Candidate for Iowa State Senate - District 47 in 2022 Iowa General Election.
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Get StartedI plan to help all Iowa workers get paid fairly for a job well-done. Many Iowans are unable to meet basic needs despite full-time employment. Some are rightly worried about post-pandemic inflation and wages that don't keep pace, but in truth, American workers have been getting the short end of the stick since the '70s. Productivity soared, but CEOs reaped the rewards, now making almost 300 times what the typical worker earns. Middle- and low-wage workers see the worst of it, and slashed benefits make it increasingly difficult for Iowans to make ends meet. We didn't get here by coincidence. As the Economic Policy Institute puts it, "wages were suppressed by policy choices made on behalf of those with the most income, wealth and power." Many wealthy corporations exploit their workers, keep wages down and refuse to pay their fair share of taxes. As your candidate for District 47, I can say that big businesses and the 1% will not be guiding my decisions. Together, we can demand that corporations pay people for the true value of their work so everyone can provide for their families and give their children bright futures. I will work hard day-in and day-out to support fair, competitive wages and benefits for the hard-working Iowans that make our community great. Learn more
As a mother and educator from children to post-graduate doctors, I have firsthand experience with the challenges that parents and school districts currently face. I'm also a Bettendorf resident, so I know what excellent resources the Quad City Area has to offer its families — and where it can improve. Iowa public schools have been falling behind for years. In 2017, the state was No. 8 in education. By 2021, we'd dropped 10 places. Budget increases fall far short of inflation, and the teacher shortage is still in full effect. From vaping problems to high rates of untreated mental illness in youth, there are many issues that demand our attention if we want to give Iowa's kids the best chances of success. As your candidate for senator, I intend to use robust funding and evidence-based strategies to strengthen District 47 and cultivate a place where children can thrive. Learn more
One of the perks of living in Iowa is the sprawling, clean landscape that surrounds us. We've used it to harvest healthy crops and capture wind energy across the state. But even if you don't see smog or brown water coming from the faucets, some sinister chemicals are hiding in plain sight. Living in Iowa typically comes with exposure to: Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS): These "forever chemicals" are incredibly hard to get rid of. They've been linked to many adverse health outcomes, and the levels in Davenport and Muscatine far exceed new water safety thresholds. Lead: Lead is still a major health concern, especially in Iowa, a state that ranks toward the top of the list for lead exposure. A 2021 study found that three quarters of children under 6 years old had detectable levels of lead in their blood — and no level is considered safe, especially for kids. Fertilizers: All that farmland means there's a lot of fertilizer moving through our soil and waterways. Iowa and Illinois are two of the biggest culprits of "dead zones" in the Gulf of Mexico, which gets contaminated by fertilizers flowing down the Mississippi River. Farm fertilizers also supply nutrients to toxic algae blooms across Iowa. Keeping Iowa citizens safe from these hazards doesn't happen by accident. As your candidate for Iowa Senate District 47, I'm committed to tackling these environmental issues and maintaining our state's strong renewable energy profile. Learn more
ACCESSIBLE HEALTHCARE FOR ALL I want every Iowan to have quality healthcare at affordable prices. When it comes to staying healthy, many Iowans don't have much input. They're bound to insurance providers who dictate medical necessity and costs, employers who determine their coverage and pharmaceutical companies that raise life-saving drugs to unattainable prices. Too often, patients are forced to forego vital treatments to avoid medical debt, despite paying high premiums for insurance. And if a person does have good coverage, it could be swept out from under them if they lose their job or their employer decides to make changes. In many areas, just getting in to see a doctor is a challenge, as providers are stretched thin. These limitations are incredibly damaging to population health and federal spending. A large body of research shows that affordable healthcare initiatives, such as a single-payer system, could yield significant savings for taxpayers. The Affordable Care Act has already delivered, reducing costs for hospitals, improving financial security for patients and improving a wide range of health outcomes. Everyone deserves to live a healthy life — not just the rich. If elected to Iowa Senate District 47, I will fight to improve access, especially for mental health and maternal health, and expand affordable healthcare initiatives to put patients and providers back in control Learn more
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