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Jessica Peterson for State Senate


What role should government play in economic development and job creation?

First and foremost, it's our job as lawmakers to work for our constituents. Many of us work in union jobs; we must protect collective bargaining rights as one of the cornerstones of a healthy and fair economy. Government shouldn't be in the business of doing big favors for big business. But it should play a major role in facilitating commerce, as long as it's actually being helpful. Anybody who's run a business knows that you can't sustain that business without treating your workers well, and any sustainable economic plan must subscribe to these same values.

I often look at government from a business perspective, but I don't expect every activity of our government to make a profit, any more than a business expects its research or marketing efforts to bring home dollars right away, or a family expects little children to earn their keep. I believe that business plays a critical role in our quality of life, and that the State can play an essential role by helping guarantee the long-term health of our economy while building healthy, dynamic, thriving communities.