Beryl Billiot
John Kennedy
W. Thomas La Fontaine Olson
"Luke" Mixon
Aaron C. Sigler
Thomas Wenn
Do you believe the nation should reduce crime by shifting funding from police and incarceration to increased investment in education, mental healthcare, infrastructure, equitable economic opportunity, and similar systems and programs?
Yes
Do you support abolition of the death penalty?
Yes
Do you support decriminalizing sex work on a federal level?
Yes
Do you consider the federal 50-year War on Drugs to be a success or failure? And why?
Failure
Please expand on this answer.
We must fully legalize marijuana at the state and federal level. Gary will advocate for and vote to pass legislation that will allow for the tax revenues created from the sale of marijuana to fund reparations programs for Black Americans. Additionally, all individuals incarcerated for nonviolent marijuana offenses should be released and their records expunged. It is unjust to see people profit in the cannabis industry while regular, mostly Black, Americans are still incarcerated for doing the same thing. No race has been more negatively impacted by America's “War on Drugs,” therefore it is merely restorative justice to ensure Black Americans see their tax dollars reinvested in their communities.
Considering the high percentage of students who have a parent impacted by the criminal legal system, do you believe schools should address this traumatic reality for children?
Yes
Please expand on this answer.
According to US News, Louisiana ranks 50th in crime and corrections. Contributing to this low ranking is high incarceration rates for adults, above-average incarceration rates for juveniles, and a high violent crime rate. Addressing this in schools would offer emotional support and an explanation of what is happening in their neighborhoods or homes.
Do you think youth who commit crimes should be treated as adults?
No
How will you invest in preventions and supports (such as addressing education, mental health services, and poverty) and rehabilitation as an alternative to incarceration?
Louisiana currently has deficit-based juvenile justice programs. Instead of rehabilitating our children to become productive citizens after making a mistake, we are preparing our children for a life of institutionalization and incarceration. Gary would call for more funding for juvenile delinquency programs that provide holistic support to children in the juvenile justice system and their families.
Do you believe we should ensure schools are being held accountable to the community in their implementation of alternatives to suspension such as PBIS and restorative justice practice?
Yes
What provisions will you put in place to ensure this occurs?
By holding the schools accountable, Gary means to ensure schools have the resources they need to properly implement holistic support and restorative justice to children. To ensure the schools are finding success in their programs, Gary would advocate for surveys of the implementing forces. This survey would include whether they have the resources they need and their view of the success of their programs. Additionally, data would be obtained regarding which programs of PBIS and restorative justice work the best and have the best results for school children's behavioral improvements.
Comments on Criminal Justice
Louisiana ranks 50th in crime and corrections. Contributing to this low ranking is high incarceration rates for adults, above-average incarceration rates for juveniles, and a high violent crime rate. Gary believes that the creation and enforcement of federal standards applicable to all state and local law enforcement agencies are not only critical only for a safer America, but also for a citizenry that respects and trusts their law enforcement professionals. Gary is committed to advocating for and passing legislation for the following priorities: 1. Create the Federal Community Public Safety Agency (CPSA). Gary supports the BREATHE ACT put forth by the Electoral Justice Project of the Movement for Black Lives. The BREATHE ACT calls for the creation of a Federal Community Public Safety Agency (CPSA) at the Department of Health and Human Services. Gary will advocate for and vote to pass legislation to create that department. This agency will examine and review state and local police forces that have abused their power and look for alternative means to reimagine the relationship between communities of color and their local police departments. We must reimagine and create a new criminal “just” system. 2. Demilitarization of the Police When analyzing the most notable mass protests in America, the optics, including the presence of militarized state and local law enforcement agencies, was due to a well-funded military-industrial complex during the Global War on Terror. The United States allotted billions of dollars towards the use of excess military weapons, vehicles, and hardware. Unfortunately, this military equipment ended up on our city streets in the hands of local law enforcement, accounting for the DoD 1033 Excess Use Program that was responsible for the phenomenon of Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) tanks, high powered rifles, and machine guns being used in botched raids and assaults on unsuspecting and innocent American civilians. Military equipment does not belong in the hands of civilians, which includes civilian law enforcement. In order for our police to function at all as local law enforcement, they have to stop showing up in our communities looking like soldiers ready to conquer a foreign enemy. Gary would call for the end of the DoD 1033 Excess Use Program and supports a federal ban on the use of military weapons, equipment, and vehicles except for in hostage, terrorist, and mass casualty situations. 3. Smart Funding of Law Enforcement There have been many calls for the defunding of the police. However, police officers are put into a myriad of situations where public safety and public health may be at risk. Therefore, Gary understands that defunding in the strictest definition of the term may not be the best solution and instead advocates for a "smart funding" of the police. Smart funding is an innovative funding mechanism that uses a formula based upon objective quality-of-life factors. Citizens want the best law enforcement service their tax dollars can buy, however, when unarmed and innocent citizens are killed, tax dollars that could pay for better community services must then pay for lengthy and costly lawsuits against the city and its officers. Gary would call for law enforcement agencies to demonstrate their use of training that implements standardized quality-of-life factors into policing in order for them to qualify for federal funding. 4. Refunding Juvenile Delinquency Prevention Programs Louisiana currently has deficit-based juvenile justice programs. Instead of rehabilitating our children to become productive citizens after making a mistake, we are preparing our children for a life of institutionalization and incarceration. Gary would call for more funding for juvenile delinquency programs that provide holistic support to children in the juvenile justice system and their families. 5. Legalization of Marijuana Lastly, we must fully legalize marijuana at the state and federal level. Gary will advocate for and vote to pass legislation that will allow for the tax revenues created from the sale of marijuana to fund reparations programs for Black Americans. Additionally, all individuals incarcerated for nonviolent marijuana offenses should be released and their records expunged. It is unjust to see people profit in the cannabis industry while regular, mostly Black, Americans are still incarcerated for doing the same thing. No race has been more negatively impacted by America's “War on Drugs,” therefore it is merely restorative justice to ensure Black Americans see their tax dollars reinvested in their communities.
Do you believe every woman should have access to the full range of reproductive health care services, including access to safe and legal abortion. Will you support a woman's right to safe, legal abortion?
Yes
Do you support Medicare for All?
Yes
Do you support restricting access to firearms by requiring universal background checks?
Yes
Comments on Public Health
Currently, Louisiana ranks 46th out of 50 for healthcare, 49th in infant mortality, 49th for mental health, and 50th for preventable admissions. Louisiana has a 38.1% obesity rate, 14% diabetes rate, and ranks 50th amongst all states in healthcare challenges. Notably, health disparities also exist in maternal health with a maternal mortality rate of 20.1 per 100,000 births. Driving that number is the health disparities that exist between Black and white Louisianans. Black Lives depend upon it, and Gary is committed to addressing these disparities to ensure a healthier Louisiana.
Do you believe formerly incarcerated people, regardless of their parole or probation status, should be allowed to vote?
Yes
Will you support the expansion of voting rights and commit to restoring the full protections of the Voting Rights Act?
Yes
Do you support The For the People Act?
Yes
What provisions do you think are particularly important?
Gary is committed to passing the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021 which will restore the full protections of the original, bipartisan Voting Rights Act of 1965, which was last reauthorized by Congress in 2006, but gutted by the Supreme Court in 2013. Through this critical piece of legislation, Congress will federally protect vote by mail and expand early voting and polling locations. This legislation also makes federal election integrity guarantees ensuring that all legal votes are counted. It is essential to expand the right to vote to underserved communities, where the challenges of voting often dissuade voters from taking part in the electoral process. Gary is for expanding voting access which means more polling locations, longer polling hours, incentivizing people to be poll workers, expanding the early voting period, increasing ballot drop boxes, expanding vote by mail and making election day a national holiday.
Do you support the passage of the John Lewis Voting Rights Act to restore and strengthen the Voting Rights act of 1965?
Yes
Comments on Democracy
The right to vote is sacred and paramount to our democracy. However, that sacred right is currently under attack across the country. Registration purges, limiting polling locations and hours, and the war waged against mail in voting are all tactics used to repress minority communities' access to vote. As a senator, Gary will seek to advocate and fight for voting rights legislation and protect our democracy from undermining forces.
Do you favor raising the federal minimum wage?
Yes
If yes, what would you raise it to immediately? By 2025?
Louisiana is caught in a struggle where working people are bearing the brunt of a struggling economy. The state of Louisiana does not have a state minimum wage, giving employees in our state the national minimum wage of $7.25/hr. Louisiana has the second highest percentage of workers in the nation paid this abysmal wage. This rate is simply unlivable and needs to change nationally so that we can all prosper. Louisiana ranks 43rd in household income with many working multiple jobs just to get by. Gary supports raising the national minimum wage to ensure that Louisianans have a livable income. By adopting an immediate $15/hour minimum wage, working families will have the opportunity to earn a living wage and through that, are afforded more economic freedom. With this, they will be able to start businesses, pay off debt, buy homes and ultimately revitalize a stagnant economy.
Across Louisiana, there is a shortage of rental homes affordable and available to extremely low income households (ELI), whose incomes are at or below the poverty guideline or 30% of their area median income (AMI). Many of these households are severely cost burdened, spending more than half of their income on housing. Severely cost burdened poor households are more likely than other renters to sacrifice other necessities like healthy food and healthcare to pay the rent, and to experience unstable housing situations like evictions, creating a housing crisis. Is addressing this potential crisis a top priority for you?
Yes
Do you believe child labor requirements should be relaxed in order to allow minors to work up to eight hours before receiving a recreation or meal break (they are currently required for minors at least once every five hours)?
No
Do you believe there should be work-reporting requirements for Medicaid recipients?
No
Do you support federal paid family and medical leave policies that will allow workers the ability to take paid family and medical time off to care for ill family members or new born children and still receive needed pay to support the family?
Yes
Do you support expanding the federal Child Tax Credit, making it fully refundable and paying it in monthly installments, as happened in 2021 before it was allowed to expire?
Yes
Comments on Economy
Gary is committed to building an economy that works for all Lousianians, not just those at the top. 1. Gary is a vehement supporter of worker’s rights and the right for labor to organize. With Louisiana’s economy revolving around agriculture and energy, the workforces powering these industries have the right to collectively bargain for fair pay, safe work conditions and appropriate leave time. That is why Gary is a supporter of the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act. This critical piece of legislation significantly strengthens the ability of workers in the private sector to form unions and engage in collective bargaining for better working conditions and fair wages. 2. Gary supports raising the national minimum wage to ensure that Louisianans have a livable income. Louisiana ranks 43rd in household income with many working multiple jobs just to get by. By adopting a $15/hour minimum wage, working families will have the opportunity to earn a living wage and through that, are afforded more economic freedom. With this, they will be able to start businesses, pay off debt, buy homes and ultimately revitalize a stagnant economy. 3. Gary supports the Real Corporate Profits Tax Act of 2021 to make sure the wealthiest companies pay their fair share. The disparity in household income and income inequality, ranked 2nd in the nation, in Louisiana can not be more glaring. Gary’s conviction that a strong economy is built from a strong working class is the basis for making corporations and the ultra wealthy pay their fair share through the Real Corporate Profits Tax Act of 2021. It makes no sense that working families are paying more in taxes than some of the wealthiest individuals and companies in the country. This is a major opportunity to reinvest in our communities to give them the social and economic services they deserve, bolstering Main Street over Wall Street.
Do you believe the Department of Education and schools should be allowed to anonymously survey students on health risk behaviors such as alcohol/drug use; sexual risk behaviors; and tobacco use?
Yes
Do you believe that the Federal Government has a role to play in improving early childhood experiences by supporting mental health services from prenatal to age 8?
Yes
Are you aware of the ACE Study and do you support implementation of Federal policies and funding to states to reduce adverse childhood events?
Yes
Do you support systemic change of making college more affordable and short-term approval of student loan relief to cancel or discharge loan debt for borrowers who completed a degree program?
Yes
Comments on Education
Gary believes that free and appropriate public education and job skills training are the passport to the future. He believes in public education and/or a job skills training system that fully prepares all citizens to solve the issues of their community and allows them to compete in the world. Hence, Gary believes in and will advocate for: 1. Free Higher Education and Job Skills Training Free Higher Education and Job Skills training at all institutions of higher education and job skills Training facilities for those in need. 2. Student Loan Debt Forgiveness Gary will advocate for and vote to pass student loan debt forgiveness for those persons with student loan debt. 3. Fully Funded Free and Appropriate Public School System Gary’s mother is a retired public school teacher and his father a retired public school employee. He believes in the power of a fully-funded public education system. Specifically, Gary will advocate for the COMPLETE autonomous return and funding of Orleans Parish Public School System, using a Community Schools Model. Gary isn’t against the charter system but believes we must follow the data and the research. The data shows us that public education works in white and/or affluent neighborhoods. Why does it not work in Black and/or other oppressed neighborhoods? It can and it must. Gary will advocate for a complete overhaul of the Orleans Parish Public School System, an overhaul that renews the community’s faith in the public school system by providing a safe, fully funded, academically rigorous, innovative learning experience with highly-qualified educators. 4. Abolish High Stakes Testing Gary believes that high stakes testing should be abolished. Teaching for standardized testing isn’t working, and we need our teachers to not feel as if their job is tied to a number. Furthermore, all students do not learn at the same pace, nor is it appropriate to use the same pedagogy on all children. Gary believes we need to establish more time on teaching and less time on testing. Teachers should have the ability to differentiate instruction with individual student success in mind rather than teaching to a blueprint based on standardized testing that utilizes a one-size-fits-all instruction model. 5. Funding for S.T.E.A.M. More funding for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (S.T.E.A.M). Gary believes in S.T.E.M, but he also believes in the Arts. As a trained singer and musician, Gary understands that the arts are a part of a complete society and therefore must be a part of our children’s global education. Thus, he will advocate for and support legislation that ensures the funding of the Arts in America’s public schools. 6. Recruit & Retain Black Male Teachers Gary doesn’t believe in reinventing the wheel. Bowie State—a Historically Black University—is doing a great job at recruiting, training and retaining Black male teachers. Their program should be considered a national model. Gary will advocate for federal funding for the recruitment and subsidizing of Black male teachers in Kindergarten through 5th grade. Gary believes that if we can send—and subsidize—young white teachers to Black neighborhoods to teach our children with tax-funded programs, then we can also fund Black male teachers to do the same. Research indicates that children perform better when the teacher shares that child’s race, ethnicity, culture, and language. 7. Fully Funded HBCUs More equitable funding for Historical Black Colleges and Universities like The Southern University System, Xavier University, Grambling University, Dillard University and many more. Currently, HBCUs graduates make up 40% of the members of Congress, 12.5% of the CEOs, 40% of the engineers, 50% of the professors at non-HBCUs, 50% of the lawyers, and 80% of the judges throughout the nation. And let’s not forget an HBCU graduate currently holds the title of Vice President of the United States of America. Therefore, it is imperative that we fully fund HBCUs equitably; 8. Satellite College Campuses in the River Parishes Gary has heard the voice of the people in the River Parishes. A part of Gary’s educational priorities is to advocate for and find federal funding to support the creation of satellite college campuses in the River Parish communities. Gary will work with community colleges and universities in the 2nd Congressional District to provide the constituents of the river parishes affordable trade certifications, associates degrees and other educational opportunities. Gary understands that just as education and training are important, so is access to affordable education and training.
Do you support a Green New Deal?
Yes
As one of the nation’s leading petrochemical exporters, what will you do on a national level to protect the citizens of the state and particularly in “Cancer Alley” from the harmful effects of producing these materials that can lead to respiratory complications and other severe health concerns?
Included in these parishes is an area known around the world as “Cancer Alley.” Cancer Alley runs along the Mississippi River, which includes parts if not all of the above-mentioned cities and parishes. Scholar and activist, Steve Lerner, referred to these types of areas as Sacrifice Zones. Sacrifice Zones are often “fenceline communities” consisting of low-income and/or people of color. They are considered “hot spots” of chemical pollution where residents live immediately adjacent to heavily polluting industries. Cancer Alley has more than 140 chemical factories and oil refineries. The need to provide full federal funding for the Department of Environmental Quality’s Environmental Justice programs. The petroleum chemical industry’s voice can not be the only voice at the table; 1) The need to strengthen Superfund Community Involvement. Community involvement is the process of engaging in dialogue and collaboration with community members. The goal of Superfund Community Involvement is to advocate and strengthen early and meaningful community participation during superfund cleanups; 2)The need to increase regulatory fines for the chemical factories and oil refineries, who poison the air, water and land of Louisiana; 3)The need to limit the use of eminent domain that displace African-Americans from their homes and communities under the auspice of “public good.” To the citizens of Louisiana, which includes the residents of Gordon Plaza and others similarly situated, your demands have not fallen on deaf ears. Federal, state and local governments have a racist history of using the Takings Clause (Eminent Domain) to displace African-Americans from their homes and communities under the auspice of “public good.” 4)Additionally, Gary will advocate for and vote on passing legislation to increase funding for the EPAs Superfund program to clean up contaminated land. He will prioritize legislation that makes resources more readily available to citizens whose homes have been devalued and whose health is at risk, allowing governments to purchase property from affected property owners at a “just” price, and assist with relocating those families to a safe and healthy location. 5)Finally, Gary supports the passage of the Green New Deal or similar sweeping legislation to begin addressing the urgent needs created by climate change, and start the work of slowing down and reversing its course
Do you support federal investment in renewable energy?
Yes
Do you support a moratorium on petrochemical buildout and expansion in Louisiana's industrial corridor?
Yes
Louisiana is one of the most vulnerable states facing impacts to climate change. The state is facing intense hurricanes and rising seas. State lawmakers are in a powerful position to address environmental impacts. Will you work to support more funding toward mutual aid groups that can help support on the ground recovery efforts?
Yes
Comments on Environmental Justice
Environmental justice is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. With the policies mentioned above, Gary will fight for fair treatment and equal involvement to make ALL parishes of LA see environment advocacy and changes.
Do you support comprehensive immigration reform that offers a path to citizenship for the undocumented who live in the US?
Yes
Will you commit to reducing ICE's budget and the number of ICE detention facilities in Louisiana?
Comments on Immigration
America is a country built on stolen land and founded by immigrants using the labor of enslaved people. Gary has been sickened by the practices of our Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) law enforcement body, which saw Trump era empowerment that has still not been fully dismantled under the Biden administration. In 2020, detained Black women were forcefully sterilized while being held by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Black Cameroonian asylum seekers also outcried alleged tortured into signing their own deportation orders. In fact, human rights protests broke out here in Louisiana because Black detainees alleged that they were being treated differently than detainees from Latin American countries. This isn’t just poor Republican immigration policy, this is simply poor American immigration policy. Gary is committed to advocating for and passing legislation for the following priorities: Comprehensive immigration reform, if not the complete abolition of ICE. Comprehensive immigration policy reform. The current immigration policy is rooted in white supremacy and there must be a catharsis of that system. Congressional hearings to investigate the mistreatment of Black and Latin American detainees.
What do you perceive to be the United States’ greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?
Considering the events of January 6th, Gary perceives preserving democracy as the greatest challenge as a nation over the next decade. The right to vote is sacred and paramount to our democracy. However, that sacred right is currently under attack across the country. Registration purges, limiting polling locations and hours, and the war waged against mail in voting are all tactics used to repress minority communities' access to vote. This is the legacy of white supremacy and it lives on to this day, and it will take decisive and persistent action to rid our electoral process from this stain on our democracy.
What Committees do you think you would add value to and why?
A committee that Gary could add immense value to would be the Chemical Safety, Waste Management, Environment Justice, and Regulatory Oversight of Environment and Public Works committee. Environmental justice is a top issue for Gary considering Sacrifice Zones. Sacrifice Zones are often “fence-line communities” consisting of low-income and/or people of color. They are considered “hot spots” of chemical pollution where residents live immediately adjacent to heavily polluting industries. This applies especially to Cancer Alley which has more than 140 chemical factories and oil refineries. Cancer Alley is a direct example of why environmental justice is needed, and a committee position of this specificity would offer a direct line to bring change to his home state's well-being.
What two things do you think you can accomplish in your first term?
Firstly, Gary seeks to ensure more Louisianans have access to healthcare and environmental justice. This will involve strategically joining committees that will allow him to create legislation and strong advocacy for policies that will expand healthcare accessibility and environmental protections. In addition, being a Senator will offer a large platform to speak about policies such as GND and Medicare For All, for advocacy to rally citizens and fellow Congress members. Secondly, Gary will accomplish a significant impact on diversity and the staffing level. Gary will bring diversity directly through diversity set out in his staffing and by being the first Black senator of Louisiana,
Do you believe the nation should reduce crime by shifting funding from police and incarceration to increased investment in education, mental healthcare, infrastructure, equitable economic opportunity, and similar systems and programs?
No
Do you support abolition of the death penalty?
No
Do you support decriminalizing sex work on a federal level?
Yes
Do you consider the federal 50-year War on Drugs to be a success or failure? And why?
Failure
Please expand on this answer.
The CIA does it. Others aren’t allowed. Cartels are just mid level. Cartels are allowed by the CIA.
Considering the high percentage of students who have a parent impacted by the criminal legal system, do you believe schools should address this traumatic reality for children?
Yes
Please expand on this answer.
The DoJ is designed to keep you on it.
Do you think youth who commit crimes should be treated as adults?
No
How will you invest in preventions and supports (such as addressing education, mental health services, and poverty) and rehabilitation as an alternative to incarceration?
Case by case basis.
Do you believe we should ensure schools are being held accountable to the community in their implementation of alternatives to suspension such as PBIS and restorative justice practice?
Yes
What provisions will you put in place to ensure this occurs?
Complete overhaul.
Comments on Criminal Justice
Unfair. Rigged. People funded by George Soros to undermine our Constitutional Republic and Bill of Rights.
Do you believe every woman should have access to the full range of reproductive health care services, including access to safe and legal abortion. Will you support a woman's right to safe, legal abortion?
No
Do you support Medicare for All?
No
Do you support restricting access to firearms by requiring universal background checks?
No
Comments on Public Health
Cancer isn’t allowed to be cured. Doctors work for the CEO of the hospital - not the patient. Vaccines never cured. They only prevented for a limited amount of time IF the right vaccine was administered. Many are tainted and cause more harm that good. Polio was caused by the vaccine. There is no autism in deindustrialized nations because there is no vaccine program there.
Do you believe formerly incarcerated people, regardless of their parole or probation status, should be allowed to vote?
Yes
Will you support the expansion of voting rights and commit to restoring the full protections of the Voting Rights Act?
No
Do you support The For the People Act?
No
What provisions do you think are particularly important?
Not voting on iPads. Stalin: “I care not who cast the vote, I care who counts the vote” Not allowing ballot harvesting by democrats. Watch “2000 Mules” by Dinesh D'Souza.
Do you support the passage of the John Lewis Voting Rights Act to restore and strengthen the Voting Rights act of 1965?
No
Comments on Democracy
John Lewis is incompetent.
Do you favor raising the federal minimum wage?
No
If yes, what would you raise it to immediately? By 2025?
Across Louisiana, there is a shortage of rental homes affordable and available to extremely low income households (ELI), whose incomes are at or below the poverty guideline or 30% of their area median income (AMI). Many of these households are severely cost burdened, spending more than half of their income on housing. Severely cost burdened poor households are more likely than other renters to sacrifice other necessities like healthy food and healthcare to pay the rent, and to experience unstable housing situations like evictions, creating a housing crisis. Is addressing this potential crisis a top priority for you?
No
Do you believe child labor requirements should be relaxed in order to allow minors to work up to eight hours before receiving a recreation or meal break (they are currently required for minors at least once every five hours)?
No
Do you believe there should be work-reporting requirements for Medicaid recipients?
No
Do you support federal paid family and medical leave policies that will allow workers the ability to take paid family and medical time off to care for ill family members or new born children and still receive needed pay to support the family?
No
Do you support expanding the federal Child Tax Credit, making it fully refundable and paying it in monthly installments, as happened in 2021 before it was allowed to expire?
No
Comments on Economy
The Federal Reserve is NOT federal. The Federal Reserve is probably owned. The Federal Reserve is owned by people who are offshore and tax exempt through their foundations. The 16th Amendment was never properly ratified. This means the personal income tax is unconstitutional and subsequently the IRS. Watch the movie “America: Freedom to Fascism” by Aaron Russo.
Do you believe the Department of Education and schools should be allowed to anonymously survey students on health risk behaviors such as alcohol/drug use; sexual risk behaviors; and tobacco use?
No
Do you believe that the Federal Government has a role to play in improving early childhood experiences by supporting mental health services from prenatal to age 8?
No
Are you aware of the ACE Study and do you support implementation of Federal policies and funding to states to reduce adverse childhood events?
No
Do you support systemic change of making college more affordable and short-term approval of student loan relief to cancel or discharge loan debt for borrowers who completed a degree program?
No
Comments on Education
It’s a joke. Any trump supporters and or conservative males are hen pecked, heckled and looked down upon. AntiWhiteism is ruining education.
Do you support a Green New Deal?
No
As one of the nation’s leading petrochemical exporters, what will you do on a national level to protect the citizens of the state and particularly in “Cancer Alley” from the harmful effects of producing these materials that can lead to respiratory complications and other severe health concerns?
Raise awareness to the dangers of RoundUp production. Vote “NO” on anything proposed my democrats.
Do you support federal investment in renewable energy?
No
Do you support a moratorium on petrochemical buildout and expansion in Louisiana's industrial corridor?
No
Louisiana is one of the most vulnerable states facing impacts to climate change. The state is facing intense hurricanes and rising seas. State lawmakers are in a powerful position to address environmental impacts. Will you work to support more funding toward mutual aid groups that can help support on the ground recovery efforts?
No
Comments on Environmental Justice
Do you support comprehensive immigration reform that offers a path to citizenship for the undocumented who live in the US?
No
Will you commit to reducing ICE's budget and the number of ICE detention facilities in Louisiana?
Comments on Immigration
Illegals may cross the border AND receive benefits but citizens are required full body scans by the TSA to travel domestically? Wtf??
What do you perceive to be the United States’ greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?
Breaking away from the World Economic Forum and their appointed leaders for us. Breaking away from “Green Energy” Breaking away from the woke agenda.
What Committees do you think you would add value to and why?
InfoWars.com
What two things do you think you can accomplish in your first term?
Try not to get assassinated. Try to document all the censorship I will face so people understand they are next if I can’t protect myself.
Do you believe the nation should reduce crime by shifting funding from police and incarceration to increased investment in education, mental healthcare, infrastructure, equitable economic opportunity, and similar systems and programs?
Yes
Do you support abolition of the death penalty?
No
Do you support decriminalizing sex work on a federal level?
Yes
Do you consider the federal 50-year War on Drugs to be a success or failure? And why?
No Response
Please expand on this answer.
No response
Considering the high percentage of students who have a parent impacted by the criminal legal system, do you believe schools should address this traumatic reality for children?
Yes
Please expand on this answer.
Yes. Educating people and children on the troubles of their peers is important. Showing that there is a connection with crime and a single parent home is also important.
Do you think youth who commit crimes should be treated as adults?
Yes
How will you invest in preventions and supports (such as addressing education, mental health services, and poverty) and rehabilitation as an alternative to incarceration?
We have proven that the current system does not work. Creating jobs and profits at the expense of others is not a solution. I would like to see first timers educated with a skill while incarcerated at a minimum. Louisiana and the other respective states need to invest in mental health for the citizens as well. At some point, we have to know that this is not just crime. The true player in the crimes of our people may be the basic needs of survival in the case of poverty, or the lack of being able to understand in the case of mental health.
Do you believe we should ensure schools are being held accountable to the community in their implementation of alternatives to suspension such as PBIS and restorative justice practice?
Yes
What provisions will you put in place to ensure this occurs?
I am a supporter of year round schooling for students. The suspending of a student does not teach that student to act in a proper manner. Today's world, students do not think of school as education as much as they think of it as a requirement. To go against the machine is empowering. The suspension of a student does not affect a student as it did ten and twenty years ago. It is my opinion that we need to make school educational and enjoyable for students so that they do not see the education as a requirement or penalty. When and if a student is misbehaving, we need to have a proper negative solution.
Comments on Criminal Justice
Criminal justice needs a reform outside of the thinking of the last 50 and 70 years.
Do you believe every woman should have access to the full range of reproductive health care services, including access to safe and legal abortion. Will you support a woman's right to safe, legal abortion?
No
Do you support Medicare for All?
No
Do you support restricting access to firearms by requiring universal background checks?
Yes
Comments on Public Health
Healthcare in our country has taken a turn. Our foods are chemicals. The FDA needs to change the rules on the way our food is handled. The obesity rates, diabetes, and stomach issues created by chemical foods. The health of our people has been sold to the lowest cost and highest profits of our food manufactures and processors. Outside of food, we need to promote nature to the people. The indoors and being trapped by walls affects the mental state of people. I am pro life, however, I am not one who believe the government should be part of the abortion rules. I would support this on a state by state level only, never a federal rule or law.
Do you believe formerly incarcerated people, regardless of their parole or probation status, should be allowed to vote?
Yes
Will you support the expansion of voting rights and commit to restoring the full protections of the Voting Rights Act?
Yes
Do you support The For the People Act?
No Response
What provisions do you think are particularly important?
No response
Do you support the passage of the John Lewis Voting Rights Act to restore and strengthen the Voting Rights act of 1965?
No Response
Comments on Democracy
Voting is key to "We the People" and the idea of self governing. Restricting any person from voting is an insult to the core of our nation. The clause of a state issue identification card is not discrimination. If a person does not have that single requirement, then a voter's registration card would work and is provided by your registrar when you register to vote. Gerrymandering should be illegal. A set of rules should be written out to make the practice unable to be designed and approved by the federal government. The states shall still have the right to create the districts, but within the parameters out the law.
Do you favor raising the federal minimum wage?
No
If yes, what would you raise it to immediately? By 2025?
Across Louisiana, there is a shortage of rental homes affordable and available to extremely low income households (ELI), whose incomes are at or below the poverty guideline or 30% of their area median income (AMI). Many of these households are severely cost burdened, spending more than half of their income on housing. Severely cost burdened poor households are more likely than other renters to sacrifice other necessities like healthy food and healthcare to pay the rent, and to experience unstable housing situations like evictions, creating a housing crisis. Is addressing this potential crisis a top priority for you?
No
Do you believe child labor requirements should be relaxed in order to allow minors to work up to eight hours before receiving a recreation or meal break (they are currently required for minors at least once every five hours)?
No Response
Do you believe there should be work-reporting requirements for Medicaid recipients?
No Response
Do you support federal paid family and medical leave policies that will allow workers the ability to take paid family and medical time off to care for ill family members or new born children and still receive needed pay to support the family?
No Response
Do you support expanding the federal Child Tax Credit, making it fully refundable and paying it in monthly installments, as happened in 2021 before it was allowed to expire?
No Response
Comments on Economy
We have to create opportunity. It is not a governments cause to employ the people. It is the cause of the individual to seek the opportunity. Our economy is held back by government.
Do you believe the Department of Education and schools should be allowed to anonymously survey students on health risk behaviors such as alcohol/drug use; sexual risk behaviors; and tobacco use?
No Response
Do you believe that the Federal Government has a role to play in improving early childhood experiences by supporting mental health services from prenatal to age 8?
No Response
Are you aware of the ACE Study and do you support implementation of Federal policies and funding to states to reduce adverse childhood events?
No Response
Do you support systemic change of making college more affordable and short-term approval of student loan relief to cancel or discharge loan debt for borrowers who completed a degree program?
No Response
Comments on Education
I want education to begin in the home. I also want education to be year round to allow students the ability to learn many things that fit their likes and personality. We can teach students more trades by doing this idea. Bringing electricians and plumbers, pipefitters and welders, operations and operators, straight to the field. University education can be cut down to specifics for only the field of study by opening up more educational days to students.
Do you support a Green New Deal?
No Response
As one of the nation’s leading petrochemical exporters, what will you do on a national level to protect the citizens of the state and particularly in “Cancer Alley” from the harmful effects of producing these materials that can lead to respiratory complications and other severe health concerns?
We need to create a program that allows the business industries to invest in their facilities and not have to pay for it twice. The replacing of old infrastructure with modern should be encouraged. The only way to encourage business is through money.
Do you support federal investment in renewable energy?
Yes
Do you support a moratorium on petrochemical buildout and expansion in Louisiana's industrial corridor?
No Response
Louisiana is one of the most vulnerable states facing impacts to climate change. The state is facing intense hurricanes and rising seas. State lawmakers are in a powerful position to address environmental impacts. Will you work to support more funding toward mutual aid groups that can help support on the ground recovery efforts?
Yes
Comments on Environmental Justice
The EPA needs to be more then a police service.
Do you support comprehensive immigration reform that offers a path to citizenship for the undocumented who live in the US?
Yes
Will you commit to reducing ICE's budget and the number of ICE detention facilities in Louisiana?
No Response
Comments on Immigration
We need to ensure the safety of our people. Immigration created our country and the takings of lands created our diverse people and landscape. People do not come to this country in hopes of becoming a criminal. They come because of opportunity.
What do you perceive to be the United States’ greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?
Saving our coast, our people, cultures, and values.
What Committees do you think you would add value to and why?
Transportation.
What two things do you think you can accomplish in your first term?
Funding of a bridge in Baton Rouge Added funding for communities along the coast for protection from erosion. Reducing the authority of the Army Corp against the people of Louisiana and America.
Do you believe the nation should reduce crime by shifting funding from police and incarceration to increased investment in education, mental healthcare, infrastructure, equitable economic opportunity, and similar systems and programs?
Yes
Do you support abolition of the death penalty?
No
Do you support decriminalizing sex work on a federal level?
No
Do you consider the federal 50-year War on Drugs to be a success or failure? And why?
Failure
Please expand on this answer.
Because we’ve failed to stop the pipeline of drugs from the Cartels in South America.
Considering the high percentage of students who have a parent impacted by the criminal legal system, do you believe schools should address this traumatic reality for children?
Yes
Please expand on this answer.
They should make an effort to do more prevention and education to get into programs that keep them off the streets where they’re more susceptible to being introduced or indoctrinated to a life of crime or to make that so-called easy money dealing or smuggling drugs.
Do you think youth who commit crimes should be treated as adults?
Yes,No
How will you invest in preventions and supports (such as addressing education, mental health services, and poverty) and rehabilitation as an alternative to incarceration?
After school programs that introduce the youths to programs that teach a trade that leads to a potential career path where they can earn a living with opportunities to advance on the job. Paid internship, programs where they can earn college credits before they graduate high school.
Do you believe we should ensure schools are being held accountable to the community in their implementation of alternatives to suspension such as PBIS and restorative justice practice?
Yes,No
What provisions will you put in place to ensure this occurs?
I’m not sure of what PBIS and restorative Justice practice refers to but it sounds like a form of reform school within a juvenile Justice type of situation. I think the idea is to catch them before they reach that point!
Comments on Criminal Justice
A predominant amount of criminal activity is a result of lack of opportunities and the lure of quick / easy money without really thinking about the consequences of the criminal justice system and how it will potentially impact their lives.
Do you believe every woman should have access to the full range of reproductive health care services, including access to safe and legal abortion. Will you support a woman's right to safe, legal abortion?
Yes
Do you support Medicare for All?
Yes,No
Do you support restricting access to firearms by requiring universal background checks?
Yes
Comments on Public Health
Do you believe formerly incarcerated people, regardless of their parole or probation status, should be allowed to vote?
Yes
Will you support the expansion of voting rights and commit to restoring the full protections of the Voting Rights Act?
Yes
Do you support The For the People Act?
Yes
What provisions do you think are particularly important?
The right to vote is something that should be easy and accessible to all eligible citizens, because it is a constitutionally guarantee right to elect leaders to represent the constituents of a given community.
Do you support the passage of the John Lewis Voting Rights Act to restore and strengthen the Voting Rights act of 1965?
Yes
Comments on Democracy
I still believe that this is as it was supposed to be as intended by the founders of this country, a government of the people, by the and for the people.
Do you favor raising the federal minimum wage?
Yes
If yes, what would you raise it to immediately? By 2025?
$15 hour, because wages have failed to keep up with inflation. Rents, groceries and costs of living is to expensive for the current minimum wages. People have to work 2 jobs in order to make ends meet!
Across Louisiana, there is a shortage of rental homes affordable and available to extremely low income households (ELI), whose incomes are at or below the poverty guideline or 30% of their area median income (AMI). Many of these households are severely cost burdened, spending more than half of their income on housing. Severely cost burdened poor households are more likely than other renters to sacrifice other necessities like healthy food and healthcare to pay the rent, and to experience unstable housing situations like evictions, creating a housing crisis. Is addressing this potential crisis a top priority for you?
Yes
Do you believe child labor requirements should be relaxed in order to allow minors to work up to eight hours before receiving a recreation or meal break (they are currently required for minors at least once every five hours)?
No
Do you believe there should be work-reporting requirements for Medicaid recipients?
No
Do you support federal paid family and medical leave policies that will allow workers the ability to take paid family and medical time off to care for ill family members or new born children and still receive needed pay to support the family?
Yes
Do you support expanding the federal Child Tax Credit, making it fully refundable and paying it in monthly installments, as happened in 2021 before it was allowed to expire?
Yes
Comments on Economy
The child tax credit was good for families to have additional money to take care of their household expenses (such as food, medical and childcare). Work-reporting requirements are overkill because the Medicare recipients in general can’t work to begin with, that’s why they’re on Medicare.
Do you believe the Department of Education and schools should be allowed to anonymously survey students on health risk behaviors such as alcohol/drug use; sexual risk behaviors; and tobacco use?
No
Do you believe that the Federal Government has a role to play in improving early childhood experiences by supporting mental health services from prenatal to age 8?
Yes
Are you aware of the ACE Study and do you support implementation of Federal policies and funding to states to reduce adverse childhood events?
Yes,No
Do you support systemic change of making college more affordable and short-term approval of student loan relief to cancel or discharge loan debt for borrowers who completed a degree program?
Yes,No
Comments on Education
I’m not familiar with the ACE Study to say anything on the subject without further knowledge of the study. I’m in favor of lowering the costs associated with institutions of higher learning, because the debt incurred while attending college can be very overwhelming.
Do you support a Green New Deal?
As one of the nation’s leading petrochemical exporters, what will you do on a national level to protect the citizens of the state and particularly in “Cancer Alley” from the harmful effects of producing these materials that can lead to respiratory complications and other severe health concerns?
Ensure that OSHA Regulations and safety protocols are strictly adhered to, to minimize accidents, spills and potential environmental hazards.
Do you support federal investment in renewable energy?
Yes
Do you support a moratorium on petrochemical buildout and expansion in Louisiana's industrial corridor?
Yes,No
Louisiana is one of the most vulnerable states facing impacts to climate change. The state is facing intense hurricanes and rising seas. State lawmakers are in a powerful position to address environmental impacts. Will you work to support more funding toward mutual aid groups that can help support on the ground recovery efforts?
Yes,No
Comments on Environmental Justice
Do you support comprehensive immigration reform that offers a path to citizenship for the undocumented who live in the US?
Yes
Will you commit to reducing ICE's budget and the number of ICE detention facilities in Louisiana?
Comments on Immigration
For undocumented immigrants who have been in the country and are productive members of society and otherwise law abiding don’t detain them in detention facilities. Let them continue to work on the path to full citizenship.
What do you perceive to be the United States’ greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?
Climate Change is a priority, because if we don’t address it posthaste the dire effects will be more devastating for generations to come.
What Committees do you think you would add value to and why?
Commerce, Science & Transportation and Energy and Natural Resources or Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
What two things do you think you can accomplish in your first term?
Raising the Federal Minimum Wage, Lowering the costs associated with Higher Learning and or bringing the inflation rate/consumers costs down.
Do you believe the nation should reduce crime by shifting funding from police and incarceration to increased investment in education, mental healthcare, infrastructure, equitable economic opportunity, and similar systems and programs?
Yes
Do you support abolition of the death penalty?
Yes
Do you support decriminalizing sex work on a federal level?
Yes
Do you consider the federal 50-year War on Drugs to be a success or failure? And why?
Failure
Please expand on this answer.
It has directly led to the United States becoming the most incarcerated country in the world. It has disproportionately impacted people of color and led to the mass destruction of communities. Many people who committed first time non-violent drug offenses have been sentenced to long or lifetime sentences. The states followed the lead of the federal government thus effectively eliminating entire generations!
Considering the high percentage of students who have a parent impacted by the criminal legal system, do you believe schools should address this traumatic reality for children?
Yes
Please expand on this answer.
The organization that I founded Operation Restoration conducted a study in 2018 with human impact partners in California about the impacts of a primary caretaker being incarcerated. It uncovered and highlighted the impacts incarceration has on children. We initiated our research through a lens of public health and documented specifically the impact in Louisiana. There are higher rates of foster care, std’s, teenage pregnancy, incarceration, loss of education and more. If our kids are suffering in silence they will become statistics. The schools have a responsibility to be a part of the solution.
Do you think youth who commit crimes should be treated as adults?
No
How will you invest in preventions and supports (such as addressing education, mental health services, and poverty) and rehabilitation as an alternative to incarceration?
By investing, supporting, resourcing, and diverting revenues to community.
Do you believe we should ensure schools are being held accountable to the community in their implementation of alternatives to suspension such as PBIS and restorative justice practice?
Yes
What provisions will you put in place to ensure this occurs?
We have to stop criminalizing kids behavior. We need intervention specialists inside of schools that are certified in PBIS. Schools have to be invested in kids as well as education. I would fight for funding for schools to add these positions as well as increasing teacher pay. I would fight for kids to go to school in their communities and be taught by people who live in those communities. No city should be 100% charter.
Comments on Criminal Justice
This is a part of my life’s work and will continue to be. I have worked and been successful in passing legislation on multiple levels!
Do you believe every woman should have access to the full range of reproductive health care services, including access to safe and legal abortion. Will you support a woman's right to safe, legal abortion?
Yes
Do you support Medicare for All?
Yes
Do you support restricting access to firearms by requiring universal background checks?
No
Comments on Public Health
All problems in communities are intersectional to public health. There must be a greater priority placed on creating policies from a public health perspective.
Do you believe formerly incarcerated people, regardless of their parole or probation status, should be allowed to vote?
Yes
Will you support the expansion of voting rights and commit to restoring the full protections of the Voting Rights Act?
Yes
Do you support The For the People Act?
Yes
What provisions do you think are particularly important?
Campaigning Finances, Expansion of Voting Rights and Gerrymandering
Do you support the passage of the John Lewis Voting Rights Act to restore and strengthen the Voting Rights act of 1965?
Yes
Comments on Democracy
Democracy is a constitutional right and we must ensure everyone is able to live and have access in a democratic society.
Do you favor raising the federal minimum wage?
Yes
If yes, what would you raise it to immediately? By 2025?
16.00/hr
Across Louisiana, there is a shortage of rental homes affordable and available to extremely low income households (ELI), whose incomes are at or below the poverty guideline or 30% of their area median income (AMI). Many of these households are severely cost burdened, spending more than half of their income on housing. Severely cost burdened poor households are more likely than other renters to sacrifice other necessities like healthy food and healthcare to pay the rent, and to experience unstable housing situations like evictions, creating a housing crisis. Is addressing this potential crisis a top priority for you?
Yes
Do you believe child labor requirements should be relaxed in order to allow minors to work up to eight hours before receiving a recreation or meal break (they are currently required for minors at least once every five hours)?
No
Do you believe there should be work-reporting requirements for Medicaid recipients?
No
Do you support federal paid family and medical leave policies that will allow workers the ability to take paid family and medical time off to care for ill family members or new born children and still receive needed pay to support the family?
Yes
Do you support expanding the federal Child Tax Credit, making it fully refundable and paying it in monthly installments, as happened in 2021 before it was allowed to expire?
Yes
Comments on Economy
We have to create policies that focus on creating a stable and equitable economy that is sustainable outside of party lines.
Do you believe the Department of Education and schools should be allowed to anonymously survey students on health risk behaviors such as alcohol/drug use; sexual risk behaviors; and tobacco use?
Yes
Do you believe that the Federal Government has a role to play in improving early childhood experiences by supporting mental health services from prenatal to age 8?
Yes
Are you aware of the ACE Study and do you support implementation of Federal policies and funding to states to reduce adverse childhood events?
Yes
Do you support systemic change of making college more affordable and short-term approval of student loan relief to cancel or discharge loan debt for borrowers who completed a degree program?
Yes
Comments on Education
Education is a fundamental right. Education must be one of quality and easily accessible
Do you support a Green New Deal?
Yes
As one of the nation’s leading petrochemical exporters, what will you do on a national level to protect the citizens of the state and particularly in “Cancer Alley” from the harmful effects of producing these materials that can lead to respiratory complications and other severe health concerns?
Our government must recognize the fact that oil and gas are central to the lives of many Louisianians. As a U.S. Senator, I will promote the growth of a dual energy economy, using CLEAN oil and gas to supply current baseload energy demand while stimulating the development of a second, renewable energy system to absorb the increase in energy demand generated by the digital era. In conjunction with education programs, this will create new jobs while strengthening the old ones, setting Louisiana up to lead the new economy while keeping the oil and gas that make it strong in the here and now.
Do you support federal investment in renewable energy?
Yes
Do you support a moratorium on petrochemical buildout and expansion in Louisiana's industrial corridor?
Yes
Louisiana is one of the most vulnerable states facing impacts to climate change. The state is facing intense hurricanes and rising seas. State lawmakers are in a powerful position to address environmental impacts. Will you work to support more funding toward mutual aid groups that can help support on the ground recovery efforts?
Yes
Comments on Environmental Justice
I have worked extensively providing relief to individuals affected by environmental disasters. Company’s who are repeat violators of EPA policies and intentionally poison people in our communities must be held responsible and not allowed to continue to operate in our communities.
Do you support comprehensive immigration reform that offers a path to citizenship for the undocumented who live in the US?
Yes
Will you commit to reducing ICE's budget and the number of ICE detention facilities in Louisiana?
Comments on Immigration
Immigration detention has become a large source of revenue in the state of Louisiana in the same way that incarceration was.
What do you perceive to be the United States’ greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?
Racial inequality
What Committees do you think you would add value to and why?
I would add value to Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry because I grew up in rural Louisiana and deeply care about agriculture and the state it’s in, especially in Louisiana. Louisiana has some of The richest soils in the world and yet we are importing more than we are exporting. Timber is extremely important in Northern Louisiana but yet we neglect investment of resources to make sure our timber-men can thrive. We have to have strong voices on this committee to to bring resources back to Louisiana. I would add value to Health, Education, Labor and Pensions a lot of my work has been in Education and Health. Louisiana currently ranks at the bottom in both categories. We need voices on this committee that understand the intersectionality of these things as well as having solutions to problems that currently exist. I would add value to Appropriations which is responsible for appropriating funding for most federal government functions. This committee yields tremendous power and there is no one who has Louisiana’s best interest in the forefront on this committee if we don’t have representation where the power lies we become powerless.
What two things do you think you can accomplish in your first term?
1. Expanding and improving Louisiana infrastructure just roads and bridges but water systems and broadband in rural communities 2. Passing the For the Peoples Act
Do you believe the nation should reduce crime by shifting funding from police and incarceration to increased investment in education, mental healthcare, infrastructure, equitable economic opportunity, and similar systems and programs?
No
Do you support abolition of the death penalty?
No
Do you support decriminalizing sex work on a federal level?
No
Do you consider the federal 50-year War on Drugs to be a success or failure? And why?
Failure
Please expand on this answer.
It only targeted minorities who received harsh sentences for possession which is now legal in many states.
Considering the high percentage of students who have a parent impacted by the criminal legal system, do you believe schools should address this traumatic reality for children?
Yes
Please expand on this answer.
Schools should address this issue from Pre-K to 12th grade by providing 1/2 day academic instruction and 1/2 day vocational training so that children can stay busy and learn a trade that will help them become productive members of society and be able to get a job that pays them $15-$25/hour. This will take away their traumatic reality and make it a success story.
Do you think youth who commit crimes should be treated as adults?
No
How will you invest in preventions and supports (such as addressing education, mental health services, and poverty) and rehabilitation as an alternative to incarceration?
Once again, schools should address this issue from Pre-K to 12th grade by providing 1/2 day academic instruction and 1/2 day vocational training so that children can stay busy and learn a trade that will help them become productive members of society and be able to get a job that pays them $15-$25/hour. This will take away their traumatic reality and make it a success story. Education is the answer for preventing future crime rates and vocational training will be a plus for mental health stimulation and will break the cycle of poverty and prevent incarceration as well.
Do you believe we should ensure schools are being held accountable to the community in their implementation of alternatives to suspension such as PBIS and restorative justice practice?
No
What provisions will you put in place to ensure this occurs?
Comments on Criminal Justice
Parents should be accountable for their children. Teachers should be empowered by giving them all the resources that they need as well as higher wages so that they can afford to live from their educational salary instead of having to find a second job to make ends meet.
Do you believe every woman should have access to the full range of reproductive health care services, including access to safe and legal abortion. Will you support a woman's right to safe, legal abortion?
Yes
Do you support Medicare for All?
Do you support restricting access to firearms by requiring universal background checks?
Yes
Comments on Public Health
I will fight for Medicare for ALL!
Do you believe formerly incarcerated people, regardless of their parole or probation status, should be allowed to vote?
Yes
Will you support the expansion of voting rights and commit to restoring the full protections of the Voting Rights Act?
Yes
Do you support The For the People Act?
Yes
What provisions do you think are particularly important?
Being able to register to vote at any time but no later than 24-hours before a mid-term or general election.
Do you support the passage of the John Lewis Voting Rights Act to restore and strengthen the Voting Rights act of 1965?
Yes
Comments on Democracy
If you do not exercise your right to VOTE you will end up loosing it and that will be the end of Democracy.
Do you favor raising the federal minimum wage?
Yes
If yes, what would you raise it to immediately? By 2025?
$15/hour now and $25 by 2025.
Across Louisiana, there is a shortage of rental homes affordable and available to extremely low income households (ELI), whose incomes are at or below the poverty guideline or 30% of their area median income (AMI). Many of these households are severely cost burdened, spending more than half of their income on housing. Severely cost burdened poor households are more likely than other renters to sacrifice other necessities like healthy food and healthcare to pay the rent, and to experience unstable housing situations like evictions, creating a housing crisis. Is addressing this potential crisis a top priority for you?
Yes
Do you believe child labor requirements should be relaxed in order to allow minors to work up to eight hours before receiving a recreation or meal break (they are currently required for minors at least once every five hours)?
No
Do you believe there should be work-reporting requirements for Medicaid recipients?
No
Do you support federal paid family and medical leave policies that will allow workers the ability to take paid family and medical time off to care for ill family members or new born children and still receive needed pay to support the family?
Yes
Do you support expanding the federal Child Tax Credit, making it fully refundable and paying it in monthly installments, as happened in 2021 before it was allowed to expire?
Yes
Comments on Economy
In order to help low income and middle class families make ends meet during the current inflation we must recognize the root of the problem and tackle it head on. Inflation is the result of the ECONOMIC WAR on the POOR AND MIDDLE CLASS that was originated by Big Oil when they began manipulating the gasoline prices and stopped the gasoline production which caused the prices of food to go up as well as the cost of construction materials. Big Oil companies received the highest profits in 50 years while poor people ended up eating SPAM ham or even Cat Tuna in order to pay their high electric and gas bills. This is not the American Dream--it is the American Nightmare!
Do you believe the Department of Education and schools should be allowed to anonymously survey students on health risk behaviors such as alcohol/drug use; sexual risk behaviors; and tobacco use?
No
Do you believe that the Federal Government has a role to play in improving early childhood experiences by supporting mental health services from prenatal to age 8?
Yes
Are you aware of the ACE Study and do you support implementation of Federal policies and funding to states to reduce adverse childhood events?
Yes
Do you support systemic change of making college more affordable and short-term approval of student loan relief to cancel or discharge loan debt for borrowers who completed a degree program?
Yes
Comments on Education
We should adopt the Japanese school system model from Pre-K to 12th grade by providing 1/2 day academic instruction and 1/2 day vocational training so that children can stay busy and learn a trade that will help them become productive members of society and be able to get a job that pays them $15-$25/hour. This will prepare all high school students for having a good opportunity to be successful in college.
Do you support a Green New Deal?
Yes
As one of the nation’s leading petrochemical exporters, what will you do on a national level to protect the citizens of the state and particularly in “Cancer Alley” from the harmful effects of producing these materials that can lead to respiratory complications and other severe health concerns?
I am fully aware about the suffering that "Cancer Alley," citizens are experiencing which is similar to the "Burn Pit," respiratory complications that millions of US Military men and women have been experiencing for years but now they can receive treatment and have the opportunity to receive compensation as well. I am one of the veterans victims of Burn Pit Chemical Exposure suffering from respiratory complications and other severe health concerns like Leukemia, vitiligo, psoriasis and eczema, chronic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis and chronic chemical allergies. For these reasons, I will fight tooth and nail for the citizens of "Cancer Alley," so that they get the medical treatment that they deserve as well as a reasonable compensation for loss of work and/or loss of life.
Do you support federal investment in renewable energy?
Yes
Do you support a moratorium on petrochemical buildout and expansion in Louisiana's industrial corridor?
Yes
Louisiana is one of the most vulnerable states facing impacts to climate change. The state is facing intense hurricanes and rising seas. State lawmakers are in a powerful position to address environmental impacts. Will you work to support more funding toward mutual aid groups that can help support on the ground recovery efforts?
No
Comments on Environmental Justice
I will sponsor legislation that orders the Big Oil and petrochemical exporters to re-invest 50% of their profits in Louisiana's renewable energy, infrastructure and a light rail system that connects North to Sought and East to West Louisiana thus creating over 100,000 permanent new jobs while connecting more than 150 towns within Louisiana which already have train stations within the national rail system which are not being used and can help more than 1.5 million Louisiana citizens find better paying jobs because at this time no one can commute without a vehicle or $50 -$100 for an Uber/taxi ride from Kentwood to New Orleans and/or $150-$200 Uber/taxi ride from Lake Charles to New Orleans.
Do you support comprehensive immigration reform that offers a path to citizenship for the undocumented who live in the US?
Yes
Will you commit to reducing ICE's budget and the number of ICE detention facilities in Louisiana?
Comments on Immigration
We need more immigration judges so that the 4-5 year backlog can be reduced to zero.
What do you perceive to be the United States’ greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?
Poverty of low income and middle class families that are the current victims of inflation that has been induced by Big Oil Companies.
What Committees do you think you would add value to and why?
1. Energy. Will sponsor legislation to regulate Big Oil and take away their Power of manipulating gasoline prices. 2. Agriculture. I will sponsor the "Agriculture Reform Act." which will create 25 million new jobs and will reverse the level of 2 million farms to 6.8 million farms that we had in 1935. 3. Health and Human Services. I will sponsor the "Lorena Bobbitt PeeWee Axe Act" that will cut the penis of all rapists and order vasectomy of fathers with two children out wedlock for whom they are not providing child support. 4. Intelligence. I will sponsor "Classified Material Chain of Custody," which will prevent any classified information ever left at anyone's desk regardless if it is the White House, US Congress, the Pentagon or any military base. All classified material must return to the Secured Volt where it came from after it has been reviewed by the intended person. 5. Veterans. I will continue to fight to ensure that veterans exposed to harmful chemicals receive the treatment and compensation that they deserve.
What two things do you think you can accomplish in your first term?
1. Sponsor legislation to regulate Big Oil. 2. Sponsor and implement the "Agriculture Reform Act." 3. Sponsor the "Lorena Bobbitt PeeWee Axe Act."
Do you believe the nation should reduce crime by shifting funding from police and incarceration to increased investment in education, mental healthcare, infrastructure, equitable economic opportunity, and similar systems and programs?
No
Do you support abolition of the death penalty?
No
Do you support decriminalizing sex work on a federal level?
No
Do you consider the federal 50-year War on Drugs to be a success or failure? And why?
Success
Please expand on this answer.
Its successful as it can be. There would be no drugs coming in if Americans did not have such a thirst for those drugs.
Considering the high percentage of students who have a parent impacted by the criminal legal system, do you believe schools should address this traumatic reality for children?
Yes
Please expand on this answer.
All schools should have mental health counselors on hand to help out our children.
Do you think youth who commit crimes should be treated as adults?
Yes
How will you invest in preventions and supports (such as addressing education, mental health services, and poverty) and rehabilitation as an alternative to incarceration?
We should make sure that children know the harsh reality of consequences when it comes to criminal acts. I propose that all high school students graduate with some type of certificate degree. This can be in cyber security, medical assistant, welding, cosmetology, etc.
Do you believe we should ensure schools are being held accountable to the community in their implementation of alternatives to suspension such as PBIS and restorative justice practice?
No
What provisions will you put in place to ensure this occurs?
Comments on Criminal Justice
Do you believe every woman should have access to the full range of reproductive health care services, including access to safe and legal abortion. Will you support a woman's right to safe, legal abortion?
No
Do you support Medicare for All?
Yes
Do you support restricting access to firearms by requiring universal background checks?
Yes
Comments on Public Health
Abortion should be illegal in every state. I do support a medicare for all but not a free medicare. It can be maybe $50 a person.
Do you believe formerly incarcerated people, regardless of their parole or probation status, should be allowed to vote?
Yes
Will you support the expansion of voting rights and commit to restoring the full protections of the Voting Rights Act?
Yes
Do you support The For the People Act?
Yes
What provisions do you think are particularly important?
Every American citizen should be allowed to vote.
Do you support the passage of the John Lewis Voting Rights Act to restore and strengthen the Voting Rights act of 1965?
Yes
Comments on Democracy
Every American citizen should be allowed to vote.
Do you favor raising the federal minimum wage?
No
If yes, what would you raise it to immediately? By 2025?
Across Louisiana, there is a shortage of rental homes affordable and available to extremely low income households (ELI), whose incomes are at or below the poverty guideline or 30% of their area median income (AMI). Many of these households are severely cost burdened, spending more than half of their income on housing. Severely cost burdened poor households are more likely than other renters to sacrifice other necessities like healthy food and healthcare to pay the rent, and to experience unstable housing situations like evictions, creating a housing crisis. Is addressing this potential crisis a top priority for you?
No
Do you believe child labor requirements should be relaxed in order to allow minors to work up to eight hours before receiving a recreation or meal break (they are currently required for minors at least once every five hours)?
No
Do you believe there should be work-reporting requirements for Medicaid recipients?
Yes
Do you support federal paid family and medical leave policies that will allow workers the ability to take paid family and medical time off to care for ill family members or new born children and still receive needed pay to support the family?
No
Do you support expanding the federal Child Tax Credit, making it fully refundable and paying it in monthly installments, as happened in 2021 before it was allowed to expire?
No
Comments on Economy
We need to stop relying on the government for handouts. Work hard and save is the way to a better life in our Nation.
Do you believe the Department of Education and schools should be allowed to anonymously survey students on health risk behaviors such as alcohol/drug use; sexual risk behaviors; and tobacco use?
No
Do you believe that the Federal Government has a role to play in improving early childhood experiences by supporting mental health services from prenatal to age 8?
No
Are you aware of the ACE Study and do you support implementation of Federal policies and funding to states to reduce adverse childhood events?
No
Do you support systemic change of making college more affordable and short-term approval of student loan relief to cancel or discharge loan debt for borrowers who completed a degree program?
Yes
Comments on Education
There should be some type of free college education online for all students.
Do you support a Green New Deal?
No
As one of the nation’s leading petrochemical exporters, what will you do on a national level to protect the citizens of the state and particularly in “Cancer Alley” from the harmful effects of producing these materials that can lead to respiratory complications and other severe health concerns?
Do you support federal investment in renewable energy?
Yes
Do you support a moratorium on petrochemical buildout and expansion in Louisiana's industrial corridor?
No
Louisiana is one of the most vulnerable states facing impacts to climate change. The state is facing intense hurricanes and rising seas. State lawmakers are in a powerful position to address environmental impacts. Will you work to support more funding toward mutual aid groups that can help support on the ground recovery efforts?
No
Comments on Environmental Justice
We are just one country. I believe China and India produce more pollution than we do. Just stopping our country from polluting will not do much good. I am the only elected official who can get those other countries to get on board with climate change.
Do you support comprehensive immigration reform that offers a path to citizenship for the undocumented who live in the US?
Yes
Will you commit to reducing ICE's budget and the number of ICE detention facilities in Louisiana?
Comments on Immigration
ICE should have a bigger budget. We should electrify the border wall. We only need to let individuals in the country that can improve our country.
What do you perceive to be the United States’ greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?
The greatest challenge to our country is democrats ruining our country.
What Committees do you think you would add value to and why?
ALL. Im the only person who can get changes in all committees.
What two things do you think you can accomplish in your first term?
All high school students graduate with a certificate degree and $50 a person health insurance.
