The Issues: Lieutenant Governor’s Race

“Public dollars for public schools. Period. We must have more teaching and less testing, more common sense and less common core. We must allow an alternate path toward true work skills and training because not everyone will attend college, but all they know how to do is fill out standardized tests. All money collected for classroom supplies should testing and more teaching. Pay should be increased for all of those working in our schools, and other state employees. We have the money – just the wrong priorities.”

“In terms of teachers, my major platform points consist of raising teacher pay to be competitive with neighboring states and finding ways to incentivize retired teachers to return to the classroom to end the teacher shortage. We also need to show our public school teachers respect and listen to them when formulating policy.

We also support making sure every 4-year-old child has access to a pre-K program by funding more Early Learning Collaboratives, fully funding special education services (which would increase funds dedicated to MAEP), and focusing on standardizing dual-credit and career and technical opportunities for high school students.”

“Pro-Life, Pro-Entire Life. We must also address the sad reality of our high infant mortality rate, child mortality rate, health of the mother, highest poverty rate, pay disparity and early childhood education. There is more to life than just birth.”

“I have been endorsed by Mississippi Right to Life and National Right to Life, and my beliefs have always been consistent with those organizations’ beliefs. I have always strived to protect the unborn and will continue to do so as Lieutenant Governor.”

“I support the “Mississippi Cares” plan of the Mississippi Hospital Association. It will bring $1 Billion dollars a year into Mississippi, create over 16,000 jobs, save the struggling rural hospitals, and provide insurance coverage for 300,000 working Mississippians who work over 35 hours a week. This is the same plan Vice President Pence passed in Indiana. “

“We must incentivize healthcare providers to live and work in our rural communities. This includes strengthening collaborative care agreements between physicians, nurses, and nurse practitioners, and funding rural scholarship and residency programs for healthcare professionals.

We must also shore up our rural hospitals by considering and evaluating reforms implemented in other states with no net impact on the state budget. Additionally, I support emphasizing wellness and preventive care. Access to good healthcare should not start with an emergency room, but in the event of an emergency, no Mississippians should be 30 minutes from a facility equipped to provide necessary treatment.”

“The Lt. Governor cannot change the state flag, and the members of the senate and house of representatives will not get a majority vote to change the flag. The only way the flag will ever be changed or modified is by a statewide ballot initiative.”

“If this issue makes its way through the legislative committee process next year, I will not prevent a vote, but I think it is best decided by citizens. My priorities are supporting our small businesses, growing an educated workforce, properly funding our schools and teachers, providing safe infrastructure, and ensuring healthcare is accessible and affordable in rural Mississippi.”

“Criminal justice reform is necessary, as well as ending for-profit private prisons. Far too many inmates are suffering from mental illness and/or addiction, as a result of drastic cuts to our mental health system. Pay is so low for the staff, that there are not enough on any given shift to even allow efforts of rehabilitation. The school-to-prison pipeline needs to end. And, people should automatically have their voting rights reinstated once they have served their debt to society by completing their sentences and probation.”

“We need a wholesale evaluation of our corrections system, from the cost of housing incarcerated persons to staffing concerns, including severe shortages, under compensation, and lack of training. I recently visited Parchman Penitentiary and have had multiple conversations with sheriffs who operate prisons across the State about these issues, which put our corrections officers and incarcerated persons in harm’s way.

Additionally, our workforce development plans must include providing our prison populations with employable skills and transition services. Helping those exiting the prison system find meaningful employment is proven to reduce recidivism rates, which makes our communities safer and strengthens families.”