Community Wellness and Development

I Will:

• Work with you to identify community needs. 

• Work hard to secure support for our district. 

• Work within the community to enhance quality of life. 

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At home I will work with leaders and organizations to improve the quality of life in our district and help connect people to services they need.

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While in Jackson it is my responsibility to support all of District 16, not just one community. From roads, bridges, schools, clean water, recreation, to public safety, Let me be your voice. Let's work together to make a difference. 

Education and Workforce Development

I Will: ​

• work to find ways to increase funding to ailing school districts.

• work to enhance ​adult education services. 

• work to make sure all students receive the support they need to be successful. 

 

Our youth are the future of Mississippi and we want them to stay. 

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Adult education services puts more skilled workers into the workforce benefiting our economy.

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It is up to states to determine school curriculum and now with cuts in federal funding it is up to the states to fill the gap. Rural schools are hit the hardest and all students deserve a quality education and the tools they need to be successful. We have a critical teacher shortage, there are students in our state that don't have a teacher in the class room. They are online! 

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Mississippi has one of the highest high-school to college ratio, but one of the worst retention rates. ​Poor education and lack of training means a poor workforce.  From alternative career paths in high schools to adult certification courses, upskilling, and targeted skills training it's a bipartisan issue to equip our students of all ages with the tools they need to work in the evolving economic of our state. 

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It will take collaboration between the state, business sector, educational institutions, and community based organizations working together to make a difference. 

Tourism - An Economic Powerhouse

I Will: ​

• work to promote the natural beauty, dynamic history and cultural diversity of this state. We are all Mississippians. 

• find innovative ways to connect towns and regions to mutually benefit from recreational and cultural heritage tourism. 

• work with cities and community leaders to help  identify what can entice people to visit. 

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In 2023 a record 43.7 million visitors spent $11.5 billion, generating a total economic impact of $17.5 billion. Our tourism industry supports over 130,000 jobs in our state and indirectly supports thousands more.

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Mississippi has rich First American, Civil War, antebellum, Civil Rights, literary, blues, and rock and roll history. People from all over the world flock to our state to experience this and our other recreational amenities such as beaches, casinos, national parks, state parks, national forests and much more. Let's continue to grow this industry and be proud of what Mississippi has to offer. ​​​​

Accessibility of Elected Officials ​​

​I Will: 

• be present and accessible. 

• be accountable 

• keep you informed. 

 

Responsive leadership requires connection. I will prioritize being reachable, maintaining a consistent presence in our communities, and diligently listening to the needs of my constituents.

Healthcare

I Will: 

• work to create a Program of All Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) in Mississippi

• work with all parties to find a common sense approach to Medicaid.

• work to enhance rural healthcare access

• focus on  developing drug policy and enhancing substance abuse services

• work to enhance the quality of public and private mental health care services

 

There is a middle ground. A right path. Forty one states have expanded Medicaid in some capacity. Many of the more conservative states have trigger laws and/or PACE programs. Why not Mississippi?​

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PACE is a Medicare and Medicaid (State or Federally Funded) benefit that provides comprehensive care for individuals aged 55 and over who wish to stay in their communities. Tennessee, Alabama, Louisiana, and Arkansas have PACE, why not Mississippi?

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Most states rely on Federal funding to provide programs and services. Mississippi is no different and receives millions in federal funds each year for programs and disaster relief. Why will we not take action to keep our population healthy. Healthy people means more people in the workforce. More people in the workforce means a stronger economy. Coupled with strong workforce development we could see positive change.​

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Between 2010 and 2021 most rural hospital closures happened in states that did not expand Medicare. Mississippi is hurting.

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Medicare expansion on the national level could create up to 1 million healthcare jobs, but we need strict oversight mechanisms to mitigate risk and be aware of problems with provider capacity, concerns with quality of care.

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Economic Multiplier Effect: The creation, expansion, retention of healthcare jobs boosts local economies, especially in rural areas. 

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