Priorities
Economic Growth
To drive Vermont's economic growth, I will focus on investing in education, workforce development, and housing. By enhancing education and training programs, I aim to prepare Vermonters for high-demand jobs, attracting businesses and fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. Addressing the housing crisis is essential to ensure all residents have access to safe, affordable homes, supporting a stable workforce. Promoting equity and inclusion in these efforts will help create an environment where every Vermonter can benefit from economic prosperity, strengthening our economy and improving opportunities for all.
School Funding
To address Vermont's school funding disparities, I advocate for establishing a minimum funding amount per student in state law. This approach would ensure each district receives essential funding through a fixed annual tax rate, providing a guaranteed baseline. It maintains local control over education funding decisions while allowing districts flexibility to allocate additional funds as needed through minor adjustments to local tax rates.
Climate Change
I believe our state is making commendable efforts to address climate change. The Vermont Climate Action Plan, unveiled in December 2021, outlines ambitious goals to cut climate pollution by 50% by 2030 and increase resilience against climate impacts. This plan, guided by extensive community input and aligned with Vermont's Comprehensive Energy Plan, demonstrates a proactive approach to sustainability. While there's always more to be done, Vermont's initiatives signify a strong commitment to leading regional climate action and preparing for a sustainable future. I will continue to support these initiatives.
Gun Safety
As a concerned citizen who views gun violence as a health crisis, I believe Vermont is making good progress toward strengthening our gun safety regulations. Our legislators have passed a comprehensive suicide prevention package, including secure storage requirements, a waiting period for purchases, and a strengthened Extreme Risk law. Additionally, Vermont prohibits high-capacity magazines, raised the firearm purchase age to 21, requires background checks, and has addressed the Charleston loophole. Despite this progress, more needs to be done to ensure public safety and minimize the financial burdens on taxpayers associated with gun violence. While respecting Second Amendment rights, we must continue to strengthen our gun safety regulations to better protect our communities.
Homelessness
To address rising homelessness in Vermont, we must expand mental health and addiction services to tackle the root causes. Strengthening community support programs is crucial, offering financial assistance, job training, and other resources to help individuals achieve stability. Collaboration with local, countywide, and state organizations will enhance resource pooling and coordination of efforts.
Securing adequate funding for shelters ensures they can provide safe, supportive environments. Preventive measures, such as rental assistance and eviction prevention programs, are vital in keeping at-risk individuals housed. Improving access to Housing-First services, which prioritize providing permanent housing without preconditions, is effective in reducing homelessness. Better coordination between agencies is essential, integrating healthcare, social services, and other support systems for comprehensive assistance. These strategies will effectively manage and reduce homelessness, ensuring vulnerable populations receive the necessary support.
Housing
To tackle Vermont’s housing crisis effectively, we must adopt a comprehensive approach that addresses both supply and demand challenges. Our focus should be on increasing the supply of affordable housing by streamlining regulatory processes and offering incentives to developers. Regional nonprofits play a crucial role in this effort, but they often face tight margins and staffing limitations. By securing additional funding, we can expand their capacity to complete more projects and hire and train more staff without raising fees. Enhancing tenant protections is equally important. We need to ensure that tenants have stable housing conditions. Unpredictable work schedules and profit-driven management practices can destabilize lives, including access to education and housing. Addressing these issues requires a commitment to better support systems for vulnerable populations.
Healthcare Access
To enhance healthcare access for Vermonters, I would prioritize expanding Medicaid coverage to encompass more low-income individuals and families who currently lack insurance. Additionally, I would champion the support and growth of community health centers across our district, ensuring they provide comprehensive services like primary care, dental care, mental health services, and substance abuse treatment. Promoting telehealth services would also be a priority, especially in rural areas where transportation to healthcare facilities can be challenging.
