Issues

Important local issues include (but are not limited to): protecting our green spaces and marshlands, promoting regenerative agriculture, transitioning to clean energy, improving access to clean public transportation, preserving and strengthening public education, reforming law enforcement, providing affordable housing, preventing and mitigating drought, wildfires and floods, and prohibiting gas and oil exploration, extraction and waste dumping.

Having a livable planet gives us the possibility of a thriving future, and everything centers on the health of the land, water and air. Peace is vital to the health of the climate and to the wellbeing of our species. 

Access to clean air and water is of vital importance. Clean healthy soil results in clean healthy food.

Clean energy and transportation, including access to convenient public transportation, will lead us to a healthy climate. 

Timely access to affordable high quality healthcare, including robust preventive care, is not only important for health but is also cost advantagous for society.

Communities of color and indiginous populations are disporportionally affected by the climate crisis and disparities in healthcare as well as housing, food and energy insecurity. Partnership and allyship can be helpful in addressing discrimination, disparities and exclusivity.

Autonomy and jurisdiction over one's own body, self determination and choice in family size and sexual orientation should be every individual's right. 

There are enough resources for everyone; however there is an uneven distribution of wealth. We have a widening wealth gap so those who have wealth are getting richer and those who are working hard to just get by are having to work even harder to make ends meet. 

Support and dignity for workers, where they and the services they provide are valued, and support for their right to organize is vital for a fully just society where people and their communities can thrive.

The opportunity to succeed in school should be available to every child, whether they choose to go to college or to learn a valuable trade, with the support and encouragement of their teachers and school administration. We must address the whole child from an early age through graduation, to ensure students are on the path to success. Our schools are an integral part of the health and well-being of our kids. Many students receive healthy meals, portions of their health care and more, through our school system. A student’s health is a leading indicator of their ability to succeed in school. Young students who can’t see or hear well, or students who come to school hungry or from abusive homes are less likely to thrive in the classroom and graduate high school. Thus, we need to ensure necessary support for our students no matter what their individual needs.

Protecting our democracy and promoting democracy around the world is vitally important. We have seen over recent years a significant threat to our democracy, widespread misinformation and widening polarization of ideologies.   

Strong common sense gun control laws are essential to help prevent needless injury and the tragic loss of life.