*PING* Platform
PRIORITIES
1) Education - advocate for our district as the Education Reform Bill is enacted
2) Jobs - support employers and local business needs
3) Resources - determine availability and implement
4) Transparency - host regular town-hall meetings and ensure state budget is placed on-line
LIZ'S BACKGROUND THOUGHTS
"During my steps throughout the district, I will continue developing my platform to meet the needs of my constituents. My time will be spent learning what keeps the citizens of the 29th district awake at night; what services have helped reduce their challenges; and where our families find success. In today's flourishing communities two elements are ever-present: prosperous employers and a viable education system. Together, these lead to jobs, advancement and financial security.I have not always been in the fortunate position I am today. Nearly forty years ago, as a young single mother, I made a decision not to stagnate in life but to make use of the resources my community, state and country made available to me. For example, I found a position at Miami University, which allowed my daughters to receive a quality Ohio college degree. This choice bettered my life and the lives of my daughters. Today, I am the mother of two educators in our Ohio public school system and I am a retiree from a professional career.
In my opinion the 29th district has not been provided with many of the opportunities the State of Ohio has to offer. Seeking these resources and bringing state services to the 29th district is my first objective. My second objective is to help my district make good decisions to support its citizens. In addition, I pledge to work to develop methods that will reduce the challenges our school districts face when seeking funding. Our area needs strong employers; thus I promise to build good relationships with the business owners in order to keep our district economy successful and to provide a sustainable source for local jobs.
A State Representative should understand the district's challenges, know what the State has to offer, and work within the legislature to bring opportunities back, while making laws to keep our citizens safe and protect our values.
It's time for taking fresh ideas and a fresh commitment to Columbus; that's why I am committed to taking steps to Columbus for YOU"
1) EDUCATION
We need someone in Columbus who understands what our schools need in order to effectively teach our children to be more competitive in a global economy. I worked at Miami University for 30 years, I received health insurance and an education for my two daughter both of whom received outstanding Ohio college degrees. Today they are both teachers in Ohio public schools. I know just how critical a good education can be in shaping the lives of our children and our future. Industries, businesses and young families look for communities with highly rated schools. Whether for vocational careers or to continue their education in a college of their choosing, our children depend on us in order to succeed. Parents depend on the schools to protect and prepare their children for the day they will become contributing members of society.
Our schools are what our future is hinged upon - I want to make sure our schools have the tools they need to do this crucial job. In order for our children to have a good education, we need strong teachers, colleges that attract our young both by the programs they offer and for the ability to be financially attainable. I will work hard to stop the brain drain of our youth selecting colleges outside the Ohio borders, often times never returning home to work and raise their own families. I can work with other Representatives to find ways to keep our brightest minds in Ohio, and encourage individuals to enter the education field and pass on their knowledge to the younger generations.
2) JOBS
1. Extend the lifeline for jobless workers. Unless Congress acts now, supplemental unemployment benefits, additional food assistance and the expansion of COBRA health care benefits will expire at the end of the year. They must be extended for another 12 months to prevent working families from bankruptcy, home foreclosure and the loss of health care. Extending benefits also will boost personal spending and create jobs throughout the economy.
2. Rebuild America's schools, roads and energy systems. America still has at least $2.2 trillion in unmet infrastructure needs. We should put people to work to fix our nation’s broken-down school buildings and invest in transportation, green technology, energy efficiency and more.
3. Increase aid to state and local governments to maintain vital services. State and local governments and school districts have a $178 billion budget shortfall this year alone—while the recession creates a greater need for their services. States and communities must get help to maintain critical front-line services, prevent massive job cuts and avoid deep damage to education just when our children need it most.
4. Put people to work doing work that needs to be done. If the private sector can't or won't provide the needed jobs, the government should step up to the plate, putting people who need jobs together with work that needs to be done. These should never be replacements for existing public jobs. They must pay competitive wages and should target distressed communities.
5. Put TARP funds to work for Main Street. The bank bailout helped Wall Street, not Main Street. We should put some of the billions of dollars in leftover Troubled Asset Relief Program funds to work creating jobs by enabling community banks to lend money to small- and medium-size businesses. If small businesses can get credit, they will create jobs.
On a more personal level, my husband and I own a small consulting firm, so we know how difficult it can be for small and local businesses to get setup and succeed. As a community member, I enjoy being able to shop, eat, and find services locally. Small businesses are the foundation of shopping and living locally, and form the communities in which we raise our families and shape our lives. As I walk throughout our district speaking with thriving and struggling local businesses, the same issues are brought before me: how to obtain small business loans. I have found that I am already reaching out to the local business owners. Over the past three months I have offered suggestions and resources to a number of current and upstart small businesses.
In addition, I understand the role that large industry plays in a district. My husband is retired from Proctor and Gamble. This company has been a foundation for the strength of Cincinnati and every area in which it houses a factory or office building. My job as State Representative will be to connect with these large industries, making myself available to understand their needs; ensuring that state legislation supports the large industry and their workers.
As your State Representative, I will know what needs to be done in order to allow my district to thrive as a place to work and a place to own a business, large or small. I would have the ability to get local businesses and industry the connections and support needed in order to succeed. As a State Representative, I will have knowledge of the local business needs and I will make it my responsibility to bring the necessary support to the 29th district. Having a strong relationship with the businesses in my district will allow me to realize where my district needs more employees, where my district needs more jobs and through my strong community connections I will be able to connect our workers with our businesses to ensure the 29th district will survive and thrive.
3) RESOURCES
4) TRANSPARENCY
