Board resolution supports continued provision of reproductive health services and information
The Board of Supervisors July 5 voted 4-1 to adopt a resolution that states the County’s support for the provision of reproductive health care and family planning services in the County and the state. It also advocates for continued access to abortion services in the County as a matter of public health. (Read more).
COVID-19 booster for ages 5 to 11 available at Pima County locations
Pima County vaccination sites have started offering a COVID-19 booster shot for children ages 5 through 11 who are at least five months removed from their second shot of the Pfizer vaccine. (Read more).
Board of Supervisors modifies COVID-19 vaccine requirement
The Pima County Board of Supervisors at its May 17 meeting voted 4-1 to modify the requirement for new and current employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19. County employees who deliver clinical care will still be required to be vaccinated. All other current employees and new hires will be exempt from that requirement once House Bill 2498 takes effect, which is 90 days after the end of the legislative session. The County will continue its vaccine requirement for new hires, promotions, and those working with vulnerable populations until the bill takes effect. (Read more).
Supervisors to resume in-person meetings; mask not required in County buildings
With Covid case counts plummeting and the Centers for Disease Control revising its guidance for Covid mitigation, the Board of Supervisors March 1 decided to resume in-person board meetings at its next meeting, March 15. Acting County Administrator Jan Lesher also has revised the County’s rules for mask wearing in County buildings, making masks recommended rather than required. (Read more).
Board of Supervisors issues community rallying cry – Mask Up, Pima County!
The Pima County Board of Supervisors Tuesday voted 3-2 to require everyone in the County to wear a face covering indoors when six feet of physical distance cannot be maintained. (Read more).
Public Health Advisory recommends boosters for all eligible individuals
PIMA COUNTY, November 15, 2021
— The Pima County Health Department has issued a Public Health Advisory recommending that every eligible person in Pima County 18 years and older receive a COVID-19 booster shot as soon as possible due to increased transmission rates within the County.
"We are seeing some of the highest COVID-19 infection rates and hospitalizations since the surge last winter," said Dr. Theresa Cullen, the Pima County Health Department Director. "It is likely that all residents in Pima County can be exposed to COVID-19 where they live or work, and that is why we urge 18 years and older to get their booster."
The CDC has already affirmed the need for boosters among all adults who received the J&J product as well as for those who received Moderna or Pfizer who are 65 and older, who have an underlying medical condition, or who live and work in high-risk settings. (Read more)
Statement from Huckelberry Family on County Administrator's accident Oct. 23
PIMA COUNTY, October 25, 2021
— The family of County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry has asked the County to release the following statement from them about the County Administrator's accident Oct. 23. “Chuck was riding his bike with friends Saturday morning. He’s an experienced and avid rider and he was doing everything right: Helmet, gloves, colorful “Loop” jersey, no earphones (ever), riding prudently and totally focused on having a fun and safe ride. But as too often happens to cyclists, bad luck prevailed. He was knocked off his bike downtown and needed prompt emergency care. The medics of Tucson Fire responded quickly and professionally, as did the Tucson Police Department. We are immensely grateful to them for the care and kindness that they provided. We also thank everyone who has respected our wish for privacy in these initial days of his treatment and recovery.”
County’s Eviction Prevention and Resource Fair aims to keep families in their homes
PIMA COUNTY, June 2, 2021 — Pima County’s One-Stop and the Amphi Coalition are teaming up on an Eviction Prevention Resource Fair June 8 from 8 a.m. to noon at Literacy Connects, 200 E. Yavapai Road. The event will connect people facing a possible eviction with community resources that may help them remain in their homes. Information on paying overdue utilities also will be available.
Read more.
Pima County ready to deliver Pfizer vaccine for children 12 and older
Pima County and its community partners will be offering expanded opportunities to be vaccinated now that the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have endorsed the Emergency Use Authorization of the Pfizer vaccine to include children ages 12 to 15.
Read more.
Pima County expands COVID-19 indoor vaccinations
Pima County and its health partners are shifting and expanding their COVID-19 vaccination efforts to indoor facilities in order to beat the heat.
Read more.
Kino Event Center to transition from COVID-19 testing to vaccination
Pima County's COVID-19 testing location at Kino Event Center will close at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 6, as the site converts to an indoor vaccination center.
Read more.
County opens vaccination eligibility to anyone 16 and over
Pima County will expand COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to anybody 16 and older starting Monday, April 5, with registration at County-supported sites opening at 8 a.m.
Read more.
Latest Public Health Advisory requests business and individuals stay the course to prevent COVID-19 spike
On Mar. 26, 2021, the Pima County Health Department released a
new Public Health Advisory, seeking to encourage businesses and residents to continue their use of face masks, social distancing, and other tools to prevent COVID-19. On March 25, Governor Doug Ducey’s Executive Order 2021-06 removed limitations on businesses and the ability for local governments to impose or up hold mask requirements.
More.
Supervisors ask Governor Ducey to reconsider FEMA vaccination POD denial
The Pima County Board of Supervisors March 24 voted unanimously to approve a Resolution asking Gov. Doug Ducey to reconsider denying permission for the Federal Emergency Management Agency to set up COVID-19 vaccination PODs in Pima County that would fully vaccinate up to 200,000 people.
More.
County expands COVID-19 vaccine eligibility, determined by age and risk
Starting Thursday, March 25 at 9:00 a.m., Pima County will expand current COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to include three major groups based on three criteria: age, risk and work.
More.
Board approves $8 million for rent and utility assistance program
PIMA COUNTY March 15, 2021 – The Pima County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved $8 million for the Eviction Prevention/Emergency Rent and Utility Relief Program.
More.
County allocates up to $2 million for emergency eviction legal defense
PIMA COUNTY March 15, 2021 – The Pima County Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 to designate up to $2 million in federal coronavirus relief funds to support legal services for residents facing eviction.
More.
County expands COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to frontline workers and those age 55 and older
PIMA COUNTY March 11, 2021 – On March 12 at 9 a.m., Pima County will expand the current vaccine eligibility throughout the County to include Frontline Essential Workers and people age 55 and older. The change keeps the County aligned with the Arizona Department of Health Services’ hybrid vaccine distribution guidance.
More.
County Public Health Doctors: Pandemic is not over, keep up protections against COVID
Pima County, March 5, 2021 - Joint statement from Pima County Chief Medical Officer Dr. Francisco Garcia and County Health Department Director Dr. Theresa Cullen about the need to remain vigilant and protect yourself and others from the spread of COVID-19: “Today, we updated our Public Health Advisory and relaxed some of the protective practices we have recommended to slow or stop the spread of COVID-19 in our County. The community transmission of the virus has fallen from High to Substantial, which means the voluntary curfew is no longer necessary and we can increase the size of gatherings from 10 or fewer to 25 or fewer. We’re also reopening our parks to organized sports use, but with limitations to prevent the spread of the virus. Our case counts are falling and our vaccination rates are rising." More.
County issues updated Public Health Advisory, cautiously relaxing some COVID-19 prevention policies
Pima County, March 5, 2021 - On March 5, 2021, the Pima County Health Department released an updated Public Health Advisory covering numerous COVID-19 response related topics. The advisory comes as yet another category on the Pima County’s COVID-19 Progress Report moved into the improved “Progress” category.
More.
WHAT'S OUR WATER FUTURE? Virtual Program Open to Everyone
Saturday, March 20, 2021, 10:00 AM until 11:30 AM
This timely topic will provide a thoughtful, science-based introduction to water issues, both local and state-wide, to help citizens understand the debates about water policy in Arizona that lie ahead. Our speakers are well-known in the water policy world and skilled at explaining these issues. NO COST but
REGISTRATION is REQUESTED The program also will be live streamed on
Facebook.com/lwvgreatertucson.
County announces new weekend hours for COVID vaccine call center
Starting March 6, Pima County’s COVID-19 Vaccine Call Center will change its operating hours on the weekends. The line, (520) 222-0119, will be answered on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. More.
COVID-19 vaccination pre-registration expands to 65 and up Thursday, February 18
Pima County, Feb 17, 2021 - The Pima County Health Department announced today that pre-registration for COVID-19 vaccination appointments will expand at County-supported sites to people over 65 beginning at 9 a.m. on Feb. 18. To pre-register, anyone in the eligible phases can follow the steps on the Department’s vaccine registration page.
More.
More District 2 and Pima County News
About Matt
A native of Michigan, Matt came to Tucson in 2003 for a residency in internal medicine at the University of Arizona and Tucson Medical Center, where he has worked since as an attending physician.
At the hospital, Matt treats patients with a range of diagnoses from COVID-19, heart attacks and head trauma, to chronic conditions like diabetes, PTSD, and cancer. Matt continues to work the nightshift at TMC while serving on the Board of Supervisors.
In June 2013, he was appointed by President Barack Obama to serve as Director of Provider Outreach in the Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs, a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Matt was tasked with helping Secretary Kathleen Sebelius with the roll-out of the Affordable Care Act and was involved in coordinating the federal response to the Ebola virus. Throughout his service at HHS (through March 2015), Matt would return to Tucson one or two weekends a month to work at the hospital.
Previously, Matt served two terms in the Arizona State House and was chosen by his Democratic colleagues as caucus whip. In the House, he focused on seniors, veterans, and healthcare issues, working across the aisle to write and pass key legislation, including a bill to make all medical complaints and patient safety information a public record, and he broke the partisan gridlock in Phoenix to get it passed. Matt stood up for injured veterans to prevent debt collectors from seizing their benefits, and helped secure healthcare for seniors who need it most by ensuring access to hospice care in a time of drastic cuts.
Matt earned a BA in Chemistry from Albion College and his MD from Wayne State University School of Medicine. In 2000, he was granted a research fellowship in vascular surgery at Harvard Medical School.
When he’s not at the hospital or working hard for the residents of Pima County, you might spot Matt walking his dog Gwen around downtown Tucson.
David Higuera
Chief of Staff
David.Higuera@pima.gov
David Higuera serves as chief of staff for Supervisor Matt Heinz. His main professional passions are youth development and education, and promoting public policy that's good for children, families and communities. In fact, a look back on his career shows that David likes to spend about a decade in each realm and go back and forth! :)
Before joining Supervisor Heinz's staff, David co-founded and co-directed the IDEA School in Tucson, an independent K-8 school committed to equity and inclusion, and focused on helping students take charge of their learning and therefore their lives, both in and out of school. Prior to co-founding the school, David worked in public policy with the Children's Action Alliance, the advocate for Arizona's children and families at the Arizona Legislature and in the community, and prior to that, worked in the office of Tucson City Council Member Karin Uhlich, Ward 3.
David moved to Tucson in 2004 from the Bay Area where he had been a public school teacher and worked for youth development nonprofits for a number of years. He earned his BA in Social Psychology from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and his teaching credential from Mills College in Oakland.
David and his wife, Jesse, are raising their two boys to be caring, thoughtful humans, and live in downtown Tucson. He is always learning. And thanks to his family, always smiling, too.
Kylie Walzak
Transportation Policy Advisor/Constituent Services
Kylie.Walzak@pima.gov
Kylie Walzak is Senior Special Staff Assistant for Matt Heinz, focusing on transportation issues. 🚴
If you’ve seen a bike lane, path, or park in District 2, chances are Kylie has ridden on or through it; she can tell you how it got there and how you can bring something similar to your neighborhood.
A long-time bicycle commuter, Kylie rode across the city while teaching middle and high school Spanish for the Vail Unified School District and BASIS. In 2012, she co-founded the Living Streets Alliance, a Tucson transportation advocacy organization, where she has since coordinated Cyclovia Tucson, a bi-annual, open streets event that draws over 40,000 people.
Kylie earned a master’s degree in secondary education from University of Arizona, where she was a Coverdell Fellow. Before moving to Tucson in 2006, Kylie served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Guinea, West Africa 2002-2004.
Kylie’s favorite District 2 spots are Los Tacos Apson on S. 12th Ave. and the 100-Acre Wood Bike Park at S. Alvernon Way and E. Aviation Parkway, where she rides with her partner and their young son. Kylie lives on Tucson’s West side with her family, six chickens, and a rescued Sulcata tortoise named Mr. Snuffy.
Shaq McCoy
Military Affairs Advisor/Constituent Services & Business Outreach
Shaliqua.McCoy@pima.gov
Shaq McCoy holds it all together.
Vanessa Barchfield
Communications/Environmental Policy Advisor
Vanessa.Barchfield@pima.gov
Vanessa Barchfield runs communications and works on environmental policy for Matt Heinz’s District 2 office. A Tucson native, Vanessa joined Matt’s staff after seven years as a producer and reporter at Arizona Public Media.
While at AZPM, she worked in both radio and television, covering water, the environment, science, and arts and culture. Her stories earned her two Emmys and three Edward R. Murrow Awards. (What Remains, When Sarah Runs, A Canyon Once Again)
Vanessa graduated from Barnard College of Columbia University in 2004. After college, she spent many years abroad: studying journalism in Mumbai, India; working as a reporter in Sao Paulo, Brazil; then moving to Vienna, Austria, where she lived for seven years. While in Vienna, Vanessa worked as an editor with the Economist Group, in communications with the United Nations and as a speech writer for the Japanese government. She speaks English, German and Portuguese. Vanessa studied audio storytelling at the Transom Story Workshop in Woods Hole, Massachusetts and learned filmmaking on the job.
She and her partner Brian live in downtown Tucson and are regulars at many District 2 restaurants, including El Torero and Café Desta.
Gwen
Office Dog
She's a good puppy.