Transportation

Since Mollie was first elected to the legislature in 2009, she has worked to advocate for a safe and efficient transportation system that enhances our economy, limits carbon emissions, and provides multi-modal options for all users.

As a member of the transportation committee, Mollie has sponsored and supported the following legislation and initiatives:

• Secured funding for emergency Western Avenue paving, bridge reconstruction, and bicycle and pedestrian safety improvements for the town of Brattleboro.

• Legislative appointee to the Vermont Public Transit Advisory Council, supporting improved transit service throughout the state, including the Greyhound route through Brattleboro.

• Lead sponsor of legislation to protect bicyclists, pedestrians, and persons with disabilities on Vermont roadways.

• Promoted legislation to tighten DUI laws and keep impaired drivers off the road.

• Lead sponsor of legislation granting a driving privilege card to migrant workers on Vermont dairy farms.

• Worked with the American Lung Association to pass legislation to prohibit unnecessary vehicle idling in order to promote public health and reduce carbon emissions.

• Worked with AARP to sponsor "Complete Streets" legislation considering the needs of all users of the transportation system in the planning and implementation of new projects.

• Sponsored legislation to create an incentive program for the purchase of electric vehicles, and a parallel program to help low-income Vermonters purchase better fuel-efficient vehicles.

• Currently working with legislative colleagues to petition the Governor to enter into the Transportation and Climate Initiative, a multi-state compact to decrease carbon emissions while investing in low-carbon transportation alternatives.

Economic Development

Mollie believes in investing in innovative technology businesses, sustainable building, and the arts.

She was a proud sponsor of legislation that created the Working Lands Enterprise Initiative, an economic development plan that has helped to bring thousands of dollars in support to Brattleboro and Windham County farming, forestry, and value-added businesses. Mollie will continue to support this program, which helps to keep and create local jobs and to preserve the visual landscape for our tourism industry.

Mollie is currently a sponsor of the Working Hands bill to spur investment in the creative economy. Currently about 9% of Vermont jobs are part of this sector.

Mollie supports the Climate Change Economy Initiative, a competitive strategy for promoting innovative economic development while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. 

Mollie supports budget expenditures for home weatherization programs to create jobs and cut fuel bills. 

Budget and Taxes

Mollie supports a responsible state budget, tax equity, and tax relief. 

The total tax burden falls most heavily on middle-class Vermonters, and budget-cutting measures affect very low-income families. Mollie supports efforts to make Vermont taxes more progressive, and to ensure that those with the highest incomes pay their fair share.

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, we should not engage in austerity budgeting but rather shore up the low-income and middle-class citizens who have been disproportionately harmed in this crisis. This can have a positive economic impact by stimulating the economy and leading to a stronger recovery.

Living Wage

Raising the minimum wage will help workers provide a decent living for their families, will stimulate the economy, and will keep people off costly state services.

Mollie voted for a bill in February 2020 to gradually raise the minimum wage to $12.55 by 2022. Mollie also voted with the majority to override the Governor’s veto. The measure will become law on July 1st, 2020.

Women and Families

We need robust economic policies for women and families. Everyone benefits when women are supported and successful. 

As co-chair of the Legislative Women’s Caucus, Mollie works to promote economic opportunity and equal pay for women, in order to lift families out of poverty, reduce dependence on state services, and add money to the state’s economy.

Mollie also supports subsidized childcare for all families. This would be a great boost to the economy, allowing greater participation of women in the workforce.

The great majority of women in our State correctional system are often the victims of poverty, drug abuse, and domestic violence. Mollie supports alternatives to incarceration with wrap-around services to help these women become successful citizens. This is not only good policy from a humane perspective, but also saves money given the costs of incarceration as well as the downstream effects on children.

Health and Welfare

Universal health care is a human right. A good first step in this direction is the implementation of universal primary care.

Vermont also faces major challenges regarding access to mental health services and opiate addiction treatment. Mollie is working with colleagues of all political parties to address these serious issues that threaten our families and our communities.

Arts Economy

Mollie believes firmly in the economic impact of investing in the arts. As a member of the Legislative Arts Caucus, she will continue to support full state appropriation to the Vermont Arts Council.

Mollie is also a sponsor of the Working Hands Enterprise bill to create a fund to support the businesses and artists in Vermont’s creative sector who contribute 40,000 jobs to the Vermont economy.

Environment

Climate change is the most serious and most challenging issue we face as citizens, in our state, nation, and the world. Climate change is already threatening our Vermont economy, especially in terms of ski tourism, maple syrup production, and autumn foliage.

Carbon emissions not only contribute to climate change, they also impact air quality, and drain money from the economy. Over $1 billion leaves Vermont in oil and gas purchases, money that could be circulating in the Vermont economy.

As a member of the Legislative Climate Solutions Caucus, Mollie has supported legislation to cut carbon emissions in the state from all sectors. In her work on the Transportation Committee, she has sponsored legislation to incentivize the purchase of electric vehicles, and also help low-income Vermonters access purchase more fuel-efficient cars. 

Mollie is a strong advocate for the Transportation and Climate Initiative, a regional compact to cut carbon emissions and invest in low-carbon transportation options.

Constituent Service

Mollie is committed to listening to the concerns of the people in her district, representing them with integrity in Montpelier, and assisting them with accessing state services and resources, especially during the challenging and uncertain times brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.