Economy: Building a Resilient Economy
When we rely too heavily on one industry, we leave ourselves vulnerable to the kind of economic disaster from which we are only now emerging. A healthy, resilient Michigan economy must build on our strong manufacturing and agricultural heritage, but also create spaces in which creativity and invention can thrive. Local businesses are key to the economic reinvention of our state, and we must level the playing field to encourage them to succeed. A well-educated and organized workforce also plays a vital role in maintaining a strong economy. Collective bargaining rights and workplace democracy are crucial components of ensuring that economic growth and opportunity are shared by everyone. I believe that by encouraging and sustaining a diverse economy that values its workforce, we can be resilient in the face of economic hardship while strengthening the tax base that funds state services.
As State Representative, I will prioritize:
As State Representative, I will prioritize:
Supporting Diverse Local Economies:
- Local Business: We need to make it easier for average Michiganders with a good idea to start successful local businesses. The unique identity and character of our many diverse communities in Michigan is often defined by the local businesses that operate in our state, providing a range of services and products. We need to celebrate and support our homegrown businesses, and the state should lead by example. During my time on the Board of Commissioners, I championed the creation of a Local Vendor Preference procurement policy that allows Washtenaw County businesses to have a better opportunity to compete for government contracts and encourages reinvestment of tax dollars into the community. The state should adopt a similar policy.
Worker’s Rights:
- Repeal “Right to Work” (for Less): As union and labor rights have eroded, so has the middle class upon which our state was built. Workers deserve the right to be represented by a union at work. It is a matter of fairness and democracy. The right to collectively bargain has been severely curtailed in our state with Right-to-Work (and other anti-worker legislation) and it must be repealed.
- Workplace Safety: With new and emerging industries in our state, we need to ensure that our workplace safety laws are up to date.
Supporting a Diverse Workforce:
- A healthy economy must prioritize creativity and invention. This means encouraging graduates of our colleges and universities to stay in Michigan, as well as encouraging new Americans to bring their talents here. Many innovative and entrepreneurial immigrants have started successful businesses and added jobs to Michigan’s economy.
Reforming the Tax Code:
- Income Taxes: Over the last decade in Michigan, businesses have received billions of dollars in tax relief at the expense of working Michiganders and state services. A better economic stimulus would include giving working Michiganders a tax break by replacing our flat income tax with a progressive income tax, supporting the economy from the bottom up.
- Property Taxes: With Proposal A and Headlee, gutted revenue sharing, and the elimination of Personal Property Tax, the state has effectively created a situation in which local governments can barely survive, let alone provide the basic services that residents rely on. We can go a long way to move the state forward, investing in our infrastructure and public safety, if we simply provide local government with a tool-kit of revenue options. The Great Recession taught us that we cannot rely on property taxes alone. Instead, the state should provide local government with a range of revenue options to diversify revenue sources.