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ISSUES

Small Business
Ohio is a great state. Unfortunately, the current administration seems more focused on a business development strategy that places a larger emphasis on attracting large, out-of-state corporations. (Or, as the Governor calls it “hitting home runs”) Now, that’s an important task, and one we should continue pursuing. However, I’d prefer we place a greater emphasis on helping small and mid-sized companies get off the ground and keep growing (or, as I call it “hitting lots of singles and doubles”). This emphasis on entrepreneurship and innovation will make our state and local economy more sustainable and have the potential to create markets we’ve never even considered tapping.

Education
The answer to Ohio’s public education crisis isn’t making one reckless cut after another. It is imperative that our legislators fix the school funding model once and for all, remove the burden of levies from our communities, and begin providing resources for innovative programs to help troubled districts emerge.

From K through College, Ohio must continue to invest in our children and skilled workforce by creating world class, cutting-edge schools. By making our public schools stronger, we’ll not only improve the odds of our children succeeding, we’ll ensure our state’s long-term economic success.

Finally, our state should reward efficiency and innovation by providing incentives to districts who find new ways to cut administrative costs without sacrificing results in the classroom.

Creativity
Too often, our legislators go to Columbus and leave the reasons why they ran in the first place at home. If Ohio is going to continue being a great state, we need legislators who are creative problem solvers – and even better listeners. We also need legislators who realize not every problem needs a legislative answer. Sometimes being a great representative means identifying resources at the state, local, and federal level, (as well as in the public and private sector) and tying them into areas of need. Government doesn’t need to always be the answer, but it certainly can bridge a gap or act as a catalyst. I’ll be a leader who works hard to get results, and doesn’t ask for all the credit.

Transparency
One of the motivating factors in my decision to run for State Representative, and certainly what will be one of my main areas of emphasis, is finding ways to improve the active participation of citizens in the legislative process. Right now, it’s confusing, complicated, and seems to many of us, to have been designed to discourage engagement. After all, when it comes to fast-tracking bad legislation, nothing gums-up-the-works better than an informed public determined to be heard.

I support :

  • Live-streaming of House and Senate Committee hearings online
  • Developing better ways for citizens to deliver feedback to legislators in both written and video formats
  • Making our state government the most accessible and open in the country
  • Improving the Ohio House website to give citizens timely information on the status of legislation through email, texting, and other online tools

Health Care
Preventative health measures are not only important, they should become mainstream in Ohio. I support expanding healthcare choices to women by requiring pharmacists to dispense contraceptive drugs if there is a doctor’s prescription provided, preventing insurance companies from limiting or excluding coverage of prescription contraceptive drugs and setting guidelines for schools to teach sex education in the state. Preventing unwanted or unhealthy outcomes, rather than excluding services due to personal beliefs, is something I truly defend.

Victims of violent crimes, especially victims of rape, deserve the utmost care at an emergency room. All Ohio emergency rooms should provide access to emergency contraception, counseling and examination and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases to rape victims — regardless of the victim’s ability to pay.

Gun Safety

I support common sense gun laws and do not believe Ohio’s gun laws need to be loosened further. The past two General Assemblies have expanded conceal carry laws, made it legal to carry guns into bars and stadiums, and done little to reduce the amount of gun violence in our state. My opponent voted for HB 203, which includes a “stand your ground” provision that has the potential to increase gun violence across the state.

Marriage Equality
I support the right of any adult to marry the person he or she loves. Period.

Oil and Gas Drilling
Ohio finds itself at the epicenter of a possible oil and gas boom. However, before we rush into the extraction of oil and gas from shale through the process known as fracking (hydraulic fracturing), Ohio’s leaders must do everything possible to ensure public health and safety comes first.

I currently support a moratorium on fracking until we have overwhelming evidence proving we can drill safely. We must take a long term view on this issue. Mistakes can have devastating and lasting effects on our environment—especially our fresh water supply. This why I also support requiring oil and gas companies to disclose the chemical mixture used in their fracking solution to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources prior to drilling. It would also give medical professionals and first responders immediate access to this information when public safety is at risk (from accidents, etc)

Finally, I support restoring local control over gas and oil wells. Local communities should be able to decide whether or not to allow gas and oil wells in their own backyards. And they should also have the power to inspect them. The loss of local control has left many neighborhoods in our district facing declining property values because of unsightly wells, noise, and possible pollution.