Campaign Issues
Balancing Neighborhood Development and Character
Madison is a growing community, and with growth comes challenges and questions that can be difficult to answer. A growing community can face pressure to develop in ways that are quick and efficient, but sometimes fail to consider the appearance of the community ten or twenty years down the road. For this reason, I have been committed - and if re-elected, will continue to be committed - to balancing neighborhood character with development.
- I sponsored Neighborhood Conservation District ordinance, which would have allowed neighborhoods to designate unique characteristics to preserve, and will continue to fight to pass this ordinance.
- I helped secure a grant from the city for Regent Neighborhood Plan, which allows us to discuss development issues and the future of our community before plans and proposals are crafted.
- I am working on the Regent Street-South Campus Plan for the area east of Camp Randall.
- I support compact and sustainable development, because sprawl is inefficient, hurts the city's budget, and diminishes the vibrancy of our community. Development of the periphery requires new infrastructure - e.g., roads, fire and police stations, libraries, schools, parks, etc. - instead of being served by our existing facilities.
Safe Streets and Smart Transportation
Madison is both a lively and diverse community, and part of that vibrancy can be seen in how we get around town. Our streets are for more than just cars, and many Madisonians prefer to travel by other means. For this reason, I have been and will continue to be a strong advocate for bike and pedestrian safety, as well as smart transportation choices.
- I am a leading advocate for bicycle and pedestrian safety and have worked to improve pedestrian and bicycle accommodation along and across University Avenue, Campus Drive and other neighborhood streets. I pushed for traffic calming projects as a member of the Pedestrian/Bicycle/Motor Vehicle Commission.
- I served on the School Traffic Safety Team and led the fight for Safe Routes to School to improve the traffic conditions where our children walk and bike.
- I have coordinated with the university and other large employers to decrease commuter traffic on our streets and improve other transportation options.
- I am working with the city and small businesses to implement a bus pass paying pool similar to those available to larger employers.
- I worked to keep Metro service strong and against fare hikes. Good transit service is the core of making transportation accessible and affordable for all residents.
- I worked to design a shuttle route downtown instead of building a new parking structure. This is a more economical and sustainable solution to the problem of lack of parking in certain areas of downtown, while other areas have excess capacity.
Affordable Housing and Tenants' Rights
Madison is a great community to call home, and our neighborhood offers places to live for people of all ages and incomes. In a district that blends both student and non-student renters, university housing, university staff, and homeowners, I understand the varied housing experiences in our neighborhood and beyond. Affordable housing is essential for ensuring that Madison is a great home for everyone, and I know that everyone - especially student renters - have more important things to worry about than unscrupulous landlords. For this reason, I have always been a strong advocate for affordable housing and tenants' rights, and I will continue to serve your interests on the Common Council.
- I supported the Inclusionary Zoning ordinance and will continue to push developers and realtors to provide these units to the people that need them most.
- I believe that the Affordable Housing Trust Fund is vastly under-funded and that we should work to increase the money being invested in it.
- I supported the lock ordinance, which has made rental properties safer for their residents.
- I pushed for an ordinance requiring landlord registration, so that renters and neighbors could easily find the name of the building owner.
- I sponsored the ordinance proposal requiring separate check-out forms so renters could double-check conditions against their check-in forms.
- I have worked with the neighborhood and city to pressure landlords to maintain their buildings.
Progressive Values
Both Madison and the 5th District are areas with strong progressive traditions and values. I have and will continue to support and represent those values on the council.
- I supported progressive legislation, including mandatory paid sick leave, an increase in the local minimum wage, and inclusionary zoning.
- I supported the comprehensive, citywide smoking ban and defended it from repeal.
- I strongly opposed the constitutional ban on civil unions and gay marriage. I supported the supplementary statement to the oath of office and promise to defend Madison's domestic partner benefits and registry.
- I supported legislation that directly benefits women, including breast-feeding protections and ensured access to emergency contraception information.