Biographical Information
Occupation / Current Position
State Representative - HD40
Education
(1) Kalamazoo College, BA in Biology, 1993 (2) Doctor of Medicine (MD), Tulane University School of Medicine, 1999 (3) Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, MPH, 2003
Qualifications and Experience
Currently a first term member of the Michigan House of Representatives, and the only medical doctor in the entire legislature.
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 public education system has important strengths worth protecting, including universal pre-K and free school meals. However, we must improve literacy rates and ensure every student is prepared for success. We need to invest in public school teachers with competitive pay, benefits, and the respect they deserve. Addressing teacher shortages starts with supporting educators.
School Aid Fund dollars should remain dedicated to public education, not diverted to cover private for-pro fit ch or General Fund shortages. We must also keep higher education, community college, and skilled trades programs affordable and accessible.
ECONOMY: What policy initiatives do you support for residents to earn a living wage and address the overall question of affordability across Michigan?
Addressing affordability requires both raising incomes and lowering costs. While Michigan's minimum wage is on track to reach $15 per hour—more than double the federal minimum wage—it still falls short of what many families need to meet basic expenses. In much of Michigan, a true living wage is closer to $22–$30 per hour. We must also rein in rising costs, particularly for utilities, housing, health insurance, childcare and prescription drugs. I support policies that help workers earn a living wage while expanding access to affordable housing, health care, and education.
ENVIRONMENT/ENERGY: How would you approach ensuring energy reliability, consumer affordability, and environmental protection in Michigan?
Michigan must balance reliable energy, affordable utility bills, and environmental protections. We need continued investment in our electric grid to improve reliability, but with strong oversight to protect ratepayers from unnecessary costs. I also believe the Michigan Public Service Commission should provide greater opportunities for public input on large-scale energy projects. Public Act 233 does not strike the right balance. As we modernize our energy system, we must ensure progress does not come at the expense of our environment, communities, or farmland.
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 oppose any effort to deny due process rights to immigrants, noncitizens, and asylum seekers. The Constitution guarantees due process to all "persons," not just citizens. I support protecting Fourth Amendment rights by ensuring that law enforcement, including ICE, does not engage in racial profiling or enter homes without a valid judicial warrant. I also support First Amendment protections for all people, while recognizing that those rights do not extend to speech that incites violence or threatens public safety.