1. What top three priorities will you work on if elected? It would be my top priority to enhance the prior achievements of economic development, to leverage more economic prosperity to be seen across all demographics. Moving forward, it is also imperative that the County Board help our residents have more affordable housing options and access to strong public transportation, again with an equity focus on lower income families to help their futures become more prosperous. I look forward to working with the Board and to gain insight and input from our community, so together we can tackle these important issues. 2. The county recently adopted a vehicle registration fee, which will generate $12M in annual county revenue for transportation related purposes. Does this present an opportunity to evaluate our transportation funding and programs with an equity analysis? What strategies would you support to advance transportation equity and eliminate transportation barriers? This is an exciting time for Dane County. The approval of the wheel tax brings the issue of transportation and the needs of our residents center stage. With the heightened interest in the debate over this issue, I believe the County Board has a responsibility to reach out to constituents to find out the scope of need. We need an improved public transportation system in Dane County that would greatly benefit the people of our community, once again with an equity focus on lower income families to help them get to work, to doctors, to pharmacies and other destination points throughout the greater Madison and Dane County area. Working together, I’m optimistic about the prospects to make this possibility a reality. 3. Did you or would you vote for the jail and why? What are the next steps moving forward? Even the group Derail the Jail has said “this jail is still years from completion”, and so, being a new member of the Board, I cannot take an official position on the jail until I have completed a thorough analysis of every item in the budget. What I know for sure, is that I strongly favor addressing the mental health needs of our community, and the new jail appears to bring much needed mental health services to those of our society who may need it the most. I also strongly believe that the best criminal deterrent would be strong employment programs that would help defer individuals from being unnecessarily trapped by our judicial system. 4. Would you support going to referendum to raise the levy? If yes, what conditions do you have on your support, if any? What other ideas do you have for raising revenues or reducing spending? Since our current budgets are straining the limits of our tax levy rates, we need to find more revenue so that much needed County programs are not threatened by budget cuts. Our County residents are strongly in favor of the many programs offered by the County, so budget cuts are an absolute resort. But, that does not mean going to referendum is our best option. I believe our successful and robust economic development program should be relied upon to increase our tax base. This would raise more tax revenue by expanding incoming corporate and
commercial interests. Another asset to leverage before going to referendum is the Alliant Energy Center, which could be renovated with a public/private partnership. This would reduce the current deficits, and even generate additional revenue for the County. Plus the additional sales tax from more people outside of Dane County coming here and eating in our restaurants and staying in our hotels would provide additional revenue from non-residents. This new revenue and more property tax revenue from growing corporate and commercial interests, are both preferable to levying more taxes on our own home owners. If these new sources were to fail, or did not bring in enough new revenue, then the County Board could consider placing a property tax levy referendum on the ballot, and asking the voters to decide. 5. Over the past few years there has been a lot of talk about equity, how do you evaluate the efforts that have been made and what recommendations do you have for moving forward with these efforts? Being a new member of the Dane County Board, it’s difficult to speak about specific situations that have occurred, but I can share my own personal mindset. I am intimately familiar with some of the struggles that many people in our community are facing every day; from the need to improve our public transportation system to the importance of increased equity in the employment practices in Dane County. I have experience in many of these areas and understand how to bring people together in a room, all of whom have a variety of perspectives and backgrounds, and come to constructive solutions to big problems. This is what I intend to bring to the Dane County Board. 6. Evaluate the issue of transparency with the way the County Board currently operates, what problem areas do you believe need to be addressed and how will you work to address them? Again, not being on the Board previously, it is difficult to speak to situations with specificity, but I strongly believe that democracy thrives in a transparent world, and dies in a world without flashlights. The public has a right to know how decisions are made by their elected representatives, and I will always be an advocate of more transparency on the part of our government. My campaign will be one that does not seek out endorsement by establishment candidates, but will look to the voters, and take my message to them. If elected to the County Board, I will have regular town hall meetings in various parts of my District, be as transparent as possible, continue to hear the desires of the voters, and report what the Board is doing for them. 7. Have you carefully read the Progressive Dane County Platform? Do you have any questions or concerns about the platform? Are there issues that we should add or that you particularly want to work on? I have no major concerns with the platform, however, I am disappointed in the lack of focus on accessibility issues for Dane County residents with disabilities. I have gained a perspective throughout my life that recognizes the disadvantages of poor accessibility in our community, and how these barriers negatively impact our society overall. Impeding certain members of our community from fully participating has a tragic and lasting effect.
8. Why are you interested in the Progressive Dane endorsement? I was strongly encouraged two years ago by the non-traditional candidacy of Sen. Bernie Sanders, and draw my energy and hope from candidates like him. Progressive Dane is a committed organization that believes in the power that can come from communities, and not crony politics. While we may not always be in 100% agreement on issues, we are in strong alliance with the power of pure democracy. FOR NEW CANDIDATES ONLY 9. What are the unique qualities and perspectives that you will bring to this office? I believe that all candidates can have a unique perspective, and the strength of a Board comes from diverse perspectives and backgrounds. My whole life I have been seen for what are perceived as my limitations and told what I cannot accomplish. I have always believed in the “power of possibilities”, and I have blazed my own path past the negative views that others would feel was my lot in life. With this perspective, I intend to continue what has become common practice in my life; bringing people together and implementing innovative solutions to big problems. 10. In what ways are you currently active in your district and the community at large? Living in Monona has provided a great lesson in the importance of a strong sense of community. I am an active member of PEO, an international philanthropic organization promoting the education of women and girls, and I have been seeking out a local chapter. The next six months will also be devoted to my fellowship with the New Leaders CouncilWisconsin, an organization developing future progressive leaders.
