Priorities | Lydia King For Ward 5

I believe that our government should reflect our values as a community. It should uplift people, especially young people, the working class, and vulnerable populations. Policies also should be built in collaboration with experts and affected communities. My style of work is one that values input, context, collaboration, and forward progress.

My Top Priorities:

Affordable Housing For All Ages

Safer Streets and More Transportation Options

Using October Revenue to Support Schools

Coastal Resiliance and Long Term Investments

Housing: In Salem, about 42% of households are cost-burdened, meaning they pay more than 30% of their income to housing costs. This includes both renters and homeowners. (Source)

This is an insurmountable burden for many, especially young people early in their careers, parents looking to start a family, and seniors looking to age in place.

It's critical we invest in developing affordable units, offer pathways to ownership, safeguard against mass condo conversion, and limit rent increases to match market conditions.

Safety & Transportation: There have been 39 fatal or severe injury crashes in Salem in the past 5 years, with a disproportionate amount taking place in Ward 5, especially on and around Canal and Lafayette Street (Source).

Residents need safe roads for cars and pedestrians - through priorities like traffic calming measures and punishing stop-arm violations for school buses. We also need safe alternative transit options.

Protected bike lanes, increased MBTA bus lines, and long-term projects like the South Salem Train Station are all projects that will benefit the lives of every Ward 5 resident long term.

October Tourism Revenue and Supporting Schools: Salem Public Schools make up over 50% of the budget for the city of Salem, and in 2024 a historic contract was passed for teachers that will improve pay, benefits, retention, and downstream boost student outcomes. (Source)

It's critical we find income to pay for this contract and the future needs of our students. Turning October tourism into a revenue-positive enterprise is a critical piece of this plan.

Programs like surge pricing on parking and applying for tourism tax increase options with the state can bring in additional revenues to achieve this goal.

Climate Change in Our Community: Sea levels along the East Coast are expected to rise 10 - 14 inches in the next 30 years, which will be as much as the rise measured over the last 100 years. (Source)

These changes, along with other consequences of climate change, will have a catastrophic impact on coastal communities like Salem - especially in Ward 5 thanks to our proximity to sea level.

Sea walls and other measures for public property, with subsidized options for small residential private properties, will be critical investments to weather the next 50 years.