Vangie Williams’ platform seeks to help make small businesses, the backbone of our economy, more competitive
As a strategic planner who is married to a small business owner, I understand that small businesses are the backbone of our communities and our economy in the 1st Congressional District of Virginia and nationwide.
Small businesses account for 99.7% of all U.S. businesses, and 97.7% of Virginia businesses. They create more new jobs than any other kind of enterprise and have a major impact on our economy. That’s why our economic and tax policies should be tailored toward these pillars of local economies – not mega corporations which send jobs overseas and lobby career politicians like my opponent, Rep. Rob Wittman, to write laws in their favor.
I want to help make small businesses competitive again. This is why my platform promotes the following:
I want to get small businesses out of the job of providing healthcare for their employees. That’s why I support Medicare Now++ – a Medicare-for-all system that provides dental and vision coverage to all Americans in an affordable and accessible way. When businesses are not dealing with red tape and compliance, they can get back to their primary occupation—building great things and employing Americans.
Transportation and infrastructure are a bottleneck for economic vitality in the 1st district. Between long commutes on I-95, limited public transportation, stalled railway improvements and crumbling infrastructure like the Norris Bridge, it’s clear that we need a game plan to improve our infrastructure and transportation system.
That’s why I’m proposing a comprehensive transportation study that includes the entire I-95, I-295 and I-64 corridor, as well as the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula. We need to find the most effective modes of transport for residents, businesses and visitors to get around the district. With a growing population in the region, we must stop piecemealing solutions and create a long-term plan that will reduce congestion and promote economic opportunities.
Building a quality workforce allows businesses to compete in a global economy. That’s why I support vocational training starting in middle school, so we can graduate a generation of highly-skilled students ready to enter the workforce. By implementing apprenticeship programs for high school students and young adults, we can create a multi-faceted approach to workforce development.
We also cannot forget about our veterans. By expanding credentialing programs, we can transition the skills our veterans acquired in the military to jobs available throughout the district. From healthcare and hospitality management to construction and office management, our economy depends on having the best and brightest workers compete in a global market.
Broadband reduces production costs and barriers, facilitates connectivity and increases productivity for business. The more broadband providers competing to offer high quality service, the greater the startup rate is for small businesses. To bring more industry to the region, we must deploy broadband across the district so businesses – especially in rural areas – can serve their clients and compete.
Here in America’s First District we have a rich history going back to this country’s earliest beginnings. Couple with outdoor and culinary experiences, shopping, art and spectacular views, it’s easy to understand we love Virginia.
With the right investment, we can make America’s First District a premiere destination to give our economy a boost. Not only will this benefit small businesses, but it will also provide economic support to surrounding communities.
My opponent, Rob Wittman, has been in Congress for almost 12 years and has done little to nothing to resolve the issues mentioned above. I know #WeDeserveBetter, and this is why I am running to represent Virginia’s 1st Congressional District – and why I hope you will vote for me on November 6.
----
Vangie Williams is a public servant and strategic planner who solves problems for our federal government. A real-world professional with 30 years of experience, Vangie is not a career politician who will put corporate interests above people. She is committed to an economy for everyone, healthy families and investing in our communities.
Learn more about her vision to put people first at www.vangieforcongress.com.
Donate to Vangie’s historic campaign.
Follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.