The Issues

Healthcare: As a physical therapist who has worked as a traveling in-home caregiver and who now works in a hospital setting, I believe that all New Yorkers deserve affordable healthcare, close enough that we can access it. Unfortunately, in many parts of our rural 102nd district, that is not the case. In Delaware County, where I live, women have to leave the county to have a baby. Greene County has no hospital at all. We have an aging population, and access to urgent care, hospitals, rehab centers, and home care are all critical infrastructure to allow seniors to age in place with dignity. There are solutions, and I have the experience and tenacity to see them achieved. These include: funding for nurse educators and supporting local programs that train providers; supporting successful healthcare training programs like those at SUNY Delhi and Hartwick College; subsidizing retention programs that repay a portion of student loans if providers stay in rural health for 3-5 years; expanding broadband access to enable appropriate telehealth visits; and more. A healthy population is fundamental to a successful economic system. 

Quality of Life: Safe, stable infrastructure underpins our quality of life. That includes housing, transportation, water, sewer, electricity, broadband internet, and education. I will ensure that our district receives its fair share of state and federal dollars to maintain our infrastructure, and I will seek out grants to expand broadband throughout our rural district. Secure, affordable housing is a fundamental need for every New Yorker. I look forward to working with state and local officials, private developers and nonprofit organizations to improve our housing stock in a way that is collaborative and respects home rule. 

Sustainability: In Upstate New York, we are lucky to live in a beautiful environment, but  climate change is altering our weather patterns, threatening our agricultural community, and harming our ecosystems. Fortunately, there is a lot we can do. Farmers need support to adopt regenerative practices, affordable homes need to be built that use less energy, and green transportation options from EVs to bicycles need to be promoted. Where I live, in Delhi, we are part of the New York City watershed. Because the city wants to protect its water supply, they provide considerable funding for farmers to adopt sustainable practices that protect the environment and save them money, such as manure storage, fencing and watering solutions. We can adapt some of those principles statewide to support growers while protecting our environment.