Job Creation

Bonnie Watson Coleman believes our focus on infrastructure should include Research and Development, spurring innovation that will revamp our health care, banking and telecommunications systems. We should incentivize the development of technologies that will take this nation to the next level. A key component to maintaining a strong workforce is investment in higher education and training programs for workers. Community colleges educate a significant portion of our workforce, and demand for workers with associate’s degrees continues to grow. We must support our community colleges because they give students the tools necessary to obtain high-paying and high-demand jobs in manufacturing, trade and other growing industries. We must also keep high-paying jobs on our shores by negotiating trade agreements that are fair to the American worker, and we need our tax code to incentivize investment in the American economy. Additionally, we should move from a minimum wage to a living wage.

Education

Bonnie Watson Coleman believes that providing our children with access to higher education or vocational education is critical to our nation’s advancement. But, education must be affordable. To this effort, Bonnie Watson Coleman is a strong supporter of Pell Grants and tuition forgiveness programs that reduce the high burden of obtaining degrees. In addition to affordable education, our children should be exposed to trade and vocational opportunities early.

Energy & Environment

Bonnie Watson Coleman led the way for New Jersey to invest in energy efficient appliances long before the green revolution took root.  Now, she continues that mission of promoting common-sense, sustainable energy policies through solar, wind, and cutting our dependence on fossil fuels. It is critical that we ensure clean air and clean water for the sustainability of future generations. In Congress, Bonnie Watson Coleman continue to be a leader in protecting our environment.

Gun Violence

Bonnie Watson Coleman believes that our goal should be to cultivate and preserve healthy communities. We must foster safe and nurturing environments for our children to grow and thrive. To be successful, we must reinforce the message of peace.  Absent sufficient gun control laws, we risk the systematic dismantling of our communities.

Health Care

Our focus should be on keeping the healthy, healthy. We should reduce the costs of acute care and emergency room visits. We should consider the needs of individual communities in the implementation of health care policies. In Congress, Bonnie Watson Coleman will continue to be a leading voice in the fight for access to affordable health care for all Americans.

LGBT Rights

As the wife of a Baptist minister and a Deaconess at her African American church, Bonnie Watson Coleman stood up and spoke for LGBT rights regardless of the external pressures.  Bonnie spoke fiercely on the New Jersey Assembly Chamber in favor of granting marriage equality for all New Jersey couples.  Her voting record shows that she has always voted in favor of any legislation that allows for equality of all Americans, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Social Security & Medicare

Today, millions of seniors depend on social security benefits as a primary source of income, and others depend on it as the only means to stay above the poverty line. We must consider the obstacles that keep so many from even getting by, including, rising health care costs, housing, job loss and depleted savings. Bonnie Watson Coleman believes that our values require us to defend and strengthen the protections guaranteed under the Social Security Act. If we fail to stand up to those in Washington who want to cut retirement, medical, survivors, disability, and unemployment benefits promised to us in the Social Security Act, we will fall utterly short of our goal, to help aging Americans stay above the poverty line.

When increased age leads to rising health care costs, Medicare serves as a safety net to provide millions of Americans with quality medical care. In Washington, Bonnie Watson Coleman will work to protect Americans from Tea Party attempts to cut Medicare, convert it to a voucher program, and raise the age for eligibility of benefits. The contributions that senior citizens have made to our country are immeasurable. In Congress, Bonnie Watson Coleman will remain committed to providing seniors the opportunity to retire with dignity.

Voting Rights

Voting is one of the most fundamental rights of any democracy, and it is critical to preserve this freedom for all eligible voters.  Bonnie Watson Coleman is steadfast in efforts to end voter suppression tactics used by the far right that keeps people from the polls on Election Day.

Women's Rights

Pay Equity - Bonnie Watson Coleman affirms the rights of all workers to equitable wages. She sponsored the Unfair Wage Recovery Act. Modeled after the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, the Unfair Wage Recovery Act would have restarted the clock to file suit under the statute of limitations each time compensation is paid to a woman in furtherance of a discriminatory decision or practice. Bonnie Watson Coleman also supported the Wage Transparency Act, which would have provided women with a tool to help uncover pay disparity. In Congress, Bonnie Watson Coleman will continue to fight for women to be paid equal wages for equal work.

Women's Health -Bonnie Watson Coleman believes that a woman’s right to choose is between a woman and her doctor. She is committed to protecting women’s access to comprehensive reproductive health care services including access to contraceptives, education regarding all reproductive options, and support for healthy pregnancies. Bonnie Watson Coleman will continue to defend a woman's right to choose and vigorously oppose attacks against it.

Source: Bonnie for Congress.com