By The People’s Paper MS
Taxes & Small Business:
What specific tax relief or incentives will you push for to help our local employers survive and grow?
As a small-business owner, I know firsthand how difficult it can be to keep a business operating. I have struggled with insurance, fuel, equipment, payroll, utilities, taxes, and other expenses while still trying to serve my community and provide opportunities for others. I will support reasonable tax relief and incentives for small businesses that hire locally, provide workforce training, and create jobs. I also want District 77 businesses to have better access to grants, state programs, and economic-development resources. Too many small businesses are struggling just to survive. I have lived that struggle myself. When I go to Jackson, I will remember the small-business owner working every day to keep the doors open, pay employees, and provide for a family.
Infrastructure Investment:
How will you ensure District 77 gets its fair share of state funding for roads, bridges, and high-speed internet?
I have spent decades driving trucks, so I know firsthand what rough roads and damaged bridges do to vehicles, businesses, school transportation, and families. I will fight for District 77 to receive its fair share of state infrastructure funding. Broadband is also personal to me. I have had to take my grandchildren and foster children to Walmart, McDonald’s, and even the hospital just to get internet access so they could use their computers and complete homework. No family should have to do that in 2026. Reliable high-speed internet is necessary for education, employment, healthcare, and business. I will fight for broadband expansion so our children can do their homework at home and our families and businesses can stay connected.
Public Safety:
What is your concrete plan to support local law enforcement and emergency services in our rural towns?
I will support funding for local law enforcement, firefighters, emergency medical services, equipment, training, and adequate staffing. Public safety also means protecting our children and seniors. I have family in nursing homes, so I understand the importance of proper staffing, quality care, safety, dignity, and accountability. I also know what it is like to seek services for foster children and children with autism and be placed on a waiting list when help is needed now. I want stronger partnerships among law enforcement, schools, churches, families, mental health professionals, and community organizations. I will also support youth programs and workforce opportunities that give young people positive alternatives. Our first responders need resources, our seniors deserve protection, and our children and families need access to services before they reach a crisis.
Education Support:
How do you plan to protect and improve education funding and teacher retention for our rural school districts?
I will fight to protect education funding, improve teacher pay and retention, and make sure rural classrooms have the resources they need. I want more support for special education, including children with autism. I know personally what it is like to have children who need services and be placed on a waiting list. Foster children also need stability, educational support, and people willing to advocate for them. We cannot allow these children to fall through the cracks. My experience in workforce training has taught me that every student does not have to follow the same path. I will support career and technical education in trucking, welding, healthcare, construction, technology, and other skilled careers. Our children should graduate with choices and a fair opportunity to succeed.
Economic Growth:
What specific strategies will you bring to Jackson to attract new industries and keep jobs right here in our community?
My strategy is to connect education, workforce training, infrastructure, and small-business development. As a business owner and someone who has trained people for the workforce, I know employers need qualified workers. I will work to expand workforce and technical training, improve roads and high-speed internet, support existing businesses, and work with economic-development leaders to recruit new industries to District 77. I want incentives tied to real investment and good-paying local jobs. I also want our young people to have opportunities here so they do not feel they must leave home to build a future. I know what it is like to struggle, work hard, and keep going when running a business is difficult. I will take that experience to Jackson and fight for opportunities for the people of District 77.
