118th DISTRICT, SOUTHERN ILLINOIS—A write-in candidate has emerged to challenge Brandon Phelps for the office he’s been holding for what a lot of folks feel have been far too many years.
Tabitha Tripp
Tabitha Tripp is on the ballot in the 118th, running against career politician Brandon Phelps. She was born and raised and lives in Union County. She is the daughter of small, local fifth generation family business owners, wife of a union railroader, mother of two children and currently an advocate for civil liberties, environmental protection, and communities of Southern Illinois.
Here are some of her platforms, and explanation, in her own words, of why Tripp is running:
✦ Kid Focused
Children are our future; we should invest in them with better education, food, health care and safe environments. Springfield needs to be reminded of our priorities as leaders of the community. From out dated school books, to closed early childhood development centers, to my children sitting on the floor of the bus because the transportation budget was slashed, to teachers having to pay out of pocket for basic supplies—our kids should be first in line for everything. Our children come first in my book.
✦Community centered democracy
Let’s get back to basics in our democracy. Impacted communities should have a seat at the table when dealing with issues that directly involve their communities.
#1 Be inclusive
#2 Emphasis on bottom up organizing
#3 Let the people speak for themselves
#4 Work together in solidarity and mutuality
#5 Build just relationships among ourselves
#6 Commitment to Self determination
✦Social and environmental justice (EJ) should be an ongoing conversation,
not an afterthought to community issues and concerns
EJ principles demand that public policy be based on mutual respect and justice for all people, there are no sacrifice zones. EJ principles also mandate the right to ethical, balanced and responsible use of the land and renewable resources in the interest of a sustainable planet for humans and all living things.
✦Term Limits are a must!
No more career politicians and corporate pawns. We need to insure people are being represented by their elected officials. Not elected officials representing corporate interest.
✦Legalize and tax cannabis
Colorado creates $2 million in revenue per month; why aren’t we talking about renewable ways to generate tax revenue, end the prohibition on hemp, and create sustainable economic models using renewable, sustainable crops, like hemp.
Indiana, a Republican state, of all places, has removed the prohibition on growing hemp and now has a new niche in the market hemp products, the demand is greater than the supply. Why aren’tWe we looking into this alternative crop and reaping the benefits of sustainable crops and economic growth.
Why not increase state revenue by taxing recreational marijuana, it would alleviate the excess strain on the criminal and legal systems and add to the state coffers, $2 million a month sure would help this state out.
✦LaSalle St. Tax
LaSalle St. Tax (financial speculation tax) on billions traded daily in Chicago stock markets. Stocks traded in Chicago, pay not a single tax to the state. But yet you have to pay tax when you buy water…if a stock broker is buying something, he should be made to pay a minimal tax, 1/10 of a percent back into the general fund. 1/10 of aEstablish a public state bank, which allows the state to generate income and promote in-state economic activity consistent with public policy goals.
✦Ban Fracking
Photo from: www.dontfractureillinois.net
We demand renewable, sustainable, clean energy jobs and economic models that support Southern Illinois long term. Let’s be done with boom bust cycles of extraction. 80% of all fossil fuels must remain in the ground. The science is out, climate change is happening, why would we exacerbate the issue by releasing more methane into the atmosphere, we need to shift quickly and now for the well being of our children and the planet, we need renewable energy technology to be a priority for at the local level all the way up to the federal level. Fracking and the idea that the revenue will help us out is a pipe dream and will leave our communities in the same lurch we have been in fro 200 plus years, a boom bust cycle of corporate dependence. Want to talk energy independence and national security, lets’ start at home with individual systems producing enough electricity for our own families. Give the tax breaks back to the working class instead of the corporations. It’s very simple, people and communities first.
✦Tourism is a blossoming industry across Southern Illinois
Wineries, organic farms, bed and breakfasts, hunting and fishing; we need to keep it beautiful, and keep tourists coming. Fracked water supplies will end all that. Studies have shown tourism has dropped in places where fracking is happening in up state Pennsylvania and southern
✦The majority of the Shawnee National Forest is within Dist. 118
Drilling and mining are in complete opposition to protecting our true natural resources and the environment. I believe Dick Durbin even mentioned this last night. Sensitive areas like the Shawnee National Forest should be taken off the plate. No fracking, no mining, no logging no burning, no spraying. I will do everything in my power to protect our natural areas and forest lands.
“As a true patriot of the land,” Tripp says, “I will protect our constitutional rights, our civil liberties, and put people before profits. I am a firm believer in amending the constitution and getting corporate money out of politics. I believe the government should be of the people, by the people and for the people.”
Bringing Power BACK TO THE PEOPLE, write me in to win!
Tabitha Tripp for State Rep District 118