State Legislature - District 40
Issues
I don’t have preconceived ideas that will dictate how I vote on anything. I will enter every conversation and every decision with an open mind and a commitment to listen to everyone, even those with whom I passionately disagree. I am committed to discovering the common values we share especially when faced with difficult decisions.
However, I don’t expect to earn your vote without giving you some idea of my own values, especially on issues that are most important to you. Below I have listed some of the most important and common issues in our political landscape and I have provided you with my general thoughts on them. I hope that gives you a sense of my values and what drives my care for our community.
01
Education
I am a passionate believer that access to quality education is critical to providing opportunity.
Education provides a young mind with fertile soil to learn and grow and to become a better human being. It also provides our society with productive people who make our country stronger and more globally competitive.
However, we have equated education so fully with success, that in order to get a good education there is a dangerous trade off with debt.
I would seek to provide educational opportunities for all people, especially those who are disadvantaged, but in ways that don’t encumber them with debilitating debt.
I support developing resources around trades and apprenticeships and I would seek to provide an emphasis on practical career skills and personal financial development.
02
Environment and Energy
I believe we have an incredible opportunity to do right and do well with the emerging energy economy. I also believe that we have a duty and obligation to protect our environment for our generations.
Fossil fuels are a limited resource that have negative impacts on our planet and our health. While I appreciate that they got us to where we are today, it’s time for us to recognize that they are the way of the past, not the future.
As a member of the Energy Dynamics Lab team, I worked on developing technologies in wireless electric vehicle charging, alternative fuels, solar power efficiency and several other emerging technologies that can help to transition to renewable and sustainable sources of energy.
Innovation is the hallmark of our great American history and now it’s more important than ever to support, engage and encourage that innovation. I would be an incredible advocate for energy innovation and entrepreneurship while maintaining a focus on the economic viability and sustainability of emerging technologies.
03
Business and Economy
I believe a healthy business environment leads to a healthy economy which leads to financially healthy families.
I worked in economic development through the state of Utah, Salt Lake County and Salt Lake City, advocating for small businesses, technology development and good paying jobs for Utahns. I believe that there are things that we can do as a society and as a legislative body that help support a competitive and robust economy and I would continue to use my voice to advocate for policies that support small businesses, innovation and a healthy business environment.
I have also seen companies take advantage of tax loopholes that limit their contribution to our society. While I don’t think that businesses should be over-taxed, I firmly believe that everyone, especially those who are successful and profitable due to our economic system, should pay their fair share to support the success and stability of the society that allowed them the opportunity to flourish.
04
Healthcare
Health is the single most important thing to any of us. People shouldn’t have to choose between their health and bankruptcy.
In the mortgage industry, I saw first hand that debt from catastrophic health challenges was the single biggest impact that led people into bankruptcy, foreclosure or tapping into the equity of their home to pay off medical debt.
Many of the factors that impact a person’s long term health can be mitigated by basic healthcare screening and treatment before they lead to larger, more dangerous health situations.
I know first hand that people without healthcare coverage will neglect health problems because they're afraid of the financial repercussions. But that only makes health issues become larger and more expensive. It is much more cost effective to provide health maintenance, education and preventative care than to wait until problems become acute and people end up in emergency rooms.
I believe that it is on our best economic and social interests to make sure that access to affordable healthcare is available to everyone, especially those who would cost the system more by waiting for catastrophe to strike.
