The League of Women Voters (LWV) of Dane County invited candidates to answer their questionnaire as part of their effort to educate voters. You can find information for items on the ballot specific to your address using their website, Vote411.org.
I greatly appreciate that the LWV, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, works to inform voters and defend democracy. Below are my answers to their questions.
1. What do you see as the next right steps for the county to take in addressing mental illness and substance use disorders to divert people from the criminal justice system?
Expansion of CARES Teams beyond Madison and additional funding for mental health crisis response are good steps in supporting persons with
mental health and substance use disorders and not criminalizing their behavioral health needs. Working with the State to create a regulatory
path is crucial to moving forward with the Crisis Triage Center to realize the full potential of CARES. We must hire an Office of Justice Reform
Director with a track record of building trust with communities most impacted by incarceration and who will build on our alternatives to jail.
2. Do you think the county has the right priorities in addressing the environmental issues we face? Would you recommend any changes in approach?
Yes. The county Climate Action Plan guides us in doing our part in slowing climate change. Two large solar array projects and solar installations
on county buildings resulted in Dane being the 1st WI county, 4th in the country, to use 100% renewable electricity at all its facilities. I chair PACE
WI. PACE projects have reduced carbon emissions by more than 7,200 metric tons annually. We’re advancing ag practices that sequester
carbon and reduce runoff. Protecting our land and water resources are among my highest priorities with projects like dredging that improves
flow and reduces phosphorous.
3. How would you evaluate the county’s current efforts to increase the amount of affordable housing? Are there any additional steps you believe the county should take to address this issue?
The county has made progress by expanding the Affordable Housing Fund, which has created over 2,500 affordable units county-wide, but still
is outpaced by the need. Families need housing options which is why we established a fund in the ‘24 budget to help Habitat for Humanity.
Given the existing shortage of housing options and a projected 200,000 population increase by 2050, the next crucial step in this effort is to put
the Regional Housing Strategy recommendations into action, working with partners and stakeholders to develop affordable housing for working
families.
4. Tell us your priorities for your term in office and your specific qualifications to address those issues.
As Board Chair, I see many needs and opportunities across county services. Several priorities stand out for the next term: Working with state
partners to address the regulatory barriers to creating a Crisis Triage Center; collaborating with partners and stakeholders to enact a regional
housing strategy focused on housing for working families; redeveloping/modernizing the Alliant Energy Center campus to improve it as an
economic driver for the region; bringing my systems analyst and development experience to bear in modernizing the county’s data systems to
better measure human services outcomes and diversify funding. My 18 years of experience in county budgeting, with my extensive relationships
with stakeholders, gives me the tools and partnerships needed to deliver on crucial priorities.