Why I’m Running

I’m running for systemic change—and my first target is education.

Pennsylvania families are carrying a growing burden: rising school costs, unpredictable tax pressure, and school systems forced to plan year-to-year under uncertainty. Meanwhile, educators and school staff are stretched thin—especially by healthcare costs, staffing shortages, and burnout.

I’m stepping up because I believe we can fix this with smart, fair funding and common-sense reforms that strengthen schools while protecting taxpayers.

My North Star

Stable schools. Healthy staff. Lower pressure on taxpayers. Better outcomes for kids.

Stabilize Education Funding Without Crushing Families

Right now, school districts and taxpayers are stuck in a cycle of uncertainty: budgets are unpredictable, costs keep rising, and families feel it—especially through property taxes.

My plan is to stabilize education funding by creating a protected, dedicated stream of support that helps districts plan responsibly and reduces pressure on local taxpayers.

How we do it

I support generating new education stability funding through targeted taxation on high-dollar transactions in Pennsylvania, such as:

  • High-end real estate transactions
  • High-end vehicle purchases
  • (And other high-value transactions where a small, fair contribution can strengthen the whole system)

What this funding does

This funding would be placed in a protected education stability structure and distributed in a predictable way so schools can:

  • Plan capital needs responsibly
  • Reduce “panic budgeting”
  • Smooth cash flow and reduce surprises
  • Strengthen long-term planning and accountability

I want schools and taxpayers to know what’s coming—so districts can budget wisely, and families can plan their lives without constant fear of the next tax spike.

Reduce Education Costs by Fixing Healthcare for School Employees

Healthcare costs are one of the biggest pressure points in school budgets—and it hits everyone:

  • Taxpayers pay more
  • Districts struggle
  • Staff face co-pays, access barriers, and uneven coverage
  • Teacher shortages get worse

My solution: Pool education employees statewide to bargain for better coverage

Pennsylvania has a massive education workforce across:

  • Public schools
  • Cyber schools
  • Charter schools
  • Intermediate units
  • Support services (security, transportation, cafeteria staff, aides, paraprofessionals, nurses, administrators, and more)

When we pool a large workforce, the state can negotiate—bargain—for better rates, stronger coverage, and more consistent access.

Why this matters

  • Lower insurance costs can relieve district budgets
  • Lower co-pays and better access support staff wellbeing
  • Healthier staff = stronger school culture, more energy, and better learning environments
  • Better benefits make education careers more attractive—helping reduce staff shortages across Pennsylvania

When we care for the people who care for our kids, the entire system becomes healthier.

Build a Real Pathway From Paraprofessional to Certified Teacher

We have talented people already serving in our schools—especially paraprofessionals—who want to grow into teaching, but the pathway is too expensive, too complicated, and too slow.

I support a strong Paraprofessional-to-Teacher Pathway that:

  • Expands credit for relevant work experience
  • Reduces unnecessary barriers
  • Supports faster progress toward certification
  • Keeps talent local—right here in our communities

This isn’t just workforce policy. It’s student success policy. When we strengthen the pipeline, students benefit from stable relationships and experienced adults who already understand their school community.

Expand Support for Students With the Highest Needs

Some programs that serve students with extreme behavioral and mental health challenges have long waiting lists—including partial hospitalization and intensive intervention services.

When these students can’t access the services they need, everyone suffers:

  • The child suffers
  • The family suffers
  • Classrooms become harder to manage
  • Staff burn out faster

A practical approach: targeted investment + pilot programs

We should use every responsible tool available—like opioid settlement resources and other funding sources—to support pilot expansions where the need is urgent and the waitlists are unacceptable.

When the right supports exist, more students can return to stable learning environments—and school communities can breathe again.

This Is Only the Beginning

Education is my first target because it’s the foundation of everything else:

  • economic stability
  • public health
  • workforce development
  • community safety
  • family strength

This is systemic change that protects what we have—and adds what we’re missing.

If you believe Pennsylvania can do better—and if you’re ready to rebuild a school system that actually supports children, families, and staff—then I’m asking you to stand with me.

Join me

Our children and families are in real need right now. I’m answering the call—and I hope you will too.

Together, we can revitalize our school system—because our future depends on it.