The writer represents the Windham-4 district (Putney and Dummerston) in the state House of Representatives.
PUTNEY-Aly Richards, has the ideas, temperament, and track record of accomplishment to be our next governor, and I ask voters to join me in voting for her.
I’ve worked with Aly over the last decade to help make real the systemic changes to our early childhood/childcare system. It clearly showed me she has the skill set for the job.
Other states — and cities — are recognizing the importance of childcare in economic and workforce development and, of course, in child development. The difference is they are only talking about such transformative systems change. Vermont has done it.
And Aly was essential in making this happen, by knowing effective organizing, knowing how to work with the Legislature, and knowing how to persist.
She organized the thousands of early educators, parents, community leaders, and business leaders to staff, to make the case for, and to fund the efforts of the statewide organization Let’s Grow Kids.
To date, 1,700 new childcare slots have been created, and 4,000 more children are being served. Her work has made childcare more affordable with increased subsidies and by paying teachers more so they wouldn’t leave because they could make more working at a fast-food place.
This kind of change doesn’t just happen with intellectual theories or academic constructs. Anyone can have good ideas. The proof is making it real.
She’s applied the skills and sweat equity that starts and sustains such projects. She’s had the toughness to keep pushing back against opposition, including Gov. Phil Scott’s initial veto of the bill. She’s brought her empathy and experience as a parent (of twins) to this important issue.
All of this convinces me Aly has the experience, track record and hands-on skill set to move Vermont forward.
I’ve watched over the past three election cycles as Vermont Democrats have nominated progressive candidates for governor: David Zuckerman, Brenda Siegel, and Esther Charlestin. None crossed the 40% mark in vote totals, while Scott scooped up the independent and moderate votes to garner more than 60% of the vote.
Any winning strategy needs those voters. Aly’s brand of pragmatic optimism can bring back those voters to vote Democratic.
It’s a time when our education and healthcare system are crying out for change, a time when our environment is being ignored by the current president and that lack of action is mirrored by our own governor. It’s a time when affordability efforts are added to a long list of vetoes by a governor who seems to govern by the edict of “veni, vidi, veto.”
We need the kind of leadership Aly Richards can bring to Vermont: To say yes to affordability, yes to real change, and, yes to a Vermont that works for all of us.
Mike Mrowicki
Putney
The writer represents the Windham-4 district (Putney and Dummerston) in the state House of Representatives.
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