League of Women voters questions:

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My background has uniquely prepared me for the State House, as I have worked with a diverse range of businesses, understanding their challenges and effectively marketing their services. This experience has equipped me to navigate various industries and personalities, helping to negotiate outcomes that benefit everyone involved. I am committed to listening to people and finding practical solutions.

I regularly attend Town Council and State House meetings, as well as local group discussions, to stay informed on key issues. I’ve also met with local fishermen to learn about the adverse effects offshore wind farms are having on the ocean.

As the elected South Kingstown Republican Chairwoman, I’ve encouraged residents to engage in civic duties and run for office, assisting them with campaign coordination and ensuring compliance with legal responsibilities. At the state level, I was elected First Vice Chairwoman of the Republican Party, where I help build committees and motivate individuals across Rhode Island to seek office.

As a small business owner, I understand the difficulties of operating in today's environment. I am dedicated to bringing accountability and transparency to our government, advocating for reduced regulatory and tax burdens that negatively impact small businesses. My goal is to make Rhode Island a safer, more affordable, and business-friendly state.business owner are at the root cause of many of my concerns. Simply put, the State House is broken, occupied by people who are out of touch with Rhode Islanders more than ever before. While hardworking people struggle to put gas in their vehicles due to skyrocketing costs, lawmakers refuse to suspend the state’s gas tax. As homeowners and renters brace for a 50% increase in electricity, every Democrat in the House voted NO on a proposal that would have put an additional $7 million into LIHEAP to help those most at risk. Many small business owners struggling to stay afloat have yet to see COVID relief funds, yet the state continues to green-light millions in corporate welfare, including $65 million for the Superman Building and a proposed soccer stadium. The General Assembly can’t keep coming to the taxpayer with its hand out. Fiscal responsibility is vital to turning this state around. 

 The issue of abortion has already been codified into law in Rhode Island. The Republican Party is a big tent, with both pro-choice and pro-life members.

There is much to accomplish in the General Assembly, and I have several key priorities. One of my main goals is to establish an independent Office of Inspector General to ensure government transparency and accountability. In more than half of U.S. states, Inspectors General save significant taxpayer money by eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse, with returns of up to $27 for every $1 spent. This office would also reduce the need for costly outside attorneys, benefiting all Rhode Islanders.

Energy is crucial to our economy, and I am deeply concerned about rising costs that harm working-class families and vulnerable citizens. By investing in hydroelectric power just 46 miles from our border, Rhode Islanders could see both financial and environmental benefits. Local fishermen estimate $1.5 billion in lost economic impact due to wind farm construction. My opponent, Carol Hagan McEntee, fully supports offshore wind and solar farms and consistently votes in line with the House Speaker.

Education is another top priority. I strongly support our teachers and want to ensure they have the resources they need to succeed. I would push for legislation requiring schools to notify parents about their child’s behaviors and provide curriculum information so parents can better support their children. I would work to bring back textbooks and stable lesson plans, benefiting both students and teachers. The 2019 Johns Hopkins report on Providence Public Schools revealed serious statewide issues that must be addressed. I am committed to improving our schools for a brighter future in Rhode Island.

The Rhode Island Medicaid reimbursement rate is the lowest among our surrounding states, contributing to a significant provider shortage. For years, Rhode Island governors have neglected to address this issue, resulting in a loss of providers. Although the Rhode Island legislature has recently taken steps to increase some reimbursement rates, these efforts have been insufficient. We must raise the rates to be competitive and on par with our neighboring states.

Additionally, the state Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner (OHIC) has reported that the administrative burdens and insurance regulations in Rhode Island are excessive and place an undue strain on the entire Healthcare system. There is much work to be done, and I am committed to collaborating with OHIC to reduce these regulations, streamline the system, and bring back the providers who have left to work in neighboring states.

Recently, property owners brought forth a court case that interpreted the public access law differently than the legislature intended. I am committed to revisiting this law to ensure it aligns with our Rhode Island Constitution and protects the property rights of homeowners. The Rhode Island Constitution rightly protects the public’s shoreline access. Our state’s beautiful shoreline should not be reserved for the wealthy; access for the general public must be preserved. 

Yes, I will vote to support an evolving strategy for implementation. As technology advances, I am committed to making our state more efficient and effective in achieving our goals. However, the climate act signed by Governor McKee is unrealistic.

I oppose placing wind turbines in our oceans and clearing hundreds of acres of beautiful habitats for solar farms. Estimates suggest Rhode Island would need up to 20,000 acres of solar panels to meet the 2040 goals, with about 50% of current installations requiring deforestation. This could lead to the loss of 10,000 acres of forest, despite trees being the world’s largest natural CO2 eliminators. If the state wants to utilize wind turbines, they should be located inland to avoid negative impacts on our fishing industry, tourism, and economy, as seen with the Nantucket turbine breakdown.

Since the offshore turbines have been developed, marine life such as whales, seals, and dolphins have been washing up onshore. This current approach is not environmentally friendly.

To accelerate development in Rhode Island, I would work to reduce the number of hurdles for building and cut unnecessary regulations. Hundreds of millions of dollars have been invested in Low to Moderate Income House in RI over the past 3 years - but much of the money is being absorbed by the operating costs of the 26 separate Housing Authorities in RI. This leaves only a small fraction of the funds for the intended purpose. In contrast, other jurisdictions in the US —many of them larger than Rhode Island—manage these funds through a single Housing Authority. I will always advocate for smaller government and for more money to be returned to the hands of taxpayers.