September 21, 2018                 The  Source for Livonia News and Opinions

Healthcare is a human right. The current political climate has made it abundantly clear that the federal government is going to neglect to address healthcare. The responsibility therefore falls on individual states. I am a supporter of a state-funded Medicare for All. Michiganders have the right to affordable, comprehensive healthcare that also prioritizes mental health.

Civil Rights Our government needs to work to dismantle the laws currently in place that are based in systemic racism, such as mandatory minimum sentencing. Additionally, Michigan must expand the Elliott Larsen Act to extend protections to the LGBTQ+ community.

Roads I believe that the key to repairing Michigan's roads is not necessarily in the repair itself, but in preventing the damage from occurring. I support increasing overweight truck fees, the source of much major road damage, rather than punishing hardworking Michigan families through fuel taxes and increased registration fees. The road patching that takes place every year in Michigan is a further waste of resources, as it inevitably deteriorates and leaves roads primed to cause more damage to vehicles. Michigan roadways need comprehensive and permanent work done on them. Increased overweight truck fees will provide funding for this work and tighter weight restrictions will prevent further damage from occurring. 

Environment Clean water is at the forefront of the battle for the environment. I believe every Michigan family has the right to live without the fear of water contamination or air pollution of any kind. We must hold local companies and government responsible while also demanding transparency. I also support legislation that ensures businesses will operate in a way that does not pose a danger to the environment or local families. Profits cannot take priority over the safety of Michigan families. "I have big plans for my first year in office. I will work to put Michigan's groundwater in a public trust to keep it from being exploited by corporations, shut down Line 5."

Education  Michigan's children deserve the very best when it comes to education. I strongly support policies that empower children and teachers, such as providing access to early education and limiting class sizes. I also know that the key to providing quality education is hiring quality teachers. Michigan must provide teachers with competitive salaries and benefits in order to ensure that our children are receiving the best possible education. Furthermore, it is imperative that we consult educators when forming education policy rather than leaving them out of the conversation.

Women's Rights  I believe that a woman's medical decisions are personal and are only the concern of her and her doctor. The government should not play a role in these private decisions. Furthermore, research has shown that the availability of contraception and education about reproductive health have decreased the number of abortions and the spread of sexually transmitted infections in the United States. I support organizations and legislation that aid in this endeavor and empower women to make their own choices regarding their reproductive health.

Elder Care America's elder population is often neglected. The generations that came before us should never have to worry about affording care in their advanced years. I support programs that provide healthcare to senior citizens, as well as the reallocation of funds to ensure that they are not living without necessities such as medicine or medical care in order to survive.