Finding Inspiration in 2024
On my next term agenda
All of my signatures are collected and all of my papers are in. There are no other candidates for District 8, so I will be running unopposed. I suppose I’m vain enough to think that the first time was because no one else was interested, but this time it’s because you all think I’m doing a great job.
At the January Board of Supervisors Meeting, I gave the Inspirational Message. In the Message, I laid out what I think are Dane County’s short and mid-term challenges: housing, child care, racial justice reforms, and affordable broadband internet.
Or, to quote myself:
“We have a lot of hard problems in front of us - problems that can’t be solved simply by money or even labor. Problems that can only be solved by uncovering and understanding root causes. Problems that can only be solved by asking uncomfortable questions with uncomfortable answers. Solutions that can only be had by understanding individuals and their needs.” - Me, Jan 18, 2024
So, that’s it (for the most part). That’s my agenda for the term ahead: housing, child care, racial justice reforms, and affordable broadband internet.
Housing: We don’t have nearly enough of it, but we also need to think not just about housing stock and land management, but residential services such as waste and renewables, transportation, and even health care. It would also include: quality of life issues like parks and events; and climate issues like lake and water quality.
Child Care and Broadband Internet: I lump these together because they are both highly regulated spaces where there isn’t a whole lot that the county can explicitly do. But, I think in both cases there is opportunity to be creative with solutions.
Racial Justice Reform: We just finalized the financing for a complete renovation of the county jail. It will be a complete gut of the current facility and a new [6 floor, 750 bed] jail in its place. But Dane County justice systems also have some of the worst racial disparities in the country. We need a new head of the [Criminal Justice Panel].
I’d add Economic Development to the list, too - the Alliant Energy Center needs serious upgrade and it is a primary engine of economic development for the region. It will take a huge investment - both public and private - to get the AEC to where it needs to be and will require aligning a lot of stakeholders across the region and state to make it happen.
Coming Up Next Time: Candidate Glazer! I’m hoping to have some announcements about endorsements and maybe a campaign event or two before Election Day on April 2.