ISSUES

I believe in the saying “show me your budget, and I’ll show you your values.” Our state’s budget serves as a moral contract with our citizens. Every year, it is up to the state government to allocate the tax dollars you pay to maintain and improve our quality of living.

But while our schools are underfunded, our health care costs are on the rise, and our infrastructure is crumbling, corporations in Missouri are receiving tax cuts and incentive packages.

We simply should not be handing out money to corporations hoping that prosperity will trickle down. As your state representative, I am committed to being a careful steward of your tax dollars in Jefferson City.

I believe you and your family are the economic drivers of our state. Our budget should reflect that by investing in the things that will improve your family’s life, rather than lining the pockets of big businesses.

Every Missouri child should have access to quality public education regardless of their zip code. Education is the great equalizer and allows our children to realize their hopes and dreams.

But, Missouri's public school systems are under tremendous strain. Our state ranks last in starting teacher pay and equally low in public education funding. This is unacceptable and is a failure to invest in our children's future. Funding our public education system and setting our children up for success is a top priority for me.

I will also support universal early childhood education, because investing in our kids from an early age is the best way for us to invest in our future. Expanding early childhood education services helps ensure kids are adequately prepared to start school, eases the childcare burden placed on hard working families, and allows the business community to attract some members of the "hidden workforce" back into the workplace.

Additionally, I will work to make sure we have a workforce that is prepared to evolve with the ever-changing needs of our community. It is vital that we invest in educational opportunities that help skill-up our workforce to ensure all Missourians have the opportunity to gain the skills to compete in our economy.

A strong economy is one that works for everyone. All Missourians deserve the peace of mind that comes with having a roof over your head, food on the table, and resources to pay bills.

As your state representative, I will fight for those who truly build up our economy—our workers—for the wages, benefits, and protections they deserve. I will support investments in educational opportunities to support a 21st century workforce.

Missouri's economy should allow you to earn a good living and retire in dignity after a lifetime of work. When you grow household income and reduce the poverty level, you can begin to solve some of the critical challenges facing our community.

I will work for policies that support local businesses who provide good jobs in our state and keep our economy growing. And, I will work to bring new businesses here that want to capitalize on our skilled Missouri workforce and quality of life. But, I will always put workers’ interests before the special interests of large corporations.

Quality, accessible, and affordable health care is every Missourian’s right. But, each year Missouri families must choose between buying vital prescription drugs and covering everyday living expenses. Meanwhile, critical state services such as the Department of Mental Health and the Department of Social Services go woefully underfunded comprising the well-being of the most vulnerable in our state.

At the same time, Missouri has left millions of federal dollars on the table meant for expanding health care access to our neighbors who need it the most. This inaction means less healthy communities, higher premiums for those with coverage, and the loss of hospitals, especially in rural areas.

As your state representative, I will support common sense measures like funding the expansion of Medicaid, reducing the cost of life-saving prescriptions, and stopping insurance companies from unjustly denying coverage. Equally as important, I will fight to restore the right of women to make health care decisions without interference from politicians.

Government works best when it is closer to the people it serves. I respect the fabric of our local communities and trust them to know best when it comes to overcoming the challenges they face.

In Missouri, we have seen many decisions influenced by special interests, circumventing the will of local communities on local issues by preempting local ordinances with state law or by diluting local opposition to matters by including state-wide votes. I will work to ensure that your local officials have the power to act free from state interference.

Every year for the past two decades, the Missouri Non-Discrimination Act (MONA) has been filed, only to be blocked. MONA would allow basic protections to our LGBTQ community by adding sexual orientation and gender identity to Missouri’s Human Rights Act.

Missourians should not have to fear losing their jobs or being denied housing for who they love—discrimination that is currently completely legal in our state.

Meanwhile, in recent years, legislation has been passed that makes it easier for employers, landlords or businesses to discriminate based on race, age, religion or gender—more so than in any other state.

As your state representative, I will work for a Missouri that welcomes people regardless of race, religion, gender, age or sexual orientation, and protects all people from discrimination.