A college degree is becoming more and more unattainable for middle and working class people. The General Assembly should be taking steps to make college more affordable for all students. Part of that solution is returning our state spending on higher education to pre-recession levels.

Kentucky's classrooms are overcrowded, our textbooks are falling apart, and our school infrastructure needs drastic improvements. Kentucky's schools need help. Part of that help is returning state spending on K-12 education to pre-recession levels and finally following the constitutional duty to adequately fund public education.

I stand with Gov. Andy Beshear in the push to increase annual teacher pay by at least $2,000. Teachers are vital in the future of Kentucky. They deserve to be paid a wage that reflects how important they and their work are.

Kentucky's children deserve to be fully prepared for Kindergarten. Universal Pre-K would achieve this and provide Kentucky families with the opportunity to work and provide for their children without having to be burdened with the absurd cost of child care.

Kentucky's public education system should be the #1 priority of our state budget, and I believe public dollars belong in our public schools. I oppose any attempt to turn our schools into a for-profit business.