Priorities
The issues highlighted here are those with which I am most familiar with and passionate about. I look forward to speaking with you, learning about the issues you have a passion for, and advocating for solutions as your delegate.
Childcare Affordability
Three years ago, I chose to become a stay-at-home dad. And part of the reason why, is because it made more sense financially to press pause on my career and take care of the kids, than to pay a large portion of my salary for childcare. The cost to my family would be greater than our monthly mortgage payment. That's not affordable for anyone. I believe the solution will involve a partnership between the government and the business community, both of which stand to benefit financially from stay-at-home parents like me coming back to the workforce.
Housing Affordability
Not a year goes by without the cost of housing going up. Whether you're a renter who's looking to renew your lease, a first time homebuyer searching for the right place to settle down, or a homeowner watching your real estate tax bill increase again and again, housing is becoming less and less affordable. To solve this crisis and its outsize impact on our personal finances, we need to focus on creative ways to increase the supply of housing in Virginia.
Progressive Tax Reform
Virginia's system of taxation needs to be adjusted to cut down on regressive taxes that disproportionately affect working families. The sales tax on groceries should be eliminated entirely. The personal property tax exemption on vehicles should be adjusted to account for the dramatic rise in vehicle values over the past 5 years. State income tax brackets should be adjusted so that working families pay less and those earning more than $1M per year pay a larger percentage of their income than they currently do.
Reproductive Rights
Having navigated two pregnancies in the past 4 years, my wife Michelle and I were so grateful to live in a state where women have the right to make their own decisions about their reproductive health, without extreme restrictions imposed by the government. I will continue to defend that right as defined in Roe v. Wade, because I understand just how important it is.
Gun Violence
When my son started preschool this past fall, I was confronted with the fact that he will, at some time in the near future, need to participate in an active shooter drill. In that moment, the threat of gun violence, especially in schools, took on a whole new meaning to me. S___ just got real. As your delegate, I will seek to build on the progress we've made in Virginia in combating this epidemic, in hopes that some day, it will finally stop.
Bold Climate Action
When I attended the University of Miami and lived in southern Florida for several years afterward, I witnessed firsthand the devastating effects of climate change. Across the country, major hurricanes are becoming more and more common. Wildfires are becoming more and more intense. And it seems like every year has the potential to be the new hottest on record. We can tackle this issue, but we need to take bold action, and we need to take it now. Investing in clean energy, curbing carbon emissions, and fostering a culture of respect for our planet will be critical to winning this fight.
Get in Touch
Whether you live in my district or not, I would love to hear from you. Fill out the form below and let me know how I can be of service.
