CRIME
With the alarming increase in crime in the city of Detroit, safe guards need to be put in place to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. My goals are to: Increase funding for public safety to lower crime in our neighborhood; Take partial funding from prison systems to provide prevention and intervention programs, to help keep children away from criminal influences; Increase mobile patrols in the Tenth District to help monitor our homes while we are at work and school; and form a partnership with the Detroit Police Department to help facilitate a common understanding of safety in our neighborhoods.
EDUCATION
We are all familiar with the old adage, "A mind is a terrible thing to waste". Over the last ten years, we have witnessed a decline in public school education in the City of Detroit. We need to ensure that our children receive a quality education and prepare them to compete globally. I would like to see the following: Enrollment of children in school at the age of 3, to instill the value of education and success at an early age; Change what we teach and how we are teaching it. For example align the classroom with the industries of today like GREEN technology, bio-tech, advanced healthcare, and information technology; Partner with businesses to offer college and university students real life work experience so they are ready for the work force once they graduate.
JOB CREATION
Without a steady income, people are unable to pay their bills, afford their homes, and pay their taxes. This has led many to leave the city of Detroit and seek work elsewhere. Job Creation must start in Lansing if the state and city plan to make a comeback. My plan for Job Creation includes: Working toward bringing GREEN jobs, information technology, bio-tech, healthcare, and infrastructure jobs to help improve the economy; supporting small businesses to encourage growth within the state and city; promoting an entrepreneurial culture for innovation and jobs will follow.
BUDGET ISSUES
With the state of Michigan in its worst economic deficit in years, it takes strong leadership to make the tough decisions to ensure taxes stay low and basic services are not compromised. My plan to regain Michigan’s economic stability includes: Restructuring the tax system to make Michigan more inviting and business friendly for employers; Eliminate current programs and services that are ineffective and inefficient; Consolidate of duplicate programs and services; Reduce funding for Michigan’s prison system thereby saving taxpayers millions of dollars.
SENIOR CITIZENS
After dedicated years of work, our seniors deserve the enjoyment of their senior years without worrying about finances. Seniors in our community should be cared for and cherished. Many seniors have seen drastic cuts in their health care and monthly income. Additionally, seniors are unable to take care of their basic needs. I will stand up for seniors and ensure: discounted monthly utility rates to assist seniors; the energy tax credit to be a monthly rather than annual; providing snow removal and grass cutting services to seniors; advocating low cost transportation for seniors to take care of their daily needs.
DRIVER RESPONSIBILITY FEE
This fee has affected many Detroiters and has prevented us from travelling to work and has left us with the inability to pay for car insurance. This fee is accessed for 2 years and ranges from $200.00 – $1,000 and needs to be discontinued so Detroiters are able to provide for their families. As your next State Representative I will fight to get this fee revoked and find more creative ways to generate revenue for the state.
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