Letter To The Editor: McCabe For Environment, Economy, Education

Press release from Emma Gleeman:

October 31 2020

Dear Editor,

I am a 26-year-old Fairfield native. I was relieved when I researched our district’s candidates for state senate this year and came across Michelle McCabe. Here’s why:

The contrast between McCabe’s and Tony Hwang’s commitments to education is stark, given that Hwang voted against financial aid for Connecticut college students qualifying for in-state tuition. McCabe, if elected, wants to develop a path to universal pre-K, commit more resources to helping students from low-income communities succeed, and develop a public-private loan forgiveness program for college graduates working in Connecticut. I want to feel proud of my Senate representative for their work to make a great education accessible to everybody, and McCabe is ready to do that.

My family and loved ones in Fairfield are committed to justice and equity, but Hwang has repeatedly demonstrated that he does not care to make the economy work for all Connecticut residents. He voted against establishing paid family and medical leave, and tried to block unionization rights for day care workers. He also said ‘no’ to protecting people from gender/sexuality-based discrimination by their employers. Hwang’s standing in the way of common-sense protections that guarantee dignity to everybody is unacceptable.

I studied Earth Sciences at Brown University, so environment and sustainability are some of my top concerns. McCabe has pledged to invest in solar and wind energy projects, electric bus and rail infrastructure, and nature-based coastal resiliency plans. Hwang voted against expanding renewable energy in our state. It’s obvious at this point that we need elected officials who will confront the climate crisis.

As we face our many upcoming challenges, we need someone with McCabe’s key policy-making values: equity, sustainability, and resiliency. Anything less is not enough. As a late millennial/ cusp-Gen-Z, I’m ready to help bring Connecticut into its future by supporting McCabe. I expect that the caring, empathetic folks who make up my Fairfield County community—not only those of us in our 20s, but also the parents, teachers, coaches, and family friends who collectively raised us—will feel the same way if they compare the candidates.

Emma Gleeman

This press release was produced by Emma Gleeman. The views expressed here are the author’s own.