Issues
Renewing Our Commitment to Public Education
Nothing is more important to our state than public education, and there are few areas where the State Legislature has more power to actually fix things than in the area of education. We need to respect public school teachers, pay them what they deserve and fully support their collective bargaining rights. We must give our public school teachers and administrators the resources they need to offer our kids a positive learning experience, with less focus on standardized testing and more focus on actual learning. We must end the failed policy that gives tax dollars to private charter and voucher schools, which push profits to investors while failing to deliver on the promise of a high quality education- all the while weakening our public schools and lowering education standards. Right now our teachers seem to be under attack with fake controversies that create a climate of fear and anger based on misinformation. I want to be a voice that supports teachers, not one that stokes fears and division.
Supporting a Woman's Right to Make Her Own Medical Decisions
Since the United States Supreme Court overturned the precedent of Roe v. Wade, Indiana Republicans have made good on their promise to impose a near total ban on abortion in Indiana. My opponent is even more extreme on the issue and has voted to ban abortion even in cases of rape and incest, even when the victim is a minor. This extreme view is out of the mainstream and is not supported by the majority of Hoosiers. I strongly believe that the state government has no business taking such personal decisions away from women. Decisions about medical care and family planning are private, and should be left to the individual.
Legalizing Marijuana
As an attorney in Indiana for the last 27 years, I have seen first hand the damage done by our failed system of marijuana criminalization in Indiana. The amount of money we spend to criminalize marijuana could be put to better use. I’d love to live in a state where the police use the resources we now spend finding an adult smoking pot in his backyard to better investigate domestic violence and theft. I also know that many people who suffer from debilitating illnesses can benefit from the medical use of cannabis. It’s simply ridiculous to deny Hoosiers relief based on our outdated marijuana policies. If we legalize the possession of cannabis across Indiana the state’s ag and business communities will have the opportunity to create another revenue stream for the Indiana General Assembly; we’ll create a lot more good-paying jobs -- and compete with surrounding states in the process; all Hoosiers - including veterans and seniors - will have access to the therapeutic benefits of cannabis; Indiana can deliver a solid punch in the fight against the opioid epidemic; and, legalization is another opportunity to expunge criminal records of Hoosiers who were arrested for simple possession.
Better Jobs, Higher Wages
All politicians talk about jobs, but not enough talk about wages. Indiana has made improvements in job numbers but has failed to keep up with our neighbors when it comes to wage growth. We must invest in career training, infrastructure and education in order to attract and retain good paying jobs. Working families need access to quality healthcare, affordable childcare and transportation in order to succeed in the workplace. We need to insure that everyone that works in our state can earn a living wage. Things like "Right to Work" and the repeal of the Common Construction Wage are just two examples of a state government that promotes policies that keep wages low. We need to reverse those policies and stop our race to the bottom when it comes to wages.
True Ethics Reform in the Statehouse
Most states have laws and rules that prohibit members of the state legislature from accepting gifts from lobbyists. Many are surprised to learn that Indiana places few restrictions on the practice. While other Indiana state employees must adhere to strict rules against accepting gifts, our elected representatives choose not to follow those rules themselves. As a result, lobbyists descend upon the Statehouse to quite literally ‘wine and dine’ the men and women who will be voting on legislation being pushed by those very lobbyists- fancy dinners, tickets to sporting events and other gifts are just a normal part of business as usual at the State Capitol. We need to change our laws to end this activity. But, whether it is legally permitted or not, I will pledge not to accept gifts of any kind from lobbyists.