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New Solutions for Michigan
Good Paying Jobs and the Michigan Economy
The 8.5% unemployment rate in Michigan continues to lead the nation and is the highest in 16 years. As a small business owner, I have the experience necessary to create a vibrant business climate that allows for the retention, growth and attraction of good paying jobs to the State of Michigan. I believe we should immediately repeal the 22% MBT surcharge. I will not sit back and continue to watch the state I love struggle.
Government Reform
The talk out of Lansing is there could be a $500 milllion dollar budget deficit next year and possibly a $1.3 billion dollar deficit in 3 to 4 years. I will create a sense of urgency that is missing in Lansing. I will work in a bipartisan manner to solve the state’s issues. I will evaluate spending, subsidies and include more sunset provisions to legislation. Before deciding what state budgets to cut and protect, I will work to create a “priority list” within essential and non-essential services. The priority list will drive state department funding. The priority list will provide more transparency with government spending. As a Canton Township Trustee, I helped lead the conversation to review elected officials' compensation. A historic first, our final recommendation was approved and reduced elected officals compensation and decreased pay. Also, I voted against a pay increase for Canton Township Trustees.
Budget Solutions
I believe the state should implement a two year budget system instead of the current system. I will hold department directors accountable for overspending their budgets. Recently, the corrections budget was overspent by 19.6 million dollars, the human services budget was overspent by 42.9 million dollars and the state police budget by 6.6 million. I will fight for more transparency in how government spends our tax dollars. Departments should be mandated to make their budgets easily accessible to the public. I will create a Michigan employee suggestion program, where state employees can suggest innovative ideas to save money in their departments.
Education
I will work hard to provide our children with a variety of educational opportunities that will equip them for the future. I will introduce legislation that closes the gap of inequity in per pupil funding. I will work with higher education to reduce the cost of college tuition. I will evaluate the school aid fund and all non-education related budget subsidies.
Local Control
As statutory revenue sharing continues to decrease, I will fight for increased revenue sharing to the 21st District. I will work to increase funding for donor communities, who send more tax revenues to the state and county than is returned. More tax revenues to the 21st district results in additional resources for roads, recreation, and public safety.
Health Care
I support the goal of providing Michigan residents with affordable, comprehensive health care. I support pre-tax health saving accounts and expanding this concept. Health insurance plans need to be more accessible. As an employer, I would like to see reform with group health plans. Health care shouldn’t be exclusive, but inclusive to Michigan residents.
Reducing the Cost of Living
In Michigan, home foreclosure rates are among the highest in the nation and 30,000 residents moved away last year. We should stop property taxes from going up if the value of your home goes down. I will fight to preserve the reasons we call Michigan home. I was endorsed by the Michigan Realtors Association for my new ideas to make buying a home more affordable for potential buyers. The mortgage industry should evaluate the Private Mortgage Insurance for down payments less than 20%. I would like to see a credit, a reduction, or elimination of the P.M.I. for good payment history. I support pop-up tax relief.
Protecting Our Natural Resources
Michigan's abundant natural resources are an important part of our heritage and our economy. I will make sure that funds supporting the conservation of our water and land will not be diverted to other programs. Our forests and lakes must be protected to ensure their use for future generations.
Upholding Michigan's Outdoor Heritage
Hunting and fishing contributes roughly $4.5 billion to our state economy each year, but we are at risk of losing this because the number of people participating in outdoor sports is falling. I support better wildlife management programs to make sure hunters have an enjoyable time in the field. I will also work to keep invasive species from destroying our fish population
Defending the Right to Bear Arms
I believe the Second Amendment is the backbone of our nation and must always be defended. I will protect the rights of Michigan's sportsmen and responsible gun owners.
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