I have lived in the Philippines and England as the child of a member of the United States Air Force.  I also served in the USAF and Air National Guard as an F-16 Aircraft Maintenance Specialist. While with the ANG I worked as a Metro Transit Police Officer in the District of Columbia for a year before becoming a Deputy Sheriff in Calvert County, Maryland.  I returned to the Pittsburgh area after an injury forced me to leave the Sheriff’s Department. While with the Sheriff’s Department I helped to organize a local Fraternal Order of Police chapter.  I served as State Trustee for several years.

         I served as a member of council in Pleasant Hills and I enjoyed my time on council. It was a learning experience and I learned how government really works.  I was part of a team that balanced the budget and did not raise property taxes.

          I was downsized three years ago from a teaching position at a private school. I now currently work as an Instructional Assistant at McKeesport High School, and occasionally at Integrated Corporate Health as a Logistics Specialist.  During my job search I became familiar with the challenges facing many of our neighbors today. I also was one of the 43,000 that lost the AdultBasic coverage when Gov. Corbett and the Republicans cut the program.

          I would like to serve the citizens of the 37^th District, as well as those of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Given the current economic situation in the country, and locally; I believe that taxes should not be raise on the middle class and that the working poor should be given the opportunity join the ranks of the middle class.  The income gap is growing and the middle class is vanishing.  We need to attract jobs to the area that can provide a decent wage, health care and security.

          It is important that the AdultBasic, or a similar program, be funded to provide health insurance to those that work, but do not receive coverage from an employer or make too much money to be covered by other programs.  The cost of losing this program outweighs the savings that Gov. Corbett and the Republicans believe they have made.  If necessary the tax-exempt status of Highmark, UPMC and other such entities must be reconsidered and the taxes collected be dedicated to healthcare for those in need.

        We need to protect the environment and make sure those that seek to profit on Marcellus Shale are held responsible for the clean-up and repair of local municipalities infrastructure. I would favor a tax, as well as, an impact fee to guarantee that the Commonwealth can provide tax relief to its citizens, fund programs and protect the environment.

         The property assessment process is flawed. I would favor eliminating the property tax on family homes and replacing it with a lowering of the sales tax, and placing it on more items.  The property tax is unfair to the elderly, who in most cases are on a fixed income, the working poor and middle class.  Basically you never own your own home, and once you’ve paid it off a great portion of one’s disposable income is put aside to pay local, county and school taxes.  This money could be could be saved, invested or spent to spur the economy. The bottom line is that the decision will be made by the home owner, who will actually own their home.

          These a few of the reasons why I would like to serve as your State Senator.  I believe I could be an asset to the district fighting to keep and bring jobs to our area, protecting the environment, funding education and health care programs. I have experienced the affects of the economy and cuts government programs first hand. We can, and must, do better for the working poor and middle class. I will not forget the lessons I have learned over the past three years.