Every family in Boone County understands the importance of living within a budget. We balance checkbooks, plan for emergencies, and stretch our paychecks to make sure our children are cared for. Yet government at every level often forgets this basic principle. As someone who teaches financial stewardship rooted in biblical values, I believe leaders should treat taxpayer money with the same care and discipline we use in our homes.
The Problem
While Arkansas ended fiscal year 2025 with a $367.9 million budget surplus (5 News), families across Boone County still feel squeezed by rising property taxes, inflation, and higher costs at the grocery store. The federal government has set a poor example — with the national debt now topping $37 trillion, adding nearly $1 trillion every five months (Reuters). That kind of reckless spending filters down, leaving Arkansans to shoulder the weight.
Too often, politicians treat taxpayer money like a blank check. Programs are created with no accountability, waste is ignored, and transparency is lacking. This isn’t just inefficient — it’s disrespectful to the hardworking families who fund government through their taxes.
My Plan for Fiscal Stewardship
If elected to represent District 5, I will fight to ensure every dollar is spent with accountability, transparency, and purpose.
- Cut Wasteful Spending – Audit programs and agencies regularly to eliminate duplication and misuse.
- Tax Relief for Families & Small Businesses – Push for lower income taxes and property taxes so Boone County families can keep more of what they earn.
- Support Local Job Creators – Remove red tape that holds back small businesses and farms, making it easier for them to thrive.
- Transparent Budgeting – Require clearer reporting so taxpayers can see exactly where their money is going.
What Red Tape
For Small Businesses
- Complicated licensing and permits – A small business owner in Harrison often has to file separate paperwork at the city, county, and state level just to get started. That wastes time and money.
- Over-regulation of home-based businesses – Folks who want to sell food (like bread, jams, baked goods) face burdensome health department rules that make it difficult for cottage industries to grow, even though demand is strong.
- Occupational licensing – In Arkansas, many trades require costly licenses and renewals (cosmetology, electricians, HVAC, even some basic contracting work). These hurdles make it harder for young workers to start careers quickly.
For Farmers & Agriculture
- Environmental and land-use regulations – Family farms face heavy paperwork on things like water runoff, equipment use, and chemical storage. Much of this is one-size-fits-all federal rules that don’t account for the reality of small farms in Boone County.
- Meat processing bottlenecks – Local ranchers who want to sell beef directly to consumers often have to navigate a maze of USDA and state requirements, limiting the farm-to-table market.
For Families
- Property tax assessment appeals – Homeowners who believe their assessment is wrong face confusing processes with little guidance, leaving families paying more than they should.
- School choice and education bureaucracy – Parents who want options for their children often hit roadblocks with paperwork, approvals, and inconsistent funding structures.
Why It Matters
When government lives within its means, families and communities prosper. When it doesn’t, families carry the burden through higher taxes and fewer opportunities. Fiscal responsibility is not just about numbers on a page — it’s about respecting the people’s hard work and making sure their money is used to strengthen, not weaken, our communities.
I believe Boone County families deserve a representative who will protect their wallets as fiercely as they protect their own households. That is the kind of leadership I will bring to District 5.
