HEALTH CARE
Universal, single payer health care is the ultimate goal. I know what it means to have to consider healthcare coverage when thinking about changing jobs or going out on your own. We need to allow towns, small businesses, and self employed workers to buy into a State Government program as a first step to reduce costs, and make sure that all eligible children are covered.
TRANSPORTATION
We need an integrated transportation system that reduces reliance on cars while promoting lower polluting alternatives. I was a daily commuter for nine years on MetroNorth, and I will work for more trains and more parking at the stations, interconnected bus systems to bring people to the trains, and upgraded branch rail lines. I will also work to reduce truck traffic on I-95 and I-84 during rush hour.
EDUCATION
Global competition demands a highly educated work force, and our towns need help meeting the funding challenge. I went to public schools and know how important they are to the future of our communities. We need a new approach to school funding that is less reliant on property taxes, provides all day kindergarten, and can lift the burden of special education.
ENVIRONMENT, SMART GROWTH AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Protecting our environment and conserving open space are critical to maintaining the character of our towns. Housing costs have risen so high that our kids, our police officers, and our teachers are finding it hard to live here. We need to promote vibrant, mixed use town centers and discourage large developments on open space that require expensive new infrastructure.
