Occupation/Current Position
State Senator District 10
Education
1978 Graduate of LaSalle High School, Licensed Journeyman/Contractor, Completed Apprenticeship in Plumbing 1986
Campaign Phone
574-532-6691
Candidate video
I have a number of important bills that I intend to file if given the opportunity to serve residents in Senate District 10 for an additional term. One issue has become glaringly apparent. Indiana’s current statutes do not provide adequate protections to tenants from landlords who show little to no concern regarding the health and well-being of individuals/families who are simply looking for suitable housing in return for their hard-earned rent dollars. I would file a bill mandating that security deposits be held in a separate escrow account. If repairs or unsuitable conditions exist, tenants would also be able to place their rent payments into rent escrow until uncompliant landlords correct unsuitable conditions. Tenants who pay their rent on time deserve healthy and safe living conditions. Good and honest landlords would be unaffected.
Indiana’s K-12 education system is made up of traditional public schools, public charter schools, public magnet schools, private schools, online learning and homeschooling. If these educational options must remain, including choice scholarships (vouchers) for students attending private schools, then there must be equal transparency and line-item funding for all these systems. Traditional public schools need to receive essential funding to ensure proper classroom size along with modern learning equipment and supplies. Traditional public-school teachers should have degrees in education and should be paid the dollars they deserve for educating our future leaders. All children deserve the same opportunities for a first-class education with no barriers to success. Brick and mortar traditional public schools must be adequately maintained.
Let’s break it down in a manner where the education of our children remains our highest priority. It all still begins at home and parents’ ought to be able to retain the responsibility of talking to their children about social concepts. Legislators in states across the nation in recent years have sought to intervene in these concepts to the extent that it has begun to affect our children’s quality of education. Teachers should have the continued right to simply teach. Subject matter curriculum should ensure that our children receive a first-class education which will enable them to be accepted into and graduate from an institution of higher learning or a trades apprenticeship program. Legislators should focus on providing adequate funding for our schools and proper pay for our teachers. It’s really nothing more than simple common sense.
The 2nd amendment would not be harmed if Indiana were to enact legislation for expanded background checks. Legislation requiring even minimal training of firearms would still go much further than no requirement at all. Our current laws concerning firearms also make it difficult for our state’s law enforcement agencies to properly do their jobs of protecting Indiana Hoosiers. Law enforcement agencies throughout the state pleaded with legislators not to enact permitless carry in Indiana state code and my vote heeded law enforcements’ call. Utilizing a commonsense approach to the sales of firearms and safety in their use would go a long way towards lowering senseless home accidents and tragedies. Injury and death through gun violence and the tragic outcome it brings to families calls for greater action from the General Assembly.
Indiana should be doing more. Indiana’s wetlands regulations this last legislative session were subjected to greater harm. House Bill 1383 reduced wetlands protections by shifting some Class III wetlands – which are currently protected – down to Class II, which have many less safeguards. It became the first bill that arrived on the Governor’s desk, he signed it on February 12th. Session had scarcely passed the halfway mark. The importance of wetlands to Indiana’s water resources cannot be understated. We must enact stronger regulations to protect our vital resources not less stringent ones. Representative Maureen Bauer’s success in passing legislation calling for testing for the presence of PFA’s in firefighters last year unveiled greater awareness that further oversite will also be required regarding these toxic chemicals.
Indiana should allow tenants to escrow their rent, inducing action from negligent landlords. Rent could be paid into a trust account. Negligent landlords seeking mere profit would now have reason to make properties safe and habitable. I’ll also file legislation requiring a landlord to repair/replace essential items within 48 hours after being notified by a tenant that the tenant’s rental unit is lacking essential services, including the ability for the tenant to bring an enforcement action for landlord noncompliance. I would also seek to add to these measures the contents of SB 243 which I co-authored this past session. This bill would bring further protections to tenants when landlords seek to sell a property. I would also seek co-authors on all these measures from both sides of the aisle because these issues have no political divide.
Reducing maternal and infant mortality should be one of Indiana’s most unambiguous priorities. Meaningful strides are taking place in Indiana but better outcomes for maternal and infant health will only take place when we decide to invest more resources with more urgency into our State’s overall Health. This session, I voted for a bill that requires a hospital that operates a maternity unit to ensure that a woman eligible for or receiving Medicaid assistance has the option of having a long-acting reversible subdermal contraceptive implanted after delivery and before the woman is discharged. I supported this bill, which was authored by Rep. Dr. Rita Fleming, who has delivered over 7000 babies, and Rep. Maureen Bauer, because this requirement will help postpartum women, especially women of color and people in high-risk situations.
Voter fraud in Indiana is not the problem, it is rare. Little evidence has ever been shown and studies have gone back decades. People are being subjected to fear. When fear grows, it can become widespread by the mere repetition that voter fraud is present. A government issued photo ID in Indiana is required when going to the polls, shouldn’t that be sufficient? House Bill 1264 which was signed by the Governor, is a bill that should be repealed. This new law calls for proof of residency. This may sound like a great idea but along with this, the state can now also contract with third-party vendors who are able to supply credit data. So, your credit report can now be used as a means to verify your right to vote. When millions of Americans have already had their credit reports subjected to data breach, this law does nothing to help.
Home Rule is the ability for local government to govern in the way they best know how, without higher level government intrusion. The ability to make local decisions is needed because all counties and municipalities are not the same. What is good application of enacted ordinances in South Bend or St. Joseph County does not necessarily mean it is a good ordinance in Jamestown or Boone County. Take for instance the ban on local government regarding the sale of dogs at pet stores. Local government in this case should have the opportunity to decide, because they are best able to monitor their local ordinances. The State should leave legitimate cases of home-rule making to local government. In the same manner Indiana should be able to form its own marijuana policy without the Federal government mandating control.
Occupation/Current Position
St Joseph County Treasurer
Education
MBA-University of Notre Dame, BA-Indiana University - Bloomington
Campaign Phone
574-931-8474
Candidate video
As a newly sworn in state senator, my first bill would aim to keep illegal guns off our streets here in South Bend. That's why I'd introduce a bill to crack down on "Bad Apple" gun dealers. These dealers exploit legal loopholes, selling firearms to criminals and fueling violence in our communities. By imposing stricter regulations and oversight on these dealers, we can stem the flow of illegal guns and enhance public safety. This isn't about infringing on Second Amendment rights but about ensuring responsible sales and protecting lives. This proposal should appeal to both sides of the aisle, as it addresses both gun safety concerns and the need for effective law enforcement measures.
I spent over 3 years on Capitol Hill advising on gun violence, abortion rights, and healthcare issues. I know we can get common sense solutions done.
Everything. Our current K-12 funding formula lacks equity and relies too heavily on enrollment numbers and property taxes, which widens the gap between rich and poor districts. It fails to address the diverse needs of students, especially those from low-income backgrounds. A more modern model would consider factors like socio-economic status, student demographics and English language learners. Further, Indiana must improve its egregious lack of oversight and accountability for charter schools to ensure public funds are used effectively. Or better yet, reallocate the funds to public schools where they belong.
Ideally, teachers should have professional autonomy to choose age-appropriate content. Parents must and should voice concerns in order to foster dialogue with schools. Legislators set broad standards, but shouldn't micromanage. Collaboration ensures inclusive, respectful education for all.
But let's be clear. Recent attacks on public education, books, and attempts to dictate curricular content undermine democracy and intellectual freedom. Banning books stifles critical thinking, while censoring curriculums limits students' understanding of complex issues. Our officials everywhere should stand up and speak out against these bad-faith attacks at every opportunity.
We could do so much better. In South Bend, Indiana, we feel the devastating effects of our state's lax gun laws, including but certainly not limited to permitless carry and allowance of extended magazines. Permitless carry increases the likelihood of firearms falling into the wrong hands and heightens the risk of gun violence in our communities. Law enforcement's own opposition to these laws reflects the self defeating nature of these extreme policies. Making our streets more dangerous, instead of safer. I want to put my previous gun policy experience to work in the hopes of finding common ground and making our communities safer for everyone.
Indiana faces significant environmental challenges, including reliance on coal power, agricultural runoff, and industrial emissions that pollute air and water quality and contribute to climate change. As your State Senator, I would lead the charge to a green economy. Through renewable energy and sustainable industries, we can reduce emissions and stimulate economic growth. Implementing robust environmental regulations and investing in green technologies are vital for a healthier, more resilient Indiana. Fighting climate change through a green economy will demonstrate that economic prosperity and environmental stewardship CAN coexist.
Indiana has some of the worst tenants rights laws in the nation. We've born the burden of that in South Bend with the tragic loss of the Smith Six and the ongoing battles at Cedar Glen Apartments. Rent escrow laws empower tenants, ensuring landlords promptly address maintenance issues. But we shouldn't stop there. Like many Hoosiers, I've spent my life renting and have often felt the short end of the stick from my landlord. That's why I would propose a Tenants Bill of Rights that codifies a tenants right to repairs, a habitable environment, and mandates lease transparency and fairness.
We are fortunate to have so many champions of maternal and infant health in our community, however, Indiana still fares abysmally in this area. When elected, I will be a tireless advocate for public health. That includes expanding access to prenatal care, particularly through Medicaid and support for community health centers. Further, addressing racial disparities in birth outcomes requires targeted solutions like implicit bias training for healthcare providers and culturally competent maternal care services. By prioritizing these areas, Indiana can finally improve health outcomes for both mothers and babies.
In Indiana, we have one of the lowest voter turnout rates in the country. So, voter access is a more significant issue than voter fraud. Our state's strict voter ID laws, limited early voting options, and lack of same-day registration disproportionately affect low-income citizens, minorities, and the elderly. By expanding early voting, introducing same-day registration, and easing voter ID requirements we could significantly improve voter access. Enhancing access is crucial for ensuring that all eligible voters can participate in the democratic process.
We all value safe and secure elections. However, we also have a duty to stand up to lies and misinformation when we see them. As your State Senator, I will use my platform to call out lies, like the despicable attacks on County Clerk Rita Glenn, that undermine trust in our institutions.
Government should be as local as possible and as centralized as necessary. Home rule for local government vs uniform decisions handed down typically, in my mind, hinges on the issues nature, governance level best suited to address it, and constitutional considerations. For instance, immigration is federally managed to ensure national security and maintain consistent international relations, as prescribed by Congress and affirmed by the Supreme Court. Contrarily, states can enact environmental regulations that exceed federal baseline standards and address local needs. And although sometimes inconvenient or even devastating, fidelity to the constitution necessitates that we endeavor consistency with respect to weighing each tension.
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