Nancy Carlton Bendinger

Economy

Small businesses are extremely important to a local economy. In many of Alabama's communities, job growth is most likely to occur thanks to small business growth, not large employers. Learn more

For our children to remain in the community when they grow up and raise their families here, they’ll need good-paying, dependable local jobs. Learn more

We need to make it easier for small businesses to open and thrive in Alabama. Locally owned businesses bring money to our state and keep it here. They deserve a champion in Montgomery. Learn more

I will fight for our local businesses and oppose legislation that hurts small businesses and that puts big business interests above local concerns. Learn more

All Alabamians deserve the opportunity to earn a good life for their families. But our residents need to have the skills and abilities to attract the employers of the future. Workforce training will provide the foundation for job growth in Alabama by empowering our neighbors and encouraging employers to locate here with a capable and well-trained workforce. Learn more

Education

Russell County schools need help. Students in Russell County deserve to attend well-funded, high quality schools, just like in any other county. Learn more

If we want Alabama's children to excel and our state's education system to become a leader, we must begin by expanding public pre-k education. Learn more

In the 21st Century, a solid education is necessary to enter the middle class. That simple rule is true whether a you’re aiming for the office or the shop floor. Learn more

We need to stop telling our students that college is the only path to success and instead provide programs which allow them to develop skills to be successful after high school. Learn more

I’m running because I want to fight for a brighter future for our kids. Every child in our district needs an excellent education that will prepare them for the future. Learn more

Some schools in our district are raising the bar for quality education – and we must continue to invest in high-performing schools. They provide our children with an excellent education and draw businesses to the district. Learn more

Improving education in Alabama starts with our youngest children. We need to support affordable daycare programs to give working parents options they can count on. Learn more

Employers consider the quality of public schools, healthcare, and other public services when choosing a location to open or expand their business.  Education and healthcare improvements aren’t just good ideas on their own – they are powerful jobs programs for our district. Learn more

To move forward, we need to expand high school career academies, post-high school training and retraining programs, and continued investment in higher education institutions. Learn more

We also need to expand public pre-k education. Alabama has the top ranked public pre-k program in the nation, but only about 30% of children have access. Learn more

All our children need public pre-k.  For every dollar we spend on pre-k, we as taxpayers save $7 in future public assistance costs. Learn more

Alabama’s K-12 teachers need to be compensated at a more competitive rate – and after a lifetime of educating our children, our public school teachers need to be able to retire in dignity with confidence that their retirement will be protected. Learn more

Reliable, consistent support for our institutions of higher education can spur growth – not just for our campuses, but for the larger economy. That’s why it’s more important now than ever that we fight cuts to funding for our institutions which would cause continued tuition hikes. Learn more

Educational debt hinders the ability of young Alabamians to become independent adults who can contribute to our economy. For our young people and our economy to grow, we need to prepare our children for careers without massive debt. Learn more

We need to support all of Alabama’s colleges and universities. They provide quality higher education to Alabama's students and recruit the best and brightest to our state. Learn more

Environment / Energy

We can plan for abundant and clean water just as we can design widened roads, and we can adopt strategies for land preservation while spurring new economic growth. It just takes honesty and cooperation. Learn more

Government Reform

By making our processes for development both democratic and transparent, we can ensure that all voices are heard and that the plans for the future are fair and environmentally sound. Learn more

Healthcare

Hospitals provide a lifeline to rural communities, not to mention good jobs that can’t ever be outsourced. We can rethink hospitals as not just expenses, but as centers of public health and employment in some of our most vulnerable communities. By investing the in the health and wellbeing of Tallapoosa County, we can improve the lives of individuals and grow the economy of the entire county. Learn more

We must put a stop to this trend. All of Alabama's residents need access to healthcare, and no one should need to travel an hour or more for care – especially emergency care – when the lives of a mother and her child may be on the line. Learn more

Alabama voters consistently rank mental health and substance abuse treatment among the top priorities they want state government to address. It’s time you had someone in Montgomery listening to your priorities and concerns. Learn more

This is another reason why we need to expand Medicaid in Alabama. Medicaid expansion does not just help those directly enrolled in the program, as politicians in Montgomery would lead you to believe. It would allow for billions of dollars to enter and support Alabama's healthcare system to stem hospital closures and medical service cuts in our state. Learn more

And of course, if we want healthy families and thriving neighborhoods, everyone in our district needs healthcare coverage Learn more

The cost of healthcare in Alabama is skyrocketing, forcing many Alabamians to opt out of vital healthcare coverage due to expense. At the same time, uncompensated costs are harming our hospitals and clinics. Learn more

By expanding Medicaid, Alabama can receive the billions of dollars in federal healthcare funding it has been missing. Medicaid expansion not only supports families, children, veterans, disabled persons, and others who cannot afford healthcare – it also provides much needed funding to Alabama's healthcare facilities, keeping rural hospitals and clinics open while improving healthcare quality for all Alabamians. Learn more

When healthcare systems suffer financially, mental health and substance abuse rehabilitation facilities are the first to go. Mental health services in Alabama have been consistently cut for 15 years. Learn more

Expanding Medicaid can bring down healthcare costs by taking the unnecessary emergency room visits of uninsured individuals off the backs of taxpayers. Learn more

Let’s work together to bring healthcare costs in line. Learn more

Many Alabamians currently suffering from substance dependence cannot access or afford necessary treatment. This cannot continue. If we want to overcome the substance abuse crisis in our state, we must support the treatment of those who are already addicted while addressing the mental health needs of Alabama's children and adults to prevent the spread of addiction. Learn more

Infrastructure / Transportation

Alabama's infrastructure deficiencies discourage employers from locating here.  From crumbling roads and bridges to a lack of broadband access, business and employees do not have the basic infrastructure they need to be successful in many areas of our district.  We must invest in infrastructure, including rural broadband access, to support community needs and job growth. Learn more

Wages / Job Benefits

If we want quality teachers in Alabama, then we need to give young leaders incentive to join the profession and seasoned educators reason to stay. Learn more