ON THE ISSUES

"I want to serve in the best interest for District 41. With your support I will work effortlessly to improve our schools, community, and economic development With six years of experience representing parts of Marietta and Smyrna, I know what it takes to find solutions, and get things done."

Criminal Justice Reform

Our criminal justice system is broken. Mass incarceration and mandatory minimum sentencing policies exacerbate economic and racial inequality, split families apart, cost taxpayers money, and hurt our economy. Additionally, the focus on incarceration rather than rehabilitation for drug crimes has proven ineffective in reducing recidivism and drug addiction.

Preserving Our Environment

Preserving our clean air, water, and natural environment is important for us and for future generations. With the growing threat of climate change, it is even more important to pursue policies that increase energy efficiency, encourage renewable fuels, and reduce pollution.

We should invest in clean energy and new technologies that can create jobs and help our economy and our environment. We should transition to solar, wind, hydroelectric, and other renewable sources of energy. Companies, local governments, and individuals can be offered incentives to lower their carbon emissions.

Mandatory Sentencing

Forcing judges to issue unnecessarily harsh prison sentences for nonviolent crimes hurts our community by tearing families apart and ruining lives. With the cost of housing an inmate in at over $20,000 a year, prison beds should be reserved for the worst offenders.

We should allow judges to do their job and give them the flexibility and discretion that they need to look at the facts of each individual case and issue appropriate punishment. With the exception of murder and crimes involving children, the legislature should reform minimum sentencing statutes and put the power back in the hands of the judges.

Drug Laws

Families have specifically been torn apart by our failed drug laws that are disproportionately applied to poor and minority communities. A conviction for a drug crime can follow someone around for life and prevent future job opportunities. We should expand pre-trial intervention, diversion programs, and drug courts that focus on helping drug addicts rather than simply sending them to prison. Rehabilitation programs for drug use have also proven more cost effective long-term than incarceration.

Marijuana should be decriminalized. Law enforcement should be allowed to allocate their resources to combat more serious crimes.