Issues
I believe that together we can move Michigan forward in securing a healthier Environment, a resilient Economy, a strong Public Education system, and Equity for all. Yet no issue, however grand or small, can truly be resolved if we are working within an unfair process that has been altered to favor a select few over the many. Fundamentally, government belongs to all of us. It is by, for, and of we the people. A government that is ours, works for everyone and guarantees our health, safety, and welfare so that we may all live an inclusive American dream: one where we work together as a community to ensure that we all can succeed.
This ideal of how our government should function has become increasingly elusive in Michigan as partisanship, greed, and short-term thinking have permeated the halls of our democracy. Together, we must fight to reclaim our democracy and to make our government open and transparent again. The future that we are determined to create depends on it.
To reclaim our democracy, we must restore:
Transparency and Accountability in Government
It’s no surprise that Michigan was ranked 50th in the nation by the Center for Public Integrity in an evaluation of our state government's transparency and accountability. Here’s how we, as a state, can do better:
This ideal of how our government should function has become increasingly elusive in Michigan as partisanship, greed, and short-term thinking have permeated the halls of our democracy. Together, we must fight to reclaim our democracy and to make our government open and transparent again. The future that we are determined to create depends on it.
To reclaim our democracy, we must restore:
Transparency and Accountability in Government
It’s no surprise that Michigan was ranked 50th in the nation by the Center for Public Integrity in an evaluation of our state government's transparency and accountability. Here’s how we, as a state, can do better:
Strengthen our Statewide Freedom of Information Act (FOIA):
The state legislature and the Governor have exempted themselves from FOIA, stripping away mechanisms for keeping them accountable. The people deserve to know what is going on within the walls of the state Capitol, and our elected leaders in Lansing should be held to the same standards to which we hold local elected officials across the state.
Reform Term Limits:
Term limits have failed us. Legislators do not have time to gain the experience or knowledge of the complexity of our state government necessary to make productive long-term decisions before they are term-limited. This magnifies the power of lobbyists, who often know the system well, to influence the legislative process, decreasing the power of elected representatives.
Impose Restrictions on PostTerm Employment:
Legislators should be barred from lobbying their former colleagues for at least one year after leaving office. Lawmakers should also be forbidden from using their influence while in office in a way that could result in a financial benefit to a person or organization with which they are seeking to gain employment.
Require Personal Financial Disclosures for All StateLevel Officials:
Michigan should adopt a policy that requires elected officials to disclose any real estate interests, equity interests, and other financial relationships such as employment, debts, and gifts to ensure that impartial and independent decisionmaking can be maintained.
Enact Audits for Lobbyist Expenditures:
While citizen lobbying is a time-honored tradition and an integral part of the democratic process, we must build in safeguards to secure the transparency of lobbying activities and ensure that everyone is playing by the rules. The voices of citizens should not be drowned out by corporate money.
Our Democracy
No change will be achieved or sustained in the long-term if we do not restore our most valuable tool for ensuring accountability, fairness, and transparency in government: our vote. We live in a state where all votes are not valued equally and where members of the government are actively working to make voting harder rather than easier. To move Michigan forward, we must:
No change will be achieved or sustained in the long-term if we do not restore our most valuable tool for ensuring accountability, fairness, and transparency in government: our vote. We live in a state where all votes are not valued equally and where members of the government are actively working to make voting harder rather than easier. To move Michigan forward, we must:
Create a Nonpartisan, Independent Redistricting Process.
Districts should be drawn to reflect changes in population, not for partisan gain. Voters should pick their representatives, and legislators should not be allowed to pick their voters.
Create More Stringent Restrictions on Money in Politics.
Money has an increasing influence on elections and thus on policymaking, taking power away from the vast majority of voters. Michigan should reduce contribution limits for Political Action Committees and join the national movement to overturn Citizens United.
Allow Same-Day Voter Registration:
Eligible voters should not be barred from voting simply because they did not register 30 days before an election. This arbitrary rule must change to enable more citizens to exercise their democratic right to vote.
Implement No-Reason Absentee Voting:
With long lines, bad weather, work hours, and transportation challenges, accessing the polls on Election Day can be incredibly difficult for many Michiganders. Current law unnecessarily limits absentee voting to people who meet specific criteria. Let's make voting more accessible to all citizens by providing absentee voting as an option for all voters.
pRESErVe Straight-Ticket Voting Option:
Many voters who face lengthy ballots and long lines at the polls rely on straight-ticket voting. Preserving the right to vote straight-ticket will break down another barrier for those who wish to exercise their basic right as an American citizen.
Repeal the Emergency Manager Law:
The voters repealed this law in 2012. In contradiction to the will of the people, the legislature and governor passed a new Emergency Manager law and made it referendumproof. This is wrong. Every Michigander deserves the right to elect their local leaders. The Emergency Manager law is not the solution to helping communities in distress; it has only made matters worse.