1. What are your top 3 legislative priorities, and why do you feel that these are the most important on which to focus?
I am pro-RI, pro-family, and pro-business. 1. We need a line item veto. There are only 6 states that do not give their governor this power. 2. We need to reduce the corporate tax on incorporated businesses back to $250, or even eliminate it. This amount was reduced from $500 in 2016, and is now $400. For a small business like my own, paying that every March is a hardship, especially at that time of year. Most of us are already contributing by collecting sales tax on what we manufacture and sell in RI. 3. We must work to retain our graduates. RI’s colleges and universities are arguably some of the best in the country, but almost 70% of their matriculating classes chose to leave after graduating. We are seeing a shift to a hi-tech economy and not the manufacturing base our state was once famous for (for generations). We need to keep this invaluable resource instate by working to create appealing jobs in the technology sector.
2. How do you distinguish yourself from your opponent?
I have the experience of living in RI for 58 years. I have experienced running a small RI-based business for over 30 years (more than half of those years with employees). I am an experienced volunteer, having worked thousands of hours for the youth of East Greenwich’s schools, athletic, and community-based organizations. I have been involved in the political arena for the last ten years being the spouse of Mark Gee who has been an East Greenwich Fire Commissioner and Town Council member, and most recently our State Senator for District 35, the seat I am running for.
3. Our Governor has been very vocal in criticizing President Trump and his agenda. Do you agree with her, or do you feel we should be supporting him?
I tell my kids every day, TIME is your most valuable asset — do not squander it! I am amazed at the amount of time and energy spent on criticizing a person who was elected to the office of president of the United States. But to answer the question, a leader is tasked with bringing people together. That has not been the case with our sitting president. My hope is that the tenor of our country’s current divisiveness does not thwart us from tackling effective gun control, comprehensive womens’ reproductive rights, and compassionate but fair immigration law. Our president has been a catalyst like no other — we are wide awake. I cannot remember in my lifetime when so many have been engaged on a local, state, and national level, but if he fails in his leadership, then it is up to us to vote him out in 2020.
4. Do you feel it’s important/appropriate for our State Rep. to be involved in town politics/issues? Why or why not? If you do feel it is important/appropriate, in what ways would you be involved?
A state rep needs to know what is going on in their town and district, and engage when appropriate or when asked to.
5. Do you have any plans on how to recruit more businesses to Rhode Island and, more specifically, our district? Do you have a vision on other ways to grow Rhode Island’s economy?
District 35 is very lucky. We have a robust tourism and entertainment economy across all four towns. We have gorgeous coastline, an eclectic variety of successful restaurants, engaging historic sites, educational attractions, and many sports-themed venues. I have always thought that we do not capitalize on our wealth of history. Massachusetts is known as the birthplace of America, even though it was a boat full of Rhode Islanders who fired the first shot in the Revolutionary War. Not many know the U.S. Navy was started in East Greenwich, or that the John Brown built many of those first ships. We have so much to tell for such a small state, and need to do a better job promoting ourselves. I envision a system of historical markers much like what you see in Massachusetts and Vermont that extol the events that happened exactly on that spot. Corporate sponsorships, a RI Foundation Grant, or even local municipalities could be called upon to support the endeavor.
6. Do you support universal healthcare and/or Medicaid for all Rhode Islanders? Why or why not?
No.
7. Do you support codifying Roe vs. Wade to protect a woman’s right to choose in R.I. in the event the decision is overturned federally? Why or why not?
I had my children late in life. I cherish them. I personally would not choose to have an abortion, but it is not my place to make that decision for another. Roe vs. Wade has allowed a woman to decide what is best for them over the past 45 years, and I respect that ruling. We need to move forward, not backward, in working to ensure the health and welfare of our families.
8. Taxes in R.I. are pretty high. Do you feel lowering taxes is important? How would you make up the missed revenue and/or maintain services?
Lowering taxes is mission critical for all of us, and here’s where we need to be more creative in how we are generating monies to pay for our services. We rely too much on gambling revenues, and now truck tolling. Here is a small, local example of creative financing. The Plum Beach Lighthouse Association in North Kingstown needed to take care of the lighthouse’s maintenance, and came up with the brilliant idea of selling license plates to support that effort. Each plate sold generates $20 toward the upkeep of the Plum Beach light which now sits magnificently to the north of the Jamestown Bridge, fully restored, maintained, and lit because thousands of you have purchased the plate. Full disclosure: I worked with this non-profit as the designer of the plate, one of the highlights of my career as a graphic designer.
Engaged East Greenwich 