I will advocate and vote for policies that support small business, promote effective economic development programs (at both the state and local level) and do more to help the people of the 57th District establish and operate successful enterprises. That includes access to qualified workers, relief from excessive taxes and regulation wherever possible, and access to resources that can help them network, grow, and prosper.

As part of this effort, I will regularly meet with business owners to hear their concerns and understand what they need from the state government. I will also work closely with economic development officials at the state and local level to make sure they have everything they need from the Legislature to succeed in their efforts.

In recent years, people’s household budgets have been squeezed by the rising costs from food and gasoline to home and auto insurance. Lawmakers need to understand the pressure this puts on everyday people and prioritize this issue in their decision-making process.

As a member of the Legislature, I will work with my colleagues to find every opportunity to a) lessen the cost burden that state government puts on individuals; b) reduce state-imposed costs on the businesses that provide these critical needs; and c) promote smart budgeting and economic policies that protect the spending power of individuals.

And of course, I will promote policies that encourage higher wages for workers.

We must keep our communities safe by investing in training and equipment for our local police and fire departments. I am honored to be endorsed by Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham.  

As I learned during my time attending the Detroit Public Schools, educational opportunity is too often tied to a person’s zip code. That should not be the case. This affects the 57th District as well, where the Troy School District is losing teachers to Novi because they’re getting better salary offers.

We must make sure we pay our teachers well while providing students with everything from textbooks and supplies to tutoring and extracurricular opportunities. I will work to ensure the state properly funds all public schools while emphasizing the need for accessible support services from health professionals, social workers, and counselors – not only for students but also for faculty and staff.

From doctor’s office visits to prescription drugs to emergency care, the cost of health care is squeezing the budgets of ordinary people while bringing some to the brink of financial ruin. I know members of our community living on Social Security who have only $200 a month left to spare after paying the balance for treatments they need simply to survive.

I will work with my colleagues to make sure we control health care costs by helping everyone get access to affordable, comprehensive coverage, while continuing to put downward pressure on prescription drug costs, promoting wellness and preventive care, and looking for legislative and regulatory opportunities to reduce excessive costs without compromising quality of care.

Mental Health Services

Too many members of our community are slipping through the cracks for lack of access to affordable mental health services. Many of these people could thrive in society if they had access to this kind of support. I will work with my colleagues in the House to expand access to mental health services so that no one who needs these services will be turned away, and everyone will have a chance to live the life they desire.

Addiction Services

Most families know someone who suffers from addiction. They deserve our help and support so they don’t get to the point where they lose their jobs, their children or their hope for the future. I will work hard to make sure affordable addiction services are accessible to those who need them.

Following the Supreme Court’s Dobbs ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade, Michigan voters enshrined reproductive freedom into the state’s constitution. I will work to ensure that women in Michigan are able to exercise their full legal and constitutional rights as decided by our voters. I will also work to ensure that no one loses access to contraception or IVF.

People who have worked their entire lives deserve to retire with dignity. They should enjoy access to quality healthcare, a decent place to live and freedom from worry of mistreatment or abuse. As your representative, I will fight to enact laws that protect these necessities for seniors. This starts with laws and regulations to stop drug companies from price-gouging seniors with prescriptions, and making sure they have access to low-cost, high-quality medical care. I will also urge my colleagues to invest in elder-abuse prevention programs, especially in long-term care facilities where they are often the most vulnerable. Finally, I will propose legislation to protect the pensions and post-employment benefits of Michigan’s retired public servants by enacting revenue-sharing measures for municipalities. Seniors deserve our respect, our support and our protection. I will make this a priority of my work as your state representative.

People in Troy, Sterling Heights, and Madison Heights often talk about how much they value green space and outdoor experiences. We can strengthen our commitment to clean air and clean water without compromising our commitment to economic growth and vitality. I will first advocate for strong and consistent enforcement of the environmental statutes we already have – helping businesses and individuals do what’s right to stay in compliance – while studying emerging threats to clean air and water so we can stay ahead of the game with new measures that protect our environment without compromising our economic strength.

Improving our aging infrastructure must be a priority for District 57. We must Amend Public Act 51 to ensure fair distribution of road funding for high traffic areas in both Macomb and Oakland counties. Our deteriorating buildings, roads, bridges and power supplies must be maintained to avoid a catastrophe.

Families need access to affordable childcare in order to achieve financial and overall stability. Today’s society is not set up to accommodate single-income households, and with the astronomical cost of childcare - at around $2,000 per month per child - families are being forced to choose between sustainable income or time spent with their children. Statistically, the brunt of this problem falls on the shoulders of mothers, with single mothers facing even more challenging hardships. This is unacceptable in a state where the average monthly salary for one person is only $4,145 per month. Those who have the ability to afford childcare get the benefit of better early childhood development, better educational outcomes and reduced poverty. In order to promote an equitable and thriving society, I support Gov. Whitmer’s recent initiative to provide pre-K programs for all, and will fight as your representative for quality, affordable childcare.

Michigan residents deserve a chance to purchase homes for their families, especially when going through the experience as first-time home buyers. I am committed to making sure hard-working individuals and families can afford their mortgage and rent payments.

A thriving community offers quality housing options for people at every stage in life and at every economic level. Sterling Heights, Troy, and Madison Heights do an excellent job promoting the health of strong neighborhoods while working with developers to ensure that new housing projects are expertly designed, well-built, and fairly priced. As the state representative for these communities, I will work closely with them and their local developers to ensure the state maintains policies that continue to support quality developments and fair pricing.

During my time in the Wayne County Prosecutor’s office, I have seen too many young people get caught up in the criminal justice system for lack of positive support, encouragement and better guidance. As I work with my colleagues on budgeting priorities, I will emphasize the need to support the kinds of programs that lift young people out of this cycle and help point them toward better decisions and better futures. Everyone in Michigan benefits when young people who were headed in the wrong direction get a chance to turn things around.