Policy
For me, the American Dream is the freedom to live your best life. It is the ability to find and hold a good-paying job that can cover all the expenses and leave enough left over to enjoy the things that make this life worth living.
It’s the freedom to raise a family and not have to worry about rising costs in healthcare, housing, and food. It is the freedom to be yourself – because no one in the government gets to tell you who you are. It is the freedom to see how far your talents can take you.
Those are the ideals that I am campaigning on and, if elected, I will work tirelessly to make these policies a reality.
Education
I believe every Iowan has the right to a world-class education. I believe school districts, teachers and administrators know what is best for their students and the state should stay out of their way.
If elected, I will work to–
- Keep state supplemental aid (SSA) at pace with inflation.
- Protect AEAs from state intrusion.
- Repeal the private school voucher program.
- Repeal the “Don’t say gay” law and book-banning laws.
Labor
Everyone deserves to enjoy the fruits of their labor. No one who works 40 hours a week should have to live in poverty. People should only need one job to make ends meet and be able to get ahead.
If elected, I will work to–
- Repeal right-to-work laws – right-to-work is really the right to fire. I will work to enhance job security for Iowa workers
- Increase the minimum wage and peg it to inflation.
- Restore Chapter 20 (public employees) bargaining rights.
- Repeal laws that prevent public employees from striking.
- Introduce laws that empower county attorneys to prosecute wage theft in their jurisdictions.
Democracy
American democracy is under assault – not only from Donald Trump – but from dark money groups that divide Americans to ram through unpopular legislation. I stand firmly against the rising tide of authoritarianism that we see in Iowan and across the nation.
To not only protect democracy but to make it work for Iowa I support the following–
- Term limits for Iowa’s politicians
- Campaign finance reform – donation limits, regulation, and transparency for PACs
- Open primaries
- Joining the 270 Pact – to bring about an end to the Electoral College
- Allow statewide referendums
Family Values
For over a generation, the GOP has preached family values, but it’s been a buzzword for anti-LGBTQ Policies. At the same time, their policies have only made it harder for Iowa’s families to get ahead. I want to enact policies that put Iowa families first.It is unconscionable, that in the breadbasket of the world, Governor Reynolds turned down millions of dollars from the Federal government to feed hungry kids.
If elected, I will work to–
- Use budget surplus to expand child tax credit
- Address childcare shortages
- Assure no child goes hungry in Iowa. Fully fund school lunches and increase food assistance for children over the summer
- End privatization for SNAP – it wastes state money for no gain
- End the flat tax and end the grocery tax
Criminal Justice
As a city council member, I have always prioritized public safety that is balanced with fiscal responsibility, and community development. I also believe that liberty and justice for all is not optional.
If elected, I will work to–
- Legalize marijuana.
- Change paraphernalia laws to decriminalize needle exchanges and fentanyl test strips.
- Expand good samaritan laws.
- Pass funding for mental health liaisons that work with law enforcement. We enacted this policy in Hiawatha and it has proven effective at connecting people in crisis with the resources and care they need
- Pass common sense gun legislation – funding for education in firearms, expanding universal background checks, permitting, and waiting periods for handgun purchases.
Environment
Climate change is real and the Earth is getting warmer. In Cedar Rapids, we have experienced at least three ‘500 year’ events in the past 31 years. We’ve endured the Great Flood of 1993, the Great Flood of 2008, and the Derecho of 2020. Iowa is also an agricultural state that lurches from great droughts to floods reducing crop yields. Each disaster compounded the destruction upon our communities and preventing worse catastrophes means enacting policies that preserve our environment for our future.
If elected, I will work to–
- Put a moratorium on CAFOs (Confined Animal Feeding Operations) in the state.
- Introduce laws that empower county attorneys to prosecute polluters in their jurisdictions.
- Pass laws that require the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to regularly test nitrate levels in Iowa’s water.
- Incentivize sustainable agriculture.
- Fund public transit systems.
Healthcare
No one should be afraid to go to the doctor because they can’t afford it. No one should be bankrupted by medical bills in America. Iowa’s failed experiment of Medicaid privatization has reduced services and increased the costs of care.
If elected, I will work to–
- End the privatization of Medicaid.
- Repeal laws banning gender-affirming care for minors.
- Invest in mental healthcare infrastructure, specifically beds.
- Provide funding to rural hospitals.
- Repeal abortion bans.
Local Government
Home rule has been enshrined in the Iowa Constitution for over 50 years and the state has been trying to take it away ever since. I believe Iowa’s communities should be empowered to make creative decisions that improve the lives of their residents. Des Moines doesn’t always know what is best for our communities.
If elected, I will work to–
- Repeal laws that unnecessarily preempt local governments from:
- raising the minimum wage.
- requiring landlords to accept Section 8 vouchers.
- banning single-use plastic bags.
Military and Veterans
Our forces, including our National Guard, are stronger when they reflect the richness and diversity of American society, and when we treat our service members, veterans, and their families with the dignity they’ve earned.
If elected, I will work to–
- Ensure all our troops and veterans and their families have safe housing and food.
- Reduce veteran suicide, improve access to mental and physical health care.
- Ensure our National Guard forces aren’t used for political stunts.
- Raising all Iowa veterans benefits to the highest national standard, adjusting yearly for COLA.
- Property tax exemption for veteran owners & renters with a disability rating of 50% or higher.
- Improved services and quality-of-life for residents of the Iowa Veterans Home.