Occupation / Current Position
State Senator - MI-14
Education
University of Michigan for a BA in Political Science and Government- 1989 University of Michigan J.D.- 1994 University of Michigan Master of Science in Resource Policy and Management- 1995
Qualifications and Experience
Washtenaw County Commissioner (Chair)- 2019- 2022 Michigan State Senate, 14th district- 2022- Present
As a mom of three and a proud public school graduate, I know education is the foundation of everything else we’re trying to build. The teacher shortage is real, and we need to pay teachers wages that reflect the importance of their work. I supported the largest investment in public education in state history and will keep pushing for a weighted funding formula that directs more resources to students with greater needs. I’ve worked to reduce the standardized testing burden, because I have heard directly from educators that teaching to the test is crowding out the creative, vocational, and critical thinking skills students actually need.
I support raising wages and strengthening worker protections — repealing Right to Work was an important start. I helped expand the Earned Income Tax Credit, the biggest tax break to working families in a generation, and have worked to phase out the retirement tax. I support expanding affordable housing options, creating pathways to homeownership, and preserving housing for seniors and legacy residents. On energy, we must hold utility companies accountable and leverage clean energy to reduce costs. Prescription drug costs, childcare, and broadband access are also affordability issues I’m committed to addressing and have been working on.
As lead sponsor of Michigan's Clean Energy and Jobs Act, I helped chart a path to 100% clean energy by 2040 because it will create good union jobs and reduce Michigan families' long-term energy costs. I sponsored data center accountability legislation because large industrial users cannot be allowed to consume enormous amounts of energy and water while ratepayers absorb the cost. I will keep fighting to clean up the Gelman dioxane plume, PFAS and plastic contamination, and other polluters. I will continue working to ensure that farmers have the support they need to keep our soil healthy while growing our food, fuel and fiber.
Through my volunteer work with the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center, I provided legal assistance to immigrants pursuing citizenship. I oppose ICE raids in schools, hospitals, churches and other sensitive places. Due process, First Amendment protections, and Fourth Amendment rights apply to every person on Michigan soil. I support SB 508-510 to limit where immigration enforcement can operate and require warrants before accessing sensitive information. And I oppose 287(g) agreements because local law enforcement should be building trust in our communities, not serving as an arm of federal immigration policy that tears families apart.
Occupation / Current Position
homemaker
Education
Associates in Applied Sciences
Qualifications and Experience
Township Trustee, Northfield Township
The current system needs improvement. I would advocate for replacing excess admin staff for talented teachers. Consider implementing strategies and teaching methods proven to be successful in Mississippi. Implementing policies that incentivize schools to produce favorable outcomes, and include transparency in curricula, such as teaching materials and staff materials made readily publicly available. Policies must promote meaningful school accountability and transparency.
Reducing the cost of utilities can help to keep more of peoples earnings in their pockets, while giving businesses more money to hire, and invest. Reducing tax burdens on all (business and property owners), will do much to improve affordability and living costs.
Return to using and improving the "cleanliness" of the most efficient and reliable energy sources, fossil fuels and nuclear, while embracing open and competitive markets. Leave more of taxpayers money in their pocket by eliminating tax payer subsidies for energy experiments.
Legally residing non-citizens have the right to life, liberty and property.
