Candidate for Tennessee State Senate - District 4 in 2020 Tennessee General Election.
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Get StartedCreate a new statewide, non-profit, black-led banking institution and interest-free microloan/nano-capital program for entrepreneurs of color. Create the Bureau of Passenger Rail within the Tennessee Department of Transportation, and fund passenger rail projects with stops and stations built first in low-income black neighborhoods coordinating with bus and local transit Work to end bias in treatment, such as in pain management, where black people are systemically undertreated. Endow local black-led Community Land Trusts in order to combat displacement, increase homeownership, and build generational wealth. Grant equitable funding for all schools in lower income areas and black neighborhoods. Learn more
Farmers are the backbone of Tennessee’s economy and our lives. Quality farming is essential to our well-being, yet, a record number of farms filed for bankruptcy over the past several years. Institute a “Big Box Tax” on large retailers undercutting local farmers/economies. Provide small, independent farmers the same support given to large corporations. Require state institutions to source locally and regionally first. Expand local distribution and aggregation so that farmers feed our local communities first and produce jobs for local residents. Learn more
We need the quality education and subsequent jobs that allow us to showcase our best talent. Public education in the district, however, is consistently underfunded and underperforming. Increase the state and local power of the Tennessee Educational Association to empower teachers with collective bargaining power. Create inclusive STEAM programs, sports, and arts-based programs to help children develop healthy relationships, explore healthy living. Invest heavily in the trades, including agriculture, rural entrepreneurship, sustainable energy, and future technologies. Learn more
Ensure that committees are formed to continuously ensure that we are reading and measuring the toxin levels in our land, water, and air on a regular basis. Create a “green bank" within our state to provide funding for green and renewable energy, commerce, infrastructure, and agricultural practices. I believe this would also further our efforts to create good, green jobs. Increase funding to state agencies to address contaminated drinking water as the result of coal ash and pollution from industrial businesses. Learn more
Fund school and community programs for gun safety and gun education. Restore 2nd Amendment Rights to non-violent offenders while disarming domestic abusers and violent offenders. Ban the sale and distribution of assault weapons, which are tools of war, to both civilians and police; implement a buyback program for assault weapons • Prohibit high-capacity ammunition magazines. Learn more
Good health for all Tennesseans is at the foundation of building better lives for all of us. Reform the certificate of need process to eliminate its use as a gatekeeping tool and make it easier for new hospitals and medical centers to open. Our residents currently living in poverty, with homelessness or addiction, will benefit greatly from mental health services. Combat food deserts by offering incentives to build grocery stores or food co-ops that sell healthy, affordable foods. Learn more
Despite workers producing 72% more since 1973, we only get paid 9% more. Corporations are using the bodies of workers to make millions and the average American is not benefitting. Give Tennessean workers dignity with a $15 minimum wage, or a living wage. Reform the state’s regressive tax model that places an unfair burden on those who work in low wage jobs. Make essentials like groceries, clothing, health and baby products tax-free and ensure the wealthy pay their fair share in taxes and strengthen unions that provide workers with collective bargaining power for better pay, safer work conditions, and good benefits. Learn more
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