Policy Positions
Protecting and Strengthening Democracy and Civil Rights
As a Ukrainian American whose family fled fascism in Eastern Europe as refugees, upholding and strengthening our democracy is a deeply personal fight for me. Through my work as a member of the Senate Committee on Judiciary and the Committee on Government Operations, I focus on the core tenants of democracy including:
Protecting the right of Vermonters to vote in local, state, and federal elections by providing the supports necessary for access without interference or obstruction
Protection from federal government overreach
Protection of Vermonters’ civil rights
Creating independent oversight of state and local police forces so that those who are given significant legal power and protection are accountable to our citizens
Strengthening the State Ethics Commission and the Legislature’s ethics committees so that those of us who hold office are accountable to our constituents
Strengthening union protections and the rights of Vermont workers to organize and strike
Affordability
At a time when the cost of living and wealth inequity in our state has brought working Vermonters to our breaking point, I continue to fight for:
A progressive tax system that simplifies our overly complex tax code and makes sure that those who can most afford to pay are contributing their fair share
Affordable housing that creates opportunities for both rentals and home ownership through new construction, rehabilitation of dilapidated housing stock, cooperative communities and mobile home parks, and tax credits and loans that create housing that is required to be affordable in perpetuity without sunset dates
A livable minimum wage that ensures that every Vermonters who works full-time can afford to pay for their basic needs without having to choose between paying rent and buying groceries
An overhaul of our healthcare system’s status quo of record wait times for care, low wages for front line workers, a shortage of doctors willing to practice here, and some of the highest costs of care in the nation
Education
As a graduate of Vermont’s public school system and a former public school social worker, I believe that a high quality public education is one of the foundations of our society. Every child, no matter where they live in the state or how much money their family makes, should have access to an education that meets their needs and gives them the tools to thrive. I will continue to stand up for:
Moving our funding system from property taxes to a progressive income tax that takes the burden off of Vermonters who can least afford to pay
Addressing the true cost drivers of education including the cost of health insurance, mental health supports for students, and aging infrastructure instead of putting an artificial cap on expenses and forcing school closures and mergers
Building on the success of passing S.227, which was first in the nation legislation to protect students from federal overreach, provide resources and protect data so that children can learn free of fear
Community Resilience
As Vermont continues to face climate disasters year after year that were unthinkable even 30 years ago, I strongly believe that the State’s role is to provide funding, resources, and coordination with the federal government while giving towns and cities the agency to determine what best fits their individual community’s needs and doesn’t leave our most vulnerable behind. I will continue to fight for:
Treating residents as the experts in their own communities
Funding community planning efforts that identify assets and vulnerabilities and address them before disasters hit
Providing low-barrier funding and infrastructure for climate and natural disaster mitigation and repair
Inclusion of those resources in the state budget to prevent those costs from being pushed onto municipalities
Prioritizing support for low-income neighborhoods that are often most vulnerable to disaster
Holding corporations that have polluted our environment accountable and pushing for renewable energy resources