The Issues
Where does Wendy stand on important issues? She always stands on the side of the every-day person.
Affordability
Without a sufficient wage, people are unable to afford necessities. That can be changed by raising the minimum wage to a viable level. Financial security can also begin by guaranteed paid family leave, keeping the cost of food down, encouraging alternate energy sources, and having free basic healthcare for every person. Continue reading to see how the other issues tie in with affordability.
Healthcare
Everyone deserves to have quality healthcare. I believe that this is possible with a mixed healthcare system that guarantees basic healthcare to every individual but allows private health insurance for people who want quicker access to services. Furthermore, at least one federally qualified health center (FQHC) should exist in every county to offer low-cost or free healthcare. There is also a need to encourage providers to work in rural settings. One way to immediately fill that gap is to allow certified nurse practitioners to have full-practice authority.
Daycare and Education
Most families today depend on a two-income household to survive, but daycare and pre-school expenses can be prohibitively high. By increasing subsidies for daycare and creating a universal Pre-K program, both parents will have the opportunity to work and contribute money to the household if they wish. Universal Pre-K will ensure that all children start kindergarten ready to learn and interact with peers, while having a solid foundation for further education. In addition, I want to ensure that every generation is ready to enter the workforce by expanding free job training opportunities and increasing dual enrollment programs for high school students. Lastly, tuition should be capped at a reasonable rate in all institutions of higher education in Pennsylvania, so as not to burden our families.
Economy
If you work, you should be able to support your family. We want to encourage job creation through intiatives such as licensing efficiency, business mentorships, increased grants for new businesses, and offering low cost or free land on which to build by using underutilized land owned by the state. In addition, our natural and historical resources should be used in a thoughtful manner in which to increase jobs and tourism. This can be done by offering time limited tax breaks or grants for new ecological and historical tourism companies.
Environment and Renewable Energy
Every person has the right to clean air, water, and land. I will always support legislation that protects a safe environment for everyone to live in. I also encourage conservation of natural resources through educational programs and eco-tourism. In addition, I know the importance of securing sufficient energy for our communities by encouraging alternate resources such as solar, geothermal, or wind power. Renewable energy will help bring down the cost of electricity by providing extra sources of power that will not be affected by things such as war.
Agriculture
We rely on our farmer's for our food, so we need to support them through things like continued crop insurance programs, increased conservation funding, and emergency disaster assistance. Local food systems can be strengthened and the cost of food lowered by encouraging co-ops and farmer's markets, increasing access to Agricultural Innovation grants, and expanding Farm to School programs. In addition, creating free community gardens and seed banks will help lower the cost of groceries and increase community resilance.
Housing
Everyone should have the right to basic housing. There are multiple ways this can be accomplished, such as incentivizing the building of low-income housing, establishing rent control for certain properties, and allowing for more non-related individuals to live together. Additionally, re-development and mixed zoning for vacant retail and manufacturing real estate for residential use, along with encouraging innovative and sustainable building practices.