I have four priorities for creating job opportunities and protecting labor rights in the four counties I hope to represent.

1. Training our workforce in emerging technologies: When my husband and I founded our IT company in the 1990's, where we had almost 100 employees and 5 offices worldwide, we had people with Ph.D's in engineering and people with no technology background whatsoever training for certifications in software, hardware, sales, and business that were specific to company's needs.  We partnered with companies such as Cisco Systems, MCI Telecoms, and AT&T to identify company needs and create a workforce tailored to them.  I hope to create Career Centers across the district where we can have businesses offer seminars and crash courses in their respective technologies such as IoT, Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, and Computer Programming.

2. Cottage Industries:  We have rich resources throughout the Hudson - Delaware River Valley's that can be developed into thriving cottage industries which will revitalize our communities and protect our natural resources.  Traveling across this district I have seen so much talent and craftsmanship from soap makers to honey harvesters.  These are small businesses that are not getting the support they need from counties.  Industrial Development Agencies or (IDA's) are responsible for fostering economic development in their respective counties - but instead they are giving tens of millions of dollar in grants and taxpayers to billion dollar out-of-state companies that frankly do not need it.  As a state legislator, I will work to redirect IDA's to prioritize local small business for grants and subsidies.

3. Public Works: Our Green New Deal comes with a plan for creating jobs with pensions for the people of the 42nd district.  Why subsidize big businesses for projects our own government can carry-out for much cheaper.  Public Broadband is a centerpiece to our Employment and Infrastructure plan - we are proud to have adopted Congressmen Kucinich's plan for Municipal Broadband.

4. Collective Bargaining and a $15 minimum wage: In the wake of the devastating Janus ruling by the Supreme Court - the responsibility falls more than ever on the state to protect our rights to collective bargaining.  Andrew Cuomo promised New Yorker's a $15 minimum wage - instead he gave it just to NYC.  The people of our region deserve a livable wage - and they deserve it now.  But we must ensure we prepare and assist small businesses in making that transition