Important Issues

Economy & Taxes

To make America work for Americans, we need a 21st century immigration system that addresses present and future needs.  

We need 21st century border security complete with a wall, artificial intelligence capabilities, and more border patrol agents. We need an immigration system that protects American workers from cheaper labor while adding to our innovation capabilities.  

While America should continue to serve as a beacon of hope for those facing oppression, despair, and religious intolerance abroad, the United States must be a sanctuary for American children and families, not illegal immigrants.

Traffic Congestion

Crowded roads lead the list of concerns here in Mount Pleasant. I have worked hard with Council and staff to address this problem through several different means.  

Infrastructure improvements including new roads, widening and better intersections are a major part of keeping traffic flowing throughout Mount Pleasant. Voting to support important projects such as the final leg of Billy Swails Boulevard which will create a third major artery north and south for commuters, widening Park West Boulevard, and major improvements to the intersection at Coleman and Patriots Point Boulevards are part of what we have already accomplished or are coming very soon. 

Although Highway 41 is a state road and a Charleston County project, I have been an influential voice meeting with and listening to the homeowners that are potentially impacted by the plans for expansion. No one on Council knows that area better since I travel Highway 41 at least twice a day. Serving on Transportation Committee, I wrote two Op Eds regarding creative ways to achieve better traffic flow without encroaching on the Phillips Community property, and sent a third plan to the Charleston County Engineers. Running a 4 lane highway through Dunes West, Park West and Laurel Hill Park is a terrible idea for numerous reasons. As your State House Representative, I will work even harder to make sure we get the job done!

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

Highway 41 - Bringing Our Community Together

Shorter car trips reduce traffic overall. I have been active in meeting with groups such as Housing for All – Mount Pleasant, community leaders, and private builders willing to focus on constructing affordable homes so that people can live closer to where they work. A great example is the successful Gregorie Ferry Townhome Complex that recently broke ground on 36 properties priced in the low $200’s—bringing high quality affordable housing here to Mount Pleasant. Thanks partly to my leadership, we avoided the trap of raising taxes on all our citizens and having government entities control a process that is much better left up to the private sector.

Another piece of the puzzle for lowering congestion is bringing great jobs close to where people live. Please see Economic Development and Great Jobs below for more on this subject.

Economy & Taxes

To make America work for Americans, we need a 21st century immigration system that addresses present and future needs.  

We need 21st century border security complete with a wall, artificial intelligence capabilities, and more border patrol agents. We need an immigration system that protects American workers from cheaper labor while adding to our innovation capabilities.  

While America should continue to serve as a beacon of hope for those facing oppression, despair, and religious intolerance abroad, the United States must be a sanctuary for American children and families, not illegal immigrants.

Traffic Congestion

 Traffic Congestion

Crowded roads lead the list of concerns here in Mount Pleasant. I have worked hard with Council and staff to address this problem through several different means.  

Infrastructure improvements including new roads, widening and better intersections are a major part of keeping traffic flowing throughout Mount Pleasant. Voting to support important projects such as the final leg of Billy Swails Boulevard which will create a third major artery north and south for commuters, widening Park West Boulevard, and major improvements to the intersection at Coleman and Patriots Point Boulevards are part of what we have already accomplished or coming very soon. 

Although Highway 41 is a state road and a Charleston County project, I have been an influential voice meeting with and listening to the homeowners that are potentially impacted by the plans for expansion. No one on Council knows that area better since I travel Highway 41 at least twice a day. Serving on Transportation Committee, I wrote two Op Eds regarding creative ways to achieve better traffic flow without encroaching on the Phillips Community property, and sent a third plan to the Charleston County Engineers. Running a 4 lane highway through Dunes West, Park West and Laurel Hill Park is a terrible idea for numerous reasons. As your State House Representative, I will work even harder to make sure we get the job done!



Shorter car trips reduce traffic overall. I have been active in meeting with groups such as Housing for All – Mount Pleasant, community leaders, and private builders willing to focus on constructing affordable homes so that people can live closer to where they work. A great example is the successful Gregorie Ferry Townhome Complex that recently broke ground on 36 properties priced in the low $200’s—bringing high quality affordable housing here to Mount Pleasant. Thanks partly to my leadership, we avoided the trap of raising taxes on all our citizens and having government entities control a process that is much better left up to the private sector.

Another piece of the puzzle for lowering congestion is bringing great jobs close to where people live. Please see Economic Development and Great Jobs below for more on this subject.
Crowded roads lead the list of concerns here in Mount Pleasant. I have worked hard with Council and staff to address this problem through several different means.  

Infrastructure improvements including new roads, widening and better intersections are a major part of keeping traffic flowing throughout Mount Pleasant. Voting to support important projects such as the final leg of Billy Swails Boulevard which will create a third major artery north and south for commuters, widening Park West Boulevard, and major improvements to the intersection at Coleman and Patriots Point Boulevards are part of what we already accomplished or are coming very soon. 

Although Highway 41 is a state road and a Charleston County project, I have been an influential voice meeting with and listening to the homeowners that are potentially impacted by the plans for expansion. No one on Council knew that area better since I travel Highway 41 at least twice a day. Serving on Transportation Committee, I wrote two Op Eds regarding creative ways to achieve better traffic flow without encroaching on the Phillips Community property, and sent a third plan to the Charleston County Engineers. Running a 4 lane highway through Dunes West, Park West and Laurel Hill Park is a terrible idea for numerous reasons. As your SC State House Representative for Mount Pleasant, I will work hard to help make sure our tax dollars are used wisely to actually get this job done!



Shorter car trips reduce traffic overall. I have been active in meeting with groups such as Housing for All – Mount Pleasant, community leaders, and private builders willing to focus on constructing affordable homes so that people can live closer to where they work. A great example is the successful Gregorie Ferry Townhome Complex that recently broke ground on 36 properties priced in the low $200’s—bringing high quality affordable housing here to Mount Pleasant. Thanks partly to my leadership, we avoided the trap of raising taxes on all our citizens and having government entities control a process that is much better left up to the private sector.

Another piece of the puzzle for lowering congestion is bringing great jobs close to where people live. Please see Economic Development and Great Jobs below for more on this subject.

Education

I come from a family of educators. After serving in WW II in the Women's Army Corps, my mother earned her Bachelors in History and Masters in Education on the GI bill, and proudly taught in elementary school for 24 years before passing away at the age of 52. She taught me that a great education, combined with hard work is the key to success in life no matter who you are or where you came from.

Mount Pleasant public schools are the best in the state, which is a huge part of why so many people want to live here. Sadly, our teachers' pay in SC has lagged woefully behind the cost of living not only here, but throughout our state and not kept up with the level of education and expertise needed in today's classroom. We need to raise teacher pay, and bring more transparency to what is being taught to reinstate parents' confidence in what their children are learning. Children need to learn the basics of reading, writing, and STEM to incorporate not only science and math but also technology including coding. And we need to greatly promote technical schools so that those children who want to learn a much-needed trade such as electrician, plumber, welder, and many others can do so proudly. This could help slow the outrageous inflation of college costs. 

Money should follow the child in the classroom so that teachers will have the resources necessary to do their job properly.

Maintain Green Space

Protecting our LowCountry quality of life is nearly a sacred duty of all elected officials. We love where we live and want to preserve the unique environment. I have voted to conserve all of the land of Boone Hall thereby forever protecting that land from development. I have voted to begin funding for Rifle Range Park and 
the Mount Pleasant Way, a series of connected bike and pedestrian paths throughout our town. As a strong voice for conservation, I will continue to stand against the road intrusion and destruction of any part of Laurel Hill Park. This wonderful passive park does not need a highway cutting through it. There are other solutions to our traffic challenges. 

On Earth Day 2021, I introduced a new initiative to plant 95,000 trees for Mount Pleasant. The goal is to have at least one tree planted for every resident. This initiative known as “Take Root Mount Pleasant” is up and running and we are continually working to further beautify our community as well as maintain the natural surroundings with which we are already blessed. 

Maintain Green Space

Maintain Green Space

Protecting our LowCountry quality of life is nearly a sacred duty of all elected officials. We love where we live and want to preserve the unique environment. I have voted to conserve all of the land of Boone Hall thereby forever protecting that land from development. I have voted to begin funding for Rifle Range Park and I have supported and funded the Mount Pleasant Way, a series of connected bike and pedestrian paths throughout our town. As a strong voice for conservation, I will continue to stand against the road intrusion and destruction of any part of Laurel Hill Park. This wonderful passive park does not need a highway cutting through it. There are other solutions to our traffic challenges. 

On Earth Day 2021, I introduced a new initiative to plant 95,000 trees for Mount Pleasant. The goal is to have at least one tree planted for every resident. This initiative known as “Take Root Mount Pleasant” is up and running and we are continually working to further beautify our community as well as maintain the natural surroundings with which we are already blessed. 
Protecting our Lowcountry quality of life is nearly a sacred duty of all elected officials. We love where we live and want to preserve the unique environment. I voted to conserve all of the land of Boone Hall thereby forever protecting that land from development. I also voted to begin funding for Rifle Range Park and voted to support and provide initial funding for the Mount Pleasant Way, a series of connected bike and pedestrian paths throughout our town. As a strong voice for conservation, I will continue to stand against the road intrusion and destruction of any part of Laurel Hill Park. This wonderful passive park does not need a highway cutting through it. There are other solutions to our traffic challenges. 

On Earth Day 2021, I introduced a new initiative to plant 95,000 trees for Mount Pleasant. The goal is to have at least one tree planted for every resident. This initiative known as “Take Root Mount Pleasant” is up and running and we are continually working to further beautify our community as well as maintain the natural surroundings with which we are already blessed. 

Education

Education

I come from a family of educators. After serving in WW II in the Women's Army Corps, my mother earned her Bachelors in History and Masters in Education on the GI bill, and proudly taught in elementary school for 24 years before passing away at the age of 52. She taught me that a great education, combined with hard work is the key to success in life no matter who you are or where you came from.

Mount Pleasant public schools are the best in the state, which is a huge part of why so many people want to live here. Sadly, our teachers' pay in SC has lagged woefully behind the cost of living not only here, but throughout our state and not kept up with the level of education and expertise needed in today's classroom. We need to raise teacher pay, and bring more transparency to what is being taught to reinstate parents' confidence in what their children are learning. Children need to learn the basics of reading, writing, and STEM to incorporate not only science and math but also technology including coding. And we need to greatly promote technical schools so that those children who want to learn a much-needed trade such as electrician, plumber, welder, and many others can do so proudly. This could help slow the outrageous inflation of college costs. 

Money should follow the child in the classroom so that teachers will have the resources necessary to do their job properly. 
I come from a family of educators. After serving in WW II in the Women's Army Corps, my mother earned her Bachelors in History and Masters in Education on the GI bill, and proudly taught in elementary school for 24 years before passing away at the age of 52. She taught me that a great education, combined with hard work is the key to success in life no matter who you are or where you came from.

Mount Pleasant public schools are the best in the state, which is a huge part of why so many people want to live here. Sadly, our teachers' pay in SC has lagged woefully behind the cost of living not only here, but throughout our state and not kept up with the level of education and expertise needed in today's classroom. We need to raise teacher pay, and bring more transparency to what is being taught to reinstate parents' confidence in what their children are learning. Children need to learn the basics of reading, writing, and STEM to incorporate not only science and math but also technology including coding. And we need to greatly promote technical schools so that those children who want to learn a much-needed trade such as electrician, plumber, welder, and many others can do so proudly. This could help slow the outrageous inflation of college costs. 

Money should follow the child in the classroom so that teachers will have the resources necessary to do their job properly. 

Infrastructure

Fixing flooding. Relieving traffic. Improving the safety of our roadways.

We need a Member of Congress who will work with President Trump to advance major infrastructure improvements, but we do not need a new federal gas tax to see it through. Rather, we should use innovative solutions like partnering with private corporations and entities to rebuild our crumbling infrastructure, possibly through the use of some form of long-term “naming rights” or other opportunities for corporations to promote their business by building goodwill for their brands.

Taxes

I have been a strident voice to keep our taxes and fees low. Without my advocacy and votes on Council, the Town of Mount Pleasant would have likely had both tax and fee increases multiple times. My belief is that there always exist other areas of government bloat that can be cut before any discussion of tax or fee increases should occur. 

 I believe in limited government, strict financial accountability and a conservative budget for our state. As your State House Representative, I will work tirelessly to improve our budget, work to cut taxes, and plan for unforeseen events in the future. I have signed a no tax increase pledge and will not raise taxes on our citizens. There will always be challenges that will require creativity, collaboration and "outside the box" thinking.

Taxes

Taxes

I have been a strident voice to keep our taxes and fees low. Without my advocacy and votes on council, the Town of Mount Pleasant would have likely had both tax and fee increases multiple times. My belief is that there always exist other areas of government bloat that can be cut before any discussion of tax or fee increases should occur. 

 I believe in limited government, strict financial accountability and a conservative budget for our state. As your State House Representative, I will work tirelessly to improve our budget and plan for unforeseen events in the future. I have signed a no tax increase pledge and will not raise taxes on our citizens. There will always be challenges that will require creativity, collaboration and “outside the box” thinking.
I have been a strident voice to keep our taxes and fees low. Without my advocacy and votes on council, the Town of Mount Pleasant would have likely had both tax and fee increases multiple times. My belief is that there always exist other areas of government bloat that can be cut before any discussion of tax or fee increases should occur. I believe in limited government , strict financial accountability and a conservative budget for our town and the State of South Carolina. 

As your SC State House Representative, I will work tirelessly to improve our budget and plan for unforeseen events in the future. I have signed a no tax increase pledge and will not raise taxes on our citizens. There will always be challenges that will require creativity, collaboration and “outside the box” thinking. 

Limited Government Control

I believe in limited government and in personal responsibility. As a Council member I have voted against arbitrary rules, mandates and prohibitions. As your State House Representative, I will stand to empower our citizens instead of suffocating them with rules and mandates. I will always protect the rights of our citizens, never forgetting that I am serving the public, not seeking to rule the public. I believe in the innate commonsense and goodness of the citizens of Mount Pleasant and the State of South Carolina. I reject the paternalistic, top-down, “we know what’s best for you” attitude seen at all levels of government over the past 2 years.

Limited Government Control

Limited Government Control

I believe in limited government and in personal responsibility. As a council member I have voted against arbitrary rules, mandates and prohibitions. As Mayor I will stand to empower our citizens instead of suffocating them with rules and mandates. I will always protect the rights of our citizens, never forgetting that I am serving the public, not seeking to rule the public. I believe in the innate commonsense and goodness of the citizens of Mount Pleasant. I reject the paternalistic, top-down, “we know what’s best for you” attitude of our current leadership.
I believe in limited government and in personal responsibility. As a council member I have voted against arbitrary rules, mandates and prohibitions. As your SC State House Representative, I will stand to empower our citizens instead of suffocating them with rules and mandates. I will always protect the rights of our citizens, never forgetting that I am serving the public, not seeking to rule the public. I believe in the innate common sense and goodness of the citizens of Mount Pleasant and the State of South Carolina. I reject the paternalistic, top-down, “we know what's best for you" attitude we have seen over the past two years at all levels of government.

The Economy & Great Jobs

 When I ran for Council, one of my major goals was to help diversify our economy which had always been very concentrated in the Hospitality and Healthcare industries. In a downturn, a wider array of businesses is far more resilient as we saw last year with the pandemic. As Economic Development Committee Chairperson, I met with countless business owners encouraging them to build, expand, or redevelop existing properties here in Mount Pleasant. With more high paying jobs in our community, the less our citizens have to drive over bridges to other communities to work. Together with our staff and other committee members, I have been at the forefront of working to recruit businesses in some of the core industries identified as ideal for Mount Pleasant such as technology, health sciences, finance and content production. Now with the SC Ports Authority here at the Wando Terminal, we are already taking advantage of our fantastic opportunity to expand our shipping industry companies. Identifying and solving problems for our existing businesses so that they stay in Mount Pleasant and expand here has also been a major focus during my time on Council.

As your State House Representative, I will continue to reach out and encourage businesses to locate here and work to limit impediments to bringing great jobs.

The Economy & 
Great Jobs

The Economy & 
Great Jobs

When I ran for Council, one of my major goals was to help diversify our economy which had always been very concentrated in the Hospitality and Healthcare industries. In a downturn, a wider array of businesses is far more resilient as we saw last year with the pandemic. As Economic Development Committee Chairperson, I have met with countless business owners encouraging them to build, expand, or redevelop existing properties here in Mount Pleasant. With more high paying jobs in our community, the less our citizens have to drive over bridges to other communities to work. Together with our staff and other committee members, I have been at the forefront of working to recruit businesses in some of the core industries identified as ideal for Mount Pleasant such as technology, health sciences, finance and content production. Now with the SC Ports Authority here at the Wando Terminal, we are already taking advantage of our fantastic opportunity to expand our shipping industry companies. Id entifying and solving problems for our existing businesses so that they stay in Mount Pleasant and expand here has also been a major focus during my time on Council.

As Mayor, I will continue to reach out and encourage businesses to locate here and work to limit impediments to bringing great jobs.

When I ran for Council, one of my major goals was to help diversify our economy which had always been very concentrated in the Hospitality and Healthcare industries. In a downturn, a wider array of businesses is far more resilient as we saw last year with the pandemic. As Economic Development Committee Chairperson, I met with countless business owners encouraging them to build, expand, or redevelop existing properties here in Mount Pleasant. With more high paying jobs in our community, the less our citizens have to drive over bridges to other communities to work. Together with our staff and other committee members, I have been at the forefront of working to recruit businesses in some of the core industries identified as ideal for Mount Pleasant such as technology, health sciences, finance and content production. Now with the SC Ports Authority here at the Wando Terminal, we are already taking advantage of our fantastic opportunity to expand our shipping industry companies. Identifying and solving problems for our existing businesses so that they stay in Mount Pleasant and expand here has also been a major focus during my time on Council. 

As your SC State House Representative, I will continue to reach out and encourage businesses to locate here and work to limit impediments to bringing great jobs.

Healthcare

The United States needs a 21st century, free market healthcare system which protects access to coverage for people with pre-existing conditions.


We are currently mired in a Frankenstein monster of regulations, bureaucracy, and out of control healthcare costs which has been devastating to innovation.  For far too long, the debate in Congress is between some socialist-relic type of system and deferring to an unholy alliance between pharmaceutical companies and insurance companies that leaves American families behind. 


Our country needs to break down the walls stifling private sector innovation capabilities and help us break through the bureaucratic nightmares that hurt American families every day. We need to focus on individuals, not outdated regulations.


We need to allow Americans to purchase insurance across state lines. We need to look at actual costs for services rendered rather than the inflated numbers that most providers use which are automatically adjusted down by insurance claim reviewers. And we need to address Medicare and Medicaid in a different manner than simply moving the deck chairs around on the Titanic when it comes to providing coverage to more people.


For Mount Pleasant Town employees, a new form of healthcare coverage was introduced several years ago which has been a tremendous success and saved our taxpayers over a million dollars so far. It combines high touch, top quality primary care providers with a self-insured major medical plan and reinsurance for catastrophic illness. This plan is scalable and may be a solution for the wider public in the future. As your SC State House Representative, I will always look for ways to improve our quality of healthcare while reducing wasteful spending.

The Environment

I oppose offshore drilling off the South Carolina coast entirely and without qualification. 


With a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, and having studied at the Duke Marine Lab, I am a strong advocate for proactive, sensible solutions to being great stewards of our natural resources and the beauty of the Earth. My husband Joe and I are also long-time supporters of the world-renowned Nicholas School of the Environment. I am genuinely concerned about environmental issues and know these concerns should not be used as a political football. Conservatives like myself can lead efforts to address ways to combat and mitigate risks to our beautiful Lowcountry and nation.


We need to work hard to encourage innovative private sector solutions to carbon reduction like increasing energy production from natural gas, solar, and other sustainable sources. In the public sector, common sense solutions such as gravity-based drainage for flood-prone areas, encouraging planting more vegetation especially trees, and other initiatives add up to a much safer, cleaner environment over time. 


What we do not need is legislation that attempts to make everyone “feel good” but actually causes many unintended consequences.


As your SC State House Representative, I will support environmental and conservation initiatives through a limited government lens, to protect our environment for our children, our grandchildren, and many generations to come. 


Healthcare

 The United States needs a 21st century, free market healthcare system which protects access to coverage for people with pre-existing conditions. 


We are currently mired in a Frankenstein monster of regulations, bureaucracy, and out of control healthcare costs which has been devastating to innovation.  For far too long, the debate in Congress is between some socialist-relic type of system and deferring to an unholy alliance between pharmaceutical companies and insurance companies that leaves American families behind. 


Our country needs to break down the walls stifling private sector innovation capabilities and help us break through the bureaucratic nightmares that hurt American families every day. We need to focus on individuals, not outdated regulations.


We need to allow Americans to purchase insurance across state lines. We need to look at actual costs for services rendered rather than the inflated numbers that most providers use which are automatically adjusted down by insurance claim reviewers. And we need to address Medicare and Medicaid in a different manner than simply moving the deck chairs around on the Titanic when it comes to providing coverage to more people.


For Mount Pleasant Town employees, a new form of healthcare coverage was introduced several years ago which has been a tremendous success and saved our taxpayers over a million dollars so far. It combines high touch, top quality primary care providers with a self-insured major medical plan and reinsurance for catastrophic illness. This plan is scalable and may be a solution for the wider public in the future. As your SC State House Representative, I will always look for ways to improve our quality of healthcare while reducing wasteful spending.


The Environment

I oppose offshore drilling off the South Carolina coast entirely and without qualification. 

With a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, and having studied at the Duke Marine Lab, I am a strong advocate for proactive, sensible solutions to being great stewards of our natural resources and the beauty of the Earth. My husband Joe and I are also long-time supporters of the world-renowned Nicholas School of the Environment. I am genuinely concerned about environmental issues and know these concerns should not be used as a political football. Conservatives like myself can lead efforts to address ways to combat and mitigate risks to our beautiful Lowcountry and nation.

We need to work hard to encourage innovative private sector solutions to carbon reduction like increasing energy production from natural gas, solar and other sustainable resources. In the public sector, common sense solutions such as gravity-based drainage for flood-prone areas, encouraging planting more vegetation especially trees, and other initiatives add up to a much safer, cleaner environment over time. 

What we do not need is legislation that attempts to make everyone “feel good” but actually causes many unintended consequences.

As your State House Representative, I would support environmental and conservation initiatives through a limited government lens, to protect our environment for our children, our grandchildren, and many generations to come. 
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