Susan Moran Palmer

Criminal Justice / Public Safety

To curtail future mass shootings and other gun-related violent crimes we must do the following: Create a more efficient, integrated, comprehensive background check system required for the sale of any gun, that mandates the reporting of felonies and domestic violence, closes the “boyfriend loophole” (including stalkers). Enact legislation for all states to have Red Flag laws, where family members and law enforcement can “red flag”, or prevent, someone who displays warning signs for violence from acquiring a firearm. Allow the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) additional rule making authority to monitor the import of weapons, weapons accessories and weapons ammunition. Stipulate that the ATF, with assistance from Federal, State and Local law enforcement agencies, develop a firearm rating system designating weapons one of three classes: Class 1: weapons, accessories and ammunitions established as extremely dangerous with prohibited sales. Class 2: weapons, accessories and ammunitions established as an increased risk to public safety with restricted sales. Class 3: weapons, accessories and ammunitions established for defensive measures and game hunting with no sales restrictions. Learn more

Education

I also believe that an educational environment should be safe for LGBTQ youth, and feel it is the responsibility of lawmakers across the United States to protect young individuals. No student should be persecuted because of who they love, how they identify or how they express themselves. Learn more

Environment / Energy

We must focus on the development of affordable renewable energy technologies and promotion of public policies to make renewable energy more accessible. I support a broad-spectrum approach that produces economical clean energy. Learn more

Developing a comprehensive policy to increase our use of renewable sources of energy and combat global warming is of vital importance to the United States’ future and our stewardship of the environment. It is also good economic policy: investing in clean energy means creating clean jobs. Learn more

Guns

To curtail future mass shootings and other gun-related violent crimes we must do the following: Create a more efficient, integrated, comprehensive background check system required for the sale of any gun, that mandates the reporting of felonies and domestic violence, closes the “boyfriend loophole” (including stalkers). Enact legislation for all states to have Red Flag laws, where family members and law enforcement can “red flag”, or prevent, someone who displays warning signs for violence from acquiring a firearm. Allow the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) additional rule making authority to monitor the import of weapons, weapons accessories and weapons ammunition. Stipulate that the ATF, with assistance from Federal, State and Local law enforcement agencies, develop a firearm rating system designating weapons one of three classes: Class 1: weapons, accessories and ammunitions established as extremely dangerous with prohibited sales. Class 2: weapons, accessories and ammunitions established as an increased risk to public safety with restricted sales. Class 3: weapons, accessories and ammunitions established for defensive measures and game hunting with no sales restrictions. Learn more

Healthcare

The  Affordable Care Act and the Medicaid expansion brings in federal dollars to help pay for Ohio’s uninsured.    Many hospitals that serve our district, Wooster Hospital, Medina Hospital,  UH Portage Medical Center, St. John’s Westshore, UH Parma Medical Center  and Southwest General benefit from those federal dollars.  It also creates many  good paying jobs in healthcare.  The Affordable Care Act needs to be fixed, not destroyed. Putting healthcare back on track is a core part of my agenda on day one in Congress. Learn more

Infrastructure / Transportation

In addition, Susan supports initiatives for increasing federal school modernization funding to repair and upgrade thousands of aging schools across America. Learn more

Our nation continues a slow recovery from the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. Millions of American workers are unemployed or under-employed. To address this employment challenge and to revitalize our deteriorating infrastructure, Susan will work to enact a national infrastructure investment program to repair or replace roads, bridges, ports, wastewater systems and electricity transmission. Learn more

Taxes / Budget

Although business tax cuts are clearly beneficial to businesses it is unlikely the tax cut will benefit the average American. Businesses are going to use their big tax cut savings on stock buybacks, stock dividends, new equipment, acquisitions, and paying down debt. It is relatively clear that pay raises, bonuses, or employee benefits do not rank high on the list of corporate priorities. All of this comes with a hefty price tag, inflating deficits and our national debt, without benefit to the average American. In Congress, I will make it clear that a poorly constructed bill that benefits Wall Street but not Main Street cannot stand. Learn more

Wages / Job Benefits

Women’s participation in the workforce has dropped to the 1970’s level. As other developed countries have promoted  working family-friendly policies, we have made little progress. Paid family leave, quality childcare and flexible schedules could encourage a larger participation rate. Learn more

Creating an environment that makes life more manageable for working families will expand productivity and enable women to more effectively and comfortably participate in the work world. As a working mom, I understand these issues all too well and will fight on behalf of women and working families in Congress. Learn more

In order for working families to prosper, we must explore adjusting our minimum wage to a livable wage. The minimum wage could to be pegged to inflation. By setting a static number, we recreate the same problem a few years down the road. Learn more

Minimum wage workers aren’t entirely on their own, especially if they have children. There are programs like food stamps, Medicaid, and the other social programs to help them along. But that’s the point. When large companies profit by paying employees unlivable wages, taxpayers subsidize their bottom lines. Learn more