Issues
Affordability
As a first-generation farmer and business owner I know it is hard to get ahead in Vermont today. The rising cost of land and real estate, medical insurance and health care, groceries, and an increasingly heavy tax burden are putting real pressure on Vermonters. My two grown kids are wondering how they’ll be able to afford a life here, and I hear that same concern from families across our district. I believe the state must practice strong fiscal responsibility while also ensuring we have the revenue needed to support essential services. That's why I support joining many of our neighboring states in asking the wealthiest 1% of earners and second-home owners to contribute more. At the same time, I'm committed to exploring additional ways to reduce the tax burden on everyday Vermonters.
Healthcare
Perhaps the biggest burden to Vermonters as well as state and local budgets is health care. Medical debt is the leading cause of bankruptcy in Vermont, as it is in the rest of the country. When Vermonters can’t get access to safe housing and reliable primary care, it puts extra strain on our emergency health care system, which is more expensive. I am interested in supportive, wrap-around programs that lessen our reliance on emergency care. As a self-employed person and a parent I have first hand experience with navigating the health care system and when I faced a health challenge in my 30s I also had a front row seat to when we rely on our health system in a big way. We are a small, rural state with an aging population. We need to approach this problem determined to think in new ways and ask questions in order to provide quality and accessible health care to every Vermonter regardless of where they live, their income, age or employment status.
Education
I am a proud product of public education here in Vermont, attending Cornwall Elementary School and Middlebury Union Junior and High School (Go, Tigers!). My kids went through public schools here as well, Leicester Elementary and then Otter Valley Middle and High School (Go, Otters!). I come from a long line of educators. I served over a dozen years on my local and district school boards, including serving on the Act 46 Committee where we successfully formed the first joint merger school district. I learned a lot while sitting in on those conversations: namely, kids need access to equal opportunities for education, taxpayers need some relief, AND our schools can be the fiscal and cultural backbone of our communities, and any decision of merging cannot be taken lightly. Vermont can support larger and smaller schools, and deliver a high quality education. We need to have teachers and principals, those with hands-on experience, at the table when these decisions are being considered. Lastly, in the case of a closure the state needs to support towns in repurposing our school buildings in positive ways that maintain their existence as cultural hubs in another form!
Agriculture & the Environment
With Act 59 Vermont has set a goal to preserve 30% of Vermont by 2030 and 50% by 2050. I have served on the 30 by 30 Technical Advisory Committee as we navigate the consequences of this bill on today’s and future generations. I have also served on the Board of the Vermont Land Trust since 2019. Farmers need to be recognized and compensated for implementing practices that clean water and sequester carbon from the atmosphere. Working lands are a huge part of Vermont’s identity and we need farmers in Montpelier as these conversations happen. There are currently no full-time farmers in the State Senate. My experience as a first-generation dairy farmer and cheesemaker will bring an honest and real-world perspective to these discussions.
Housing
I support initiatives like the 2023 HOME Act (S.100) that combats high housing costs by encouraging duplexes and relaxing some zoning regulations in areas of high density housing like village centers- thereby increasing housing stock while maintaining our working lands, keeping downtowns vibrant and fighting sprawl. I served on the Board of the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board from 2016-2019 where I saw first hand how a multi-faceted state-wide approach to housing, downtown development and working lands helps meet all goals. I want to carry that collaborative spirit with me to Montpelier to get better results for all Vermonters.
Civil Rights & Democracy
I am running to defend the constitution, and the civil rights of all living in our great state. I support Legislative efforts such as S.R 21 that support and confirm our civil rights.
Our civil rights include reproductive and health care rights for all.
Democracy works best with involvement so I will make every effort to get testimony and input from constituents on issues. I will also always ask "who is not being represented in Montpelier?" and explore ways to create a more equitable system so their voices can be heard.