Candidate for Vermont State Senate - Chittenden District in 2020 Vermont General Election.
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Get StartedAffordable higher ed is another problem we face in Vermont. Our state colleges are scraping by while UVM tuition is out of range for too many Vermont families. We are robbing our young people of the opportunity to get ahead. Ask 8th graders if they sense their parents’ stress about paying for college and many will say they do. My bet is that these kids recognize there isn’t much point in trying hard in high school since their options for college are bleak. We are cheating them and must find a path to making our state college system affordable to every Vermonter. Learn more
There is no single greater threat to our state, our economy or humanity than global climate change. While Vermont’s ability to impact the country’s carbon output is insignificant our ability to leader is noteworthy. Look at our record with Efficiency Vermont, land use planning, and renewable development. These policies are effective and end up being copied around the country. The nation and the world need to act fast and Vermont can help by charting the course. Learn more
If we don’t act on climate change we will also put our economy at risk. On the other hand, if we embrace the challenge and position ourselves as a go-to state for solutions we can protect the environment and enhance our economy. Consider that solar energy jobs are among the fastest growing segment of Vermont’s economy already. We should build on this potential, brand ourselves as climate change leaders and strengthen our economy as we go. Learn more
Since my first days in the House I have been part of several tri-partisan coalitions that want to shift school taxes to an income tax. Most people agree this would be a better option and make the process more straightforward. In January 2016 I was the lead sponsor of a bill that takes a small twist on this long-standing goal. H.656 has over 30 sponsors and extends “income-sensitivity” to all Vermont homeowners. Learn more
I support moving to a $15 minimum wage. The path to a strong middle class requires that anyone working full time be able to meet their basic needs. Instead, our minimum wage isn’t keeping pace and many full-time workers are forced to rely on public programs. In 2014 Gov. Shumlin and legislative leaders supported increasing our minimum wage to $10.10 – many of us pushed hard and we landed on $10.50 by 2018. Learn more
We still need paid family leave so that young people are attracted to Vermont as a good place to raise children. Right now a mother in Vermont can take six weeks of un-paid time off to care for a new born. Forty miles north of us residents of Quebec are given a year off with about 2/3 pay. I have introduced a modest family leave bill that would give residents 6 weeks of paid leave to care for a newborn or an ailing parent, etc. Now that sick leave is guaranteed to Vermonters I hope this will become the next frontier to strengthen families and empower our work force (especially women who are so often primary care givers). Learn more
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