Episode Sixteen: Candidate Chat with Veronicka Vega

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Public Comment: North Smithfield sits down with Veronica Vega, candidate for Rhode Island House District 49, which covers Woonsocket and one precinct in North Smithfield. Veronica is a 27-year-old Woonsocket resident, former city employee, and Women's Policy Institute fellow who decided to run for office after discovering that state legislators are "just regular people."

In this episode, Veronica discusses the pressing issues facing northern Rhode Island — from economic development and commuter rail to underfunded schools where students don't have enough textbooks to take home. She talks about the need for an inspector general to audit state spending, her support for a historic tax credit to revitalize downtown Woonsocket, and her commitment to never becoming a complacent politician.

Veronica also opens up about her personal experience with homelessness, food insecurity, and relying on public transit — experiences that shaped her commitment to community and public service.