Gary on the issues and his view of being State Rep
I am running for State Representative because I believe I can make a difference. I want to make a difference. Our government, state and federal, seems to be a mess. I believe that my experience serving both as a State Representative and on the county level has given me the ability to bring people together, from different viewpoints and different areas of the state, to work together to move Michigan forward for the benefit of all.
Let’s talk about some topics and issues of general interest. Other topics will be added here during the campaign. Check back for more discussion or, better yet, if there’s an area you want covered, let me know
FIRST AND FOREMOST, I WORK FOR YOU
The most important thing a State Representative must keep in mind is that they work for the people of their district. A State Representative is the primary connection between each resident of a district and their state government. Constituent service -- addressing and resolving the concern of each resident who contacts your office -- is tops among duties of a State Rep.
Also important is to approach every issue, every piece of legislation, with a focus on what is in the best interest of your district.
And, when possible, especially with controversial issues, it is important for a State Representative to reach out to their constituents to gauge where a majority of them stand on an issue. A State Rep has one vote, but that vote belongs to the 80,000-90,000 people in the district. Their views must be reflected by the Representative.
From the start of my service in public office, I have used the slogan: "Listening. Responding. Working for you." That's not AI generated ad copy, that's how I've conducted myself as an elected official.
It's also important that a State Representative communicates with the people they represent. Not just to wait to hear from them, but to let them know what is happening in the state Legislature, through newsletters, social media, public meetings and more.
MICHIGAN HAS MANY CHALLENGES
Here are just a few of the issues I hope to address if elected as your State Representative.
TEACHING KIDS TO READ: Despite efforts by state government for years now, Michigan still ranks near the bottom in the U.S. in fourth grade reading scores. It's beyond frustrating and obviously unacceptable. Other states have improved their reading levels dramatically, so it's a problem with solutions. The ripple effect from this problem affects so many aspects of Michigan life. An educated workforce attracts companies that pay well. Jobs from these companies not only draw people to the state, but can keep our best and brightest from moving out. Reading proficiency in the elementary school level is the very foundation of our education system.
THE COST OF INSURANCE: And the cost of health care. And the cost of home ownership. But, for the moment, let's look at the cost of insurance, both home and auto. The annual rate of increases is unsustainable. The ability of young people to buy a home is not just limited by wage levels, property values and mortgage rates, but also by the cost of being in a home, and that includes the rising cost of homeowners insurance (and property taxes, but we'll get back to that). As for automobile insurance -- well, even after the fanfare of state government passing car insurance "reform" a few years ago, Michigan remains among the most expensive places to buy car insurance. More work is needed.
PROPERTY TAXES: Rising property values can create a situation where people wind up being unable to stay in their homes because of their property tax burden. The system is faulty at a core level, as taxing people based on the perceived value of their property doesn't at all address their ability to pay those taxes. This is especially true for retirees, sometimes with low or fixed incomes, who tax bills continue to rise. Yes, Proposal A caps annual increases by artificially keeping the taxable value from spiking beyond inflation, but taxes are still going up, restrained or not. And the so-called "pop up" tax for new homeowners under Proposal A can be an impediment to homeownership, too. Proposal A is more than 30 years old now, and it's worth giving it another look.
TRANSPARENCY: This one doesn't hit local residents where they live, but it's still important. For all its safeguards of transparency in government, Michigan still remains one of just two states that fully exempts its governor and legislators from public records disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act. As a journalist for much of my life, this matters to me. A government is not "for and by the people" if it is not transparent to the people.
PREJUDICE AGAINST OUR NEIGHBORS: Given the significant numbers of Arab Muslim residents in the 15th House District, the prejudice and attacks aimed at our Muslim neighbors from outside our community is always a concern on which I will focus. Always has been and always will be.
WORKING TOGETHER TO ADDRESS OUR CHALLENGES
Working together. What a concept.
Our form of government, both federally and the state governments that use the same structure, is a thing of genius. The Founders knew that there would always be widely differing opinions, and that there would be different interests throughout the land. The best way, the only way, to have all different viewpoints and interests come together for the greater good is through working together to overcome those differences.
Working together seems to be rare these days, with supercharged partisanship leading to government that doesn't move forward to meet the needs of all.
All of those challenges (ok, problems) that the state faces can be resolved only through cooperation. I certainly hold some significant partisan views. But I know -- we all have learned -- that the level and tone of conflict has not been good for our government, and our people.
I intend to help state government meet its challenges by working to find consensus across party lines, pushing to end the partisan gamesmanship that generates more anger than results. The Legislature (not to mention Congress) needs to stop logging partisan wins and losses and focus more on what's best for all of our residents.
That's the way I will approach state government as your State Representative.