Issues

Jobs and Innovation. Ohio has the potential, resources, infrastructure, and, most importantly, the people to be an economic powerhouse in the 21st century. For Ohio to reach its full potential, we must develop policies that:

● Encourage growth

● Empower all Ohioans to succeed

● Revitalize our manufacturing base

● Build our economic strengths

● Allow our small businesses to thrive and compete on a level playing field

● Repeal burdensome regulations

● Lower energy costs

● Upgrade our infrastructure to support future growth and challenges.

Finally, we must return to the basics and invest in Ohio’s people or workforce. Legendary Ohio State football coach Woody Hayes once said, “You win with people.” Our people are our greatest asset, and we must create policies that allow all Ohioans to compete for the jobs of the 21st century. We can do this by streamlining workforce training programs and ensuring our children are equipped with the skills needed to thrive in an ever-evolving, high-tech industry.

Healthcare. Let’s face it: Our current healthcare system is broken, too expensive, and not working for Ohio. But what is the correct answer to fix it? I believe any healthcare system needs to be affordable, more accessible, and of higher quality. No Ohioan or their family should ever go bankrupt from a healthcare emergency. To this end, I support healthcare solutions that:

● Increase total price transparency

● Reduces the price of drugs at the pharmacy counter and other healthcare costs

● Incentivize innovation and increase competition between insurance companies

● Assist all Ohioans in getting the healthcare they need

● Protect people with pre-existing conditions

Ohioans also deserve a healthcare system that puts YOU and your doctor in control of your healthcare decisions, not the government.

Nothing Matters More than Education. The future of our state and nation depends on the quality of the teaching and learning of our schools today. Education helps us to develop our potential as individuals by giving us a base of knowledge and the ability to learn. A good education also helps make us better citizens. Simply put, access to a good education is the gateway to the American dream. Unfortunately, the issue of education has gotten caught up in the ongoing “Culture Wars.” These issues have distracted us from focusing on how best to serve our children and our future. 

I don’t know about all of you, but I think it is high time to get politicians out of the classroom and focus on common-sense solutions that have been proven to work. This means investing in our teachers, creating better curriculums, empowering our educators and school districts, and introducing competition into the system. All of these are keys to unlocking the full potential of the next generations. Let’s get back to putting our children first and doing what’s best for them.

Unleashing Ohio’s Energy Potential. We are blessed to live in a state with an abundance of natural resources. Unfortunately, families throughout Ohio are feeling pinched in the pocketbook as runaway inflation continues to affect just about every sector of our economy. It does not have to be this way. We have the resources right here to ensure our future growth and prosperity as well as make America energy independent. It is time for our state to develop and unleash its full energy potential. To do this, we must create an energy policy that is affordable, abundant, reliable, and secure. This means investing in modern energy solutions that protect consumers, prioritize Ohio energy jobs, and safeguard production in all forms. Let’s start relying on the Midwest and not the Middle East.

Agriculture. Agriculture is vital to Ohio’s economy. According to the Ohio Department of Agriculture, “Agriculture is the number one industry in Ohio.” The Food and Agriculture industry contributes more than $100 billion annually and accounts for 14% of the jobs in Ohio. One out of every seven workers in Ohio is employed in agriculture. Fortunately for us living in the OH 55th House District, the agriculture industry here in Warren County is very strong. Our farmers and their families give so much of themselves to provide for our communities and are a vital part of our local and state economies.

Those of you who know me know I come from a small farming community in Northwest Ohio. When I was nine years old, I joined my local 4-H (heads-heart-hands-hands-health) club and raised & showed swine until I was 16. Being in 4-H provided me with an opportunity to gain first-hand knowledge about different forms and sectors of agriculture. It also instilled in me a deeper appreciation for what Ohio’s farming families do and the challenges they face. With all the hardships and external factors Ohio’s farmers currently face, it is now more important than ever to assist and help these folks and our agricultural industries.  

Second Amendment. “A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and hear Arms, shall not be infringed.”

The Constitution unequivocally guarantees our right to keep and bear arms. We all possess a fundamental right to life, which entails the natural and inherent right to self-defense. The best defense is the right of law-abiding citizens to bear arms to protect themselves, their family, and their property. Most of the legislation proposed by the left on this issue is only “feel good” legislation that doesn’t do any good. Worse, it penalizes law-abiding citizens and does little to keep guns out of the wrong hands. As a Veteran and as a state representative, I will always fight to protect the Second Amendment.

Supporting Law Enforcement. Let’s be very clear about something, Politicizing public safety makes no one safer. Instead of politicizing public safety, our leaders and politicians should be willing to listen to the people who are on the street and doing the actual work. When talking with law enforcement officers from around the area, I find a vast majority of them want to be a part of the solution to the challenges and problems they face. I am fully committed to those who wear the badge and put their lives on the line every day for our communities. As a state representative, I will fight for our law enforcement and first responders to have the tools and training they need to be successful. 

Supporting Ohio’s Military Members, Veterans, and their Families. Since our country’s founding, Ohio has had a very proud military tradition. Ohioans take tremendous pride in remembering the brave men & women who have served, fought for, and died for their country. According to Ohio’s Department of Veterans Services, “More than 800,000 veterans and military retirees, active-duty personnel, reservists, and National Guard members reside in Ohio.” In fact, a good number of those active-duty service members who retire from Wright Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB) love and choose to stay in our local communities. We are very fortunate to have leaders who honor the sacrifices of Veterans and work to improve the lives of military personnel and their families. Yet, plenty of work remains.

Some of the most significant issues our military members, veterans, and families are currently struggling with are:

● Job readiness (translating military experience into a civilian resume)

● Homelessness

● Drug abuse, mental health issues, suicide

● Mental health assistance availability & accessibility

● Difficulty in navigating Military and Veterans’ benefits

● Financial issues (Especially younger service members)

● Lack of support for families who have loved ones deployed or on longer Temporary Duty (TDY) assignments. 

During my 14 years in the Ohio Army National Guard and Army Reserve, I have seen first-hand how these problems affect our Soldiers, service members, and their families. These issues seem to hit our youngest Soldiers and service members the hardest. With this in mind, I will work hard to build more effective networks of support in the areas of healthcare, mental health, family readiness, education, and occupational readiness. 

Reforming and Modernizing Government: A 21st Century Government for 21st Century Ohioans. Many Ohioans often discuss the ideal size of government, but I believe our state government’s effectiveness is more important than its size. Technology has transformed almost every aspect of our lives, yet many state programs remain trapped in the past. 21st-century Ohioans deserve a 21st-century government that will keep pace with today's technology and take advantage of increasing efficiency by reducing unnecessary bureaucracy. This means ensuring programs remain an appropriate use of our tax dollars and eliminating those that are duplicative, outdated, or no longer serve regular Ohioans.

We must also look into infusing our state and local governments with innovative technology, accountability, and transparency. Doing so will enable us to be flexible and ready to take on the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.  

Reducing the Influence of Money in the Statehouse. Let’s be honest with ourselves. Ohio, especially the Statehouse, has a dark money problem. With the House Bill 6 scandal, Ohioans saw first-hand the dangers of dark money and how it can influence the decisions that impact all our lives. Dark money allows masked interest groups to hold tremendous influence and sway everything from ballot issues to local school boards. Such sway and influence have made many Ohioans cynical and question whether the leaders they elect and pay are looking out for their interests above all others. One immediate thing we can do to help reverse this tide is to pass stricter disclosure laws. Such laws empower Ohioans by learning the true source of donations, including big-ticket candidate and ballot issues campaigns, and which groups are behind the large amounts of lobbying money spent at the Statehouse. Other states have done this. Ohio can (or should) too.

Protecting Election Integrity. Fair elections are the backbone of our democracy. When we vote, we are not just electing government officials. We are also expressing our needs, preferences, satisfaction, and dissatisfaction as an electorate. Voting is one of the main tools to communicate how we wish to be governed. Who we decide to elect reflects the issues we care about, how we want our tax dollars spent, and our commitment to developing solutions to our current problems. 

Ohio is fortunate to have a first-rate election system with infrequent instances of voter fraud, thanks to the efforts and leadership of SoS Frank LaRose. Unfortunately, we won’t be able to stop all voter fraud, but we can continue to identify and adopt measures to deter it. We must also continue to work on securing our election systems from possible cyber-attacks, data retention, and transparency. The goal should be to make our elections fair, transparent, and efficient for all Ohioans.

Issues Important to Kristi and Me. All the issues and problems discussed above are important to everyone in Ohio. How we choose to address and solve these matters will go a long way in determining what type of future we leave for future generations of Ohioans. Kristi and I also want to bring special attention to a couple of issues that are very important to us: mental health awareness and animal wellness.

Mental Health Awareness. Mental health is more important now than ever before. It impacts every area of our lives. In addition to the impact that mental health has on our day-to-day lives, severe mental health issues can affect our relationships, careers, education, and long-term goals. In some cases, choosing whether or not to address our mental health challenges can mean the difference between life and death. 

According to a study released in October 2022, incidents of depression are above the national average in Ohio and reported suicides are up as well. “From 2011 to 2020, adult Ohioans who said they had ‘poor mental health’ jumped up 20%, from 12.7% to 15.3%, according to the HPIO data.” Kristi and I will do everything we can to advocate for policy changes that:

1. Help remove the stigma around mental health.

2. Address the shortage of mental health workers in our state.

3. Provide support and resources to struggling individuals and their loved ones. 

If you or someone you care about needs mental health help, know that it’s available. Remember that the earlier you treat a mental health condition, the better the chances are that treatment will be successful. You can find help through individual or family therapy, support groups, online services, community clinics, or by asking a friend or family member to assist you. If you’re in a crisis or have suicidal thoughts, please seek help immediately. You can call 911 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, which is available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. The hotline is a national network of crisis centers throughout the United States. They offer confidential and free emotional support to anyone in need who’s experiencing a suicidal crisis. Remembering that it is okay not to be okay is a crucial step in taking care of your mental health. 

Animal Wellness. Both Kristi and I have a big heart for animals, especially rescues. Our dog Chip is a rescue and a very important member of our family. Kristi and I adopted Chip from the Animal Friends Humane Society in Hamilton, OH this past June. In 2021, “nearly 3,225 dogs and cats were killed in animal shelters across Ohio.” Therefore, Kristi and I are big proponents of animal education and rescue programs. Before adopting or purchasing a pet, please take the time to read about the proper way to train, manage, and care for them.

Most importantly, make sure you have the time and temperament. We also highly encourage people looking for a new fur friend or family member to adopt. It goes without saying that when you adopt a pet, you’re saving a life -but you’re actually saving more than one life. By adopting, you’re helping to make space for another animal in need and helping to give them the opportunity to become beloved pets. All rescue animals deserve a loving family and a second chance.