2020 Election Profile: Megan Cotter, House District 39
Tuesday, August 25, 2020
Meet Megan Cotter who is running for election in House District 39 (Richmond, Exeter, Hopkinton).
Read what she has to say about why she is running for office.
This is part of an ongoing series by GoLocal featuring each of the candidates for House and Senate.
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1. What do you think is the biggest political issue this campaign season in Rhode Island?
The State Coronavirus Response has more people paying attention to local politics. People want to see where their representation works for them and their neighbors.
We need to rebuild Rhode Island's economy so that it works for all Rhode Islanders while centering public health. Covid-19 has highlighted that worker protections and investments, like part time earned sick time bills, aren’t luxuries, but necessities to protecting our economy.
Covid has revealed that some of the lowest paid workers are actually essential for our state and our economy. Home health aides, cashiers, grocery store workers, truck drivers – it’s clearer than ever how deeply we depend on these professions. They should all be making a living wage. We need a fair economy that works for all Rhode Islanders – and we need it now.
We also need to invest in Rhode island. We need to ensure that Rhode Island's small businesses are able to stay open and give them support. The people of Rhode Island shouldn't have to sign a petition or fight for funds to be released that were given to our state to help our economy survive.
2. What do we need to do to improve Rhode Island's economy?
Rhode Island has long enjoyed tourism dollars from our natural resources. Our forested areas and ocean views have been a staple to our economy and identity of our state, protecting them should be a priority. Shifting to renewables, without clear cutting our forests needs to be a priority for Rhode Island.
We could transition to 100% renewable energy by 2030 while creating thousands of high paying jobs. We could be a leader in renewable energy for other states to follow. This would help stimulate the economy with jobs that make livable wages.
3. What is the greatest challenge facing Rhode Island as a state?
The biggest question for Rhode Island is how can we stay safe while opening our economy and educating our children.
Protecting the most vulnerable members of our state needs to be a priority, if we can’t tamp down the virus here we can’t re-open the economy. My opponent has motioned for the removal of masks in the statehouse. This type of attitude is especially harmful, when cases are on the rise and Rhode Island can’t move on from phase 3.
4. Why are you running for office? What makes you uniquely qualified?
I am running for office because I am tired of the issues that impact my family and my community not being addressed by the General Assembly and leadership. I am tired of all the decisions being made by the wealthy and well connected.
I am tired of the representation for my community not fighting for us. Every year our community loses more and more state funding for our schools which drives our taxes up. We cannot continue to raise homeowners taxes on the middle class. People will soon be taxed out of their homes? Who is advocating for our schools?
We need to preserve our beautiful environment for our future. We are seeing massive amounts of clear-cutting in our community. Who is fighting to protect our environment?
I am qualified because I am an active member of my community and I care about the future. I am a hard worker with a family. I know what struggles families are faced with day to day. I will give them a voice in the General Assembly.
5. Who is your inspiration?
I am inspired by my children and all the children of Rhode Island. The decisions our government makes today will have long lasting effects on their future.
My children attend public school and my husband and I work full time. I understand more than anyone the responsibility that our state has to our children.
We need to preserve our environment, create an economy that works for everyone, rebuild our crumbling infrastructure, and invest in our schools. We cannot continue to give tax breaks to the wealthy and big corporate handouts.
Website: www.megancotterri.com
Twitter: @cotterforri
Facebook: Cotterforri.
Bio:
Megan is a life-long Rhode Islander. She grew up in Providence and attended Classical High School. Graduating from the University of Rhode Island with degrees in English, Classical Studies and Comparative Literature, Megan settled with her husband and family in Exeter. She is currently a sales director for a local seafood company.
Megan is a coach for Exeter West Greenwich Youth Basketball, where she coaches boys and co-ed teams. She is also a member of Women in Seafood advocating for equal opportunities in her industry.
