Core Issues

Affordability

Our primary issues right now are affordability of healthcare, housing, groceries, and utilities. I support Medicaid expansion and school nutrition programs, building affordable housing for our increasing population, reducing or eliminating the regressive taxes on groceries, and exploring ways to reduce the cost of basic utilities like electricity and natural gas.

Public Education

I support funding our public education institutions, including public primary and secondary schools, trade schools, community colleges, and public colleges and universities. First rate education improves all of our lives and provides promise for the future generations. I am against school vouchers for private education and school sponsored religious education, preferring to keep this money invested in public schools. I value our universities’ commitment to not only educate the next generation of citizens, but also its valuable research which leads to improvements in healthcare, energy, the local economy, and climate stability.

Land and Resource Management

The rural heritage of rural Knox County is a treasure that should be preserved. We need to support local farmers and small businesses, and support pathways for their future success. When the need arises to develop existing farmland for residential use, careful planning must ensure that the development meets the needs of the surrounding community by improving roads and supporting local schools. Our public lands, parks and greenways should be preserved for future generations.