Why does your district need you right now?
Currently, state government favors the surrounding suburbs over Jackson neighborhoods with its development incentives, road funding and other policies. I’ve worked for years as an attorney on economic-development and infrastructure projects. I know how these incentives can be used to jumpstart redevelopment in our capital city. I have many years of experience as a lawyer dealing with state and local government issues, and I have worked on numerous projects for the city. My relationships inside and outside of government allow me to serve as an effective bridge between city hall and the existing state government leadership, which is currently dominated by the suburbs, in securing support for legislative measures important to Jackson.
Provide one or two examples of when you have been an advocate for your district in your personal or professional life. What was the result?
House District 70 includes downtown Jackson. I helped write the historic tax-credit legislation that made possible the redevelopment of the King Edward Hotel and the Standard Life Building. Since then the legislation has been used to spur redevelopment all over the state with at least four additional downtown Jackson projects, including the Capitol Lofts and the old federal courthouse.
During the 2015 session of the legislature I worked with the Greater Belhaven Neighborhood Foundation and the City of Jackson on legislation that would authorize the city to create neighborhood improvement districts , that would allow neighborhood property owners to fund needed services and projects to improve quality of life. This legislation passed the House but died in the Senate.
In the past year or so, what was the most important vote taken for your district? How would you have voted and why? What is the most pressing issue for your district?
House Bill 1536, the appropriations bill for K-12 education, was the most important vote of the legislature this past session. It did not fully fund our public schools. I would have voted to fully fund MAEP. Although public education remains an ongoing issue, from my vantage point the poor condition of Jackson’s roads, bridges and water and sewer system make infrastructure improvement for the capital city the most pressing issue.
If you could propose one piece of legislation that would greatly improve the quality of life for people in your district what would it be?
The Community Improvement District legislation described above can greatly improve quality of life by enabling neighborhoods to support specific projects and services such as landscaping, lighting, and traffic calming, so as to supplement municipal services and to improve quality of life and public health and safety in the City of Jackson.
If you are unsuccessful in winning your race, how specifically will you continue working on behalf of your district?
I will remain active in my neighborhood association and will continue to volunteer to serve on civic and philanthropic boards. I will continue to support good men and women seeking public office.
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