Background: Senate Bill 205 would require the owner of a manufactured housing community to justify any rent increase that was greater than the increase in the Consumer Price Index. The Bill passed the State Senate but was defeated in the House. Sussex County has only two House of Representative members, Pete Schwartzkopf (District 14) and John Atkins (District 41). Both voted for the bill.

Marie Responds: I would have voted with the Democrats. This bill is about fairness to both the renters and the land owners.

First of all, this bill would allow the owner of a manufactured housing community to raise rent above the CPI if the owner could show the Governor's Advisory Council on Manufactured Housing that the cost of operating and maintaining the community has been more than the CPI increase. So it protected the land owner. I feel strongly that the landowner should receive a fair rate increase.

But it also would have given some protection to the homeowner who rents the land. The free market works fine for residents of an apartment who can move at the end of their lease, but manufactured home owners are at the mercy of the owner. They can't pick up their home and move.

One out of five Sussex Countians lives in manufactured home communities. Many are senior citizens with fixed incomes. I have met with district citizens who are affected by land rent increases. Most of the persons I have spoken with are 70 years old or older, and have lived in the same home for 15 years. Next year, their ground rent could go up 10% or 15% or even higher. It's up to the landowner. I want to change that. I will work for a rent justification bill.

I knew I was going to be asked that question even before the Supreme Court decision was announced. I was prepared to tell people of my disappointment if the Affordable Care Act had been overtuned and my relief if it were upheld. What I was not prepared for was the sheer joy I felt when I heard the decision.

I knew that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) had already saved Delaware's seniors over $15 million by discounting prescription drugs in the Medicare donut hole. I knew friends of mine would be relieved because they could continue to enroll their adult children up to 26 years old on the family health policy. I knew that gender rating will end in 2014 and Delaware's insurance companies will no longer be allowed to charge a woman a higher premium for the same insurance coverage as a man of the same age.

But as I talked about the decision with people I began to understand how working class Americans must have felt in 1935 when Social Security was passed, and how older Americans felt in 1965 when Medicare was enacted. Just as it is now, people weren't sure what these new programs meant or how they would work. Yet they knew something had to be done. Today we know that Social Security is keeping 40% of Americans over 65 out of poverty. When Medicare was signed in 1966, 40% of Americans over 65 had no health insurance. Today, Medicare provides basic service for 100% of our seniors.

Now I'm a realist and I know Delaware has challenging decisions to make as we implement the Affordable Care Act. I am ready to go to Dover to be a part of those decisions and to ensure that every Delawarean has access to affordable health care.

Last week I listened to a businessman describe his frustration with the slow internet service in his retail store. I've heard the same thing from parents who have to take their children to the local library so they can get on the internet to do their homework, and farmers who need to keep track of the cost of grain in real time.

We all agree that high speed internet is critical to our economy. The Director of Sussex County Economic Development stressed the importance of broadband: "When it comes to attracting and retaining employers, regions offering widespread access to fast internet connections have a competitive edge over those with lagging connection speeds and spotty broadband coverage."

Delaware has a useful site at broadband.delaware.gov/default.shtml

The home page states Broadband is especially important for small, rural, and home-based businesses because it helps level the competitive playing field. Yet it has been my experience that these are the very people who have slow, if any, high speed access. My own farm, Lavender Fields, has weak cell phone reception.

The Delaware Broadband website has an interactive map where you can learn what service is available and how fast the service is to your home or business. My goal is to make that map unnecessary. I believe every home and business in our region should have access to high speed internet service and strong cell phone signals.

This situation is also a matter of safety. People who need to call an ambulance from the roadside and our first responders need reliable cell service. We all know dead zones around here. They have got to go.

I believe that the county, state, and internet service providers must work together to bring high speed internet to every corner of southern Delaware. This will be a priority of mine when I represent you in Dover.

At a recent Meet and Greet a guest handed me a newspaper article that discussed the Public Service Commissions settlement with Tidewater Utilities that would give Tidewater a 16.5% rate increase.

'How could the PSC do that?' he asked.

Well, my answer didnt satisfy him, and it didn't satisfy me either. I told him that the PSCs authority to regulate rates is limited by law. Most states have what is known as prudent standards. Simply put, it means the utility company has to prove its costs or expenses were prudently incurred. Delaware does not have a 'prudent standard'.

But the law can be changed. A prudent standard bill was introduced in the last session, but never got anywhere. If I am a member of the 147th General Assembly, I promise I will work early in the session and work hard to see a Prudent Standard bill passed.

This week a local business woman sent me an article about the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loan guarantee program. According to the article, the SBA has backed 102 loans totaling $52 million to small businesses in Delaware so far this year. I was especially excited to read that SBA loans in Sussex County increased 300% over last year. And these numbers do not include SBA certification to banks who lend money to local small business because of the SBA guarantee.

But heres the most important figure: Those loans mean 1,480 Delawareans have jobs.

The article quotes a local business person: "This loan would likely not have been possible without the SBA guarantee. This will allow us to keep the existing 25 employees and will likely create 10 new jobs."

This is a great example of the kind of partnership between a government agency and private enterprise that works for everyone. Banks and credit unions are willing to lend money to our small businesses because a government agency (SBA) is guaranteeing the loan. Our business owners can make a return on their investment while retaining and hiring employees. Employers and employees will have money to buy goods and services that benefit the local economy, and they will pay taxes to the government. Some of that tax money will be used to back more SBA guaranteed loans. This is the kind of win-win partnership I will work for as your state representative.

For those of us with grown children, PTA meetings, homework supervision, and getting that teenager out of bed in the morning are behind us. Our conversations tend to be about the long wait or the distance we travel to see a doctor, or about how grateful we are that we dont have to look for a job in todays market. Its natural that we dont talk about schools since our kids have graduated.

But I think world class public schools are key to shortening the time it takes us to see a doctor and crucial to creating well-paying jobs here in Southern Delaware. Consider that

• The quality of public education is one of the most important components to attract businesses with good paying year-round jobs. Employers already in the County and business leaders considering a move here all want an effective system of educating and training their workers.
• We need more health care professionals and technicians who are essential to a better quality of life for all of us. To attract health career workers, we need excellent schools for their children.
• Students need the skills necessary for careers in our emerging economy.

The article quotes a local business person: 'This loan would likely not have been possible without the SBA guarantee. This will allow us to keep the existing 25 employees and will likely create 10 new jobs."

When Governor Markell recently met with teachers from Spain and China who will be teaching in Delaware's new foreign language immersion program this fall he said, We do our children a disservice when we don't properly prepare our students to compete in a global economy.

I wholeheartedly agree with our Governor and Im pleased that Clayton Elementary in Indian River School District is part of this program. But I want students in every school district to have the opportunity to learn another language when they are young.

I also want to support efforts at Delaware Technical Community College to expand and develop programs that match the skills of workers with the skills needed by employers.

My experience in designing and implementing early childhood programs, career and technology training, and special education will mean that the 20th District has an informed and strong voice for public education in Delaware.

President Obama recalled his mother telling him, "You can tell how far a society is going to go by how it treats its women and girls."

On August 26, 1920 Harry Burns, a twenty-four year old Tennessee legislator, heeded the words of his own mother and cast the key vote which ratified the 19th Amendment. Womens right to vote became the law of the land on that date because a young man did the right thing to move our society forward.

Ninety-two years later, on August 1, 2012, provisions of the Affordable Care Act that are especially important to women became law. Birth control and life-saving preventive care including mammograms for women over 40, screenings for cervical cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, and gestational diabetes are available at no cost to insured women. By eliminating co-pays and deductibles, the ACA improves access to comprehensive quality health care for all women.

I think President Obamas mother would be happy with her sons accomplishments for her gender. (And even happier in 2014 when the ACA will ban insurance companies from denying women coverage because of pre-existing conditions such as a pregnancy, or charging women higher premiums just because they are women.)

Delawares state legislators will be making some very important decisions on how to implement the Affordable Care Act in our state. I am committed to go to Dover to help make those decisions.

I look forward to celebrating the day when we all have affordable health care. That will be a memorable date for men, women and children.

In March I made a commitment to be a strong advocate for all the people living in the 20th district. After talking and listening to so many of you the past five months, I am more determined than ever to be your voice in the State House of Representatives. Together we can make our community a better place to live, work and retire.

I have always believed that any successful plan must be built on forging partnerships. As a state representative, these partnerships will take a number of forms, including working with members of the public and private sectors; Democratic and Republican representatives; House and Senate members; local and state governments officials. And all of these partnerships include working with the Governor's Cabinet and state agencies.

I know some of you are shaking your heads and saying, "Good luck." Well, I think I have luck on my side because we live in a small state that has a culture of working together. I think it is time to look forward to see how we can forge partnerships to make life better in Southern Delaware.

Just consider one situation a recent high school graduate living with her parents outside of Lewes is offered a job in Georgetown. Without a car how does she get to work and back home?

I plan to go to Legislative Hall and work with the other Sussex state representatives and senators, to reach out to Sussex County Council, Lewes and Milton town councils, Del Dot and business owners to develop a plan so that we can have regular, reliable bus service from Seaford to Five Points and from Milton to Lewes. We must connect all of Southern Delaware to improve our economy and bring jobs here.

I'm ready to forge the partnerships we need to make this happen.

A recent series in the News Journal focused on how global climate change is causing rising sea levels here on our Delaware coasts. The stories made me think about the decisions citizens and elected officials will be making in the upcoming months and years about these issues.

One of the articles included the comments of former Congressman Wayne Gilchrest from Maryland's Eastern Shore who, recognizing the economic necessity for funding of beach replenishment, was successful in getting federal funds for his state over the years. Congressman Gilchrest also understands Citizens have an obligation to understand climate change, and to approach the issue from a point of view free of politics and emotion.

Forty years ago, Delaware's Governor Russell Peterson rose above politics to spearhead the efforts that led to the passage of the Coastal Zone Act. Because of Governor Petersons determination we enjoy a coast line protected from heavy industrial development. Both of these men demonstrated the courage and wisdom we need in our leaders if we are to successfully face the challenges of climate change. In 1973 Governor Peterson asked that "we declare our interdependence and resolve to work together in harmony with our environment to enhance the quality of life everywhere."

Citizens and elected officials in this beautiful coastal state must recognize that if we make decisions based on sound science rather than politics or expediency, we will preserve and protect our coast, waterways and farm lands.

I recently read a letter to the editor by written by Lloyd E. Elling of Ocean View, who identified himself as "a resident of the 38th District, retiree, senior citizen and a proud grandfather."

Lloyd was writing as "an active advocate for his daughters and granddaughters." His letter pointed out that while 51.5% of Delaware's 900,000 residents are women, the percent of women candidates and elected officials is well below that percentage.

I am fortunate to be one of six women running for the State Legislature from Sussex County. That number represents approximately 25% of the Legislative Hall candidates from Sussex. (Five of the six are Democrats.) These numbers support the state-wide figures Lloyd cited.

I believe it is important to have both men and women in leadership positions. Because of our diverse life experiences, men and women bring a different but equally valuable dimension to policy discussions and decisions. When representation in a legislative body is a true reflection of the diversity of the community, then the decisions made will be in the best interest of all of us.

I am running for State Representative, not as a female candidate, but as a candidate who will bring the perspective of a mother, grandmother, and business woman to Legislative Hall.

On a recent walk in one of our neighborhoods I stopped to say 'hello' to a man weeding his garden. During our conversation he mentioned he had a good summer because he got to see his adult children and grandchildren and was looking forward to their return visit at Thanksgiving. Then he quietly said he hoped he and his wife, who has arthritis, would be able to spend many more years in their home.

I told him about the proposed Lewes Village Community, an 'Age in Place' concept that will make it possible for seniors to live in their homes longer. This grassroots organization would train and vet volunteers who would assist older residents with their everyday tasks and transportation needs, as well as facilitate large home repairs and coordinate social, wellness and educational activities.

I plan to promote 'Age in Place' initiatives in the state legislature. They are a win-win for all of us. People remain in the homes they love and avoid the expense of assisted living. Our communities continue to benefit from the wisdom and life experiences of our senior residents. Tax dollars are saved when state agencies, local businesses and non-profit organizations work together to promote independent senior living.

• "Why werent service roads built when the shopping outlets were constructed?"
• "Why the labyrinthine entrances to the big box stores along Route One?"
• "Why are bikes, buses and right-turn-only cars sharing a lane?"
• "Why werent pedestrian overpasses built when Route One was widened?"

Recent tragic accidents on Route One have prompted these and other questions. But rather than looking back at what should have been done, it's time to determine what can be done to make this corridor safer for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists.

It is also time for all levels of government to make a commitment to Regional Planning. We know what traffic is like now on Routes 9 and 24. How are we preparing for 10,000 more cars on our roads? How are we planning for waste water treatment for the thousands of homes that will be built? Have we determined if we will need State Police substations so troopers can respond to emergencies in an acceptable time? Will we have sufficient libraries with up-to-date technology?

I will go to Dover resolved to ensure the state will do its part to make Route One safer today. At the same time I will work to involve all levels of government in a long term regional plan.

"Quality of Life" and "Regional Planning" are linked concepts. We must have a long term plan for adequate infrastructure in order to protect and improve our quality of life. We want to be able to say "We did it right."

At a 2012 Candidate Fair, U.S. Senator Chris Coons stated that, while the Federal elections get most of the media attention, elected officials at every level of government are equally important to our quality of life.

Recent tragic accidents on Route One have prompted these and other questions. But rather than looking back at what should have been done, it's time to determine what can be done to make this corridor safer for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists.

Senator Coons gave the example of health services. The President must be re-elected so the Affordable Care Act will not be repealed, and we must send Senators and Representatives to Washington who will support the President. But it is critical to have a commitment on the State level to implement the Affordable Care Act.

States must also provide adequate funding for trained emergency medical teams and equipment. And we need a road system that allows an ambulance to get a patient to a hospital in good time.

If all levels of government work together every one of us can have the health care we deserve. For example, the Federal Government can reduce the interest and extend the years on a young doctor's medical school loan if she or he will practice in a medically underserved area like Sussex County. The State must provide adequate funding for excellent schools so young people will want to raise a family here. The County can promote wise planning so our quality of life will attract retirees and young professionals.

Vice President Joe Biden once said, "If you do politics the right way, I believe you can actually make people's lives better." Senator Coons reinforced the idea in his speech last week. Federal, State and County government each have a significant role in ensuring health care to Delawareans. I will take that message to Dover.