Reforming Government

Lansing is broken, and I will work hard to fix it. We must ensure that Lansing hears and responds to the needs of our communities. Government must make the same kind of cutbacks that workers and families have had to make. I will fight to cut wasteful state spending, and protect the vital services that our families, children, and senior citizens rely on. I will continue the fight to cut Legislators’ pay. Lansing needs to lead by example, and if elected, I will vote to cut my own salary. I will continue to be an independent voice for Lenawee, Branch, Hillsdale and St. Joseph counties by working with all of my colleagues to do what is best for the citizens of the 16th Senate District and Michigan. We have to break the gridlock that has plagued Lansing in recent years, and make government respond to and work for us again.

Keeping Today’s Jobs While Creating New Jobs for Tomorrow

The people of the 16th Senate District are hard workers and have the dedication and work ethic we need to strengthen and grow our state’s economy. Our citizens work in jobs across the spectrum: manufacturing, health care, farming, education, and high tech industries. That is why we must make our community the best place in the world to start and expand small businesses. These workers have the skills to succeed and the experience and knowledge to successfully start new businesses that can expand our job base.

I will work with our businesses and job providers to help them expand and hire more workers. I will support economic development plans that give priorities to companies that hire Michigan workers. I believe that our workers can do anything, and I will work hard to expand our job base by attracting 21st Century job providers in renewable energy, life sciences and the growing health care field.

We must keep the jobs and companies we have, but also attract new companies so that our children can live and work here and have the same good quality of life that we have enjoyed.

Protecting Middle Class Families

Our middle class families have struggled in this troubled economy. They have worked hard to pay their bills, keep food on the table, and create a better life for their children. I will battle big Wall Street banks and fight for families to stay in their homes and turn their economic situation around.

Every dollar counts these days, and I will work hard to protect your paychecks and see that our tax dollars are spent wisely. I will fight to protect job-training programs that help workers retrain for and find good jobs in new industries that will help stabilize our economy. I will work to make college affordable for students who have worked hard to earn good grades and save money but still struggle to find the money to continue their education.

I will continue my efforts to increase opportunities for Michigan citizens with disabilities so that they too can lead quality lives and make their own contributions to strengthening our economy.