Where I Stand

Property Taxes - The Indiana General Assembly recently passed immediate property tax relief to put Indiana on the right track, but I believe we can do more.  Real property tax relief can only be realized by cutting wasteful government spending by modernizing government with consolidation while eliminating excessive and unnecessary offices. The citizens of House District 89 adhere to a budget and government should be no different. With the implementation of spending caps for local and state government we can release the stranglehold that property taxes hold on Hoosiers.

Jobs - I will work to target state funding to local communities to improve roads, strengthen and maintain infrastructure and clean-up blighted business areas.  This will encourage reinvestment, while fostering new business growth.  In addition, this will help our community create new jobs and, in turn, improve the quality of life.

Education – We can do better in preparing future generations for their careers.  Real education reform is needed; education reform that will focus dollars in the classroom not on facilities, offer greater education choices to families and reward highly qualified teachers.  The time has come to begin paying teachers like professionals.  Teachers who are committed to excellence and wish to demonstrate their expertise by taking a voluntary test in their subject matter should be rewarded with wages that reflect their expertise. By attracting and sustaining the best educators, we will ensure that our children will be getting the best instruction available.

Crime - It is vital that we have safe neighborhoods and schools.  People affected by crime must be treated with dignity, fairness and respect.  The time is now for truth in sentencing laws for criminals that prey on seniors and children.  It is time to get tough on youth involvement in gang activities, drugs and other violent behavior. Our goal of eliminating crime can be achieved through supporting law enforcement officials with the resources that they need to be successful. I am supportive of the Front Porch Alliance and believe this program to be vital to restoring peace to our city.