PRIORITIES

I grew up attending public school and I know firsthand the difference that a great education can make in a student’s life. Education is not just a policy area; it's a promise we make to our community and a cornerstone of progress. I know that public schools and public school teachers are critical for the future of our state, and we must do everything we can to make Delaware number one in education. That requires taking a holistic approach to improving our public education system. I propose that Delaware:

• Establish a statewide Pre-Kindergarten program

• Increase retention among educators by ensuring competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits for public school teachers and support staff

• Expand access to technical education and apprenticeship programs

• Invest in creating safe and supportive environments for all children

• Implement projects to keep our schools’ water and air pure of contaminants through advanced filtration and at-the-source abatement

As an economist by trade, I am incredibly concerned by the extraordinarily high costs of living we face in the 21st district. I believe my experience has given me a strong understanding of how smart, well-timed action by governmental officials can actually help alleviate suffering, while poor judgment and poor timing can cause severe unintended consequences. As state representative, I believe we can tackle inflation in the following ways:

• Work with local officials to address Delaware’s incredible housing shortage while maintaining public open space and reversing sprawl

• Provide more transportation options for interested commuters, allowing them to save on transportation costs and reduce traffic for everyone

• Implement a public option health insurance plan for families and businesses

• Provide social support programs for individuals interested in rejoining the workforce, particularly for industries suffering from intense staff issues

• Promote enhanced energy efficiency initiatives for homeowners and businesses to mitigate the impact of energy price increases and fluctuations

I am committed to safeguarding and expanding the rights of workers in our community. It is imperative that we ensure every worker has the freedom to join or establish a union without the fear of retaliation, fostering an environment of collaboration and collective bargaining. As your state representative, I commit to:

• Oppose so-called “right-to-work” laws

• Expand project labor agreements and prevailing wage regulations to ensure fair compensation and working conditions in a diverse setting

• Secure more funding and support for technical education and apprenticeship programs, particularly given the growing need for electricians, pipefitters, and builders

• Revitalize our infrastructure in an environmentally conscious manner, utilizing the expertise of union labor

• Support wage and benefit increases for our public sector employees, who have had their power chipped away at over recent years

Last year ranked as one of the most dangerous years ever on Delaware’s roads, and District 21 is home to two of the most dangerous intersections in the entire state. This must change. As your representative I will ensure that we work to reverse these statistics. Here’s how:

• Improve road quality by increasing maintenance, fixing potholes, and more rapidly clearing debris

• Update our strategic planning and seek out creative design solutions to make intersections safer for drivers and pedestrians

• Work with law enforcement to combat reckless driving and reduce road fatalities

• Build collaborative teams with law enforcement, community leaders, and experts to develop robust road safety initiatives

• Increase access to public transportation, and make our roads safer for cyclists

Preserving the health of our community and safeguarding the environment are cornerstones of my commitment as your representative. The alarming revelation that Wilson Elementary alone had 6 sites with lead levels 10 times higher than the recommended state level is an unacceptable breach of trust and demands immediate, comprehensive action to guarantee the safety of our children. Moreover, as the Executive Director of a non-profit dedicated to reducing air pollution, I have personally witnessed the concerning prevalence of particulate matter that permeates our community’s air. As state representative, I plan to support bold action to tackle pollution and the harm it causes, including:

• Upgrading air and water filtration systems at our schools and community buildings

• Incentivizing residents and businesses to switch from gas-powered lawn care tools to electric

• Advocating for an increase in clean energy standards for our electrical grid

• Expanding and refining wastewater monitoring systems to catch early indicators of infectious diseases and environmental pollutants

• Streamlining programs aimed at providing enhanced air sealing for homes and commercial buildings

I am committed to championing the rights and well-being of our aging population in the 21st District, and for those who care for them. It is imperative that our retirees have the option to age gracefully in the comfort of their homes, surrounded by their communities. To achieve this I propose:

• Aging in place support systems to allow aging populations to retain their dignity and independence

• Programs to assist working families who serve as caretakers for their aging family members

• Implementing regular qualification assessments for staff in long-term care facilities

• Expanding state oversight of assisted living and memory care facilities

• Increasing the state reimbursement rate for long-term care facilities to address workforce shortages

My unwavering commitment to reproductive choice will drive my advocacy as a representative. I stand proudly with the state of Delaware for its progressive stance on codifying reproductive rights, and I pledge to tirelessly champion and enhance access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare for all. To help achieve this, I will:

• Advocate for comprehensive reproductive healthcare access, ensuring that everyone has the resources they need for their reproductive health decisions

• Address our high maternal and infant mortality rates through comprehensive reviews of hospital births to identify strategies that can effectively reduce these alarming statistics, especially for Black women

• Secure funding for essential prenatal testing and educational programs during pregnancy to support expectant parents

• Champion a robust system of social support programs that empowers new parents to navigate the transformative journey of parenthood with confidence

• Support initiatives to increase the number of lactation rooms available to nursing mothers

Ensuring that every eligible citizen has a fair and equal opportunity to participate in our democratic process is at the heart of my commitment to accessible voting. Accessible voting is not just a goal; it's a fundamental principle, and I am dedicated to making it a reality for all Delawareans. My vision for accessible voting includes:

• Supporting a constitutional amendment for no-excuse absentee voting

• Moving up the state primary to coincide with the presidential primaries to increase turnout and save the state millions of dollars

• Making Election Day a state holiday

• Ensuring that all polling places are fully stocked with ballots ahead of time, including paper backups for recounts and audits

• Preventing corporations and artificial entities from voting in elections

In the pursuit of a safer community, my approach as the 21st District Representative is anchored in collaborative efforts with our public institutions and law enforcement agencies. I am committed to proactively addressing the root causes of crime by investing in preventative strategies and data-driven solutions that have been proven effective, such as:

• Providing support for at-risk individuals through behavioral intervention programs

• Concentrating on increasing clearance rates for the most serious offenses, like homicide, by utilizing empirically based interventions

• Advocating for the implementation of a permit to purchase model for firearms in Delaware to enhance gun safety

• Bolstering accountability and transparency within law enforcement to ensure high standards of conduct and stronger community ties

• Upholding fundamental rights of privacy and individual liberties for all involved in law enforcement proceedings

As a life-long animal lover, I'm dedicated to advancing animal welfare as a state representative. I believe that it is our shared responsibility to address challenges like neglect, abandonment, and cruelty towards our animal companions. Towards this end, I would support legislation to do the following:

• Alleviate overcrowding at our animal shelters and rescues by allocating appropriate levels of funding

• Require agencies and departments to promptly report instances of suspected animal cruelty

• Systemically review the working conditions of the farmers and agricultural workers, as well as the treatment of the animals they work with

• Strengthen regulations on Delaware’s concentrated animal feeding operations to implement best practices with regard to animal welfare and waste management

• Invest in alternative protein research and development