2024 VoteDelaware Questionnaire Responses: Representative Melanie Ross Levin

1. A recent independent report commissioned by the State of Delaware found that public schools across the state are underfunded by $600 million dollars and recommended increased per-pupil funding, transparency, and the flexibility to allocate resources. If elected what concrete steps would you propose to take to ensure districts close the funding deficit to provide a constitutionally adequate education?

If elected, I will prioritize closing the funding deficit to ensure every student receives a constitutionally adequate education. This includes advocating for the full implementation of the Opportunity Funding program to support English language learners and low-income students, increasing funding for special education and preschool programs, and ensuring a transparent and equitable distribution of resources. I will also support regular reassessments of property values to improve local funding mechanisms and push for greater accountability in the use of funds to ensure they directly benefit our most vulnerable students. My commitment is to work collaboratively with state and local officials to implement these changes swiftly and effectively, as outlined in the recent settlement and funding assessment reports.

2. The Education Equity Ombudsperson program was codified into law last year without guaranteed continuing funding to ensure that the program is sustainable.  Will you support legislation to maintain the current annual funding of $1 million to support students statewide facing inequitable treatment? 

YES
I will support legislation to maintain the current annual funding of $1 million to support students facing inequitable treatment statewide. Ensuring equitable treatment in education is crucial for providing all students with the opportunities they deserve, regardless of their background. This funding is vital for addressing disparities and fostering a more inclusive and fair educational environment. By continuing to allocate these funds, we can support programs and initiatives that directly combat inequities, ensuring that every student has access to the resources and support they need to succeed.

3. There are currently an estimated 5,000 undocumented children in Delaware living without access to basic healthcare services. This past session, the General Assembly failed to pass the “Cover All Children Act” which would have been a critical first step in developing a medical coverage program for children in Delaware who are not otherwise covered, including kids who are undocumented. Will you support legislation like the “Cover All Children Act” that ensures undocumented children are protected and cared for?  

YES
I will support legislation like the Cover All Children Act because every child, regardless of their immigration status, deserves access to essential services and the opportunity to thrive. This legislation is crucial for providing healthcare, education, and other necessary resources to undocumented children, helping them integrate successfully into our communities. Supporting such measures aligns with our commitment to equity and justice, ensuring that all children in Delaware have the opportunity to reach their full potential.

4. Over the past few decades, many immigrants have chosen to make Delaware their home and have become vital members of our communities. Will you support increasing translation and interpretation services in government agency buildings and in public schools to help immigrants navigate the systems we all use? 

YES
I will support requiring translation and interpretation services by government agencies and in public schools. Ensuring residents who speak English as a second language can effectively navigate essential services is crucial for fostering an inclusive and equitable community.

5. Currently, agricultural and domestic workers are exempt from state labor protections which means that workers in those fields, many of whom are immigrants and work dangerous jobs, are left with few ways to protect themselves. Will you support the removal of this exemption, so that all workers, regardless of their job, have the same protections? 

YES
I will support the removal of the exemption that excludes agricultural and domestic workers from state labor protections. Every worker, regardless of their job, deserves the same rights and protections, including fair wages, safe working conditions, and the ability to advocate for themselves without fear of retaliation. This exemption disproportionately affects immigrants and those in dangerous jobs, leaving them vulnerable and unprotected.

6. In 2017, Delaware codified the landmark Roe v. Wade decision in state law to ensure the right to an abortion remained protected. However, these protections could be removed through a simple majority vote and signature of the Governor. Will you support a state constitutional amendment to explicitly protect peoples’ access to reproductive healthcare?

YES
Access to reproductive healthcare, including abortion services, is a fundamental right that ensures individuals can make decisions about their own bodies and health. By enshrining this right in our state constitution, we can safeguard it against future legal and political challenges.

7. Black maternal mortality rates continue to increase in Delaware, with the gap in healthcare disparities widening. Will you support the creation of a Reproductive Healthcare Equity Fund that would support the additional costs of accessing reproductive healthcare for uninsured or underinsured people and fund the recruitment and expansion of the number of healthcare providers, including doula providers, in the state? 

YES
I will support the creation of a Reproductive Healthcare Equity Fund. This type of fund is essential to cover the additional costs of accessing reproductive healthcare for uninsured or underinsured individuals, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their financial situation, can receive the care they need. Additionally, by funding the recruitment and expansion of healthcare providers, including doula providers, we can improve access to comprehensive reproductive health services across the state.

8. Delaware’s probation system is broken. It does not provide the resources and support needed for successful reentry, while allowing for overly harsh punishment for minor infractions. Will you support legislation tailoring probation conditions to the needs and circumstances of the individual and restricting the use of incarceration when no new crime has been committed?  

YES
Probation should be a tool for rehabilitation and reintegration, not a pathway back to prison for technical violations. By tailoring probation conditions to individual circumstances, we can address the root causes of behavior and provide the support needed for successful reentry into society. Additionally, restricting incarceration for non-criminal probation violations will help reduce the cycle of recidivism and alleviate the burden on our criminal justice system.

9. Access to record expungement should not be determined by an individual’s economic circumstances. Will you support legislation removing fines and fees as a barrier to expungement eligibility? 

YES
The ability to clear one's record should not be dependent on financial means. By removing these financial barriers, we can provide a fairer and more equitable path to expungement, allowing individuals to move forward with their lives without the burden of a criminal record. This is essential for reducing recidivism, increasing employment opportunities, and fostering a more just society.

10. It is well documented that older incarcerated adults are less likely to commit new crimes if released. Will you support legislation that would expand compassionate release for older incarcerated adults? 

YES
Compassionate release allows us to address the unique health and rehabilitation needs of aging prisoners, many of whom no longer pose a threat to public safety. By expanding this program, we can reduce the strain on our prison system and allocate resources more effectively, while also honoring the dignity and humanity of older individuals.

11. The Delaware Supreme Court recently upheld Delaware’s early in-person and permanent absentee voting laws, but the laws remain vulnerable to future legal challenges. Will you support protecting early in-person and permanent absentee voting through a constitutional amendment? 

YES
Ensuring that all citizens have accessible and convenient voting options is essential for a healthy democracy. By protecting these voting methods, we can accommodate the diverse needs of our electorate, making it easier for people to participate in the democratic process. Early in-person voting and permanent absentee voting provide flexibility and help reduce barriers to voting, such as long wait times and scheduling conflicts.

12. As of 2022, felony disenfranchisement affected 7,721 voters in Delaware. 2,965 of these people were disenfranchised while on probation or parole and 1,360 were disenfranchised even though they were not incarcerated or on probation or parole. . Voting allows people to remain connected to their communities and helps facilitate the re-entry process. Will you support a constitutional amendment allowing all people to vote as soon as they leave prison? 

YES
Restoring voting rights immediately upon release is crucial for reintegrating individuals into society and upholding their civic participation. By removing barriers to voting for formerly incarcerated individuals, we can promote a more inclusive democracy and ensure that everyone has a voice in the decisions that affect their lives.

13. Will you support a constitutional amendment allowing for same-day voter registration? 

YES
Same-day voter registration is a crucial step towards making our electoral process more accessible and inclusive. It ensures that all eligible citizens can exercise their right to vote, even if they face barriers to registering ahead of time. By allowing people to register and vote on the same day, we can reduce obstacles to participation and increase voter turnout.

14. Will you support a constitutional amendment allowing for no-excuse absentee voting?

YES
No-excuse absentee voting is a vital step towards making voting more accessible and convenient, especially for those who may face barriers to voting in person, such as work schedules, health issues, or transportation challenges. By providing this option, we can increase voter participation and ensure that every citizen has the opportunity to exercise their democratic rights.