My Priorities
I believe in an inclusive vision for Vermont.
In my work I have found that effective, innovative and lasting solutions come from people working together that have a broad diversity of thought. Vermont can be a place where all individuals feel valued and included, and where we celebrate and benefit from diversity of all kinds. I believe our communities must identify and address issues of discrimination and bias, and work collaboratively to address deeply troubling trends, including in mental health, violence and hate. Public policy is a key tool for changing and evolving our systems and institutions to be more inclusive and equitable.
I support investing in children and working families.
Investing in our children and public schools is investing in our future. Having worked full time through nearly all of my 15 years as a parent, issues that affect children and working families are particularly important to me. While my kids are older now, I know through personal experience the struggle to find quality and affordable day care, after school care, and healthcare. I understand the feelings of isolation and overwork that arise. And I know there is much to be done to improve the lives of Vermonters through paid family leave, livable wages, equity in our public education system, and accessible and affordable healthcare and child care.
I care strongly about the health and safety of our children and greater community. I was a volunteer EMT through my early adult years and have deep respect for people who work in the fields of health care and public safety. I will work for further progress on gun violence prevention. With training in the sciences, I am a strong supporter of policies – and particularly public health policies – that are evidence-based. And I am an advocate for protecting personal reproductive freedom and a proponent of Proposition 5, which will go to Vermont voters this fall.
I am committed to environmental stewardship.
Vermont is known for our leadership in stewardship of our natural environment. All my life I have been an advocate for environmental stewardship – developing composting programs for the solid waste district and supporting the adoption of conservation practices by farmers across our state. Ongoing work to mitigate climate change, clean up our waterways, and transition to clean, renewable energy sources will support healthy communities and a strong economy for the future.
I see the need for housing.
We need more housing and more housing that Vermonters can afford.
“If voters elect Ela to the legislature, not only would they be well-served, they would also be doing a great service to the legislature and state of Vermont as a whole. ”
As we saw with the influx of new residents during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, climate migrants, too, will look to Vermont as a desirable place to move, further impacting housing affordability and access. Today, we’re already seeing a great need for workforce housing in rural communities. As a volunteer member of the investment committee for the Northern Forest Fund, I am witnessing the ever-widening gap between the number of open jobs and the availability of housing in many of our communities. This challenge requires an ongoing commitment to invest in workforce housing, affordable housing, and tools to support home ownership. Over the many years I worked alongside the outstanding housing team at the VT Housing & Conservation Board, I came to appreciate how public and private investments in housing can effectively address the gaps that exist. It will take all the tools in the toolbox — and more — to do this.
Do you want these priorities addressed at the statehouse?