Home   Issues   News   Bio   Contribute   Volunteer   Contact Us   Where do I vote?   How do I Register to vote?             Positions Abortion – I am 100% pro-life and am “highly recommended” by Kentucky Right to Life. Health Care – Health Care is a vital issue to each and every Kentuckian. I have two issues I will continue to fight for when it come to health care policy. First, we must implement Medical Malpractice Reform. All we ask for is the chance to put before the voters a constitutional amendment that would allow the State Legislature to look at some changes to the law. Some of the suggested changes would be to limit awards in malpractice cases, pre-trial screening to weed out the frivolous lawsuits, and other changes. This is done in many other states and is successful in slowing the growth in the cost of health care Next, we must get government out of regulating health care so heavily. Before the massive 1994 health care reforms, there were only 50 insurance companies writing health insurance. When I entered the General Assembly there were 3. Now there are 2. With no competition, rates will continue to skyrocket, making quality health care increasingly unaffordable. As your State Representative, I have voted against all health care mandates that will increase the cost of health care. Gas prices- Sadly, there is little that can be done in Frankfort about this issue. However, it is the issue that concerns most voters. In 2007 I was proud to vote for Energy legislation that incentivized companies to come to Kentucky, mine our coal and convert it to natural gas or diesel fuel. This is our contribution to making our country energy independent, and will create Kentucky jobs. I feel as many of you do, that the Federal Government should allow us to drill for our own oil. This should be part of a larger strategy that increases use of renewable sources of energy, including wind, solar and hydroelectric. America can work its way to energy independence, but every option should be on the table. Education - Education is very important to Kentucky. Well over 60% of the state budget is devoted to education funding. We must invest in the education of our children if we expect to have productive citizens. An educated workforce is vital to the economic development of Kentucky . However, just sending more and more money at education will not turn the educational system around. In the short term, the state plans to increase teacher funding should be tied to merit-based increases. In the long term, I believe the education system would benefit greatly from a voucher system where money is attached to a child and they can take that anywhere. I have submitted a bill the last two years to have the state pay for the Master degree of Kentucky teachers. In return, the teacher would continue to teach in Kentucky for another 5 years. I think this is important to making the requirement of getting a Masters degree much easier for our teachers. Right to bear arms - I fully support the 2 nd Amendment and will support the right of every Kentuckian to bear arms. I have received an A rating from the NRA. Supporting our Veterans - I authored a bill in 2008 to help our police officers who are called up to active duty in the military. Currently all police officers who keep up on their training gets $3100 a year from the state. When called up to active duty, the brave officers lose that money. My bill would have continued to pay them while they are active. I think it is the least we can do for these heroes. The bill passed the House 87-0. I hope it can become law in 2009. If you have any questions on an issue that is or is not here, please send me an e-mail and I will be happy to answer it.