Economic Growth & Small Business
A strong economy isn't just about the headlines on the evening news; it's about whether a family can afford groceries, whether a small business owner can make payroll, and whether our children can find good-paying jobs right here in District 139.
For too long, our economic policies have been written by corporate lobbyists and special interests. I am running to build an economy from the ground up—one that empowers our local entrepreneurs, rewards hard work, and invests in the people who are the true engine of our prosperity.
1. Empowering Our Small Businesses
Small businesses are the backbone of our community. They are the corner stores, the family-owned restaurants, and the local service providers that give our neighborhoods their character. They shouldn't have to compete with giant corporations that get all the breaks.
Cutting Red Tape for Main Street: I will fight to streamline the bureaucratic hurdles that make it hard for small businesses to start and grow. We need a government that is a partner, not an obstacle, to our entrepreneurs.
Targeted Relief and Grants: I will advocate for the creation of state-level grant programs specifically for small businesses, with a focus on minority- and women-owned enterprises that have been historically shut out of traditional lending.
Leveling the Playing Field: I will work to close the loopholes that allow large, out-of-state corporations to avoid paying their fair share in taxes, forcing a heavier burden onto our local small businesses.
2. Building a Workforce for the Future
The best economic development tool we have is a skilled, educated, and healthy workforce. We must invest in our people to ensure they are ready for the high-paying jobs of tomorrow.
Connecting Education to Opportunity: I will work to strengthen the partnerships between our technical schools and local industries, creating clear pathways for students to move from the classroom directly into a good-paying career.
Apprenticeship and Job Training Programs: I will champion the expansion of registered apprenticeship programs that allow workers to "earn while they learn," gaining valuable skills without taking on crippling student debt.
Supporting Working Families: I will advocate for policies like paid family leave and affordable childcare, because we know that a worker who is supported at home is a more productive and loyal employee.
3. Fair Wages and Dignified Work
A full-time job should lift you out of poverty, not keep you in it. The dignity of work is meaningless if that work doesn't pay enough to survive.
Fighting for a Living Wage: I will support raising the state's minimum wage to a true living wage, ensuring that no one who works 40 hours a week has to choose between paying rent and buying medicine.
Protecting the Right to Organize: I will stand with our unions and fight to protect the right of workers to organize and bargain collectively for better wages, safer conditions, and fair treatment on the job.
Cracking Down on Wage Theft: I will push for stronger enforcement of our labor laws to hold employers accountable who illegally steal wages from their employees.
4. Strategic Infrastructure and Community Investment
Economic growth doesn't happen in a vacuum. It requires deliberate, strategic investment in the physical and digital infrastructure that connects our community to the world.
Broadband for All: In 2026, high-speed internet is not a luxury; it is a necessity. I will fight to expand broadband access to every corner of District 139, ensuring our small businesses and students can compete on a level playing field.
Investing in Transportation: I will advocate for smart investments in our local roads and public transit to reduce congestion, connect workers to jobs, and make it easier for customers to get to our small businesses.
Revitalizing Our Commercial Corridors: I will work to secure state funding for the revitalization of our main streets and commercial centers, making them attractive, safe, and vibrant places for entrepreneurs to set up shop.
A strong economy is one that works for everyone, not just the wealthy and well-connected. By investing in our small businesses, our workers, and our communities, we will build a future of shared prosperity in District 139.
