Voter Guide

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Michigan House District 46 Choose 1

Duties: The Michigan House of Representatives shares responsibility with the Michigan Senate to enact new laws and amend or repeal existing laws.Qualifications: Representatives are elected in even-numbered years to 2-year terms. They must be at least 21 years of age and a registered voter in their district. There are 110 State House districts which are re-apportioned after each census.Term: 2 years

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Jan Maino (Dem)

Biographical Information

Occupation / Current Position Mental Health Therapist
Education Masters in Social Work - Child and Family, Eastern Michigan University, | Bachelor of Science in Social Work - Generalist, Eastern Michigan University
Qualifications and Experience Michigan Department of Health and Human Services - Social Work Specialist | Jackson Community Foundation Chief Operating Officer | Wellspring Lutheran Services Division Director, Behavioral Health

EDUCATION: How do you evaluate Michigan’s current education system in terms of quality, funding, the teacher workforce and standardized testing? What changes, if any, would you propose or support?

Michigan’s current school funding formula leaves communities behind and limits resources to school districts in need. A more weighted school funding formula will promote equitable funding and outcomes across Michigan. Teacher pay should be improved to support a strong educator workforce to ensure every school district has the resources it needs to promote educator retention.

I would seek to streamline standardized testing such as the NWEA and M-STEP to promote more time spent learning in the classroom, and maintain accountability through classroom performance, or assessments that are developed and informed by educator input.

ECONOMY: What policy initiatives do you support for residents to earn a living wage and address the overall question of affordability across Michigan?

As a former member of UAW 6000, I am a steadfast supporter of Michigan’s labor movement, and will advocate for policies that support our union workers. I will seek to strengthen collective bargaining rights, and hold employers accountable for misclassifying workers and wage theft. We must also ensure corporations pay their fair share so economic growth benefits all Michiganders, not just a select few.

We must additionally expand housing affordability through incentivizing construction and zoning reform, lower healthcare and prescription costs, and invest in childcare and public education to ease family expenses.

ENVIRONMENT/ENERGY: How would you approach ensuring energy reliability, consumer affordability, and environmental protection in Michigan?

I support increasing accountability and transparency for public utilities that raise rates without any demonstrated improvement in service. I support investing in grid modernization and further support for developing a strong clean energy industry. This will ensure reliable service for Michigan residents, especially when they need it most.

I will always fight to protect our environment, and hold polluters accountable for damage they cause. I will work to improve transparency requirements to ensure that our air, water, and land are protected for all to enjoy.

IMMIGRATION: What is your position on due process, First Amendment, and Fourth Amendment rights for all Michigan residents, including noncitizens, and what changes, if any, would you support?

I strongly believe in upholding the Constitution and protecting due process, free speech, and privacy rights for every Michigander regardless of immigration status. These are fundamental principles for ensuring oversight and protecting innocent people from government overreach. I support clear, consistent standards so law enforcement can do its job while respecting civil liberties, including limits on unlawful searches and strong protections for peaceful expression. I support practical reforms that improve accountability and transparency to ensure equal application of the law to every person residing in the state.

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Kathy Schmaltz (Rep)

Biographical Information

Occupation / Current Position State Representative 46th District
Education Bachelor of Arts-Michigan State University-Communication
Qualifications and Experience Incumbent State Representative since 2023. Chair of State House Families and Veterans Committee. Member of State House Health, Energy and Communication and Technology Committees,

EDUCATION: How do you evaluate Michigan’s current education system in terms of quality, funding, the teacher workforce and standardized testing? What changes, if any, would you propose or support?

Every child deserves a quality education that prepares them for success. We need to get our education system back on track. We are 44th in the nation in 4th grade reading. Teachers are asking for training to help our literacy issues. I sponsored legislation requiring the Science of Reading in schools/back to basics/focusing on phonics. I also have legislation to help our educators teach our children with dyslexia by ensuring a teacher in every school district is trained in the Orton -Gillingham, multi-sensory teaching method. Funding for safety, mental health and career and technical programs is a top priority. Every child is our focus.

ECONOMY: What policy initiatives do you support for residents to earn a living wage and address the overall question of affordability across Michigan?

You should be able to keep more of the money you earn. We approved no tax on tips, overtime and social security. Cutting property taxes is the next priority and we just passed legislation out of the state house to do that. I'm supporting a suspension of our state gas tax to give everyone a break at the gas pump. At 52.4 cents a gallon, a pause in the gas tax would bring prices way down. I also have a bill in the senate that would cut income taxes for all Michigan residents. I support policies that lower costs, attract businesses and good paying jobs, strengthen our economy and make everyday essentials more affordable for everyone.

ENVIRONMENT/ENERGY: How would you approach ensuring energy reliability, consumer affordability, and environmental protection in Michigan?

Affordability and reliability need to be part of every energy plan. As a member of the State House Energy Committee we focus on making sure our grid is reliable without increasing your utility bills. Our state energy policies have driven up the costs by requiring mandates and taking away local control. I want local control restored and mandates lifted. You should decide what's in your area. We can protect the environment without forcing Michigan families to pay more. We need to pursue practical energy solutions that lower utility costs, keep the grid reliable, while working toward clean, renewable energy to protect our natural resources.

IMMIGRATION: What is your position on due process, First Amendment, and Fourth Amendment rights for all Michigan residents, including noncitizens, and what changes, if any, would you support?

Immigration is a good thing for our country, but it has to be done legally. We are a nation of laws. We want people to come here, but it's important to know who is coming into our country for the safety of our children and families. We need to help people who want to come here go through the legal process. Open borders should never be an option. Everyone should be treated fairly, and protected, but you can't break the law.