Where I Stand

Jobs

As a small business owner, I understand the pressures of increasing property taxes, a slow economy and the challenge of living within your means. As a member of the Indiana General Assembly, the Jay County Economic Development Corp. and the Portland Area Chamber of Commerce, I understand the need for good paying jobs in our area. I have been a tireless advocate for bringing new jobs to House District 33. We need to continue to keep taxes low, keep the economy strong and provide incentives for business to locate in Jay, Randolph and Delaware counties.

Education

Since my election in 2004, I have promoted strong education initiatives, including Dollars to the Classroom and the Indiana Teacher Mentoring Program, which helps reduce turnover at our local schools. These days, it seems as though not enough education dollars make it to the classroom. We need to continue to invest in educational programs that will help all of our children to prosper and become productive, hard-working citizens of Indiana.

Wasteful Government Spending

As a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, which molds Indiana’s biennial state budget, I have been a part of two budgets since my election in 2004. During the 2005 budget session, under Republican control, we were able to craft the first honestly balanced budget in nearly a decade with no tax increases. In 2007, under Democrat control, the budget included massive property tax increases which the Democrats attempted to band-aid with a less than adequate and costly rebate check. In 2009, the state of Indiana cannot afford another poorly crafted Democrat budget.