ISSUES

     Agriculture is the bedrock of Robertson County and the backbone of the United States. Agriculture accounts for nearly $65 billion of our state economy and represents 280,000 jobs. In Tennessee, we are losing over 86,000 acres of farmland each year. I know that the people, specifically in our community, are witnessing this first hand. Robertson County finds itself in a unique position between two of Tennessee’s largest cities, Nashville and Clarksville. This means growth in our area is inevitable as these two large cities continue to grow. This presents the Representative for Robertson County with the unique opportunity to help bring responsible growth and agricultural preservation to the forefront of discussions in our legislature.

     As costs of farming are increasing and contracts for crops like tobacco are being cut, we are seeing farmland sold off for development at prices set for the developer. These prices prevent established farmers from being able to expand their farms, implement diversification, and it is nearly impossible for new farms to be established. The Tennessee legislature established a tax incentive popularly known as "The Greenbelt" in 1976 to preserve farms and open spaces. The legislature understood that a Tennessee without farms is a threat to the stability of the greater US. In that same spirit, we need to begin looking at how Tennessee farmers can be supported in the diversification of their crops and legislate ways to help existing farms to be able to expand and new farms to be established.

     One way to accomplish this is for the State to take this opportunity to support zoning boards in Tennessee counties by providing their members with resources to wisely manage growth in a way to conserve farmland and support a growing population. With responsible growth, the addition of more citizens to a community will increase customer bases for small farms, but it will also increase tax revenue for our communities and allow for more funding in the school systems, public works, and infrastructure. Growth is inevitable, but by proactively addressing issues we are able to create stronger communities.

     Working as an RN in direct patient care and now as a RN Case Manager advocating for patients, I bring a unique understanding of the struggles that Tennessee families face regarding healthcare. Many of our government leaders like to press hot button topics such as the Opioid crisis, Mental Health Crisis, and Medicaid without bringing forth real solutions to address the root of any of these issues.

     Tennessee ranks 35th in healthcare access and 43rd in public health in the US. Healthcare access for hundreds of thousands of Tennesseans is even further threatened by the closing of rural hospitals and healthcare centers. The loss of medical centers in rural areas causing patients to travel to larger cities can literally be the difference between life and death when every minute counts during a heart attack, stroke, trauma, or other life threatening condition. The people of Robertson County were nearly impacted by the closure of NorthCrest Medical Center until its recent purchase by HCA.

     There can be no improvement in Opioid Abuse or Mental Health outcomes without people’s access to the healthcare centers that treat them. It is not only the access to healthcare that matters, but the affordable access to healthcare. I know from my experience helping families at Vanderbilt that while many might have access to some sort of mental health or substance abuse treatment, the majority of private insurances do not adequately cover these services for a sustainable treatment plan. State funded addiction treatment centers and mental health resources are chronically underfunded and unable to meet the demands of these growing populations and there are no state funded adolescent mental health facilities.

"Education is the foundation upon which a thriving society is built."

- Laura Bush

   Parents have the right to choose the type of education they want for their child whether that be a private education or a public education. However, that does not mean that state tax dollars have any place in supporting students whose families choose a private education. The state of Tennessee ranks 33rd in public education and 42nd in teacher pay. Public education is not a failed system, it is an underfunded system that has been handcuffed by bureaucracy. The great news for Tennessee Public Schools is that we already have the experts we need to fix many of the issues we face: Teachers. There is one group of people who are qualified to design curriculum and there is one group of people who know better than anyone the needs of our students. Those people are teachers. Elected officials have no place in the micromanagement of the classroom. Our public school educators and students deserve to be fully supported and funded.

     The State of Tennessee has a nearly complete abortion ban in place. However, exemptions for rape, incest, danger to the life of the mother, and major congenital fetal abnormalities MUST be made. Given that It is nearly impossible to legislate every extraordinary circumstance, If the legislature wants to have an abortion ban, they have a moral responsibility to establish an expedited exemption process with a panel of Board Certified OBGYNs that assess on a case by case basis.

     As a healthcare worker, I have a deep understanding of the importance of bodily autonomy in medicine. No person has a right to tell a woman what she can or cannot do with her body.