Rhode Island
GoLocalProv | Politics | Political Profile: Linda Ujifusa, Candidate for State Senate, District 11
Friday, September 09, 2022
PHOTO: Ujifusa
Linda Ujifusa is working for State Senate in District 11. Here is what she has to say.
1. What do you assume is the largest political difficulty this marketing campaign season in Rhode Island?
I’ve knocked on a whole lot of doorways and individuals are telling me their largest political points are the economic system and surroundings. They’re involved about inflation, unaffordable housing and the excessive value of healthcare. Even people who find themselves themselves economically safe are involved as they watch their mates, neighbors, youngsters and grandchildren wrestle to afford what was beforehand nicely inside attain of the center class.
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2. What do we have to do to enhance Rhode Island’s economic system?
Our state’s method to financial growth should cease specializing in a company welfare mannequin that simply provides giant firms money or tax breaks with out proof that Rhode Islanders are reaping any profit. We have to comply with what has labored in different states and put money into public infrastructure, create an informed workforce, and go laws that does greater than profit slender particular pursuits and the rich.
We must also cease assuming that privatizing authorities capabilities advantages Rhode Islanders. We should audit non-public for-profit medical insurance firms which are working our state Medicaid program (“Managed Care Organizations,” MCOs) and appearing as “Pharmacy Profit Managers” (PBMs). Different states have discovered MCOs and PBMs have been unjustifiably costing taxpayers and sufferers tons of of tens of millions of {dollars} yearly.
As well as, the state ought to reverse the disastrous 2006 tax cuts for the wealthiest Rhode Islanders (in the present day, these making over $450,000/12 months). As an alternative of making the meant “trickle down” profit, this coverage merely diminished state earnings, diminished state assist to municipalities, and resulted in elevated property taxes – shifting the tax burden to the center class.
3. What’s the best problem going through Rhode Island as a state?
The best problem to Rhode Island is local weather change. Local weather change is inflicting the extreme warmth, droughts and floods that threaten all our communities. Our coastal communities face the existential menace of rising sea ranges that may submerge components or all of those cities and cities until we act. Whereas local weather change is a worldwide downside, there are steps we will and should absorb Rhode Island, reminiscent of minimizing our carbon footprint and making emergency preparedness and resiliency our prime priorities.
4. Why are you working for workplace? What makes you uniquely certified?
I’ve served three phrases on the Portsmouth City Council, am previous board chair of the Aquidneck Land Belief, present chair of a non-profit advocating for common reasonably priced healthcare, and Govt Committee member of the RI Democratic Ladies’s Caucus. Having served my group and the state in these capacities, I’ve the expertise, abilities and work ethic wanted to finest signify District 11 on the State Home.
I’ve not simply listened to constituent issues, I’ve acted to deal with them. In town council, I helped make sure that Security Audits have been undertaken on East Major and West Major roads and that our Senior Middle can be rebuilt with 50 items of reasonably priced senior housing. We additionally secured a $339,000 grant from the RI Infrastructure Financial institution to implement local weather change resiliency measures in Frequent Fence Level and Island Park.
I moved to Rhode Island nearly 30 years in the past to lift a household right here as a result of I noticed the state as wealthy in magnificence, historical past and cultural traditions. I’ve labored onerous since then to make sure that we thrive as a state, and I’ll proceed that work on the State Home.
5. Who’s your inspiration?
I used to be impressed to get into politics due to Senator Bernie Sanders. He’s trustworthy. His values and issues to guard the 99% have been forward of their time and haven’t modified over time. He has courageously and constantly stood up for financial and social justice when it was not straightforward nor modern. He has achieved vital objectives. And whether or not they agree together with his insurance policies or not, individuals throughout the political spectrum respect him.
I’m additionally impressed by my husband, J. Mark Ryan, MD. We met in faculty and I’ve at all times regarded as much as him as somebody who might have picked any profession, however at all times selected to assist others and work for the widespread good. Along with spending lengthy days and weekends taking good care of sufferers and coping with mountains of insurance coverage firm paperwork unrelated to precise healthcare, he devotes time and power to advocating for reasonably priced complete healthcare for all and in addition serves on the Portsmouth City Council.
Learn extra about her marketing campaign right here.
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