Occupation / Current Position
State Representative
Education
MA Ed. Curriculum and Technology; the University of Phoenix, Online. B.A. Western Michigan University
Qualifications and Experience
My professional background is rooted in education. I was a City Commissioner in Walker from 2019 to 2022 and have been a State Representative since winning a special election in 2022.
As Minority Vice Chair of School Aid and an educator with more than 20 years of experience, I know schools need stable, predictable funding. The School Finance Research Collaborative identified the need for weighted funding nearly a decade ago, and I support fully implementing that formula as quickly as possible. We should focus on formative assessments, professional development, smaller class sizes, and giving educators the support and flexibility they need to help every student succeed.
Michigan families deserve a fair shot at getting ahead. I support policies that help people earn more and keep more of what they earn by protecting workers' rights, expanding apprenticeships and job training, and investing in education. To lower costs, I support increasing affordable housing through the MI Home Program proposal, improving access to the childcare scholarship, reducing prescription drug costs, and strengthening tax relief for working families and seniors. These policies build on the gains we made during the Democratic trifecta and will help guarantee no Michigander should have to struggle to afford the basics.
Utility services should prioritize affordability and reliability for residents, not excessive corporate profits. I support reasonable limits on utility executive compensation and profits so more ratepayer dollars are reinvested in infrastructure and service. I support policies like the Affordable Water Now package to expand access to clean drinking water and prevent water shutoffs. Protecting the Great Lakes, wetlands, and river buffer zones is essential. Polluters should be held accountable for the damage they cause so costs are not shifted onto taxpayers and vulnerable communities.
I strongly support due process and the constitutional rights guaranteed to all people, including First Amendment protections for free speech, peaceful assembly, and religious freedom, and Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches and seizures. These rights are fundamental to a free society and should not depend on a person’s citizenship status. I support policies that ensure fair treatment under the law, transparency and accountability in government, and equal access to justice. Any changes to state law should strengthen civil liberties, protect individual rights, and maintain public trust in our institutions.
Occupation / Current Position
State Senator
Education
Masters Degree Management - Aquinas College, Baelor of Arts Degree Business Administration - Calvin University, Board Certified Medical Practice Executive - American College of Medical Practice Exec
Qualifications and Experience
Walker City Commission, Walker Mayor, Mi House of Reps, Mi Senate
Both of my parents were educators and two of my sisters are in education. Unfortunately, Michigan students' math and reading scores have seen a steep decline. We must provide the resources that our educators need. We recently passed legislation that requires teachers to provide resources to children with dyslexia. I sponsored legislation to provide bonuses to the most effective public-school teachers (SB 715), I introduced legislation to provide early literacy coaches and early reading intervention (sb 712) and a myriad of other policies. It isn't just one thing but many that we must do to ensure our kids our successful.
Without question - Michiganders are feeling the pressure from inflation. That's why I was proud to support several bills such as SB 55 which provides a $4,400 working families tax credit, I voted against higher taxes and fees over 20 times as well as cosponsored family tax relief plan that would lower income taxes, increase the person income tax deduction and create a $500 per child tax credit, and increase the tax exemption for all seniors. We need to ensure that Michigan is a great place to start and raise a family, have a great job and to enjoy our beautiful outdoors.
In introduced amendments to exempt schools and nonprofits from rising energy costs. I have also voted for amendments to give rebates to customers whose home received blackouts or goes without power for extended periods of time. I have also worked with the energy providers to support the home heating credit which helps over 250,000 Michigan homeowners. I have been an advocate for a $4.8 billion dollar bill to make critical improvements to the state's water, transportation, broadband and parks infrastructure - including funding to replace lead pipes throughout the state.
Our constitutional right to protect freedoms such as freedom of speech, freedom of religion are paramount rights that all Michiganders have.
I do believe in being free from unreasonable searches - as a law maker it is our job to create laws, it's up to law enforcement to enforce those laws as prescribed by the Constitution.
