PLATFORM
"As a native of the White River Valley, I have been civically active in my town since high school. Now I want to work for the whole district. We need to economically and socially revitalize our communities, find equitable and affordable ways to fund our schools, protect Vermonter's privacy, create community and regional resilience, support and protect our natural environment, and find ways to retain and attract young families. As Ranking Member of the House Committee on Commerce and Economic Development, plus as a proven leader and innovator in community revitalization, I have the skills and experience to find creative solutions and get things done."
LIST OF MAJOR ISSUES
Economic Revitalization
My top priority is empowering the economic, cultural, and social revitalization of our small towns so that our economy works for all Vermonters, not just the wealthy few. My experience in the legislature and with the Bethel Revitalization Initiative has taught me that there are many ways in which towns can be renewed through both individual and regional efforts. I have also learned how state agencies tend to overlook small, rural towns like ours and create roadblocks to their growth. As your representative, I will continue to bring resources to our communities and to remove the barriers that bureaucracies erect that stymie creative solutions. I will continue using my leadership and creative problem-solving skills to create more economic development for our towns and our district.
Affordability and Retaining Young Families
We need to employ creative solutions to the shrinking of our communities and the flight of our youth. We do this by addressing such issues as the cost of health insurance, lack of affordable housing and transportation, and opiate addiction; expanding access to affordable daycare and early childhood education; fostering workforce development and business incentives; and creating vibrant social, cultural, and economic communities that people want to move to and our children want to stay in. As your representative, I will continue to work toward making these happen.
Data Privacy & Artificial Intelligence
It is important that every Vermonters’ personal data is kept safe and private. Your personal data is being collected, combined, and sold by numerous businesses to whomever will pay. Scammers and fraudsters are using that data to prey upon vulnerable Vermonters, while unscrupulous businesses use it to influence us through targeted marketing designed to manipulate us. At the same time, AI is being used to make decisions that affect our lives without our oversight or input. My committee has spent four years working with the Attorney General’s office to protect Vermonters. I will continue to lead this work.
Protect our Schools & Improve Funding
We need to protect our small schools and create more equitable, fair, and sustainable solutions. Having raised a daughter who attended a local school, and as a property owner, I understand the complexity of balancing the need for school funding with people’s ability to provide that support. While this is a big, complicated issue, as your state representative I have fought to preserve and improve our schools, provide school choice where needed, promote career and technical programs, and continue finding creative ways to improve our schools without increasing the tax burden on those who are already challenged.
Preserving Work Landscapes
We need to preserve our working landscapes with sensible land-use rules that protect our vital resources and encourage affordable housing while allowing Vermont’s agricultural economy to thrive. As your representative, I have fought to support and protect our small rural towns, their environments, and their economies.
Environment
It is important that we support the state's efforts to promote a healthy environment, generate energy locally, and reduce its own impact on climate change. This is good for tourism, attracting young families, promoting clean jobs, and building community resilience. As your representative, I will continue working toward finding intelligent, creative ways to reduce our impact and promote a healthy environment while still empowering the economic revitalization of our communities.