Year after year, we see Baton Rouge struggling to make ends meet, and year after year we hear that the only way out is by raising taxes. That’s absurd. As an experienced and successful business owner, I understand the budgeting process, and I will NEVER vote to raise your taxes. Republican leadership has stood its ground in recent years, insisting that the state live within its means, prioritize budgetary needs, and eliminate waste. I will add my voice to that vanguard.
Everywhere you look in District 89, traffic and transportation infrastructure are major issues. Traffic problems aren’t just an inconvenience. These issues affect public safety, commerce and even education. Some issues are a result of local decisions, but most are because of delays in state funding. As your Representative, I will work non-stop to ensure our community gets a fair allocation of transportation dollars, and that those dollars come more quickly.
Our district is blessed with strong public, private and parochial schools, but not all of Louisiana is as fortunate. The Minimum Foundation Program (MFP) must be protected, but the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) should not operate without checks and balances and a thorough review of spending and priorities. As for higher education, I will work to protect funding for the TOPS program on which many students and families rely, and I will collaborate to improve funding and stability for our university and community college systems.