Biographical Information
Campaign Twitter Handle
Occupation / Current Position
State Representative for House District 38
Education
Carson Newman University (BA History & Music) | Wayne State University Law School (Juris Doctorate)
Qualifications and Experience
Biden Campaign Field Organizer, AFL-CIO Policy Analyst,
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?
I believe Michigan’s education system needs improvements. We are sitting in the bottom 5th of the nation currently. I would like to see us increase funding for teachers and literacy and math programs specifically, reinvestment in the arts and cte (every kid needs classes they look forward to aside from strict academics), significantly increase funding for school counselors and mental health access for kids, and double down on the science of reading and tutoring for kids K-3 on reading and math skills. I would also like to see us reduce the amount of standardized testing and consolidate into fewer instances of high stress testing for students.
ECONOMY: What policy initiatives do you support for residents to earn a living wage and address the overall question of affordability across Michigan?
I would like to see the state re-evaluate how we do economic development and attraction so we are bringing in modern jobs that pay higher wages. I would also like to see us continue to invest in free community college and early college access which is closely correlated and tied to higher earning potential. I also support removing barriers to collective bargaining and union organizing to improve wages and benefits through union representation.
ENVIRONMENT/ENERGY: How would you approach ensuring energy reliability, consumer affordability, and environmental protection in Michigan?
I support expanding solar, wind, and nuclear power in Michigan through continued incentives and investments in those technologies. I also would support a rebalancing of rate payer liability so commercial/industrial customers are bearing a higher percentage of the cost of the grid than residential customers. I also think we should build in stronger reliability standards to rate making, and look at how we could subsidize moving more infrastructure underground to increase durability against the increasingly erratic weather events we are facing from a changing climate.
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 support first and fourth amendment and believe the constitution applies to everyone in this country, citizens and noncitizens alike.