Working for the Common Good

ABOUT ME

Why am I running?

I believe in an American Democracy that works for all of us—not just for you or just for me individually. My motivation is serving you and doing good, not acquiring power or money for myself.

The Common Good with its focus on We the People (not on I, the self-serving individual) guides my work. You can trust me to take action—find solutions for your problems, overcome bottlenecks, and seek opportunities that benefit you and your community. As you know, those steps only happen when your State House Representative believes in the Common Good, and the sanctity of our State and its union with our Nation.

I love seeing people working together, united so that everyone can succeed, whether that is in our churches, our communities, or our places of employment. Today, you are not seeing much of this in Concord. I want to return your government to what you have been promised in our NH Constitution since 1784, a “government instituted for the common good.”

You can depend on me to get a job done, not to give flowery speeches or kick the can down the road. Because with me, what you see is what you get. Like Sargent Friday I’ll give you the facts and nothing but the facts. I believe every problem has a solution and every dream can be achieved, just like there is always a path through the woods. I want to hear what we can do, not why we can’t do it. Nothing gets done until we stand up and act.

My wife and I didn’t return to NH to destroy or change it. We’re here to be part of your rural community and lifestyle. My childhood summers at the foot of Mt. Monadnock taught me the value of balancing my individual needs with the needs of those around me. This lesson stayed with me throughout my life.

NH’s motto is “Live Free or Die.” Yet, we can only live up to our motto when each of us is free to thrive, not just a few special individuals. When we join together for the Common Good, then you, your family, your friends, and your neighbors can all be free to pursue your natural right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Issues

Protecting Reproductive Rights:

I trust women to make decisions about their own bodies, their own health, and what is in the best interest of their family. Reproductive care, including abortion, is healthcare and should never be subject to government mandates or invasion of women’s privacy. Abortion restrictions are plain and simple, government overreach.

Strong Public Schools:

Public schools are the heart of your community and have been educating the children of New Hampshire for over 200 years. Today, they are under attack. Recent legislation censors teachers, restricts historically accurate information from curriculums, and sends your tax dollars to for-profit and religious schools—even if they are out-of-state.

I advocate for strong public schools from elementary grades to technical schools and higher education. Your schools deserve funding from the State at a level that ensures a quality education for all students, regardless of family income, location, or capability.

Taxes:

The current tax structure in New Hampshire benefits corporations and wealthy families. Legislation to phase out the Interest and Dividends Tax results in nine out of ten dollars of tax savings goes to the top 20% of income earners, and almost half of the benefits flow to the top 1%. Taxes have been shifted from the State to burden families through higher property taxes.

I support a fair tax system, not one that only benefits high earners. You can count on me to represent you and make decisions that create a family-friendly economy.

Good-Paying Jobs and Economic Growth:

You deserve a good-paying job right in your community. This is possible when your state supports small businesses, tourism, and an infrastructure for the future. Our state’s economic growth is tied to attracting families to your community.

I am committed to investing in New Hampshire’s roads, bridges, and broadband internet; giving workers the right to organize and negotiate for better pay and benefits; and providing the social programs that help young families get on their feet and thrive.

A Greener New Hampshire:

Climate change is causing less snow in winter, higher temperatures with drought in the summer, and extreme weather events year-round. These changes negatively impact your state’s tourism, agricultural products, and natural resource industries. At the same time, rising energy costs are hurting you and families in your community.

It doesn’t have to be like this. I propose expanding New Hampshire’s investment in renewal energy sources and energy-efficiency measures that can lower the money you pay for utilities long-term. New Hampshire can be a leader in the renewable energy economy, creating good-paying jobs in your community.

Whether you grew up in New Hampshire or moved here as an adult, you know the value of our forests, waters, mountains, and shores. I believe we are called to protect our land, the water we drink, and the air we breathe for future generations.

Healthcare and Substance Abuse:

You, like many in the Granite State, may personally know someone touched by addiction, or who couldn’t get medical care without driving hours to Lebanon or Manchester, or couldn’t afford insulin or other life-saving medications.

We can do better. I am committed to ensuring the availability of substance abuse treatment and recovery services, to increasing local access to urgent care centers and telemedicine, and expanding Medicaid. Healthcare is a human right for everyone.

Affordable Housing:

New Hampshire has a housing problem—rent and purchase prices are too high for many families, we don’t have enough housing available, and the monthly cost of housing is rising because of utility costs and property taxes. Yet, the solution in a city like Manchester or Nashua may different that a solution in Rindge, Jaffrey, or Dublin where housing relies on wells and septic systems.

I believe New Hampshire can create affordable housing solutions that work for cities, and solutions that work for rural communities. Your town is not the same as another; we cannot expect one-size fits all mandates that benefit developers not people. Everyone in your community deserves a safe home they can afford. As your Representative I will push for more energy efficient building to lower ongoing costs of home ownership, innovative solutions to land use so we keep open green space, and local ownership of solutions.