Issues.

Support Housing Affordability

 

I am committed to adopting solutions which will provide opportunities for our families to buy homes and live in Jackson.  

In 2022, I created the Community Housing Fund with the Teton Board of Realtors. It asks Realtors and their clients to make a meaningful contribution to affordable/workforce housing at every closing. To date, the fund has approached nearly $1m. Other communities are now following this lead and creating the same program for Realtors. 

Housing affordability is the most critical issue our community faces. We must act now to make the necessary changes before it's too late. Our current zoning and land development regulations have unintentionally worsened affordability.  These policies need to change.  Our community is demanding change.  We owe it to our community and future generations to create policies which serve everyone.

The recent moratorium on development was long overdue. It’s unfortunate it had to reach a crisis point before we could hit the brakes. The developers are building according to the rules, and if those rules aren't working for us, we need to change them. I am ready to make those changes. The 120-day moratorium period will pass quickly, and we must use this time effectively, especially during an election year when bold action is critical to success.

Housing solutions require a balance of regulatory changes and collaboration with both public and private sector developers. It’s not about choosing one over the other but finding a harmonious balance that works for all.

Support Working Families

 

As someone who has experienced the challenges our working families face, I understand how tough it is to live and thrive in Jackson with the high cost of living. Our middle class families are getting squeezed out.  We need to address this urgently through policies which provide opportunities for families to thrive.

Access to affordable childcare is essential for our working families. We need to ensure that our middle class is not forced out of our community due to the high costs of living and childcare. 

Support Seniors & Single Folks

 

It's time we give our seniors and single community members the attention they deserve. Too often, our valued seniors are forced to leave Jackson Hole when they retire due to high taxes and the lack of affordable, meaningful senior living options. Similarly, our single residents often feel overlooked in community planning and services. We must prioritize creating affordable senior housing and enhancing support for singles, ensuring everyone feels valued and can continue to call Jackson Hole their home.

Stewardship of our Natural Resources


 

Having served as a Teton County Planning Commissioner, I am well aware of the importance of preserving our precious natural resources. I am committed to solutions which will focus on:

  • Water Quality: Ensuring clean and safe water for our community.

  • Wildlife Protection: Safeguarding the diverse wildlife that makes our valley unique.  

  • Conservation:  Thoughtful policies for the management of our natural resources and their impact on our community.

Support Small Business

Small businesses are the lifeblood of living in one of the best communities in the world.  Small businesses provide many of us with the jobs to be able to raise families here.  It is time to step up and support our small businesses in Jackson Hole.

We must stop burdening them with excessive fees. For instance, the town council recently increased the license fee for food trucks from $150 to $1,000 annually. If you want to open a small sandwich shop in a location that hasn’t been mitigated yet, the mitigation fee (tax) is a quarter of a million dollars.

If we continue to impose high taxes and costs on our small business owners, we will only see chain stores and big box retailers moving into town in the future. Vibrant, Wyoming grown businesses are one of the reasons people love  visiting Jackson.  It would be unfortunate if our leaders continue to support policies which will only benefit companies who can afford these incredibly high costs of development.  We are one step away from having our downtown turned into that reality. Just like with housing regulations, only the wealthy and large high-end brands will be able to afford the high development fees to locate here.

In addition to priorities above, I will prioritize:

  • Fiscal Responsibility: Ensure prudent use of our resources.

  • Health & Human Services: Supporting the well-being of all residents.

  • Government Transparency: Promote openness and accountability in our government.