PLATFORM

To develop a cooperative “spirit” with other legislators

  • Cooperation, coordination and the ability to disagree without being disagreeable are all personality traits that a legislator needs in order to serve the people effectively.

  • The people of the 22nd District deserve a State Senator who has no hidden agendas.

 

To continually explore ways to expand educational opportunities for all Tennesseans

  • From pre-kindergarten to college, continued emphasis needs to be placed on educational funding, with emphasis on technology and teachers salaries.

  • The State of Tennessee Lottery HOPE scholarship program guidelines need to be expanded whenever possible to afford more Tennesseans the opportunity for a college education.

  • Additional vocational educational opportunities need to be developed enabling the Tennessee workforce to be second to none.

 

To attract quality, high-paying jobs to the region

  • Constant communication between economic development organizations in Cheathem, Houston and Montgomery Counties and the State Department of Economic and Community Development needs to be facilitated by the State Senator in the 22nd District in order to assure that no opportunities are missed for quality, high paying jobs.

  • Business and organized labor should be “brought to the table” on a regular basis, in a spirit cooperation, in order to discuss legislative issues that affect both parties.

  • Economic incentives need to be developed to encourage entrepreneurial growth and stimulate the “micro business” economic sector.

 

To improve roads and transportation in order to provide convenience and safety to people of the 22nd District

  • Improved, convenient roads and transportation are more important now than ever with the high cost of gasoline. The people of the 22nd District need to have a State Senator who takes a leadership role in gaining funding for road projects.

  • Mass transit opportunities need to be explored immediately so that the burden of the high cost of gasoline can be removed from many Tennesseans. Thus, reducing our dependency on foreign oil in addition to helping our environment.


To work to expand affordable health care for the people of Tennessee

  • Though Tennessee has made progress, our health care system is still is need of constant attention. The people of the 22nd District and the State of Tennessee deserve affordable access to health insurance in order to avoid one of the largest causes of financial catastrophes.

  • Constant attention needs to be paid to the high cost of prescription drugs and their effect on many of our senior citizens.

  • Long term in-home health care should be a priority, instead of having to institutionalize a loved one.

  • People should not have to be concerned about losing their job if they need to care for an ailing family member. Families are the “backbone” of our society. Sick leave for people to care for ailing family members should be addressed right away.

 

To keep a keen focus on the state budget in order to keep taxes low, while providing the necessary services the people deserve

  • Responsible handling of the people’s tax dollars is essential in today’s tough economic times. The State of Tennessee must be responsible in its spending while keeping a focus on essential services for the citizenry.

  • Extravagant expenditures for individual legislators must be stopped. However, expenditures involving access to information about innovative ways of running government are critical in today’s rapidly changing world. A legislator must never quit learning in order to keep Tennessee looking toward the future.