VOTE411 Voter Guide

Syracuse is #1 in child poverty, and it is the center of our county. In order for the county to thrive, we need to address the issues that affect our most vulnerable residents. Safe and affordable housing, which includes the lead poisoning crisis we have curently; accesible public transportation; and more union living wage jobs.

Instead of investing $100 million into an aquarium, we could be using that money to fight all of the concerns I raised above. We have a land bank stock that could be revitalized to offer housing for residents. Whether it be programs to own a home, rental assistance, or more viable options for safe and affordable family living.

If we want to see Syracuse residents benefit from the building of Micron, investment in our public transportation system is necessary. We also need to ensure we address environmental concerns from the impact study the public has yet to see.

The jobs available need to be living wage jobs. Anyone who works deserves to afford to live.

I will actively educate the public on matters that are being addressed by the legislature. That includes town hall meetings, social media communication, as well as other ways to bring the information to the people. Residents have a right to know how their tax money is being spent, and elected leaders have an obligation to ensure that is done. We have seen with the Aquarium that too many things are being decided without public input, and when public hearings are held, they are often inaccessible by many people due to location, time of day, etc.

I will also advocate for legislature meetings to be be posted in spaces where the public can easily access information, and not have to search for it, and inform the public about meeting information

The most important issue facing Onondaga County in my opinion is the housing crisis. The county faces a critical shortage of housing options spanning the full spectrum from market-rate to subsidized units. To effectively address this challenge, we must implement a full-scale, multi-faceted approach that incentivizes both public and private investment in housing development and rehabilitation. Affordable housing is increasingly scarce, placing significant strain on vulnerable populations and much of the existing housing stock is outdated and in need of substantial investment and modernization. We need to streamline government processes to create a more predictable and supportive regulatory environment that attracts investment. We should further invest in tax credits, grants, low-interest loans, and other financial tools to reduce the financial burden on developers committed to affordable housing.

I served three terms on the Syracuse Common Council, bridging residents and city leadership. I take pride in my proven track record of being accessible and responsive to the people I represent. Transparency is essential to building trust between government and the community. I am committed to prioritizing clear communication by regularly updating constituents and ensuring that information about policies and projects is readily available. As members of the legislative body, it is our responsibility to hold the administration accountable and to foster an open, honest government that listens and acts with integrity. I look forward to continuing this important work and hearing from constituents.