Values


Jobs and the Economy 
Too many Missourians continue to be unemployed and underemployed.  We must make a strong commitment to economic development and job training to provide the foundation needed to continue to grow, attract, and retain quality jobs in our state. 
Small businesses provide the framework for Missouri’s economy and for our future in Platte County.  As a member of the Platte County Economic Development Corporation and in my law practice, I have built relationships with small business owners.  Many businesses have plans to expand and hire, but remain concerned about the future. 
For businesses to create those jobs vital to the future of the 30th District and the state of Missouri - we must establish ourselves as national leaders in labor and economic policy.  Governor Nixon’s Missouri First initiatives, including the Missouri Science and Innovation Reinvestment Act (MORISA), are examples of forward-thinking proposals that will grow Missouri’s current businesses and recruit new, high-tech industries to Missouri. 
Fiscal Responsibility 
Families balance their household budgets and the state budget should be no different.  Now more than ever, we have to ensure government provides essential services efficiently.  Cutting costs, streamlining government programs and improving state and local services should be among our objectives.  
We must implement more accountability into all areas of state government to ensure proper checks are in place to cut waste while preserving programs that serve our citizens effectively, particularly our most vulnerable citizens. 
You deserve elected officials who communicate with you about the issues impacting our state budget.  As your State Representative, you can count on me to provide you with the facts about how your tax dollars are being spent and to respect your priorities for our state. 
Education 
In an increasingly global economy, education is the key to our success and every Missourian should be given the opportunity for a quality education.  In Platte County must work to maintain excellence in our schools as the county continues to grow.  
As your State Representative, I will make sure education is the number one priority in our state budget.  For parents who choose to enroll their children, high-quality pre-kindergarten education should be readily available.  We must keep class sizes small, increase access to technology, attract and keep the best teachers in Missouri, and preserve local control of our school districts.  
Higher education must be affordable and accessible to any Missourian who desires to pursue the many opportunities provided by our four-year universities, community colleges and technical and vocational programs.  Cost of education should not be a barrier for Missouri’s families.  I have worked with state legislators to lower college tuition costs and provide scholarships for low-income student.  We must also work with the higher education community to ensure tuition rates are reasonable and dollars are spent in an effective and efficient manner. 
Health Care 
Every Missourian needs access to quality, affordable health care.  Instead, insurance premiums continue to rise.  Businesses that desire to provide health coverage for employees cannot afford to do so.  Seniors struggle to meet prescription drug costs.  Parents are forced to choose between providing health care for themselves or for their children.  
As working families spend an increasing percentage of their income on health care, most of us recognize that the system needs to be changed.  
It is my priority to fix what is broken in our health care system while preserving your rights to choose your own health plans and healthcare providers.  We must recognize the individual’s role in taking responsibility for one’s health and place a strong emphasis on preventive care in order to reduce long-term costs.  Small businesses must have access to affordable group plans, and individuals seeking their own plan must be able to do so without fear of prohibitive premiums or denial for pre-existing conditions. 
Ethics Reform 
Citizens deserve transparency and principled leadership in Jefferson City.  Over the past few years, we have been bombarded with stories of illegal and immoral behavior by our state legislators.  Serving as an elected official in Missouri is an honor, and we should be able to trust that our legislators are serving the public, not their own agenda.  
I support the reforms being proposed that would guarantee we know who is contributing to political campaigns, crack down on pay-to-play schemes, and ensure there are clear boundaries between lobbyists and legislative staffers. 
Second Amendment 
I grew up on a farm just outside of Weston in northwest Platte County.  I spent much of my youth at my family’s hunting and sporting club.  We have always owned guns, and I believe firmly that the Second Amendment guarantees an individual’s right to own and possess firearms.  I support gun rights for law-abiding citizens and will work to protect these rights in Jefferson City. 

Jobs and the Economy 

Too many Missourians continue to be unemployed and underemployed.  We must make a strong commitment to economic development and job training to provide the foundation needed to continue to grow, attract, and retain quality jobs in our state. 

Small businesses provide the framework for Missouri’s economy and for our future in Platte County.  As a member of the Platte County Economic Development Corporation and in my law practice, I have built relationships with small business owners.  Many businesses have plans to expand and hire, but remain concerned about the future. 

For businesses to create those jobs vital to the future of the 30th District and the state of Missouri - we must establish ourselves as national leaders in labor and economic policy.  Governor Nixon’s Missouri First initiatives, including the Missouri Science and Innovation Reinvestment Act (MORISA), are examples of forward-thinking proposals that will grow Missouri’s current businesses and recruit new, high-tech industries to Missouri. 

Fiscal Responsibility 

Families balance their household budgets and the state budget should be no different.  Now more than ever, we have to ensure government provides essential services efficiently.  Cutting costs, streamlining government programs and improving state and local services should be among our objectives.  

We must implement more accountability into all areas of state government to ensure proper checks are in place to cut waste while preserving programs that serve our citizens effectively, particularly our most vulnerable citizens. 

You deserve elected officials who communicate with you about the issues impacting our state budget.  As your State Representative, you can count on me to provide you with the facts about how your tax dollars are being spent and to respect your priorities for our state. 

Education 

In an increasingly global economy, education is the key to our success and every Missourian should be given the opportunity for a quality education. Platte County must work to maintain excellence in our schools as the county continues to grow.  

As your State Representative, I will make sure education is the number one priority in our state budget.  For parents who choose to enroll their children, high-quality pre-kindergarten education should be readily available.  We must keep class sizes small, increase access to technology, attract and keep the best teachers in Missouri, and preserve local control of our school districts.  

Higher education must be affordable and accessible to any Missourian who desires to pursue the many opportunities provided by our four-year universities, community colleges and technical and vocational programs.  Cost of education should not be a barrier for Missouri’s families.  I have worked with state legislators to lower college tuition costs and provide scholarships for low-income students.  We must also work with the higher education community to ensure tuition rates are reasonable and dollars are spent in an effective and efficient manner. 

Health Care 

Every Missourian needs access to quality, affordable health care.  Instead, insurance premiums continue to rise.  Businesses that desire to provide health coverage for employees cannot afford to do so.  Seniors struggle to meet prescription drug costs.  Parents are forced to choose between providing health care for themselves or for their children. As working families spend an increasing percentage of their income on health care, most of us recognize that the system needs to be changed.  

It is my priority to fix what is broken in our health care system while preserving your rights to choose your own health plans and healthcare providers.  We must recognize the individual’s role in taking responsibility for one’s health and place a strong emphasis on preventive care in order to reduce long-term costs.  Small businesses must have access to affordable group plans, and individuals seeking their own plan must be able to do so without fear of prohibitive premiums or denial for pre-existing conditions. 

Ethics Reform 

Citizens deserve transparency and principled leadership in Jefferson City.  Over the past few years, we have been bombarded with stories of illegal and immoral behavior by our state legislators.  Serving as an elected official in Missouri is an honor, and we should be able to trust that our legislators are serving the public, not their own agenda.  

I support the reforms being proposed that would guarantee we know who is contributing to political campaigns, crack down on pay-to-play schemes, and ensure there are clear boundaries between lobbyists and legislative staffers. 

Second Amendment 

I grew up on a farm just outside of Weston in northwest Platte County.  I spent much of my youth at my family’s hunting and sporting club.  We have always owned guns, and I believe firmly that the Second Amendment guarantees an individual’s right to own and possess firearms.  I support gun rights for law-abiding citizens and will work to protect these rights in Jefferson City.