Training and Experience
Retired high school social studies teacher with 34 years of experience in the education profession; President of the Ohio Education Association, 2019-2025; Public Education Advocacy Advisor for Policy Matters Ohio and Parents United for Public Schools, 2025-present
Volunteer/Community Service
Greater Cleveland Food Bank
I will support legislation to remove unnecessary barriers to voting while continuing to ensure election security. Specifically, I support repealing SB 293 to restore the grace period for the return of mail-in ballots. I also support enacting automatic voter registration and same-day registration to bring Ohio in line with many other states in ways that are proven to increase the percentage of citizens participating in our elections. Additionally, I support establishing an independent redistricting commission to end partisan gerrymandering and ensure that Congressional and legislative districts are drawn in ways that allow voters to choose their representatives rather than having politicians pick their voters.
For the past 20 years, the legislature has systematically shifted responsibility for funding vital public services away from the state level and onto local communities and residential homeowners. No one should ever face the prospect of losing their home because their taxes are unaffordable.
I support enacting a “circuit breaker” that provides state reimbursement for homeowners and renters when their property tax bills increase faster than their incomes can keep pace.
I also support repealing the “LLC loophole” that allows many self-employed individuals to avoid paying their fair share of income taxes and restoring modest graduated income tax rates for the very wealthy.
Finally, I support a thorough study of state and local corporate tax breaks to ensure Ohioans are getting a fair deal.
The state must address the affordability crisis by first ensuring it is properly funding vital public services. We can also help working people by strategically investing in high-quality childcare and pre-k, increasing the minimum wage, enacting a paid family leave program, expanding access to affordable higher education and career-technical training programs, and continuing Medicaid expansion so every Ohioan has the opportunity to receive the healthcare they need. I support exploring creative ways to bring government, business, labor, and the nonprofit community together through public-private partnerships that draw on the unique strengths of all stakeholders to improve our economy and make Ohio an even better place to live, work, and raise a family.
I strongly support fully implementing the Fair School Funding Plan to ensure all students have the resources they need to succeed in our public schools. If charter schools and private school voucher programs continue to receive state support,
strong academic and fiscal accountability measures must be enacted to protect students and taxpayers. We must provide the support and respect educators deserve so Ohio can attract and retain caring, qualified people and meet the needs of our kids. Locally elected school boards should be trusted to make decisions for their communities without undue interference from the state. We must also support Ohio’s excellent network of trade schools, colleges and universities to ensure we have the well trained workforce needed to drive a thriving state economy.
I became a teacher to give students the knowledge and skills they need to be effective citizens in our democracy. One of the fundamental skills I taught them was engaging in civil discourse. Listening for understanding, respecting different points of view, being willing to change one’s opinion based on new facts, and an openness to compromise are all essential elements of civil discourse. I plan to lead by example by bringing these same principles to my work in the legislature. Above all, I believe it is essential to treat every person with dignity and respect. If we all approach public service with a commitment to embrace the humanity of all and treat others the way we wish to be treated, that will go a long way toward countering hyperpartisanship and fostering civility.
