A Pro-Growth Investment in the Future of Sullivan
Let’s think about what Sullivan needs to make life better for those who are here and for those who are growing up here as well. We need to make it even better for those who are children so that we give them reasons to plant root and seed here. That is how communities grow again.
I Will Never Forget
On this World AIDS Day, as I do every day, I remember so many friends, loved ones and people around the world that have died after being infected with HIV […]
A Campaign About People and Policies
This campaign was about people and policies for an economy that works for everyone, education that prepares our children for the jobs of today and tomorrow, and a healthcare system […]
Social Security Fairness Act
I would support the Social Security Fairness Act of 2017, which has broad bipartisan support. It’s one of the areas where my opponent and I are in agreement. Unfortunately for our teachers and spouses, this bill has been sitting in the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Social Security since March of 2017. It is not even listed on the Subcommittee’s website as a bill introduced in the 115th Congress, so the GOP is not serious about solving this problem.
Tired of Falling Behind
Instead of electing career politicians who rely on big dollar donors and offer rubber stamps and excuses, we should be focusing on what will build an economy, rebuild our infrastructure, and deliver education that provides for a better future. That's why I decided to run against a 21-year incumbent who I saw as being out of touch with the hardworking people of the 15th District. They deserve someone that will listen to their experiences and concerns and act upon them in Congress. That's what I will do as your representative and why I am fighting to earn your support and your vote this November.
Separating Families: Broken Immigration
I’d say there is plenty of common ground, common sense, and common values on this issue. Separating children from their parents is not just a tragedy, it’s traumatizing. I’m also concerned about our broken immigration systems, as many Americans are. We need to fix our broken immigration system so that people can come here legally, so that those seeking asylum can do so safely, and that we can grow as a nation and provide for hardworking Americans that have spent a lifetime working hard for their own families and communities.
People Over Party.
To me, I'm focused like a laser on changing the conversation. Moving beyond this blame game. Finding common ground, using common sense, and utilizing common values to move our district forward. That is why I'm showing up, standing up, and speaking out everywhere I go. Wages have been stagnant for decades, in some industries wages have actually been decreasing. This is why the economic environment is so hostile to both workers and especially to business. Without eliminating the disincentives and punishments for getting back to work, the bridge to self-reliance is non-existent. When you examine downstate politics, the Republicans have one mantra. “Madigan.” That’s all they run on mostly, adding in one or two social issues that divide and separate as opposed to build and boost our local economies. I know that the People are exhausted by that boring, tired playbook.
Fiscal Failure Under Shimkus-GOP
Yes, our 21-year incumbent representative in Congress, John Shimkus, did vote for an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would have allowed the federal government to raid the Social Security trust fund in order to balance the budget. It’s about time we throw them out and get back to work. Failure is not an option because our communities are on the line.
Waterways, Economy, and Mental Health
Commitment to Ohio Valley watershed, Economic Development Strategy, Mental Health Treatment
Q & A on the Main Issues
Healthcare, Infrastructure, Education, Social Security, Food Stamps, Medicaid, Medicare, The Budget
‘Pray the Gay Away’ Still a Threat
There are some that strive to demonize, castigate, and perpetuate subclasses of humanity in order to raise their own stature above others. This behavior is the reason why children, adolescents, and adults are traumatized, roughed up, and killed. This behavior is why Ryan White was cast out of his home when he was suffering from HIV and AIDS.
Shimkus’ Rhetoric Doesn’t Match Reality
In Rep. John Shimkus’ recent WJPF interview, he offered the usual GOP talking points demonizing Democrats. What he failed to mention is that the legislation he helped to craft and […]
The Reality of the Shimkus Tax Plan
Our current over two-decade incumbent Representative John Shimkus is now sitting on the House-Senate conference committee responsible with hammering out the final tax reform bill to be sent to the White House to become the law of the land. The unfortunate reality for the 50% under the median is that they will be hurt by this tax bill. That’s what happens when you focus on one point along a continuum in order to obscure the massive tax cuts for the top 50% and permanent corporate tax cuts that we all know won’t be used to increase wages but be given to stockholders instead.
Say Never to Privatization of VA
What we should do is the following: continue repairing the damage of decades of denial and decay have representatives show up and hold the VA accountable in hearings have representatives show up in their districts by listening to veterans and the groups that serve them increase assistance to hard hit areas like Danville and Vermilion County open VA sites within community health providers where VAs hospitals don't exist make the pipeline bigger for people going into healthcare specialties increase grants and scholarships for students increase money to colleges and universities increase faculty and staff that educate and train these specialties actually stabilize funding for Medicaid, Medicare, and local healthcare providers instead of starving them of resources.
Medicaid Work Reqs a Costly One
Enter the GOP plans to 'overhaul' the Medicaid program nationally by imposing work requirements on recipients. I would call this effort an attempt to disrupt healthcare for millions of working Americans, veterans, the chronically ill, and many others.
Applaud Opioid Talk, Verify Actions
It was good to see the President come out with policies that may help alleviate the opioid crisis. This crisis has expanded from opioids and exploding into heroin use. That […]