Robert Gross
DC Statehood GreenQ1 Recent policies and budget decision have led to the termination of thousands of grants. DC is an important hub for scientists and researchers in the region. What role do you think research should have in the region and what action if any will you take to retain scientific talent to the city?
I think the most important thing our society can do together is to come together with every type of knowledge from every type of person and use it collectively to increase the mental cognitive and cranial expanding capabilities of our brains. From incorporating quantum mechanics into our energy grid to ensuring our air and water quality are at peak condition for this generation and the 12 more afterwards.
Keywords: Consolidation, Human Life Standard (HLS), City of the Future (COTF), Quality of Life (QOL)
Q2 Given Congress’s authority over D.C.’s budget, how would you protect the District from science funding + funding programs based on science evidence (such as the proposed $1B reduction last year) while maintaining essential city services?
As the Nominee for the DC Statehood Green party I think science is the most important aspect or reality we can lean into about not just being greener but also our advancement towards a self reliant and self sufficient state. The dream of our capital city becoming the city of the future doesn’t happen because we have a single forum about it, it happens because we invest in our city and the minds within it.
The funding within the district needs to redirect its priorities in the first place, less evasive action and more preventative, in health, safety, productivity and even legislatively. The current scientific community in DC receives roughly $40–60 million every year across all factors of our governance, safety, education and health to name a few and I think that’s just the beginning, from research into how to better manage energy to my urban agriculture projects, science will be protected under the HLS and the Gross Administration.
Keywords: Quality of Life (QOL), Structural Audit, Dashboards + Indicators
Q3 The cost of electricity and water are on the rise with nearby data centers straining current resources in combination with increased energy costs to consumers. What specific plans do you have, if any, to mitigate utility cost burden for residents? Why these steps?
DC should establish publicly owned, energy-efficient data centers and a DC Public AI Cloud to support government AI, high-performance computing and secure public data. The system would prioritize renewable energy, efficient cooling, cybersecurity, privacy and DC workforce development. Rather than allowing the District to permanently outsource critical computing infrastructure to private corporations, we should build public capacity that can reduce long-term costs, protect residents’ data, create skilled technology jobs and make Washington, DC a national leader in sustainable public-sector technology.*
Keywords: Housing production, pipeline-to-work systems, operational reliability, digital access
Q4 Many states are issuing independent vaccine guidelines to ensure consistent vaccine access in light of recent HHS changes - what are your views on vaccine guidelines and why or why not would you support similar initiatives?
The need for vaccines, especially during our school years, is beyond a necessity, so the guidelines that surround them are going to need to be as extensive as the safety checks on the vaccines themselves. I think that if the “Shadow of a doubt” is present in the federal guidelines that are in place, then the creation of independent guidance is required.
Keywords: life expectancy, workforce development, cost-of-living relief