SAFE STREETS
I’ve lived in Manchester my whole life. I grew up here and raised my family here. I know from personal experience that Manchester is a great city in which to live and work. I know Manchester is a safe city, but I also find it unsurprising that Manchester faces the same quality of life issues that challenge every city across the country, and even the world.
I believe that the best way to make any city safe is to directly address the actual causes of the problems, rather than trying to police your way out of the effects later. We are witnessing today the results of a years-long concerted effort at the state level, supported by Ward 8’s two Republican Reps, to reduce and eliminate state support for the most vulnerable among us. So, when the safety net is taken away, those vulnerable neighbors do not disappear; they end up on our streets.
As your state representative I will work to reverse this tragic trend. I will work to create cost-effective solutions to the root causes of Manchester’s quality of life issues. I will of course support reasonable, well trained, and well-regulated law enforcement at every opportunity. But I will also support improved state programs to address the issues of untreated mental health conditions, substance abuse, and homelessness. These are not just Manchester’s problems. New Hampshire needs a statewide solution.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING OPTIONS
With home prices increasing, maintenance costs rising, and rents going through the roof, it’s little wonder that Manchester, like many other cities, faces a housing crisis. Work is being done right now to increase the city’s housing stock and assure that at least some workforce housing is coming soon. But I believe more can be done at the state level to address this issue.
As your state representative, I will advocate for improvements to zoning enabling laws that will require towns, like those surrounding Manchester, to provide their fair share of workforce housing. Many New Hampshire towns are very affluent, and want to stay that way. So they institute restrictive zoning laws that require, for example, a two-acre lot for a single family home. Many towns restrict multi-family homes to small districts. This places the low income housing burden directly on cities like Manchester. I will work to end this and increase housing options outside the cities to reduce the pressure on Manchester.
AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE
The cost of health care is rising steeply. In the greatest country in the world, we pay more than just about anyone anywhere, and for worse outcomes. Life expectancy in America is declining. Those are the undeniable facts. I believe that it simply shouldn’t be that way. I believe health care should be a right in the wealthiest country in the world, and I would support any and all efforts to secure that right.
As a state representative, I will work with New Hampshire’s federal delegation to secure enhanced federal funding to support New Hampshire’s health care system at every opportunity. I will work to strengthen New Hampshire’s Medicare system and to expand its availability.
I will also support any and all efforts to rein in the pharmaceutical companies, and prevent them from charging exorbitant prices for medications, especially those produced through government-funded research. And I will support continued litigation to hold them accountable for the damage they have caused.
QUALITY PUBLIC EDUCATION
Quality public education is the foundation of any society. I believe that the State of New Hampshire not only has a duty to provide an “adequate” education, which our constitution requires, but should indeed strive to provide every child with an “excellent” education. New Hampshire is, pound-for-pound, the wealthiest state in America. It’s true! Look it up. I believe that the wealthiest state in America should certainly be able to provide a good education to its kids.
As your state representative, I will embrace New Hampshire’s constitutional requirement that every child receive a decent education, instead of trying to evade that obligation at every turn. I will fight to make sure Manchester secures the state funding that it needs to run our excellent schools at peak performance. And I will work tirelessly to end the disastrous so-called “school choice” voucher system which only serves to drain needed funds away from Manchester’s schools.
PAID FOR BY FARLEY FOR WARD 8
Michael Farley - Treasurer - 83 Constant Street, Manchester, New Hampshire 03103