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Public and Early Childhood Education
Public education is central to the success of this state and this community. Our current Republican supermajority is taking your hard-earned tax dollars out of our local schools to give to wealthy families in Raleigh and Charlotte so they can pay for private schools that their kids already attend. Wilson County's public schools are projected to lose $2.5 million because of Republican voucher schemes. Right now there are no guardrails against the misuse of this money. In office, I co-sponsored legislation that would make voucher spending transparent because the families of North Carolina deserve to know how their tax dollars are being spent.
Meanwhile, our teachers are being forgotten, we have shortages in school support staff and our children are paying the price. We know what our community schools can do when given a fair shot. I know because I am a product of Wilson County Schools. Our community needs strong public schools that value their teachers, encourage collaboration with parents and give our children the tools they need to succeed.
However, that work begins long before a child enters Kindergarten. Early childhood education is an integral step to ensure our students are able to succeed throughout their educational career. As well as providing a base for learning, early childhood education is one of the leading anti-poverty efforts that we have. That is why I have sponsored legislation that would ensure early childhood education reaches every child across our state.
Through proper funding for public education, from early childhood to high school, we are making an investment in our future. While in office, I have been a tireless advocate for better funding for our public schools, including increased teacher pay, more school counselors and support staff, and expanded Pre-K programs. I will continue to fight for public education because public education is for all children.
Affordable and Accessible Healthcare
As a former Board Chair of Wilson County Department of Social Services, I have seen the impact that accessible healthcare has on our residents. With the expansion of Medicaid, thousands of hard-working Wilson County residents are finally receiving healthcare services, but North Carolina's families are still struggling with the high-cost of healthcare. In my first year in office, I have sponsored legislation to secure funding for Medicaid expansion into the future and co-sponsored legislation that supports hardworking healthcare workers.
This past session, the Republican-led State Legislature failed to secure a budget that ensured Medicaid was fully funded. I supported every bill that would have funded Medicaid expansion. North Carolinians deserve access to high-quality healthcare and the freedom to make decisions
Economic Opportunity
North Carolina must invest in economic opportunities in communities like Wilson and Nash Counties. We cannot afford for all of our opportunities and new businesses to be concentrated in urban areas. I’m committed to making sure we are promoting our local economy by recruiting industries that will invest in high-quality paying jobs, connecting students to small business opportunities, and providing our small businesses with the necessary resources to thrive and survive.
In office, I have advocated for the expansion of industry in our region through companies such as Johnson & Johnson. Our communities benefit from the high-paying jobs, workforce development programs, and economic opportunities made available through business partnerships.
As a member of the Commerce and Economic Development committee in the General Assembly and former member of the Board of Directors for the Wilson Chamber of Commerce, one of the goals is to ensure there are more businesses opening than closing, creating a healthy economy. Wilson County is expanding and we are recruiting major corporations to have locations here in this community, but we cannot forget about our small businesses. We need a balanced approach in order to have a healthy future.
Affordable Housing
North Carolina has a housing affordability problem. As a young homeowner, I know firsthand how difficult it can be for families to find affordable homes that fit their needs. We need to expand out housing options to make sure that hardworking families are not forgotten as our community grows. Through expanding our supply of homes, revamping existing properties to become habitable, and creating financial pathways for future homeowners, we can solve the housing crisis in North Carolina. While in office, I have introduced and supported solutions that make homeownership possible for people in Wilson and Nash counties, and I will continue to fight for current and future homeowners.