I grew up in a middle-class family in a middle-class neighborhood. My father worked in public service, and my mother taught special education. Rather typical family for the time. I woke up to the smell of breakfast in the morning, and the family shared with each other their day over supper. Our neighbors primarily included mid-management, manufacturers, sales people, and teachers. Despite living comfortably and prudently saving some of their incomes, my parents always had that fear that all parents have - to ensure they could provide for their children. However, at the time, the economy supported the types of jobs my parents and our neighbors all shared.
Times have changed and with it the focus upon the economy. Due to globalization and other economic factors, the days of manufacturing being a driver of our economy have ended. Our country has realized a shift in which those jobs have been outsourced to other countries. Many have had to transition into retail or service jobs while earning lower income, and as a result our middle class continues to dissipate. However, those that have seized employment opportunities in STEM industries, such as engineering, computer programming, and medical professions have prospered in the new middle-class industries.
As State Representative, I will fight to attract investment from STEM industry companies so as to provide solid, middle and upper-middle class employment opportunities for our families. Our other choice would be to rely upon service jobs in our communities and require others to have as much as one-hour commutes to work. Those two hours a day driving means we have two hours less to spend with our families. Attracting STEM jobs to our district makes good economic sense, and it makes good sense for our families.