Values
As your State Representative, I will roll up my sleeves and immediately get to work on a number of issues important to the 113th House District:
Creating Jobs, Rebuilding Our Economy
Job creation in Cole County is job number one. It is time to engage job growth and keep our highly skilled workforce intact. Cole County needs a new economic approach that creates and maintains better paying 21st-century jobs, taps into our unrivaled, existing assets and diversifies our economy.
A big part of our focus should be on building human capital by inspiring a new generation of small business startups. Laying the groundwork for future economic growth in Cole County begins by boosting investment in infrastructure to attract the most highly skilled, creative, educated, and diverse workforce to Cole County. The road to economic recovery in Cole County starts with ending tax breaks that ship jobs overseas and incentivizing businesses to build their next factory or research facility right here in Cole County. As your State Representative, I will lead the fight to ensure that the jobs and industries of the 21st Century—health care, technology, skilled labor, business and professional services begin to take root and expand, right here, in Cole County.
Restoring Fiscal Discipline
Just like all hardworking Missouri families have learned during these lean economic times, state government must tighten its belt and limit spending to necessities. Missouri's billion dollar budget shortfall demands legislators put aside political rhetoric, go to the table and ask hard questions. Instead of talking points and finger pointing during tough economic times, we must spend less and target better. We must hold the line on taxes to ensure that government can continue to serve all Missourians more efficiently and effectively while aggressively working to find common sense solutions to cut waste and streamline government. Increasing efficiency in government begins with demanding transparity, responsibility, and accountability in all areas of state government.
As your state representative, I will bring a much-needed sense of political courage by instilling fiscal discipline and responsibility to the Missouri budget process. I will demand that state government live within its means just like all Missouri families are already doing. One of my first priorities is to propose an Innovation Commission. The Innovation Commission will help save tax dollars by focusing on new technologies to eliminate duplication and inefficiencies among state agencies.
Empowering State Workers and Retirees
State workers and retirees are the backbone of our local economy and the cornerstone of our community. Many live, work and retire right here in Cole County. State workers deserve fair compensation for their hard work and retirees deserve a pension benefit for their many years of dedicated service. As your State Representative, I will stand up for fair compensation and benefits for our state workers and retirees without increasing taxes of hardworking Missourians.
Investing in Our Public Schools and Higher Education
The jobs of the 21st-century demand more from our public schools. We must fully support and equip our teachers and schools with the tools and resources they need to prepare our children for success in the future. Having graduated from St. Peters Grade School, Helias High School, Lincoln University, and Washington University in St. Louis School of Law and as a former substitute teacher in the Jefferson City Public School District, I understand the importance of investment in education. We must invest in our schools to ensure that every child in the 113th House District has the opportunity to receive a top-notch education.
Access to affordable and quality higher education is vital to growing our regional economy and creating sustainable economic growth. We must work to ensure our four-year universities, community colleges and vocational programs are affordable and accessible to any Missourian who wishes to pursue advanced educational opportunities. As your State Representative, I will fight to ensure the success of each student by working to attract quality teachers, by setting high academic achievement standards and by ensuring adequate funding for our schools.
Time to Stand Up for Family Farms
My grandparents were born on family farms in Missouri. Agriculture has been an important part of our community for centuries. Today, many Missouri family-owned and operated farms are fighting for survival with increased competition from large, corporate farms. Family farms are essential to the long-term survival of rural Missouri and to preserve our diverse, home-raised food supply. As your State Representative, I will take the lead to ensure that family-owned and operated farms are an equally important part of our community today, as well as tomorrow.
Missourians Deserve Quality, Affordable Health Care
Despite attempts to improve the health and health care of all Missourians, far too many of our children, senior citizens and small businesses do not have access to quality, affordable health care. As your State Representative, I am committed to finding common sense solutions to ensure that individuals and small businesses have access to affordable group plans and that no Missourian is denied because of a pre-existing condition or forced to choose between food and medicine. Missouri's children, senior citizens and small businesses deserve access to quality, affordable health care without increasing the taxes of hardworking Cole County families.
A Voice for the Voiceless
As a practicing Catholic, I belive that all human life is sacred because it is the foundation for which all human rights exist. As your State Representative, I pledge to protect the inalienable rights of the unborn, seek to end injustices and indignities against the oppressed, stand up for the sick and elderly in nursing homes, and advocate for the fundamental rights of the mentally and physically disabled.
Gun Ownership: A Constitutional Right
As a fellow gun owner, it is my firm belief that law-abiding Missouri gun owners have a constitutional right to own and possess firearms to protect their families, property and put food on their table. As your State Representatve, I intend to vigorously defend the rights of Missouri gun owners.
Preserving Missouri’s Resources
To ensure greater access to clean air and quality water systems, we must safeguard Missouri's natural resources, water sources, fish and wildlife. As your State Representative, I will fight for tougher criminal and civil penalties for those who pollute our air and water and make the polluters clean it up. I will also push for the protection of healthy and nourshing food sources and diverse, thriving ecosystems to ensure continued use and enjoyment for our current and future generations.
