Issues

Economic Development

I co-own and run Philipps Swim Club.  I have made a real commitment to the neighborhood and to the vitality of our business districts.  I understand how important it is to the community to have business corridors in which essential services are available, shopping is accessable and destination spots and plentiful. I am the Vice President of the West Price Hill Merchants’ Association, a group of business owners making positive changes in the business district and improving the image of the area.  We need to encourage more investment at the state level so that we can continue our work to revitalize our neighborhoods.
 

Housing

The number of homes in foreclosure on the west side of Cincinnati is very troubling.  In our area of beautiful, affordable, older homes, the depressed housing market is having a negative impact on every street in every neighborhood.  I believe we need to make sure home buyers understand what they are getting into as they sign on a house and the long term responsibilities that go along with home ownership.  I also believe that those involved in illegal and unethical lending practices should be held accountable for the damage they have caused to the borrowers and those who suffer from the blight left behind by their actions.

Since being elected, I have sponsored House Bill 3, a foreclosure prevention bill aimed at keeping people in their homes and preserving communities. Here is a link to House Bill 3.
 

Education

I believe that education is the key to the success of today’s youth.  We are blessed to have some exceptional academic institutions in our area, but some changes need to be made so that all our children have the opportunity to receive the best educaion available. I believe that too many kids are falling through the cracks under the current system and that the long term impact of this broken system will be one where young adults have limited opportunities and no hope of making a decent living.  This problem needs to be addressed in the near term before the consequences become unmanageable.  The State of Ohio has undergone many changes in the past year and I look forward to working in the future to continue positive change.
 

In House Bill 1, the biennial budget for the state, the funding for Catholic Schools was cut by 15%.  I believe that Catholic Schools are an important part of out community with a track record of success, as a result, I have introduced legislation to restore funding to our Catholic Schools. Here is a link to the bill, House Bill 268.

Quality of Life

I have served on the Cincinnati Recreation Commission for the past 16 years and as a result, understand the value of having positive places for everyone to play and spend leisure time.  Recreation programming keeps kids active and engaged in positive activities, seniors connected with one another and families involved in the community.  Parks and bike trails are assets that increase property values for home owners. We need to maintain them to attract new people to the area and keep the residents we have.

One great program that is helping to keep our neighborhoods safe is the Citizens on Patrol program.  I have introduced legislation to impose the same criminal penalties for assaulting a resident participating in a uniformed police volunteer program as are imposed for assaulting a peace officer.  This legislation will help these groups in their recruiting efforts and ensure the safety of those who participate in this great program. Here is a link to that bill, House Bill 265.