House District 54 (Charlottesville)
1.Virginia is one of only 9 states in the country that deny state public sector employees their right to bargain collectively. If elected, will you vote yes on legislation granting all public sector workers, including graduate student workers, in Virginia collective bargaining rights?
Yes
2. How will you work to ensure that every public employee has full and fair collective bargaining rights?
I will work with stakeholders to draft legislation, as needed; and work to build relationships to secure the votes necessary to achieve full and fair collective bargaining rights for every public employee.
3. UCW-VA believe all education, including early childhood education (birth-5), is a right and a public good. UCW-VA believes that childcare and early education centers should be publicly funded and run and offer high-quality care and education and good jobs for employees, including living wages, healthcare, and a retirement plan. Will you champion free, universal access to high-quality, public education for all Virginians?
Yes
4. How will you work to ensure access to free, high-quality early childhood education in publicly-funded, publicly-run centers that offer employees living wages and good benefits?
I will work with stakeholders to draft legislation, as needed; and work to build relationships to secure the votes necessary to achieve full and fair collective bargaining rights for every public employee.
5. Do you support passing legislation to raise employment standards for all public sector employees, including a minimum wage of at least $20 an hour or $40,760 annually, access to quality health insurance, paid sick leave, and a livable retirement plan?
Yes
6. How will you raise employment standards for all public sector employees in Virginia?
I will work with stakeholders to draft legislation, as needed; and work to build relationships to secure the votes necessary to achieve full and fair collective bargaining rights for every public employee.
7. In Colorado, Michigan, Nebraska, and Nevada higher education board members are selected by popular vote, as in K-12 governance. Given that higher education in Virginia has been largely deregulated over the last few decades, what measures would you take to give Virginians more control over their public institutions of higher education?
I would most certainly have to work with the VEA and other education associations to figure out the best course of action to accomplish that goal.
8. What else would you like our members to know about your commitment to workers’ rights and public education?
As a product of public education, I understand the value it provides to all Virginians. Unfortunately, varied government officials don’t have the same perspective; and that is why I commit to ensuring of public education and workers’ rights are strongly advocated for, and given proper funding.