Priority Issues for Pam
JOBS: After four years of working as the Regional Director for the Massachusetts Office of Business Development (2006-2010), I learned that there is nothing more important than supporting business, particularly the creation and nourishment of small businesses. And even at those moments when my office couldn't directly help a business, I made certain that I knew the city, regional, state, and federal resources that could assist a business. But more needs to be done. There is not nearly enough incentives, programs, resources, or training opportunities available to support the health and continued growth of small business. One idea? Create a matching grant program which would partner the Commonwealth with the GE Economic Development Fund so we can provide either low-interest loans or grants to local businesses that need that extra push.
EDUCATION: Nothing we do for our kids is more important than making certain they receive the best education that can open doors to them as they seek financial independence. Are there programs in Pittsfield addressing issues of access to education? Absolutely. But more needs to be done particularly as we seek to create the best learning environment for all children with a renewed emphasis on high school education. As many of you know, I petitioned to reactivate the School Building Needs Commission when I served on Pittsfield's City Council. Today, there is much to understand how we move forward as a community to reach common ground about a solution to high school education. In having served on the School Building Needs Commission for five years, knowing those connected to the State's School Building Authority, I know that I can work with community leaders to build a healthy community response to our decisions about high school education.
AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE: After leaving Massachusetts Office of Business Development, I lost my health insurance benefits and had to make a decision about COBRA or other insurance options. It was painful. All I can say is that I am eternally grateful to the good genes in my family and God above that I'm healthy because, otherwise, I don't know what I would have done if I needed specialized care, medications, therapy, tests, or ongoing treatments. Yes, it is vital we all have insurance but it should be EQUALLY important that we can afford it. It feels unfair to me that we mandate all citizens to be insured but we aren't doing everything we can to make health care affordable and accessible to all.
TERM LIMITS AND ENDING LIFETIME APPOINTMENTS: There was a great study done a few years ago using Minnesota and Massachusetts to demonstrate how different two state governments can be. In Minnesota, the job of state rep is part-time, low-salaried, and seen as a way to help your community. Minnesotans stay in office for three or four terms (at most), don't seek chairmanships or lifelong roles in state government. Compare that to Massachusetts...how did elected office become a lifelong career? How did political patronage equate to getting a lifetime appointment? Reform with both term limits and lifetime appointments is desperately needed.
ETHICS REFORM: I like to think we're going in the right direction with Ethics Reform in Massachusetts but it makes me wonder that perhaps if elected officials had term limits, we wouldn't have as many issues with unethical behavior. And current Ethics Reform doesn't go far enough. Should an elected official with multiple ethics violations against them, be limited in their ability to continue seeking public office?
EDUCATION: Nothing we do for our kids is more important than making certain they receive the best education that can open doors to them as they seek financial independence. Are there programs in Pittsfield addressing issues of access to education? Absolutely. But more needs to be done particularly as we seek to create the best learning environment for all children with a renewed emphasis on high school education. As many of you know, I petitioned to reactivate the School Building Needs Commission when I served on Pittsfield's City Council. Today, there is much to understand how we move forward as a community to reach common ground about a solution to high school education. In having served on the School Building Needs Commission for five years, knowing those connected to the State's School Building Authority, I know that I can work with community leaders to build a healthy community response to our decisions about high school education.
AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE: After leaving Massachusetts Office of Business Development, I lost my health insurance benefits and had to make a decision about COBRA or other insurance options. It was painful. All I can say is that I am eternally grateful to the good genes in my family and God above that I'm healthy because, otherwise, I don't know what I would have done if I needed specialized care, medications, therapy, tests, or ongoing treatments. Yes, it is vital we all have insurance but it should be EQUALLY important that we can afford it. It feels unfair to me that we mandate all citizens to be insured but we aren't doing everything we can to make health care affordable and accessible to all.
TERM LIMITS AND ENDING LIFETIME APPOINTMENTS: There was a great study done a few years ago using Minnesota and Massachusetts to demonstrate how different two state governments can be. In Minnesota, the job of state rep is part-time, low-salaried, and seen as a way to help your community. Minnesotans stay in office for three or four terms (at most), don't seek chairmanships or lifelong roles in state government. Compare that to Massachusetts...how did elected office become a lifelong career? How did political patronage equate to getting a lifetime appointment? Reform with both term limits and lifetime appointments is desperately needed.
ETHICS REFORM: I like to think we're going in the right direction with Ethics Reform in Massachusetts but it makes me wonder that perhaps if elected officials had term limits, we wouldn't have as many issues with unethical behavior. And current Ethics Reform doesn't go far enough. Should an elected official with multiple ethics violations against them, be limited in their ability to continue seeking public office?
Above Photo: Mom is ready to hit the campaign trail to help get
Pam elected so we can have our voices heard!
Photo Above: Pam's favorite issues include nieces Abigail and Maddy and nephew Carter Chance whose parents work hard, really hard, to provide healthcare and educational opportunities for their kids. We all deserve jobs, educational access, and affordable healthcare.
