House District 79 (Richmond)
- If elected, will you actively support overturning right-to-work laws in Virginia?
Yes.
- How will you actively fight for the repeal of right-to-work laws and collaborate with unions and progressive organizations to support workers’ rights?
We need General Assembly members who are not only pro-worker but not afraid to say it and fight for it. That’s why as Delegate I’ll fight to make sure to partner with unions and progressive organizations to overturn the right to work, finally giving people the ability to join a union if they so choose. Unions built the middle class — now more than ever the middle class needs a lifeline and unions can be that answer.
- If elected, will you actively advocate for and support initiatives to provide universal childcare?
Yes.
- How will you actively prioritize and advocate for universal childcare and address the childcare crisis in Virginia?
We’re facing a childcare crisis in Richmond, Virginia, and across our country and it’s time we act like it. We’re sitting on a record surplus in Virginia. Currently, our Governor is aiming to give massive tax breaks to corporations and the wealthiest among us. Instead, we must reprioritize and recenter working families so that our budget reflects our values — and that starts with being able to provide universal childcare.
- Do you support the fair treatment and rights of public sector employees, including their ability to collectively bargain?
Yes.
- How will you actively support fair treatment, collective bargaining rights, and just treatment of public sector employees in Virginia?
It starts by electing the most pro-worker, pro-working family General Assembly to date, and I truly believe we’re on the pathway to doing just that. With record turnover in the General Assembly, a new generation of leaders who have fought and faced the same struggles that so many working families are facing today are going to be in a position to make wholesale change. I will add my voice to that movement and will do all I can to ensure that our public sector employees are paid fairly, have the ability to collectively bargain, and are treated justly.
- What are your thoughts on the appointment process for governing boards of public institutions of higher education in Virginia? Are any changes necessary?
I’m not super familiar with the systems of these states and would have more questions for them to ensure that our public institutions weren’t subject to the whims of popular opinion. But I think it starts by having members of our Board of Education that believe in the power of public education. Unfortunately, Governor Youngkin’s selections are exactly the opposite. In addition to the novel concept that BOE appointees should want to lift up public education, not tear it down, I think we can and should do more to provide public funding to these institutions and work in partnership with them to do all we can to keep tuition costs manageable for working Virginians!
- Can you share any examples of your past work and advocacy for workers’ rights and public education?
On Council, I’ve strived to be a workers’ rights and public education champion — fighting for more access to affordable housing, childcare, and more educational opportunities for Virginians so that every Richmonder has access to a world-class education. In the General Assembly, I want to continue to do that work so that Richmond becomes an even better place to live, work, and raise a family.