Why am I the Representative YOU'RE owed?
My time is YOUR time, I WON'T waste it.
- I am the ONLY CANDIDATE who lives, pays taxes and has chosen to anchor myself in IL-15. Living in Jacksonville makes me the MOST centrally located candidate connects me more directly with the future of our Central Illinois communities.
- I will return to Illinois District 15 EVERY SINGLE MONTH without fail, so I am always up to date on your needs.
- My salary? It's more than I need, so I'll INVEST the excess in IL-15 Town Halls and local events. (I'll stir the burgoo!)
- I am the ONLY CANDIDATE under 40 years old and the only one who grew up ON the internet, giving me a DEEP understanding of how technology affects our lives and economy.
- I will drive to YOU to see in person how you and your community live. My dime, NO expensive gatekeeping!
- Want me to come see the struggles of your area? I will drive to YOU to see it in person. My dime, I'm not a pay-to-play politician, I am YOUR megaphone in Congress.
MY TOP PRIORITIES
Modernizing Education
Public schooling MUST be made more agile to ensure it prepares our children for adulthood. Those who choose college, trade schools or no additional education must ALL be able to trust they have a reliable place in our country’s rapidly-changing future.
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I will utilize the extensive data and insights of the Federal Government to bring guidance to schools in IL-15, ensuring our local leaders always in the know.
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Create strong incentives for out of state students to see Central Illinois as a destination for for those who want a career in agriculture and beyond.
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Meeting with student and young-person organizations to hear STRAIGHT from those most affected. What do you want? Where is education leaving them behind?
Investing in education is investing the future of our country, our children and our place in the global economy.
Employment & Business Protections
Workers need stability in their employment and businesses need to be protected against volatile politics. I will foster legislation that makes pragmatic and long term considerations for its impact on IL-15 workers and businesses alike.
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Agribusiness leaders need to be insulated against trade route and export shocks. Our farmers should be spending their time working the fields, not sitting in bank lobbies looking for bridge loans.
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Right to Work leaves every single employee in a constant fear of catastrophic financial troubles. Stronger employee protections will foster stronger relationships with businesses' goals and expectations when both groups actively invest long term in each other.
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Cost of Living must be modernized with considerations for necessary expenses like smart phones and internet. Living in rural areas is often more expensive than reported.
Government Spending Accountability
Why are our taxes mandatory, but the government’s delivery on their promises not? I will hold program leaders to the promises they make both in outcome and budget.
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Government agencies and projects with a track record of LATE and OVER BUDGET deliveries will be made to finish what they start before getting more money.
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Did you support a project that you no longer recognize once its done? I will ensure House Committees require legislation and contracts with more stringent oversight.
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Transparency of progress and updates for EVERYONE to read. No being left in the dark because you didn't tune into an inconveniently-timed stream from DC.
Slush funds and pet projects for the ego of lawmakers are a gross misuse of the heavy taxes you pay. You deserve a better return on investment!
Shrinking the Gap Between IL-15 and DC
Members of Congress owe their position of power to the people of their district, they are public servants who must put their people's needs above all else. IL-15 lacks that with Mary Miller.
I will spend my 2 year term doing exactly as The Constitution outline my role: broadcasting the voices of EVERY citizen in IL-15. Want federal funds to repair your water service infrastructure? Do you feel a new trade agreement would weaken your farm's ability to compete in the marketplace? Or, do you simply wish the person you invested your trust and vote into would stop putting party before people?
That's me, I do NOT have an ego to feed or a party to capitulate to. I'm not interested in writing books or doing fluff media appearances because Central Illinois needs federal dollars, assistive infrastructure programs and an all around trust that downstate Illinois won't be sacrificed for the sake of urban areas.
If you've never had your Representative respond to you personally, then vote for Anthony Barnes and know that I will not relegate you to pre-written responses!