Election Nov 8th

At the core of our community are the individuals whom work in occupations that directly serve the entire community. Police officers, firefighters, nurses and teachers are occupations that are most critical in order for our community to function. If our government cannot support these occupations properly than why have government at all?. I believe the fundamental responsibilities of the state are to provide citizens with law and order, emergency services and a solid education for our children. As your State Representative I will ensure the needs of our police, firefighters, teachers and nurses receive the highest priority.

Volunteer service is also essential to our community. I will be very supportive of organizations such as the Elks Club, The Sierra Club and the various churches whom serve citizens in need.

The Elks Club has been essential in looking out for my fellow veterans whom struggle with PTSD, addiction and homelessness. The Southwest Church of Christ operates a food pantry which feeds our fellow citizens whom are struggling to pay for food. The Walnut Street Baptist Church helps fellow citizens pay their utility bills. At the minimum, I will be a voice for these organizations in Little Rock.

Accountability is an obligation or willingness to accept responsibility for ones actions. As a public official I will be more than willing to be held accountable. However, it will be my duty to hold the state government and high state institutions accountable as well.

I believe our criminal justice system needs to be held to account. Arkansas has the largest incarceration rate per capita in the nation. Yet, our crime rate is on the rise. We spend more than 400 million dollars on prisons and jails every year. This begs the question. Will building more jails and prisons solve our crime problem? I say no.

A large percent of individuals serving time in our penitentiary system are non-violent offenders. Yes, non-violent offenders need to pay their debt to society. However, is incarceration the only answer? I believe there is an answer out there which is more constructive and affordable to incarceration.

I have a few ideas on how to address the problem but I don’t believe one man can fix this problem alone. If elected, I promise I will put a working group of representatives from all political parties to address this issue. I believe the best solution is a non-partisan solution. I also want to encourage voters to email me your views on the issue. I need your skin in the game.

I believe higher education has become highly corrupt. The state of Arkansas spends over 600 million dollars a year on 4 year college institutions. Yet every year tuition and fees at these institutions have gone up twice the rate of inflation. The average individual can no longer earn a 4 year degree without accruing an insane amount of debt.

If elected, I will propose to the State Assembly that for every dollar a college institution raises tuition and fees, we will cut three dollars they receive from our state coffers. It’s time to get serious.

This will be a living web-site. I will discuss more examples of holding our institutions accountable as election day nears.

The 32nd District is a densely populated district. It only takes 5 to 8 minutes to drive from the southern part to the northern part. Compared to most districts in Arkansas it is geographically small. Therefore, I see us more as a community than a district.

In order for a community to be successful it needs to thrive in several ways. First, we need a thriving small business sector. Jonesboro has accomplished this to a degree, however, there is a lot of room for improvement.

I believe lowering taxes and licensing fees on small businesses will produce positive results . But, it will take more. If elected, I will collaborate with the city government to expand new business opportunities. Also, there are several committees in the House of Representatives I intend to get on when elected. This will attempt to get on the Insurance and Commerce Committee in which I can be an advocate for small business. I also intend to get on the City, County and Local Affairs Committee which has a significant impact on small business. Finally, I will be very vocal in the “buy local” campaign.

Secondly, our community needs a strong music and arts presence. I pledge to support school music programs at the junior and senior high levels. Our youth benefits greatly from the study of music and art. It teaches them discipline and tenacity which are fine tools to have in order to succeed in life.

I will also be an advocate in Little Rock for the Jonesboro Foundation of The Arts. The Forum Theatre has come a long way over the last ten years and I believe it needs more support. The JFOA also provides after school education programs which provide inspiration for our youth. I will support grants for the arts in the state legislature.

Finally, a community needs empathy. I believe the citizens of the 32nd district has empathy in spades. I can give dozens of examples where our fellow citizens have helped each other in times of need. There is nothing I need to do there ,except, follow the example set by my community.