Description of office: The General Assembly is the legislative branch of government in Pennsylvania. It is composed of two houses: the Senate is the upper house, and the House of Representatives is the lower house. A majority vote in both houses is necessary to pass a law. The PA House of Representatives consists of 203 members representing one district each, with an equal number of constituents. Representatives must be at least 21 years old, have been a citizen and a resident of the state four years and a resident of their respective districts one year before their election, and shall reside in their respective districts during their terms of service. The House develops budget packages, makes taxation decisions, allocates spending, and passes laws (including redistricting in collaboration with the Senate). The House also has the exclusive authority to impeach public officials. Representatives also serve on various policy committees that may propose legislation. Term: 2 years Salary: $106,422 Vote for ONE.
County
Montgomery
Occupation
legislator
Education
Bachelor's degree in Music, University of Miami
Qualifications
Three terms as a legislator; Former director of Sales and Marketing; former school board director for 12+ years
Our most pressing issue is the fair and equitable funding of education in our commonwealth. This issue is intertwined with property taxes and our ability to support families and seniors on fixed incomes who struggle with the cost of maintaining their homes as a result. (more on this topic below)
At a minimum, the Legislature needs to balance the scales by contributing more – as a commonwealth – to lessen the pressure on local districts to raise money through property taxes.
The second most pressing issue is mental health. Like cancer and other physical ailments, mental illness is real and should receive the attention and priority it deserves. Too many of our fellow citizens are succumbing to “deaths of despair."
I support same-day voter registration, as well as early voting (the latter of which is done in Florida). The more people who participate in our democracy the better.
As for safety and security, there has been a documented increase in threats against election officials. This is unacceptable; we must ensure that election officials and poll workers feel safe and protected. They are on the front lines of our democracy. As a legislator, I listen to county election officials and Pennsylvania's Secretary of State Al Schmidt. We must get this issue right.
I’m proud to serve on the Education Committee in Harrisburg and will never stop fighting until every student in our state has the same opportunities to succeed in our schools, regardless of zip code.
The Commonwealth Court ruling is clear: we must do better. Last July, the House approved my bill on cyber charter reform (HB 1422). By ending $455 million in overpayments and making sure that taxpayer dollars are being properly spent on their intended purpose – educating students – this reform bill will help all our students and taxpayers. House Bill 1311, which I also introduced, continues the successful “Level Up” funding of disadvantaged school districts.
I will continue to advocate for increased state funding of our school districts.
Abortion should remain accessible to all women. I am unwavering in my position that decisions related to abortion should remain between a woman, her family, and doctor.
As a no-nonsense businessperson, I see the practical problems families face. High property taxes are crippling, especially for our elderly. We need strategies to reduce these taxes to ease their burden. Homelessness is another critical issue; it requires direct action and compassionate policies. Supporting emergency services and police is non-negotiable for maintaining law and order. Inflation is another beast – it's hitting everyone hard. My focus is on economic policies that help residents navigate these financial strains effectively. We need solutions that work in real-time, not just political talk.
Voting is the cornerstone of democracy, and it needs to be both secure and accessible. I'm all for expanding in-person early voting – it makes sense. We also need clear, effective guidelines for mail-in voting and county-run drop boxes to ensure integrity and ease of access. I also think Voter ID is a no-brainer. My approach is straightforward – make voting easy and secure. No politics, just practical solutions that ensure everyone's voice is heard fairly in our electoral process.
Education is an investment in our future, and I intend to fight for maximum funding for our public schools. We need to attract the best teachers – they're shaping our future leaders. Reducing class sizes is critical for effective learning. Please, let me be clear, balancing school budgets while limiting property tax increases is essential. As a businessperson, I know the importance of smart investments and fiscal responsibility. Our education system needs funding, but it also needs smart management. I'm committed to ensuring our schools get the resources they need without putting extra financial strain on our taxpayers.
On abortion, I believe in keeping Pennsylvania's laws as they are. Women's health decisions are personal, and they shouldn't be dictated by politicians in Harrisburg. It is between a woman and their doctor. We don't need government interference in these private matters. My stance is straightforward – support women in all their health decisions. Whether it's providing resources or ensuring access to health services, the focus should be on supporting women, not politicizing their health choices. It's a matter of privacy and respect. Additionally, we need to support organizations who help women that choose to have their baby, especially those who are economically disadvantaged. I support women, end of story.
