Connie Casha

Connie Casha graduated from Glendale High School. She earned a bachelor's degree from Saint Louis University in 1981 and a graduate degree from Middle Tennessee State University in 1992. Her career experience includes working as an education advocate.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a long time resident of Smyrna with a history of working with children and families throughout these years. I am a wife, a mother, a grandmother and an educator. I have worked in the school district, in not-for profit-organizations, the Tennessee State Department of Education, and Middle Tennessee State University.

I have worked with children with and without disabilities, families striving to access services for their children and themselves, students working towards a degree in education and teacher licensure.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Fully funded public schools. This starts with transferring funding from Eduction Freedom Vouchers to public school funding to increase current per pupil funding ro remove Tennessee from last place in per student funding across the states; increasing teacher salaries and ensuring resources and services are available to provide a physically and psychologically safe learning environment.Universal child care. Steps toward universal child care include increasing child care subsidy funds to cover child care certificates for all eligivle working families; subsidize child care costs that exceed 7% of a family's income; evaluate regulations that add cost burdens to child care owners; incentivize businesses to provide child care cost saving plans to their employeesEconomic Security: establish minimum wage aligned with cost of living/inflation index; strengthen systems for identifying needs of people who are under-resources and over-burdened; support housing incentives to build homes under $250 K; support access to in home services versus using outpatient or residential care. provide tax exemption on grocery and personal hygiene products.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am personally passionate about all legislation that promotes the well-being of the people in Tennessee. Our families are struggling economically which impacts their health both physical as well as mental. In Tennessee, 41% of families do not make enough to afford the basic necessities of housing, child care, food and transportation. These are working families earning above the federal poverty guidelines but are defined as asset limited, income restrained and employed. I want to see working people have an opportunity to thrive and not just survive.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Planned Parenthood, Tennessee Women's Political Caucus