priorities

Leslie on the issues

Healthcare

In Virginia’s 5th district, the proposed changes to the Affordable Care Act will devastate Virginia families. In one clinic alone in Nelson County, 2000 people could lose their healthcare including 1600 children.
The Environment

Rural Virginia is vulnerable to the schemes of large, out-of-state corporations that despoil the land. High-pressure gas pipelines are a ticking time bomb for the communities they pass through. Explosions and poisonous leaks that foul the waters are all too common.
Education

The Trump Department of Education under Betsy Devos wants to spend $250 million dollars on school vouchers. Leslie supports strong public education and will fight any initiative that strips funding from public schools.
Women

Leslie believes it is time for women to be treated as full citizens. They deserve equal pay. It is disturbing that women still receive 20% less pay than men, 80 cents on the dollar. Women of color receive even less. This kind of discrimination is illegal.
The Economy

The 5th district needs jobs. The flight of tobacco and textiles has left a blighted economy in some areas, particularly Southside. However, Leslie believes, from her many interviews in the region, that the obvious solution is new energy.
Criminal Justice Reform

Virginia schools refer more students to law enforcement in the “school-to-prison-pipeline” than any other state. Although not all of those students go to court, the trend of turning to police rather than just a visit to the principal’s office is a disturbing trend.
Foreign Policy
Campaign Finance Reform

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