Melissa Stanley for Ohio House of Representatives

Background:

I graduated from Piqua High School in 2006, and am majoring in Political Science at the Ohio State University. I interned for the United States Senate and the Ohio House of Representatives. I am an active leader at OSU, and was recognized for my research on voter's rights. I worked for the Columbus Chamber of Commerce, and got very interested in politics after the 2006 election cycle.

Goals:

I graduated from Piqua High School in 2006 at the top of my class, but unfortunately nearly 35% of my classmates did not stand alongside me. I worked at Piqua Technologies of Piqua, Ohio because it was the only job I could find that would help me pay my tuition debt since Ohio is ranked 49th in college affordability. My father is currently working in a job he hates because he cannot find anything better. My mother took a job with lower pay and fewer benefits than her previous job because she was tired of driving an hour out of the district to get to Dayton, Ohio. Instead, she drives 20 minutes north of the district in Sidney, Ohio.

If I am successful I will work hard to dissolve tax expenditures which will in turn bring better jobs into the area, and help send our children to schools which we will begin funding constitutionally. Our students will graduate from college without being buried in debt, and they will adequately contribute to our economy. Hospitals will not worry about uninsured persons and the cost of healthcare will go down. When I am successful, my generation will provide our children with the American Dream my parents have lost sight of, and I will fight each day for the people of my district.

Issues:

I hope to constitutionally fund schools, improve our economy, and provide healthcare to hard working individuals.

Grassroots Support:

I graduated from Piqua High School in 2006, but Advanced Placement classes, summer course work, and a heavy class load is allowing me to graduate from the Ohio State University with a Bachelor’s Degree Summer 2008. I still have ties to my high school, and in the past two years I have made many connections at the Ohio State University. We are building our army to knock on doors and meet voters.

DFA Values:

I believe that Ohio has the fiscal capacity to provide for our children, our families, and our schools. In 2006 Ohio granted over $6 billion in tax expenditures to companies. Many of these companies are offering low wage jobs and do not deserve tax expenditures. I believe all citizens should have to pay an equal share of taxes, and those making over $600,000 should not be excluded as they have been in the past. I am socially progressive because I believe in taking care of our children. I am fiscally responsible because I believe companies that do not contribute to the overall productivity of Ohio and the United States are unworthy of our tax subsidies.