Issues
Jobs and the Economy
While the recession appears to be over, the residual effects are still being felt throughout our community and state. It will be important for Wisconsin’s legislature to continue focus efforts on creating more family-sustaining jobs that address our unacceptable unemployment rates. I will continue to work to create a healthy business climate in Wisconsin in order to create jobs, grow our economy and make it desirable for people to work and live here.
Access to Quality Healthcare
For more than a year, Washington, D.C. passionately debated how to reform our nation’s broken healthcare system. However, with healthcare costs taking an increasing portion of middle class families’ paychecks, Wisconsin could not afford to wait for Washington to act. While passage of the national Healthcare Reform was a monumental step toward making quality healthcare affordable and accessible to all, there is still work to be done to ensure our healthcare system meets the needs of businesses and individuals. As a former assistant professor of nursing and a community advocate, I understand the complex issues related to healthcare and will continue to work so that we can maintain healthy communities whose residents are vibrant contributors to society.
Quality Education
I believe that education is the key to a thriving community. Well-educated children grow up to be responsible adults and community leaders. Good schools attract new families to sustain our tax base, and they keep property values high to protect the investments we’ve made in our homes. I have devoted much of my adult life to education, both as a teacher and former board member of Advocates for Education, and will fight to maintain the quality of education we enjoy in our community.
Fiscal Responsibility
I was born and raised in Milwaukee in a family of six children. My father was a sheet-metal worker and my mother was a stay-at-home mom. We were taught day in and day out to understand the value of a dollar, and I carry those lessons with me to Madison as your district representative. Like you, my husband and I are taxpayers and want to see our tax dollars used prudently and for the common good.
Environmental Stewardship
We are fortunate to have Lake Michigan, one of the world’s greatest resources, at our doorstep. Protecting this resource and others like it is of paramount importance to our quality of life, as well as to the quality of life we will leave to our children and grandchildren. I am also committed to environmental stewardship as we face growing energy needs and finite resources. We have an opportunity to invigorate the economy by developing alternative energy sources and cutting-edge energy technologies.
