigrants as they transition to life in the United States. With a strong background in business and civic engagement, Sandeep is focused on building a broad, bipartisan coalition centered on pragmatic solutions and meaningful results. As a husband, father, and small business owner, he understands the challenges families in Collin County face every day and is ready to be their voice in Austin.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-390123-2026-04-29\" id=\"heading-key-message-390123-2026-04-29\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-key-message-390123-2026-04-29\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-390123-2026-04-29\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tPlease list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-key-message-390123-2026-04-29\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-key-message-390123-2026-04-29\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><ul><li>Across Texas, families are feeling the pinch of skyrocketing home and auto insurance premiums. From hailstorms to hurricanes, insurers are responding to rising risks with higher rates—but the burden is falling too heavily on everyday Texans. Sandeep will fight to bring common-sense solutions that lower costs while protecting what matters most. Texans deserve fair, affordable insurance—not surprise hikes and shrinking coverage.</li><li>Texas is known for its strength, independence, and opportunity. But as property values rise, too many Texans are feeling the burden of skyrocketing property taxes. Families are being priced out of their homes, small businesses are struggling, and retirees on fixed incomes are making tough decisions just to stay afloat. Sandeep will fight for greater transparency in how tax rates are set, place reasonable limits on excessive increases, and give local voters more control over the process. We must find smarter, more sustainable ways to fund our schools and essential services, without overburdening property owners. Together, we can bring balance back to our system, and ensure that owning a home in Texas remains a blessing and not a burden.</li><li>Sandeep believes deeply in the promise of public education. Public schools are the heart of our communities. They are where we teach our children not just reading and math, but how to think critically, work together, and become informed citizens. They are open to every child—no matter their income, race, or religion. That is something worth fighting for. Sandeep stands firmly against school vouchers, and for fully funding our public schools.</li></ul></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-390123-2026-04-29\" id=\"heading1-390123-2026-04-29\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse1-390123-2026-04-29\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-390123-2026-04-29\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading1-390123-2026-04-29\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse1-390123-2026-04-29\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tAs your next representative in the Texas State House, I believe the safety of our families, neighborhoods, and schools is not just a policy priority, it's a fundamental responsibility. Every Texan deserves to feel secure in their home, their workplace, and especially when they send their children to school. That’s why I will work tirelessly to advance practical, proven solutions to enhance public and school safety across our great state.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-390123-2026-04-29\" id=\"heading2-390123-2026-04-29\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse2-390123-2026-04-29\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-390123-2026-04-29\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading2-390123-2026-04-29\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse2-390123-2026-04-29\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tThey See Blue, Indian American Impact, Dream for America, Asian American Democrats of Texas, Plano Area Democrats, Texas Young Democrats.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div></div>\n<div class=\"small\" data-nosnippet=\"\"><p><i><b>Note:</b> Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.</i></p></div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"></div>\n<p>Sandeep Srivastava did not complete <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection</a> survey.\n</p>", "answer_text": "See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection\n\nSandeep Srivastava completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2026. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Srivastava's responses.\nExpand all | Collapse all\nWho are you? Tell us about yourself. Sandeep Srivastava is a longtime Plano/Frisco resident, small business owner, and dedicated community advocate. A first-generation immigrant, Sandeep has helped build and operate childcare centers across DFW, helping to meet the growing demand for affordable, accessible child care for working families. He is also a longtime community activist and the founder of a nonprofit organization that supports new immigrants as they transition to life in the United States. With a strong background in business and civic engagement, Sandeep is focused on building a broad, bipartisan coalition centered on pragmatic solutions and meaningful results. As a husband, father, and small business owner, he understands the challenges families in Collin County face every day and is ready to be their voice in Austin. Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office? Across Texas, families are feeling the pinch of skyrocketing home and auto insurance premiums. From hailstorms to hurricanes, insurers are responding to rising risks with higher rates—but the burden is falling too heavily on everyday Texans. Sandeep will fight to bring common-sense solutions that lower costs while protecting what matters most. Texans deserve fair, affordable insurance—not surprise hikes and shrinking coverage. Texas is known for its strength, independence, and opportunity. But as property values rise, too many Texans are feeling the burden of skyrocketing property taxes. Families are being priced out of their homes, small businesses are struggling, and retirees on fixed incomes are making tough decisions just to stay afloat. Sandeep will fight for greater transparency in how tax rates are set, place reasonable limits on excessive increases, and give local voters more control over the process. We must find smarter, more sustainable ways to fund our schools and essential services, without overburdening property owners. Together, we can bring balance back to our system, and ensure that owning a home in Texas remains a blessing and not a burden. Sandeep believes deeply in the promise of public education. Public schools are the heart of our communities. They are where we teach our children not just reading and math, but how to think critically, work together, and become informed citizens. They are open to every child—no matter their income, race, or religion. That is something worth fighting for. Sandeep stands firmly against school vouchers, and for fully funding our public schools. What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? As your next representative in the Texas State House, I believe the safety of our families, neighborhoods, and schools is not just a policy priority, it's a fundamental responsibility. Every Texan deserves to feel secure in their home, their workplace, and especially when they send their children to school. That’s why I will work tirelessly to advance practical, proven solutions to enhance public and school safety across our great state. What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign? They See Blue, Indian American Impact, Dream for America, Asian American Democrats of Texas, Plano Area Democrats, Texas Young Democrats.\nNote: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.\n\nSandeep Srivastava did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey."}, {"question": "Campaign website", "answer_html": "<p>Srivastava’s campaign website stated the following:\n</p>\n<div style=\"height:400px;overflow:scroll;border:1px solid gray;margin:20px;padding:10px;\">\n<table data-nosnippet=\"\" style=\"border-collapse: collapse; border: none;background-color: transparent; auto; ;\">\n<tbody><tr>\n<td style=\"border:none; color:#B2B7F2;font-size:35px;font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; text-align: left; padding: 10px 3px;\" valign=\"top\" width=\"20\">“\n</td>\n<td style=\"border: none; padding: 4px 10px;\" valign=\"top\">\n<p>A better world is possible if we stand together and fight for it.<br/>\nWorking families deserve a leader who will fight and deliver for good jobs, reproductive rights, Medicare for All, a functional electric grid, and a better Texas.<br/>\n</p><p><b>An Economy that works for Working Families</b><br/>\nWorking Texans deserve a leader who believes in the power of organized labor and that treating employees well is critical to company success. As your next representative, Sandeep Srivastava wants to ensure everyone is being paid living wages, guaranteeing $15 an hour nationwide. He advocates for legislation like the <u>PRO Act</u> and national paid sick day laws. Sandeep also believes in universal paid family and parental leave and supports legislation such as the <u>Raise the Wage Act</u>.\n</p><p><b>Putting the Car back into Healthcare</b><br/>\nThe current out-of-control healthcare costs are unsustainable and need to be addressed. Healthcare is critical to every family's needs and is not something the country can continue to ignore. With 42% of cancer patients going bankrupt within two years after treatment, it is an issue that cannot wait. We must improve our healthcare system to put patients first, focus on wellness and preventative care, and reduce overall costs so that healthcare is permanently available and affordable for all individuals and families, regardless of socioeconomic status.\n</p><p>When it comes to healthcare, no solution is off the table; if it has meaningful change that will reduce the burden on Texans and families across the country, Sandeep favors it. Whether it is medicare for all, a public option, or some other form of single-payer healthcare, the solution must be inclusive and reduce the burden on families across the state and nation. That is why we must take an “all of the above approach” and review every option to create the best comprehensive solution that fits the needs of every family.\n</p><p><b>Protecting Reproductive Freedom for Al</b><br/>\nTexas is ground zero for attacks on reproductive rights from state legislative initiatives, so we must pass a national law that protects private medical decisions, including the right to safe and legal abortions. Sandeep is dedicated to codifying Roe vs. Wade through legislation like the <u>Women’s Health Act</u> and expanding reproductive healthcare access for all.\n</p><p><b>Reducing Gun Violence</b><br/>\nGun Violence is a severe epidemic spreading across the U.S. at alarming rates. We know that funneling more guns into a situation is not the solution, so we must work together, responsible gun owners, and gun safety advocates, to bring about real change. We can start by supporting universal background checks, funding intervention programs, and supporting red flag laws.\n</p><p><b>Social &amp; Criminal Justice</b><br/>\nThe United States has more people incarcerated than anywhere in the world, largely due to the “war on drugs,” which has wreaked havoc in communities across the country. Sandeep fully supports the <u>MORE act</u>, which removes the federal ban on Marijuana while also directing expungements for related convictions.\n</p><p>We all want to feel safe in our communities, and that’s why it is essential to support our police while also ensuring proper oversight and removing some of the burdens from their shoulders. We can improve community policing and hire additional support staff like social workers and mental health professionals to take some of the burdens off of police officers in non-threatening situations. No person should have their life taken by the police, and we can implement a system that reduces the frequency of death by officers nationwide while maintaining safe communities.\n</p><p><b>Immigration</b><br/>\nAs an immigrant who was able to come to America and pursue the American Dream, the need for immigration reform is something Sandeep takes to heart. We must focus on an immigration policy that treats people with dignity and respect, creating a pathway to citizenship and protecting Dreamers. The <u>American Dream and Promise Act</u> is a bill that Sandeep strongly supports, among others. He is focused on bringing families together while helping end the backlog of immigration paperwork that has plagued our system for decades.\n</p><p><b>LGBTQIA+</b><br/>\nSandeep believes we must take more substantial steps to protect the LGBTQIA+ community, so he strongly supports The Equality Act We must ensure all people are protected from discrimination in the workforce, housing, and more. We must also codify marriage equality to ensure everyone can marry who they love across the country.\n</p><p><b>Education</b><br/>\nPeople who attend college earn $2 million more over their lifetime and contribute ten times more to the economy – it’s a win-win. We must ensure everyone has access to higher education if they choose to do so, including Trade Skills and degree opportunities that support the future growth of our country. I believe in investing in people and working to have debt-free education for community colleges and public universities, as well as universal Pre–K and universal childcare. We must ensure that our education is good and excels so that we continue to compete in the global economy for generations to come.\n</p><p><b>Universal Pre-K</b><br/>\nIt is well established that Pre-K has a long-term, positive impact on our children’s futures. Creating long-lasting opportunities for every child is critical to our nation’s ability to continue to lead in the future. Pre-K is linked to meaningful changes in their lives, resulting in higher high school graduation rates, higher percentages of college enrollment, less likely to skip classes, less likely to end up in juvenile detention, and more likely to take the SATs and prepare for college.\n</p><p>Sandeep is a strong believer in the power of education and the ability to lift people up; that’s why he is a strong proponent of Universal Pre-K and its profound impacts on our nation. We can ensure the United States continues to be a leader in the world by supporting education and especially by establishing Universal Pre-K for all children.\n</p><p><b>Energy and Environment</b><br/>\nWe need leadership willing to talk about tough topics, such as climate change, while looking ahead to the opportunities that come with solving the crisis. It is easy to ignore the ongoing devastation that climate change already has on our communities. DFW's insurance premiums increase as our homes and businesses are impacted by dangerous weather. What’s worse is that the frequency with which we are seeing severe, billion-dollar environmental disasters is increasing in frequency.\n</p><p>It's not all doom and gloom, though, regarding climate change. Texas leads the nation in renewable energy opportunities, just like we have done with Fossil fuels for decades. We can make a significant transition and be leaders of the future while continuing to be an energy state and being part of the solution. Promoting a green economy is good for business, jobs, and overall economic growth. We should be taking the opportunity instead of pretending it doesn’t exist. Sandeep supports a robust transition that protects current jobs while moving to a green economy, supplying clean energy, and building out a power grid that can help the future of electric demand as we move toward electric vehicles and more by 2035 and is 100% zero emissions by 2050. This threat turned opportunity will create tens of thousands of long-lasting, high-paying jobs in Texas, and millions of jobs across the United States. The threat of catastrophic climate change is real, but so is the opportunity that comes with it.<sup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-quotedisclaimer_4-0\"><a href=\"#cite_note-quotedisclaimer-4\">[4]</a></sup>\n</p>\n</td>\n<td style=\"border: none; color: #B2B7F2; font-size: 35px; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; text-align: right; padding: 10px 1px;\" valign=\"bottom\" width=\"20\">”\n</td></tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"cquotecite\" colspan=\"3\" style=\"border: none; padding-right: 4%\"><cite style=\"font-style: normal;font-size: smaller; float: right;\">—Sandeep Srivastava’s campaign website (2024)<sup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-5\"><a href=\"#cite_note-5\">[5]</a></sup></cite>\n</td></tr></tbody></table>\n</div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"></div>\n<div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-10 col-md-6 col-xs-offset-1 col-md-offset-3\"><p><a href=\"https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\"><img align=\"middle\" alt=\"Candidate Connection\" src=\"https://cdn.ballotpedia.org/images/8/88/Candidate_Connection_Logo.png\" width=\"90%\"/></a></p></div></div>\n<p>Sandeep Srivastava completed <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a> survey in 2023. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Srivastava's responses.</p>\n<p><span class=\"expand-all\">Expand all</span> | <span class=\"collapse-all\">Collapse all</span></p>\n<div aria-multiselectable=\"true\" class=\"panel-group\" id=\"accordion\" role=\"tablist\"><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-203810-2023-09-09\" id=\"heading-bio-203810-2023-09-09\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-bio-203810-2023-09-09\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-203810-2023-09-09\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWho are you? Tell us about yourself.\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-bio-203810-2023-09-09\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-bio-203810-2023-09-09\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tSandeep is a first-generation immigrant who has found success in the real estate business and helped create childcare centers to help address the growing need for affordable and accessible childcare services in the DFW metroplex.\nSandeep is also a long-time community activist who founded a non-profit organization to help new immigrants transition to the United States and continues to be on the front lines of challenging issues. He has marched alongside concerned citizens for women’s rights, promoted gun safety to reduce gun violence, and strongly supports universal Pre-K, affordable childcare, universal healthcare, and more.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-203810-2023-09-09\" id=\"heading-key-message-203810-2023-09-09\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-key-message-203810-2023-09-09\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-203810-2023-09-09\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tPlease list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-key-message-203810-2023-09-09\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-key-message-203810-2023-09-09\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><ul><li>When it comes to healthcare, no solution is off the table; if it has meaningful change that will reduce the burden on Texans and families across the country, Sandeep favors it. Whether it is medicare for all, a public option, or some other form of single-payer healthcare, the solution must be inclusive and reduce the burden on families across the state and nation. That is why we must take an “all of the above approach” and review every option to create the best comprehensive solution that fits the needs of every family.</li><li>Texas is ground zero for attacks on reproductive rights from state legislative initiatives, so we must pass a national law that protects private medical decisions, including the right to safe and legal abortions. Sandeep is dedicated to codifying Roe vs. Wade through legislation like the Women’s Health Act and expanding reproductive healthcare access for all.</li><li>Gun Violence is a severe epidemic spreading across the U.S. at alarming rates. We know that funneling more guns into a situation is not the solution, so we must work together, responsible gun owners, and gun safety advocates, to bring about real change. We can start by supporting universal background checks, funding intervention programs, and supporting red flag laws.</li></ul></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-203810-2023-09-09\" id=\"heading1-203810-2023-09-09\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse1-203810-2023-09-09\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-203810-2023-09-09\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading1-203810-2023-09-09\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse1-203810-2023-09-09\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tWe need leadership willing to talk about tough topics, such as climate change, while looking ahead to the opportunities that come with solving the crisis. It is easy to ignore the ongoing devastation that climate change already has on our communities. DFW's insurance premiums increase as our homes and businesses are impacted by dangerous weather. What’s worse is that the frequency with which we are seeing severe, billion-dollar environmental disasters is increasing in frequency.<br/>\r\nPromoting a green economy is good for business, jobs, and overall economic growth. We should be taking the opportunity instead of pretending it doesn’t exist. Sandeep supports a robust transition that protects current jobs while moving to a green economy, supplying clean energy, and building out a power grid that can help the future of electric demand as we move toward electric vehicles and more by 2035 and is 100% zero emissions by 2050. This threat turned opportunity will create tens of thousands of long-lasting, high-paying jobs in Texas, and millions of jobs across the United States. The threat of catastrophic climate change is real, but so is the opportunity that comes with it.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div></div>\n<div class=\"small\" data-nosnippet=\"\"><p><i><b>Note:</b> Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.</i></p></div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"></div>\n<p>Sandeep Srivastava did not complete <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection</a> survey.\n</p>", "answer_text": "Srivastava’s campaign website stated the following:\n“ A better world is possible if we stand together and fight for it. Working families deserve a leader who will fight and deliver for good jobs, reproductive rights, Medicare for All, a functional electric grid, and a better Texas. An Economy that works for Working Families Working Texans deserve a leader who believes in the power of organized labor and that treating employees well is critical to company success. As your next representative, Sandeep Srivastava wants to ensure everyone is being paid living wages, guaranteeing $15 an hour nationwide. He advocates for legislation like the PRO Act and national paid sick day laws. Sandeep also believes in universal paid family and parental leave and supports legislation such as the Raise the Wage Act . Putting the Car back into Healthcare The current out-of-control healthcare costs are unsustainable and need to be addressed. Healthcare is critical to every family's needs and is not something the country can continue to ignore. With 42% of cancer patients going bankrupt within two years after treatment, it is an issue that cannot wait. We must improve our healthcare system to put patients first, focus on wellness and preventative care, and reduce overall costs so that healthcare is permanently available and affordable for all individuals and families, regardless of socioeconomic status. When it comes to healthcare, no solution is off the table; if it has meaningful change that will reduce the burden on Texans and families across the country, Sandeep favors it. Whether it is medicare for all, a public option, or some other form of single-payer healthcare, the solution must be inclusive and reduce the burden on families across the state and nation. That is why we must take an “all of the above approach” and review every option to create the best comprehensive solution that fits the needs of every family. Protecting Reproductive Freedom for Al Texas is ground zero for attacks on reproductive rights from state legislative initiatives, so we must pass a national law that protects private medical decisions, including the right to safe and legal abortions. Sandeep is dedicated to codifying Roe vs. Wade through legislation like the Women’s Health Act and expanding reproductive healthcare access for all. Reducing Gun Violence Gun Violence is a severe epidemic spreading across the U.S. at alarming rates. We know that funneling more guns into a situation is not the solution, so we must work together, responsible gun owners, and gun safety advocates, to bring about real change. We can start by supporting universal background checks, funding intervention programs, and supporting red flag laws. Social & Criminal Justice The United States has more people incarcerated than anywhere in the world, largely due to the “war on drugs,” which has wreaked havoc in communities across the country. Sandeep fully supports the MORE act , which removes the federal ban on Marijuana while also directing expungements for related convictions. We all want to feel safe in our communities, and that’s why it is essential to support our police while also ensuring proper oversight and removing some of the burdens from their shoulders. We can improve community policing and hire additional support staff like social workers and mental health professionals to take some of the burdens off of police officers in non-threatening situations. No person should have their life taken by the police, and we can implement a system that reduces the frequency of death by officers nationwide while maintaining safe communities. Immigration As an immigrant who was able to come to America and pursue the American Dream, the need for immigration reform is something Sandeep takes to heart. We must focus on an immigration policy that treats people with dignity and respect, creating a pathway to citizenship and protecting Dreamers. The American Dream and Promise Act is a bill that Sandeep strongly supports, among others. He is focused on bringing families together while helping end the backlog of immigration paperwork that has plagued our system for decades. LGBTQIA+ Sandeep believes we must take more substantial steps to protect the LGBTQIA+ community, so he strongly supports The Equality Act We must ensure all people are protected from discrimination in the workforce, housing, and more. We must also codify marriage equality to ensure everyone can marry who they love across the country. Education People who attend college earn $2 million more over their lifetime and contribute ten times more to the economy – it’s a win-win. We must ensure everyone has access to higher education if they choose to do so, including Trade Skills and degree opportunities that support the future growth of our country. I believe in investing in people and working to have debt-free education for community colleges and public universities, as well as universal Pre–K and universal childcare. We must ensure that our education is good and excels so that we continue to compete in the global economy for generations to come. Universal Pre-K It is well established that Pre-K has a long-term, positive impact on our children’s futures. Creating long-lasting opportunities for every child is critical to our nation’s ability to continue to lead in the future. Pre-K is linked to meaningful changes in their lives, resulting in higher high school graduation rates, higher percentages of college enrollment, less likely to skip classes, less likely to end up in juvenile detention, and more likely to take the SATs and prepare for college. Sandeep is a strong believer in the power of education and the ability to lift people up; that’s why he is a strong proponent of Universal Pre-K and its profound impacts on our nation. We can ensure the United States continues to be a leader in the world by supporting education and especially by establishing Universal Pre-K for all children. Energy and Environment We need leadership willing to talk about tough topics, such as climate change, while looking ahead to the opportunities that come with solving the crisis. It is easy to ignore the ongoing devastation that climate change already has on our communities. DFW's insurance premiums increase as our homes and businesses are impacted by dangerous weather. What’s worse is that the frequency with which we are seeing severe, billion-dollar environmental disasters is increasing in frequency. It's not all doom and gloom, though, regarding climate change. Texas leads the nation in renewable energy opportunities, just like we have done with Fossil fuels for decades. We can make a significant transition and be leaders of the future while continuing to be an energy state and being part of the solution. Promoting a green economy is good for business, jobs, and overall economic growth. We should be taking the opportunity instead of pretending it doesn’t exist. Sandeep supports a robust transition that protects current jobs while moving to a green economy, supplying clean energy, and building out a power grid that can help the future of electric demand as we move toward electric vehicles and more by 2035 and is 100% zero emissions by 2050. This threat turned opportunity will create tens of thousands of long-lasting, high-paying jobs in Texas, and millions of jobs across the United States. The threat of catastrophic climate change is real, but so is the opportunity that comes with it. [4] ” —Sandeep Srivastava’s campaign website (2024) [5]\n\n\nSandeep Srivastava completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2023. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Srivastava's responses.\nExpand all | Collapse all\nWho are you? Tell us about yourself. Sandeep is a first-generation immigrant who has found success in the real estate business and helped create childcare centers to help address the growing need for affordable and accessible childcare services in the DFW metroplex.\nSandeep is also a long-time community activist who founded a non-profit organization to help new immigrants transition to the United States and continues to be on the front lines of challenging issues. He has marched alongside concerned citizens for women’s rights, promoted gun safety to reduce gun violence, and strongly supports universal Pre-K, affordable childcare, universal healthcare, and more. Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office? When it comes to healthcare, no solution is off the table; if it has meaningful change that will reduce the burden on Texans and families across the country, Sandeep favors it. Whether it is medicare for all, a public option, or some other form of single-payer healthcare, the solution must be inclusive and reduce the burden on families across the state and nation. That is why we must take an “all of the above approach” and review every option to create the best comprehensive solution that fits the needs of every family. Texas is ground zero for attacks on reproductive rights from state legislative initiatives, so we must pass a national law that protects private medical decisions, including the right to safe and legal abortions. Sandeep is dedicated to codifying Roe vs. Wade through legislation like the Women’s Health Act and expanding reproductive healthcare access for all. Gun Violence is a severe epidemic spreading across the U.S. at alarming rates. We know that funneling more guns into a situation is not the solution, so we must work together, responsible gun owners, and gun safety advocates, to bring about real change. We can start by supporting universal background checks, funding intervention programs, and supporting red flag laws. What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? We need leadership willing to talk about tough topics, such as climate change, while looking ahead to the opportunities that come with solving the crisis. It is easy to ignore the ongoing devastation that climate change already has on our communities. DFW's insurance premiums increase as our homes and businesses are impacted by dangerous weather. What’s worse is that the frequency with which we are seeing severe, billion-dollar environmental disasters is increasing in frequency. Promoting a green economy is good for business, jobs, and overall economic growth. We should be taking the opportunity instead of pretending it doesn’t exist. Sandeep supports a robust transition that protects current jobs while moving to a green economy, supplying clean energy, and building out a power grid that can help the future of electric demand as we move toward electric vehicles and more by 2035 and is 100% zero emissions by 2050. This threat turned opportunity will create tens of thousands of long-lasting, high-paying jobs in Texas, and millions of jobs across the United States. The threat of catastrophic climate change is real, but so is the opportunity that comes with it.\nNote: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.\n\nSandeep Srivastava did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey."}, {"question": "Campaign website", "answer_html": "<p>Srivastava's campaign website stated the following:\n</p>\n<div style=\"height:400px;overflow:scroll;border:1px solid gray;margin:20px;padding:10px;\">\n<table data-nosnippet=\"\" style=\"border-collapse: collapse; border: none;background-color: transparent; auto; ;\">\n<tbody><tr>\n<td style=\"border:none; color:#B2B7F2;font-size:35px;font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; text-align: left; padding: 10px 3px;\" valign=\"top\" width=\"20\">“\n</td>\n<td style=\"border: none; padding: 4px 10px;\" valign=\"top\">\n<p><b>Fight for a Fair Immigration System &amp; Refugee Protection</b>\n</p><p><i>Increase the Cap on Permanent Visas Issued Each Year</i>\n</p><p>America is proud of its diversity, which enriches our culture. Currently, the U.S. sets a limit of only 140,000 permanent visas issued per year, most of which are work visas. The people who come here with permanent visas are of immense benefit to our economy because they are usually exceptionally talented, highly skilled, and experienced. When they come here, they increase the productive capacity of the economy. We should increase the limit so that more people from other countries can help boost our economy.\n</p><p><i>Pathway to Citizenship for Undocumented Workers</i>\n</p><p>Most Americans are immigrants or descended from immigrants who came to America seeking a better life when it was easier to immigrate to this country. Undocumented immigrants are no different. They come here to work hard to improve their lives. Without family members who are close relatives, employer-sponsored work visas, or $900,000 to spend on a new business that creates at least ten full-time jobs for Americans, there is no legal means for immigrating here and becoming a citizen. The visa system unfairly favors people who come from privileged backgrounds. We must ask ourselves what kind of society we want to be: one that favors the privileged and ignores the most vulnerable people or one that treats all immigrants fairly. American society is based on equality, so we must provide a fair pathway to citizenship for rigorously vetted undocumented workers.\n</p><p><i>End Abuse of the Temporary Worker Visa Program</i>\n</p><p>We are a free nation that protects vulnerable people from wage enslavement, economic subjugation, indentured servitude, and human trafficking. Employers can exploit immigrants on temporary work visas because the immigration status is tied to a single employer who can intimidate them with threats of deportation or other retaliation if they complain about mistreatment such as low wages, wage theft, debt bondage, and inadequate workplace protections. Providing insufficient workplace protections lowers the standards for workplace protections for all American workers. We must require more transparency, fair wages, the detachment of temporary work visas from a single employer and providing a path for temporary workers to become legal permanent residents.\n</p><p><i>Raise the Asylum Cap for Fully Vetted Refugee Applicants.</i>\n</p><p>We must live up to America’s commitment to be a haven for refugees and continue our history as a beacon for free people everywhere. By raising the cap on asylum applications for vetted refugees fleeing war and violence, persecution, starvation, and fear for their lives, we demonstrate our values as Americans and strengthen our nation.\n</p><p><b>Stand Up for Racial Justice &amp; Criminal Justice Reform</b>\n</p><p><i>Call for Federal Focus on White Supremacist Terrorism</i>\n</p><p>We see an alarming rise in terrorism by white supremacist groups. Indeed, such groups are the single largest source of terrorism-related deaths in the U.S. White supremacist terrorist groups often target people where they should feel safe such as places of worship. We call for a federal focus on white supremacist terrorism. Congress must also fund all appropriate resources that law enforcement agencies need to pursue and investigate domestic terrorist cells.\n</p><p><i>Require Minimum Nationwide Standards for Law Enforcement</i>\n</p><p>The American justice system should be fair, treating all people equally and without prejudice, and it should work to protect all Americans rather than be a danger to people of color. We must establish minimum nationwide standards for law enforcement agencies.\n</p><p><i>Increase Participation in the FBI Nationwide Use of Force Database</i>\n</p><p>We can eliminate the hiring of “bad apple” law enforcement officers by increasing participation in the FBI National Use of Force Data Collection, a database that collects national statistics on law enforcement use of force incidents. As participation is voluntary, it has stalled with only 27 percent of agencies submitting data in the past two years. We can persuade more law enforcement agencies to participate by tying participation to federal grant eligibility. We can also create a federal database with mandatory reporting of police misconduct.\n</p><p><i>Congress Should Act to Deschedule Cannabis and Grant Amnesty</i>\n</p><p>To prevent the disproportionate incarceration of people, especially young men, of color, Congress should act to deschedule cannabis and grant amnesty to people serving long sentences for low level, nonviolent crimes. Prosecuting people who have committed these victimless crimes triggers “three strikes” laws and leads to racial sentencing injustice. Systemic racism in our criminal justice system is an issue Congress must remedy.\n</p><p><b>Support Affordable Healthcare for All</b>\n</p><p><i>Support Medicare for All</i>\n</p><p>The Declaration of Independence guarantees that “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness” are unalienable rights, and we must strive to protect life by ensuring that all Americans can afford healthcare. We support Medicare for All, a government-run, single-payer healthcare program, similar to Medicare, covers all Americans.\n</p><p><i>Lower the Cost of Prescription Medication</i>\n</p><p>We must make prescription drugs affordable for all Americans. 58 million Americans cannot afford their prescription medications, and 79 percent of Americans say the cost of prescription drugs is unreasonable. To truly provide affordable healthcare, we must also ensure that everyone can afford their prescribed medications by lowering their costs. One step we can take is to lower the length of patents for pharmaceuticals. We should also form a federally directed pharmaceutical research, development, and supply agency. We can ensure that the best drug researchers work for the people by giving full or partial grants to pay for future federal pharmaceutical agency employees’ educations in exchange for a commitment to spend the first ten years of their careers working for this new federal pharmaceutical agency.\n</p><p><i>Expand Access to Healthcare</i>\n</p><p>We must also expand access to health care by funding, building, and staffing more federally funded rural clinics, hospitals, and mobile clinics. In addition, we can increase the number of doctors, nurses, and medical technicians working in rural America, poor urban areas, and other places where there is a need for more health care providers. We will do this by incentivizing students in the biomedical fields to commit to spending at least ten years working in underserved communities in addition to accepting Medicaid and Medicare for the remainder of their careers by helping to fund their post-graduate education.\n</p><p><b>Protect the Voting Rights of All Americans</b>\n</p><p><i>End the Use of Black Box Voting Machines</i>\n</p><p>Unfortunately, some states and counties use electronic voting and tabulating machines that hackers can exploit without detection because the companies that manufacture them do not disclose how the machines work, and voters cannot tell whether their votes are correctly recorded and counted. Such equipment are called “black box” voting machines. Since election officials do not know how the machines operate internally, no one can determine if the machines have been tampered with. Luckily, this problem is easily solved by only using machines that election departments fully understand.\n</p><p><i>Require Federal Audits for Any Electronic Voting Machines and Their Software</i>\n</p><p>Since researchers proved that hackers, including those working for foreign governments, can tamper with voting machines by exploiting weaknesses in the machines and their software, we need to verify that voting equipment and software have not been compromised.\n</p><p><i>Require Independent Congressional Redistricting Commissions</i>\n</p><p>Though illegal, gerrymandering is widespread, allowing political parties and incumbents in state legislatures to exploit redistricting so that one party or another maintains control of both the legislature and state Congressional delegations. We can fix this problem by transferring the redistricting process from legislatures to unbiased and independent Congressional redistricting committees that keep communities of interest together rather than packing and cracking groups of voters out of fair representation.\n</p><p><i>Establish Automatic Nationwide Voter Registration</i>\n</p><p>Democracy benefits when more citizens participate in elections. A significant barrier to voting is requiring voters to initiate voter registration, essentially opting in to register and change their registration. Instead, eligible citizens should be automatically registered to vote whenever they interact with government agencies such as departments of motor vehicles. Voters can then choose to opt-out of registration if they wish.\n</p><p><i>Pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act</i>\n</p><p>The bipartisan Voting Rights Act of 1965 protected us from voter suppression, but the Supreme Court eviscerated it in 2013. Since that decision, several states have disenfranchised voters, especially minorities, the elderly, and the young. The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act redresses such prejudicial practices, protecting all Americans’ right to vote.\n</p><p><b>Defend Democracy with Campaign Finance Reform</b>\n</p><p><i>Legislate an End to Citizens United</i>\n</p><p>Citizens United did considerable damage to fair elections, enabling political nonprofits to spend unlimited amounts of money to influence the outcomes of elections without disclosing their donors. We can pass legislation that would require such organizations to divulge their donors, limiting the influence of dark money and bolstering transparency.\n</p><p><i>Publicly Fund Small Donor Matching</i>\n</p><p>We can empower the voices of ordinary Americans by requiring that small donations of $200 or less are met by publicly financed matching funds at a ratio of five to one. This would give candidates a realistic chance to fund their campaigns with small donations only, freeing them from the influence of special interests.\n</p><p><b>Build an Economy That Works for Every American</b>\n</p><p><i>Raise the Minimum Wage to $15 Per Hour</i>\n</p><p>All Americans deserve to be paid a fair and living wage for their work. By setting a federal minimum wage of $15 per hour, we can substantially reduce the number of people living paycheck-to-paycheck and who are struggling or failing to make ends meet.\n</p><p><i>Provide Free Childcare</i>\n</p><p>To provide for their families, both parents in many households must earn wages. Moreover, many single parents cannot afford to stay home to care for their children or pay for daycare or babysitters. If families receive free childcare, more families will prosper. The economy would also expand due to an influx of workers with desirable skills, experience, and personality traits.\n</p><p><i>Invest in Free College and Vocational Training</i>\n</p><p>We need to level the playing field for people from different income brackets seeking good jobs. In a competitive job market, a college degree is of immense value and can significantly increase income for graduates, but not everyone can afford to go to college. By providing free college for students, we can help end the cycle of poverty. Similarly, by paying for free vocational training, people who do not wish to go to college can still earn higher incomes.\n</p><p><i>Cancel Student Debt</i>\n</p><p>Student debt can be an immense burden to both young college graduates and those still paying back college loans. Those paying back student loans often struggle just to pay their bills. By canceling student loan debt, we can help people begin to save money for retirement or spend it buying goods and services, expanding the economy.\n</p><p><i>Cancel Medical Debt</i>\n</p><p>66.5 percent of all personal bankruptcies filed by Americans are tied to medical debt. Unlike debt caused by conspicuous consumption, medical debt is often unavoidable. Canceling medical debt will save hundreds of thousands of people from financial ruin.\n</p><p><i>Raise Taxes for People who Make Over $1,500,000 a Year</i>\n</p><p>Inequality has skyrocketed in this country since the 1960s, and it has become an impediment to economic growth and free market efficiency according to cutting edge economics. In the 1950s and 1960s, the wealthy paid higher taxes, and our economy prospered. For everyone to profit from economic growth, those in high income brackets should pay more in taxes than the middle and working classes.\n</p><p><i>Establish a Wealth Tax</i>\n</p><p>The very rich can keep most of their money in bank accounts where they accumulate interest instead of fueling the economy. By creating a wealth tax, some of that money will go back into the economy.\n</p><p><i>Make Sure Corporations Pay Their Fair Share of Taxes</i>\n</p><p>Many corporations enjoy large profits and line the pockets of shareholders by doing business in the United States but use tax loopholes and offshore tax havens to avoid paying appropriate taxes to our country. We need an independent commission to study the entire tax code and identify ways corporations take advantage of loopholes to Congress, who can then pass legislation to end such cheating. Furthermore, we should require companies chartered in offshore tax havens that do at least fifty percent of their business in the U.S. to pay the same taxes as companies chartered in the U.S.\n</p><p><b>Stand Up for Women’s Rights</b>\n</p><p><i>Codify Roe v. Wade</i>\n</p><p>Women have the right to bodily autonomy, medical privacy, and control over their own fates. Unfortunately, several states, including Texas, have passed restrictive abortion bans, and Texas Republicans have already started planning to ban the abortion pill. These laws are contrary to the 1973 decision made by the Supreme Court in Roe v. Wade. As our current Supreme Court is dominated by Republican partisans, we must codify Roe v. Wade so that any woman who wants or needs an abortion during any stage of her pregnancy without divulging her reasons for getting a safe abortion in a clean medical setting can do so. We support the Women’s Healthy Protection Act, which would make Roe the law of the land.\n</p><p><i>Eliminate “Counseling” that Spreads Anti-Abortion Propaganda</i>\n</p><p>I also oppose mandatory “counseling” given try to scare women into bearing a child that they do not want to bear, often using the patently false claim that abortion causes breast cancer. This is often an unwanted, humiliating experience for women. Furthermore, Io I oppose fake clinics that claim to provide abortions but instead are used to try to convince women into not getting an abortion.\n</p><p><i>Pass the Equal Rights Amendment</i>\n</p><p>I support removing the deadline for states to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) so that states that have ratified or will ratify the ERA after March 22, 1979, the deadline set in 1972, will be counted and the required number of states that ratified the ERA will be met, allowing the ERA to be part of the Constitution.<sup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-quotedisclaimer_4-1\"><a href=\"#cite_note-quotedisclaimer-4\">[4]</a></sup>\n</p>\n</td>\n<td style=\"border: none; color: #B2B7F2; font-size: 35px; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; text-align: right; padding: 10px 1px;\" valign=\"bottom\" width=\"20\">”\n</td></tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"cquotecite\" colspan=\"3\" style=\"border: none; padding-right: 4%\"><cite style=\"font-style: normal;font-size: smaller; float: right;\">—Sandeep Srivastava's campaign website (2022)<sup class=\"reference\" id=\"cite_ref-6\"><a href=\"#cite_note-6\">[6]</a></sup></cite>\n</td></tr></tbody></table>\n</div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"></div>\n<p>Sandeep Srivastava did not complete <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's 2021 Candidate Connection</a> survey.\n</p>", "answer_text": "Srivastava's campaign website stated the following:\n“ Fight for a Fair Immigration System & Refugee Protection Increase the Cap on Permanent Visas Issued Each Year America is proud of its diversity, which enriches our culture. Currently, the U.S. sets a limit of only 140,000 permanent visas issued per year, most of which are work visas. The people who come here with permanent visas are of immense benefit to our economy because they are usually exceptionally talented, highly skilled, and experienced. When they come here, they increase the productive capacity of the economy. We should increase the limit so that more people from other countries can help boost our economy. Pathway to Citizenship for Undocumented Workers Most Americans are immigrants or descended from immigrants who came to America seeking a better life when it was easier to immigrate to this country. Undocumented immigrants are no different. They come here to work hard to improve their lives. Without family members who are close relatives, employer-sponsored work visas, or $900,000 to spend on a new business that creates at least ten full-time jobs for Americans, there is no legal means for immigrating here and becoming a citizen. The visa system unfairly favors people who come from privileged backgrounds. We must ask ourselves what kind of society we want to be: one that favors the privileged and ignores the most vulnerable people or one that treats all immigrants fairly. American society is based on equality, so we must provide a fair pathway to citizenship for rigorously vetted undocumented workers. End Abuse of the Temporary Worker Visa Program We are a free nation that protects vulnerable people from wage enslavement, economic subjugation, indentured servitude, and human trafficking. Employers can exploit immigrants on temporary work visas because the immigration status is tied to a single employer who can intimidate them with threats of deportation or other retaliation if they complain about mistreatment such as low wages, wage theft, debt bondage, and inadequate workplace protections. Providing insufficient workplace protections lowers the standards for workplace protections for all American workers. We must require more transparency, fair wages, the detachment of temporary work visas from a single employer and providing a path for temporary workers to become legal permanent residents. Raise the Asylum Cap for Fully Vetted Refugee Applicants. We must live up to America’s commitment to be a haven for refugees and continue our history as a beacon for free people everywhere. By raising the cap on asylum applications for vetted refugees fleeing war and violence, persecution, starvation, and fear for their lives, we demonstrate our values as Americans and strengthen our nation. Stand Up for Racial Justice & Criminal Justice Reform Call for Federal Focus on White Supremacist Terrorism We see an alarming rise in terrorism by white supremacist groups. Indeed, such groups are the single largest source of terrorism-related deaths in the U.S. White supremacist terrorist groups often target people where they should feel safe such as places of worship. We call for a federal focus on white supremacist terrorism. Congress must also fund all appropriate resources that law enforcement agencies need to pursue and investigate domestic terrorist cells. Require Minimum Nationwide Standards for Law Enforcement The American justice system should be fair, treating all people equally and without prejudice, and it should work to protect all Americans rather than be a danger to people of color. We must establish minimum nationwide standards for law enforcement agencies. Increase Participation in the FBI Nationwide Use of Force Database We can eliminate the hiring of “bad apple” law enforcement officers by increasing participation in the FBI National Use of Force Data Collection, a database that collects national statistics on law enforcement use of force incidents. As participation is voluntary, it has stalled with only 27 percent of agencies submitting data in the past two years. We can persuade more law enforcement agencies to participate by tying participation to federal grant eligibility. We can also create a federal database with mandatory reporting of police misconduct. Congress Should Act to Deschedule Cannabis and Grant Amnesty To prevent the disproportionate incarceration of people, especially young men, of color, Congress should act to deschedule cannabis and grant amnesty to people serving long sentences for low level, nonviolent crimes. Prosecuting people who have committed these victimless crimes triggers “three strikes” laws and leads to racial sentencing injustice. Systemic racism in our criminal justice system is an issue Congress must remedy. Support Affordable Healthcare for All Support Medicare for All The Declaration of Independence guarantees that “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness” are unalienable rights, and we must strive to protect life by ensuring that all Americans can afford healthcare. We support Medicare for All, a government-run, single-payer healthcare program, similar to Medicare, covers all Americans. Lower the Cost of Prescription Medication We must make prescription drugs affordable for all Americans. 58 million Americans cannot afford their prescription medications, and 79 percent of Americans say the cost of prescription drugs is unreasonable. To truly provide affordable healthcare, we must also ensure that everyone can afford their prescribed medications by lowering their costs. One step we can take is to lower the length of patents for pharmaceuticals. We should also form a federally directed pharmaceutical research, development, and supply agency. We can ensure that the best drug researchers work for the people by giving full or partial grants to pay for future federal pharmaceutical agency employees’ educations in exchange for a commitment to spend the first ten years of their careers working for this new federal pharmaceutical agency. Expand Access to Healthcare We must also expand access to health care by funding, building, and staffing more federally funded rural clinics, hospitals, and mobile clinics. In addition, we can increase the number of doctors, nurses, and medical technicians working in rural America, poor urban areas, and other places where there is a need for more health care providers. We will do this by incentivizing students in the biomedical fields to commit to spending at least ten years working in underserved communities in addition to accepting Medicaid and Medicare for the remainder of their careers by helping to fund their post-graduate education. Protect the Voting Rights of All Americans End the Use of Black Box Voting Machines Unfortunately, some states and counties use electronic voting and tabulating machines that hackers can exploit without detection because the companies that manufacture them do not disclose how the machines work, and voters cannot tell whether their votes are correctly recorded and counted. Such equipment are called “black box” voting machines. Since election officials do not know how the machines operate internally, no one can determine if the machines have been tampered with. Luckily, this problem is easily solved by only using machines that election departments fully understand. Require Federal Audits for Any Electronic Voting Machines and Their Software Since researchers proved that hackers, including those working for foreign governments, can tamper with voting machines by exploiting weaknesses in the machines and their software, we need to verify that voting equipment and software have not been compromised. Require Independent Congressional Redistricting Commissions Though illegal, gerrymandering is widespread, allowing political parties and incumbents in state legislatures to exploit redistricting so that one party or another maintains control of both the legislature and state Congressional delegations. We can fix this problem by transferring the redistricting process from legislatures to unbiased and independent Congressional redistricting committees that keep communities of interest together rather than packing and cracking groups of voters out of fair representation. Establish Automatic Nationwide Voter Registration Democracy benefits when more citizens participate in elections. A significant barrier to voting is requiring voters to initiate voter registration, essentially opting in to register and change their registration. Instead, eligible citizens should be automatically registered to vote whenever they interact with government agencies such as departments of motor vehicles. Voters can then choose to opt-out of registration if they wish. Pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act The bipartisan Voting Rights Act of 1965 protected us from voter suppression, but the Supreme Court eviscerated it in 2013. Since that decision, several states have disenfranchised voters, especially minorities, the elderly, and the young. The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act redresses such prejudicial practices, protecting all Americans’ right to vote. Defend Democracy with Campaign Finance Reform Legislate an End to Citizens United Citizens United did considerable damage to fair elections, enabling political nonprofits to spend unlimited amounts of money to influence the outcomes of elections without disclosing their donors. We can pass legislation that would require such organizations to divulge their donors, limiting the influence of dark money and bolstering transparency. Publicly Fund Small Donor Matching We can empower the voices of ordinary Americans by requiring that small donations of $200 or less are met by publicly financed matching funds at a ratio of five to one. This would give candidates a realistic chance to fund their campaigns with small donations only, freeing them from the influence of special interests. Build an Economy That Works for Every American Raise the Minimum Wage to $15 Per Hour All Americans deserve to be paid a fair and living wage for their work. By setting a federal minimum wage of $15 per hour, we can substantially reduce the number of people living paycheck-to-paycheck and who are struggling or failing to make ends meet. Provide Free Childcare To provide for their families, both parents in many households must earn wages. Moreover, many single parents cannot afford to stay home to care for their children or pay for daycare or babysitters. If families receive free childcare, more families will prosper. The economy would also expand due to an influx of workers with desirable skills, experience, and personality traits. Invest in Free College and Vocational Training We need to level the playing field for people from different income brackets seeking good jobs. In a competitive job market, a college degree is of immense value and can significantly increase income for graduates, but not everyone can afford to go to college. By providing free college for students, we can help end the cycle of poverty. Similarly, by paying for free vocational training, people who do not wish to go to college can still earn higher incomes. Cancel Student Debt Student debt can be an immense burden to both young college graduates and those still paying back college loans. Those paying back student loans often struggle just to pay their bills. By canceling student loan debt, we can help people begin to save money for retirement or spend it buying goods and services, expanding the economy. Cancel Medical Debt 66.5 percent of all personal bankruptcies filed by Americans are tied to medical debt. Unlike debt caused by conspicuous consumption, medical debt is often unavoidable. Canceling medical debt will save hundreds of thousands of people from financial ruin. Raise Taxes for People who Make Over $1,500,000 a Year Inequality has skyrocketed in this country since the 1960s, and it has become an impediment to economic growth and free market efficiency according to cutting edge economics. In the 1950s and 1960s, the wealthy paid higher taxes, and our economy prospered. For everyone to profit from economic growth, those in high income brackets should pay more in taxes than the middle and working classes. Establish a Wealth Tax The very rich can keep most of their money in bank accounts where they accumulate interest instead of fueling the economy. By creating a wealth tax, some of that money will go back into the economy. Make Sure Corporations Pay Their Fair Share of Taxes Many corporations enjoy large profits and line the pockets of shareholders by doing business in the United States but use tax loopholes and offshore tax havens to avoid paying appropriate taxes to our country. We need an independent commission to study the entire tax code and identify ways corporations take advantage of loopholes to Congress, who can then pass legislation to end such cheating. Furthermore, we should require companies chartered in offshore tax havens that do at least fifty percent of their business in the U.S. to pay the same taxes as companies chartered in the U.S. Stand Up for Women’s Rights Codify Roe v. Wade Women have the right to bodily autonomy, medical privacy, and control over their own fates. Unfortunately, several states, including Texas, have passed restrictive abortion bans, and Texas Republicans have already started planning to ban the abortion pill. These laws are contrary to the 1973 decision made by the Supreme Court in Roe v. Wade. As our current Supreme Court is dominated by Republican partisans, we must codify Roe v. Wade so that any woman who wants or needs an abortion during any stage of her pregnancy without divulging her reasons for getting a safe abortion in a clean medical setting can do so. We support the Women’s Healthy Protection Act, which would make Roe the law of the land. Eliminate “Counseling” that Spreads Anti-Abortion Propaganda I also oppose mandatory “counseling” given try to scare women into bearing a child that they do not want to bear, often using the patently false claim that abortion causes breast cancer. This is often an unwanted, humiliating experience for women. Furthermore, Io I oppose fake clinics that claim to provide abortions but instead are used to try to convince women into not getting an abortion. Pass the Equal Rights Amendment I support removing the deadline for states to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) so that states that have ratified or will ratify the ERA after March 22, 1979, the deadline set in 1972, will be counted and the required number of states that ratified the ERA will be met, allowing the ERA to be part of the Constitution. [4] ” —Sandeep Srivastava's campaign website (2022) [6]\n\nSandeep Srivastava did not complete Ballotpedia's 2021 Candidate Connection survey."}]