By Sara Adams, 350 Madison
In November 2018, Wisconsinites will vote for a governor. This post is the ninth in a series on the environmental views of the candidates. This series is for information only. 350 Madison does not officially support any candidate.
Kelda Roys represented Wisconsin’s 81st District in the State Assembly from 2008-2013. She is also an attorney and a business owner, the CEO and founder of OpenHomes, a real estate brokerage website.
What are the most important issues that you would take on if you were elected governor?
Roys said climate change is her major priority.
“While a lot of policies are reversible if you make a mistake, the deterioration of our climate and destroying our environment are not reversible. So we need to take drastic and immediate action to protect our climate and our natural resources.”
In addition to climate change, what other issues will you focus on if elected governor?
Roys said she will focus on public education, access to healthcare, jobs and infrastructure, and ending mass incarceration.
Within the broad topic of the environment, what do you think are the most important issues?
“Making sure that the DNR is empowered to actually enforce our laws against pollution and protect our clean water.
“I would also say taking state action to address climate change. I would like Wisconsin to join the Paris Accord. It was a travesty that the United States withdrew, and so we should show leadership here. And I’d like to make Wisconsin 100% powered by renewable energy by 2050.”
If you were elected governor, what would you do to address climate change, and how soon would you do it? What are some immediate steps you would take once in office?
Roys reiterated her plans to restore the independence of the DNR, and to have Wisconsin comply with the Paris Accord and transition to 100% renewable energy by 2050.
On Renewable Energy and the Economy
“We need to help people understand that doing the right thing for our climate is also going to be very beneficial to our economy.”
Do you know what Line 61 is?
“I do not know what it is. What is it?”
That’s Enbridge’s tar sands pipeline, that runs from Superior …
“Oh yeah, yeah. I thought you were talking about 350 ppm [parts per million] or something like that. I am familiar with Enbridge’s tar sands pipeline.”
Is there anything else you want our members and voters to know?
“I think what sets me apart in this race – there are a lot of good people running. I’m the one that actually has a track record of passing legislation, and turning big ideas into real results.
“My time in the Assembly allowed me to be a leader on things like the Clean Energy Jobs Act, and keeping toxins and environmental health hazards away from our residents. I passed the BPA-Free Kids Act which targeted bisphenol, a neurotoxin in plastics.
“As governor, I will continue to protect the health of our environment, and the health of our people, which are inextricably linked. I definitely encourage people to look at my website and see my platform not only for conservation and our environment, but also the many other issues that our next governor’s going to have to face, and look at my skills and experience, which show that I cannot only talk the talk, but that I’ve actually walked the walk, and can get the job done.”