Diana Gonzalez

DIANA GONZÁLEZ of Winooski, Chittenden County, Progressive/Democrat. Diana (pronounced De-ahna) holds degrees from Western Washington University and the School for International Training in Brattleboro, Vermont. Diana is pursuing a doctorate in Education, Leadership, and Policy at the University of Vermont, and runs an independent consulting business, Grounds for Discourse. Through her work at Grounds for Discourse she helps organizations and schools create and run tailored trainings on diversity, dialogue, and social justice. Previously, she worked in public health, specifically addressing substance abuse prevention in Higher Education. In January, 2014 she was elected to Vermont’s House of Representatives after campaigning on a progressive platform of economic justice and equity for all Vermonters.

In preparation for the upcoming session elected legislators spent a day hearing various government updates and presentations.  To see what we saw you can click here to go to the legislative webpage and see powerpoints and videos.  The page includes past and current briefings.

Thank you so much for everyone who supported me during this campaign and voted for me.  It has been an honor to hear your voices and push for laws that make life better.  I am humbled to be re-elected.

I also need to speak about the national election. The results have brought into stark relief the many ways Americans are struggling.  Struggling to economically survive, struggling to maintain connected community, and struggling to feel electoral politics are meaningful.  46.9% of eligible voters didn’t vote.  Almost half of all eligible voters were either disenfranchised because of voter suppression tactics or believed they don’t matter in the elite system of politics.

Trump tapped into fear, disconnection, and economic despair so intensely the 25.5% of eligible voters who voted for him either overlooked his incitement of violence or believed violence will solve economic despair.

Vermont has a long tradition of building community and fighting for justice.  I am proud to keep fighting for what is right, and continue to build a strong community at the local and state level.  Together we can be in the long project of re-connection and building leadership that promotes justice.

The majority of Americans did not vote for Trump.  The majority of those that voted voted for Clinton.  Vermont did not vote for Trump.  We will need to fight and heal together.

I am honored to have recently received endorsements from Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, Vermont State Employees’ Association (VSEA), Vermont AFL-CIO, Sierra Club, Rights and Democracy, and Vermont Conservation Voters.

We are proud to announce that U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders has officially endorsed Diana Gonzalez for State Representative.

“Diana Gonzalez is committed to the issues important to the people of Chittenden 6-7. She knows the state’s economy has left too many behind, and I’m confident she’ll continue to work hard in Montpelier to represent the middle class and working families of Vermont.” — U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders.

Thank you, Sen. Sanders, for your endorsement. We will continue the fight for economic, social, environmental, and racial justice at a local level.

I am excited to announce that I am running for re-election for State Representative for Winooski/Burlington.  I have been honored and humbled to represent Chittenden 6-7 and be part of passing some historic legislation; such as paid sick days, ban the box, and natural burial grounds. You can find Bills and Resolutions Sponsored by Rep. Gonzalez by clicking here.

I hope you can support my campaign for re-election for State Representative.  With your help I can continue to fight for much needed policies.

As Senator Bernie Sanders mentioned, a successful political revolution requires an engaged public that is willing to work together to create a political and economic system that works for all of us. In this election cycle, the goal of my campaign is to significantly increase the voter turnout and have meaningful public discourse about policies that can improve the lives of middle-class and poor Americans.

If re-elected, I will continue to work to improve the lives of Vermonters and fight for progressive change. I am committed to:

• Addressing various working conditions, including wages and collective bargaining rights 
• Providing property tax relief and quality education for all students
• Developing policies that minimize and address our changing climate
• Getting money out of politics

Now, as throughout our history, what Vermont does matters for our entire country. Please help us continue this meaningful work in the Vermont House of Representatives. With your support, we will be able to create a political revolution at a local level, one that will empower working families and the middle class of our community.

The next few months will be an amazing time of continuing to hear the important issues from as many people as possible and sharing my thoughts.

To sign up to volunteer click here.

To donate to the campaign online, click here. Or you can mail your contribution to the following address:

Gonzalez for State Representative

PO Box 214

Winooski, VT 05404

Sincerely,

Diana González

Some of the highlights of the 2016 legislative session so far:

• Earned sick days passed the House and Senate and will have a multi-year phase-in.
• Education, specifically Act 46, was modified to give schools more time to consolidate governance and reduce costs.
• Higher Education is getting some attention with a combined bill put together by the Futures caucus, of which I am a co-chair.
• Housing first time home buyer grants have been a success.
• Marijuana legalization continues to be a big topic in the Statehouse. The House will soon hold hearings on the Senate bill.
• Transportation now has a federal bill to work from and is putting together a large bill that may include updates to bicycle laws.
• Criminal reform has a few bills aimed at reducing the human and financial costs of incarceration while keeping our community safe.
• Health insurance is available for more Vermonters than every before. Health Connect technology still has glitches. One proposed solution is to copy Hawaii’s model.