Preparing students for the future
Ann Marie is a strong supporter of public education and believes all children deserve equal access to a well-rounded public school education that will prepare them for the future. Today’s students not only need to be prepared for college, but also for the career path they plan to take which includes basic personal finance skills, civics, community service, creative problem solving, team-building, and the value of art, music and sports. Supporting public schools is an investment that provides our economy with the human capital to navigate the future. Ann Marie strongly believes that students need to have access to a wide range of experiences that will better prepare them for financial stability — this includes college and career guidance and vocational opportunities, as well as increased exposure to opportunities in the private business sector and the trades (apprenticeships).
Access to affordable healthcare & prescription medication
Solving our nation’s health care crisis is critical to the health and wellbeing of our communities. The business of healthcare has too many Americans resorting to crowd funding to pay for necessary medical procedures, and prescriptions. While lobbyists, large companies determine the bottom line, mounting medical bills continue to be the number one reason Americans file for bankruptcy. Ann Marie is committed to working diligently on both sides of the aisle to negotiate with insurance lobbyists and big pharma and create affordable healthcare options and reduce the cost of prescription medication.
INCREASE MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS & OPIOID RECOVERY EFFORTS
Ann Marie knows that affordable mental health care and legitimate recovery support are critical and immediate needs in our communities. Ann Marie supports Governor Wolf’s plan to expand recovery efforts, eliminate barriers that keep inflicted patients from receiving necessary treatment, and continue to create pathways for individuals in recovery to rebuild their lives.
As a state representative, Ann will focus on making more resources available to serve our families and our schools where the increased impact of newer abuses like marijuana vaping is often felt first. Ann knows we need to protect our community from those profiteering and preying on people seeking help with recovery or mental health care for themselves or their family members. She has seen families struggle to find services for a child or teenager reaching out with a special need or a serious mental health concern. Ann Marie realizes that all of these hardships impact our community – at school, at our jobs and at large – and she will work to bring home state benefits and programs to help in these times of hardship to make our communities stronger.
cut taxes & balance the budget
Economic stagnation, student loan debt and increased cost of living have forced many families in our community to live in multi-generation households. In addition, many seniors struggle to maintain their independence with rising taxes, while their savings, pensions and social security benefits diminish. Ann Marie is committed to working to help our community find tax relief, increase our senior citizens’ access to public benefits, and help students find debt relief.
Relieve Traffic Congestion & Invest in Our Infrastructure
The condition of state-controlled roadways and infrastructure will be a top priority for Ann Marie. Failing roadway surfaces, inadequate drainage, poorly maintained bridges and overpasses impact the local day to day commute and business transportation within our region – in addition to impacting school bus travel for the thousands of school children that cross our state roads every school day.
keep our communities & schools Safe
Ann Marie cares deeply about making sure Pennsylvanians, including our law enforcement and other first responders, are safe in their homes, schools, public spaces, work environments and places of worship. She knows the importance the enforcement of good laws and regulations play in keeping our community safe. Ann recognizes that sport shooting and hunting, in addition to preventing food insecurity for some, is a part of our Pennsylvania culture, and that personal protection is an important concern. As the daughter of a hunter and avid gun collector, Ann Marie got her first permit at 14 years old, after completing an NRA-sponsored gun safety course. Years later, when her family became victims of her father’s domestic violence, Ann Marie learned how fortunate they were that law enforcement was able to remove her father’s guns from his custody. Ann understands the dangerous mix of domestic violence and guns, and the importance of gun safety to families, especially children. As a founding member of the Orange Wave for Gun Safety, and a former member of Moms Demand Action, Ann believes that public safety can be achieved without unduly impacting the rights of responsible gun owners.
Preserving Open Space & Protecting our Environment
As a longtime resident of Bucks County, Ann Marie believes thoughtful open space management, environmental conservation and well planned public recreation areas are of vital community importance. The planning and protection of the District’s natural spaces and protection of its resources – especially the safeguarding of water and air quality – are important to the wellbeing of our District and our County. As cyclists, Ann Marie and Don appreciate the trails and parks existing and planned throughout the District, and Ann will seek state resources to expand recreation and open spaces to the benefit of the community, while respecting neighboring landowners. Ann Marie believes that interconnected and accessible recreation areas while maintaining restricted conservation and wilderness areas are crucial to maintaining the very essence of what Bucks County is and why we live here.
Defending our Right to Equality & Fairness
Ann Marie will be an upstander for the fair treatment and rights of all the people in our District. Regardless of gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, religion, disability, race, national origin or any other protected class, Ann Marie will fight for equal treatment and protection under the law. Not content to stand by, Ann knows that discrimination is an insidious and dangerous blight on a community and that fairness and equal opportunities are fundamental core values.