Education
Investing in Education
I believe that each child across our state deserves access to the same educational opportunities that I had throughout my youth regardless of their zip code.
The General Assembly continues to invest in failing charter schools and special interests rather than working directly with our teachers and administrators to understand the support needed in their classrooms. I firmly believe that testing should play only a minor role in what is deemed the success of a student or on the value of a teacher. It is past time that we work hand-in-hand with our educators to create solutions in support of instruction to ensure a pathway to success for our workforce’s next generation.
Ohio’s economy depends on workers trained via college degrees and those who pursue skilled technical training. These post-secondary opportunities are critical, and yet too many of our fellow Ohioans have had to mortgage their future in order to access them. We must face the challenge of affordability head-on and make graduation from traditional and non-traditional programs a priority statewide.
As your State Representative, I will fight each day to make sure zip code is not the factor used to determine access to high-quality public education for our children or a pathway to success upon graduation.
Healthcare
Prioritize Affordable and Accessible Healthcare
Ohioans deserve access to quality, affordable healthcare. No family should have to choose between paying rent or paying for a prescription and for too long politicians have leveraged their power for their own gain with little thought on the financial strain their decisions place on families across our state. I will fight to change the status quo and ensure that our fellow Buckeyes have healthcare we can be proud of in Ohio.
I am committed to protecting the expansion of Medicaid as I believe that investing in a healthy Ohio is critical to creating a better future for all those who call our great state home. Medicaid plays a role in the lives of many individuals, from providing the elderly and those living with disabilities to necessary healthcare, to giving low-income Ohioans the chance to access necessary preventive care.
We must fully empower our public health departments as gateways to affecting positive outcomes in the lives of our most vulnerable populations. Their work in addressing our communities most pressing issues including tackling the opioid addiction, lowering infant mortality rates, and advocating for mental health treatment all deserve adequate levels of funding. These issues require more than a single solution and offer no quick fixes; however, I will work to fully fund one of our most important community resources.
I will always fight for a woman’s right to be respected in their decisions surrounding their reproductive health as it relates to themselves and their future.
Gun Reform
Prioritize Gun Safety
I am of the firm belief that a respect for Second Amendment rights and enacting common-sense gun violence prevention policies are NOT mutually exclusive.
As a parent to three young children, I will fight each day to provide a future where no parent fears losing their child to gun violence when sending them to school. And as a Daytonian, we saw firsthand on August 4th, 2019, what unchecked gun laws cost our neighbors, friends and city.
As State Representative I will advocate for common-sense policies like:
- Universal background checks on all gun sales and closing of existing gaps that create delays in reporting to National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).
- Extended waiting periods for assault-style weapons.
- Closing gun show loopholes to prevent gun purchases by all domestic abusers and criminals.
- Stricter penalties for selling weapons to minors and/or without proper licensure and documentations by all parties.
- Having the ability to hold gun manufacturers legally liable.
- Strengthening licensure requirements including training by certified instructors and facilities and written, dynamic testing for competency and license granting.
Economic Development
Create Opportunity for all Ohioans
I am committed to making sure that focused investment on continued economic growth for all Ohioans is a priority at the Statehouse. Our district offers a beautifully diverse workforce and each of our neighbors deserves a Representative who will fight for them regardless of their trade.
Workforce development is critical in many industries and yet oftentimes left without the funding to successfully implement. A strong economy is one that provides opportunity not only for organizational retention and expansion, but also encourages growth of an employees skillset targeted towards future economic success for them and their families. We must strengthen the middle class by creating and keeping good-paying jobs in our community.
I will push for legislation that supports and incentivizes entrepreneurship and new leaders, particularly for unrepresented populations. Our local and small businesses help create vibrant communities which urges generations of families to continue calling Ohio home. By expanding tech transfer opportunities, renewing the Ohio Third Frontier program, and creating financial incentives via SBA loans, we can help create an environment that nurtures and encourages small business development.