The North Carolina House of Representatives is the lower house of the North Carolina General Assembly. The House of Representatives consists of 120 members who serve a term of two years. Each member represents an average of 87,116 residents *, as of the 2020 Census . The presiding officer of the House of Representatives is the Speaker of the House, who holds powers similar to those of the Senate President pro-tem. The Speaker is elected by the members from their membership for a two-year term. The Speaker’s duties include maintaining order in the House and appointing members to the House standing committees.The North Carolina General Assembly, of which the House is a part, is to convene a new regular session every two years, and the dates for these sessions are set by law. The NC legislature makes decisions on the budget: taxes, tax credits, economic development, education funding, Pre-K, the courts, Medicaid, etc. It also passes laws that set environmental standards such as water and air quality, tax rates, tax credits, criminal justice. Legislators in both chambers serve two-year terms without term limits. Sessions begin at noon on the third Wednesday after the second Monday in January.* https://ballotpedia.org/Population_represented_by_state_legislators
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Position/philosophy statement
Honoring Our Promises: Fully Funding Public Schools, Affordable Healthcare, Transportation Connecting our Communities
Current Occupation
Educator
Age (optional)
48
Campaign Phone
9807043111
With 24 years of experience in North Carolina public schools, I offer a perspective rarely seen in the legislature. As a teacher of mathematics, social studies, and AVID, I understands the day-to-day realities of students and staff. My specialized Master’s Degree in Teaching Students with Special Needs underscores my commitment to accessibility and my ability to navigate the complex legal and personal frameworks of Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). My leadership extends beyond the classroom. I have already engaged with government relations and policy advocacy as an NCAE delegate and on other community groups that I serve with. I also collaborate with community leaders on various issues. My faith requires that I vote with a conscience.
My most important priority will be on getting and passing a comprehensive budget with my colleagues in legislature that fully funds public education, including Leandro funding. The budget will also include eliminating wasteful spending while earmarking money saved to go toward affordable access to healthcare in our state. The budget would also include transportation infrastructure planning that would include applications for federal road/transportation/workforce grants.
I do believe in school choice for families with the need for Public Education schools to be the best choice. Legislature needs to get with local school districts and develop a funding formula that encourages workforce development programs and skills from 6-12 grade. We have untapped community partners that could be a source of apprenticeships and internships for our youth. We could advocate for full time bus drivers that could act as transportation drivers/monitors during the school day for half day internships and service learning projects that will develop the necessary soft and technical skills needed . All schools that receive taxpayer funds need to provide lunch, transportation, and services to students with special needs.
The state should not rely on regressive taxes to fund schools and communities. Property owners have seen a 30-50% rise in taxes in the past five years while corporate tax has decreased. Taxes should be shared by individuals and business. Taxpayer money should not be used for public private stadiums/sports teams that have million dollar year profits. Residents should continue to have input on community services offered while also knowing the cost as the government is transparent on healthcare, public school, and transportation costs with options. The public should have input in the budget process when given "options" to vote on. This will take the NC legislature being committed to developing a fiscal ten year plan.
There needs to be legislation regarding gun laws, especially as it relates to school shootings. This can be developed with a commission that includes the NRA, Moms for Liberty, AFL CIO, local school boards, community groups, churches, non profits, small businesses , and NCGE. A priority has to be put on our children feeling safe at school and in the community. That said, comprehensive juvenile justice overhaul with mental health and accountability must be established. Many gun crimes and deaths are being committed by youth 25 and below who had long arrest records while juveniles. Comprehensive immigration reform will address issues with crimes being committed by undocumented persons and their removal if a violent crime is committed.
I bridges the gap between technical data and human empathy:
Analytical Rigor: My background in mathematics allows me to approach policy through the lens of data analysis and resource management.
Consensus Building: Experience in Title I schools has sharpened my ability to resolve conflicts and advocate for diverse, often marginalized, populations.
Civic Engagement: My involvement in local committees for infrastructure and parks ensures that I views state policy through its direct impact on local quality of life.
I also hope to bridge the gap between the Republican and Democratic parties to end the gridlock on Jones Street. Our communities need us to be accountable for our decisions and work hard to resolve any differences and to come up with fiscally responsible and comprehensive budgets that plan for fully funding education, healthcare, transportation, and workforce development so that our commitment to small businesses remains an asset.
