148 - Kelly Dooner Discusses Transparency, Shelter Laws, and Small Business Rights

• 148 Kelly Dooner Discusses Transparency, Shelter Laws, and Small Business Rights 

  In this week's episode, Jennifer welcomes Kelly Dooner, a trailblazing member of the Taunton City Council in Massachusetts. Elected as the youngest woman to the council in 2021, Kelly has since served as City Council President and contributed to boards like the Taunton Planning Board. She has played a significant role in doubling the senior tax credit and revitalizing the city. Motivated by her dissatisfaction with the state's policies and a desire to secure a better future for her children, Kelly is running for office to bring common sense and fiscal responsibility to Massachusetts politics. 

  Jennifer and Kelly dive deep into the prevailing issues within Massachusetts' legislative system, including a lack of transparency, one-party rule, and financial inefficiencies. Kelly highlights her campaign to address these shortcomings and her fight for an audit of the Massachusetts legislature. They discuss the "right to shelter" law, which has led to resource strains, and the unaffordability of housing that pushes young people to neighboring states. Touching on small business challenges, they explore the need for a small business bill of rights and reducing onerous regulations. They also investigate the impact of rising insurance rates on residents and the urgency for legislative change to help municipalities control property taxes better. 

  "It's not just about being elected; it’s about making meaningful changes." - Kelly Dooner 

  This week on Political Contessa: 

  • Massachusetts' one-party rule and lack of legislative transparency 

  • Financial strain from the "right to shelter" law and its impact on veterans and local residents 

  • Housing affordability issues pushing young people out of the state 

  • A proposed ballot question for auditing the Massachusetts legislature 

  • Kelly’s campaign focusing on fiscal responsibility and community representation 

  • The need for a small business bill of rights to reduce financial burdens on businesses 

  • Investigating skyrocketing insurance rates potentially driven by state regulations 

  • Kelly’s motivation stemming from inadequate local representation in policy decisions 

  Connect with Kelly Dooner 
   
  Kelly Dooner for State Senate 

  Connect with Jennifer: PocketbookProject.org 

  • Awaken Your Inner Political Contessa 

  Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Political Contessa. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. 

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  Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media. And if you’ve ever considered running for office – or know a woman who should – head over to politicalcontessa.com to grab my quick guide, Secrets from the Campaign Trail. It will show you five signs to tell you you’re ready to enter the political arena.