Voter Guide - August Primary 2022 by Downtown Publications Inc.

PRIMARY ELECTION AUGUST 2022

PRESENTED BY THE FOLLOWING COMMUNITY SPONSOR:

SIGNATURE SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY BIRMINGHAM | NORTHVILLE | GROSSE POINTE SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF DOWNTOWN NEWSMAGAZINE

Inside this August 2 primary election Voter Guide readers will find answers to questions Downtown Newsmagazine sent to those candidates who have party primary opposition. Because this is a primary, voters must decide in which party they will be voting to select the standard bearer for either the Democrat or Republican party. Them winners in the primary contests will advance to the November general election. With newly drawn political districts, a number of local communities were divided by different districts. Unfortunately, meaningful and readable maps of the new districts are nowhere to be found so you will have to refer to your specific precinct number to determine if you are included in a district.

U.S. CONGRESS – 11TH DISTRICT/DEMOCRAT

U.S. CONGRESS – 11TH DISTRICT/REPUBLICAN

MICHIGAN SENATE – 7TH DISTRICT/DEMOCRAT

MICHIGAN SENATE – 8TH DISTRICT/DEMOCRAT

MICHIGAN HOUSE – 5TH DISTRICT/DEMOCRAT

MICHIGAN HOUSE – 5TH DISTRICT/REPUBLICAN

MICHIGAN HOUSE – 20TH DISTRICT/DEMOCRAT

MICHIGAN HOUSE – 20TH DISTRICT/REPUBLICAN

MICHIGAN HOUSE – 54TH DISTRICT/DEMOCRAT

MICHIGAN HOUSE – 54TH DISTRICT/REPUBLICAN

MICHIGAN HOUSE – 56TH DISTRICT/DEMOCRAT

COUNTY COMMISSION – 9TH DISTRICT/DEMOCRATS

Birmingham, Bloomfield Township, Bloomfield Hills, Pontiac, Auburn Hills, Waterford, West Bloomfield, Orchard Lake, Commerce, Wixom, White Lake, Walled Lake, Farmington, Farmington Hills, Ferndale, Hazel Park, Huntington Woods, Keego Harbor, Lake Angelus, Madison Heights, Oak Park, Pleasant Ridge, Royal Oak, Sylvan Lake, Troy, Wolverine Lake

Bloomfield Township, Bloomfield Hills, Pontiac, Auburn Hills, Lake Angelus, part of Waterford, Franklin, Lathrup Village, Beverly Hills, Southfield, part of Detroit

Birmingham, Royal Oak, Clawson, Beverly Hills, Berkley, Huntington Woods, Pleasant Ridge, Ferndale, Oak Park, Royal Oak Township, part of Detroit

Part of Birmingham, part of Bloomfield Township, Bloomfield Hills, Oak Park, Berkley, Beverly Hills, part of Royal Oak, part of Southfield, part of Detroit

Part of Bloomfield Township, West Bloomfield, Orchard Lake, Sylvan Lake, Keego Harbor, part of Commerce Township

Part of Bloomfield Township, Bloomfield Hills, Auburn Hills, Orion Township, Lake Orion, Oakland Township

Part of Birmingham, part of Bloomfield Township, most of Troy, Clawson, part of Royal Oak

Part of Birmingham, part of Troy, Pontiac

august 2 primary voter guide Birmingham, Bloomfield Township, Bloomfield Hills

U.S. CONGRESS 11TH DISTRICT/DEMOCRAT ANDY LEVIN

Andy Levin is currently the congressman for Michigan’s 9th District, a position he has held since 2019. He previously held positions as the acting director, State of Michigan Department of Labor, Energy and Economic Growth; state chief workforce officer, State of Michigan Department of Labor, Energy and Economic Growth; and deputy director, State of Michigan Department of Labor, Energy and Economic Growth. A resident of Bloomfield Township, he is a graduate of Williams College, received a master’s degree in Asian languages and cultures from University of Michigan and a law degree from Harvard Law School, and is a past president of Congregation T’Chiyah, founder of Detroit Jews for Justice, and has been involved with National Skills Coalition and Michigan AIDS Coalition. Israel-Palestine conflict Both political parties have consistently offered support for Israel, initially as it was the lone democratic state in the Middle East. However, in the last decade there has been a growing divide in that support, with the rise of the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement on college campuses, continuing conflict between Palestinians and Israelis, and the lack of focus by this and the last administration to address the two-state solution. Where do you align on the issue of Israeli and Palestinian concerns and economic support of Israel? Is it a religious issue or a democracy issue? I have always supported a secure, downtownpublications.com

democratic homeland for the Jewish people and realizing the political and human rights of the Palestinian people. I’m pro-Israel, pro-Palestine, and pro-peace. These goals are intertwined, which is why U.S. policy has always (except during the Trump years) supported a two-state solution. I am the author of the TwoState Solution Act, which helps move things in that direction. My legislation supports our aid to Israel, and I have voted to replenish Iron Dome. I oppose BDS. While I respect the right of individuals and organizations to engage in boycotts, I don’t consider BDS a helpful vehicle to produce a two-state reality that assures the rights of both people. I speak out against violence and human rights violations all around, and continue to oppose house demolitions, evictions of families from their land, settlement expansions, and other moves that make a peaceful settlement more difficult. Build Back Better Act Is the $1.9 trillion spending plan known as the Build Back Better Act dead or is there a chance that it can be revived yet in 2022? What aspects of it do you feel are imperative for the Democrats to enact for voters? As a leader of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, I worked hard to ensure that the House passed the strongest possible version of the Build Back Better Act (BBBA). The BBBA is a life changing, once-in-ageneration investment in critical programs to make life better and lower costs in the face of inflation by providing affordable childcare to all families, universal pre-K for threeand four- year-olds, reducing prescription drug prices, increasing affordable housing, tackling climate change in a serious way at long last and more. I have called on the 50 Democrats in the Senate to pass as much of BBBA as they can agree on ASAP, and on President Biden to use his executive authority to enact key priorities in the package that would bring relief and lift Americans out of poverty, such as education and expanding health care coverage. Immigration reform Title 42, which allowed the federal government to turn back immigrants at the border during a public health crisis such as COVID-

19, was due to expire at the end of May. Estimates are that Title 42 allowed the U.S. to turn away some two million immigrants in the past couple of years. Southern states in particular are concerned, along with critics in general, that the current administration lacks a clear policy of how to deal with immigrants at our southern border. Further, several groups are calling for a complete overhaul of the immigration policy. What do you feel is needed in terms of an immigration policy at this time? Title 42 prevents people from even making a claim for asylum, and thus is highly problematic under U.S. and international law. It is also discriminatory, since it impacts Black and Brown people seeking to enter our country the most. I’ve been active on this issue for decades, ever since I co-founded a group called Immigration Reform, Advocacy, Training and Education after Congress passed Immigration Reform and Control Act in 1986. We need comprehensive reform that allows the millions of undocumented immigrants who have lived, worked and paid taxes here for years to come out of the shadows. We need to increase legal immigration. And we need to take on the causes of illegal immigration by dealing with climate change, corruption, violence and poverty in our neighboring countries to our south. National health care insurance We often hear the concept that health care is a right for everyone. But it would appear that candidates have a slightly different approach for how to handle health insurance. Please explain in detail your health insurance policy position and the potential cost to the government/taxpayers for this. One of the most deeply disturbing realities in our nation is the disparity in the access and delivery of health care. Big Pharma rakes in billions in profits while working people are forced to turn to crowdfunding websites to pay medical bills. We can close health care gaps and make quality, affordable health available to all who reside in our nation. That’s why I’m a proud original cosponsor of the Medicare for All Act to extend comprehensive health care coverage including mental health, dental, vision and long-term care that have remained

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DISTRICT COMMUNITIES Birmingham, Bloomfield Township, Bloomfield Hills, Pontiac, Auburn Hills, Waterford, West Bloomfield, Orchard Lake, Commerce, Wixom, White Lake, Walled Lake, Farmington, Farmington Hills, Ferndale, Hazel Park, Huntington Woods, Keego Harbor, Lake Angelus, Madison Heights, Oak Park, Pleasant Ridge, Royal Oak, Sylvan Lake, Troy, Wolverine Lake

inaccessible for too many Americans under our current system. Expanding and enhancing Medicare, a program that millions of American seniors have relied on since 1965, is one of the best ways to achieve universal health care in the United States. What’s more, the American public is behind us: 70 percent support Medicare for All. Student debt issue Payments on college student loans have been delayed during the pandemic but loan payments are expected to resume later this fall. At the same time, there has been a steady call for part or all of student debt to be forgiven. Do you favor forgiving student loans? If so, should this be accomplished through executive order or passage in Congress? Please explain. I was proud to vote for the CARES Act and the HEROES Act that included suspension of student loan payments. I’ve also long championed the President canceling up to $50,000 in student loan debt, which disproportionately burdens Black and Brown communities. This step would help millions suffering from inflation and help young people buy homes and start families and businesses. We also must address how we got to the point of having over $1.5 T of student debt in the first place. President Biden embraced my America’s College Promise Act for precisely this reason. My bill would guarantee two years of free community college and similarly help with two years of study at HBCU’s. As higher education costs continue to soar, post-secondary education – a much needed ticket into the middle class – is increasingly out of reach for many students. Taxation reform Congress during the last administration lowered the top tax rate from 39.6 percent to 37 percent but the Biden 3B

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administration wants to restore the top tax rate for 39.6 percent for joint filers making $450k and individuals making $400k. Do you support the increase in the top tax rate? Are there other tax reforms that you support? Please explain. Yes, I am in favor of having the richest one percent pay their fair share of taxes. Wealth inequality in this country is more extreme than any time in the last 100 years. Billionaires at the top have 196 times more wealth than the bottom 90 percent of Americans combined. It’s unacceptable that Michigan nurses and police officers pay more in taxes than people like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos. I also favor tax incentives to buy electric vehicles (with a bump for those that are union made in the USA) and resuming and extending the expanded Child Tax Credit to support poor and middle-class families.

quality educational and training opportunities, clean water and more. I am also focused on fighting against climate change and defending our voting rights and the human rights of all. We have got to address our nation’s gun violence epidemic. We need common sense reform measures like universal background checks, gun violence restraining orders, and robust enforcement of the bump stock ban. I introduced a bill to protect our kids from gun violence after the Oxford High School shootings. Finally, I have been fighting to protect the abortion rights of every single American. Every person in this country should be able to make decisions about their own body and their own life. Why voters should select you Tell us why voters should select you over your opponent in this race. Please be specific in drawing your comparisons.

2020 presidential election results Do you accept the presidential election results of 2020 in Michigan? Will you accept the results of the 2022 primary and general election? Explain why or why not. Yes, 100 percent. President Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election and made history with Vice President Kamala Harris. And yes, I will accept the results of the 2022 primary and general elections because I have more than just faith in our election systems and democratic processes. I have seen Governor Whitmer, Secretary of State Benson, and Attorney General Nessel act to protect and defend Michigan’s elections. We should all be proud of their hard work and dedication. Trump’s Big Lie has caused voters to fear for and question their safety while carrying out their civic duty. That’s why I introduced legislation with Senator Jon Ossoff to protect election workers and polling places from threats of violence and intimidation. Your top issues What would you list as your top three-five issues that you hope to address in this next term of Congress? I’ve been laser-focused on making sure that Michiganders have affordable health care, access to 4B

First, I am deeply rooted here. My great grandparents were the first Jewish family in Birmingham in the 1890s. My four kids are the fifth generation of my family to live in the new 11th District. Second, I will always lead based on my deepest values and never make decisions out of political expediency or advantage. Third, my efforts to make progress for working families fit this district like a glove, whether it’s fighting for universal healthcare, workers’ rights, human rights around the world, the free community college bill embraced by President Biden, or to transform our economy to reverse climate change. Finally, I’m a more effective pragmatist, I started a successful business here and know the struggle to make payroll. I work across the aisle more effectively, having passed legislation to prevent veteran suicides, help poor moms access nutrition for their newborns, and more.

HALEY STEVENS

Haley Stevens is currently in her second term as congresswoman for Michigan’s 11th District. She previously was chief of staff to the United States Auto Rescue in the Obama Administration, as special advisor to the Department of Commerce Economic Development Administrator. She is active with Women in Manufacturing and the Pontiac Farmers Market, and is a frequent speaker at her alma mater, Seaholm High School. A resident of Waterford Township, she earned both bachelor’s and masters degrees from American University. Israel-Palestine conflict I am proud of my commitment to the U.S.-Israel relationship and will continue working in Congress to support policies that strengthen our alliance. I will stand alongside Israel against the BDS movement, which seeks to undermine Israel’s economy and legitimacy. I believe in Israel’s fundamental right to self-defense. As the only democracy in the Middle East and our strongest ally in the region, Israel’s safety is paramount to American interests at home and abroad. I believe in the worth and value of every Palestinian and every Israeli and will work to support a negotiated solution resulting in two states – a democratic Jewish State of Israel, and a viable, democratic Palestinian state – living side-by-side in peace, security, and mutual recognition. In my re-election effort I am proud to have the endorsements of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), Democratic Majority for Israel, and the Jewish Democratic Council of America. Build Back Better Act

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The top issue I hear about from my constituents is that costs for working families are too high. Build Back Better is a cost cutting package for hard working Americans. Lack of access to affordable childcare is one of the main reasons women have been unable to return to work postpandemic. This plan would ensure that no family spends over 7 percent of their income on child care. Drug costs are forcing seniors to make impossible choices between things like heating their house, or paying for medications. This is a reality that we must refuse to accept. Americans are tired of partisanship and political games which is why I want to see stand alone votes on the elements of this bill that have been negotiated and have bipartisan support. The House passed a bill to cap insulin at $35 dollars per month. I urge the Senate to take it up immediately. Immigration reform Unfortunately, our immigration system is broken and needs comprehensive reform. In Congress, I have voted repeatedly to secure our borders and worked to provide a path to citizenship for those living, working, and paying taxes in the U.S., and serving in our military. Dreamers are American in every way except on a piece of paper, and the United States is the only home they have ever known. I have also supported bipartisan proposals to make it easier for high-skilled immigrants to come here through the employment-based green card system and contribute to our economy. We need safety and fairness in our immigration system now. National health care insurance Michiganders must continue to be able to choose the best health care for themselves and their families. I strongly support the Affordable Care Act, and Medicare, and Medicaid expansion. Last year saw record levels of sign ups for the ACA, which means that this program is working and stronger than ever. I support Congress considering legislation that provides individuals more options for care, like a public option and opportunities for individuals to buy into Medicare. It’s unacceptable that Americans remain uninsured due to job loss or high costs. I have voted twice to allow Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices which would have an incredible 07.22

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impact for our seniors in addition to capping monthly insulin costs. Student debt issue Too many Americans get stuck in a spiral of student loan debt. This is unacceptable and is why I am proud to have introduced H.R. 7000, the Clean Slate through Consolidation Act. My bill would remove student loan default records from the credit history of federal student loan borrowers who have consolidated their defaulted loan. I am also supportive of making education more affordable through robust Pell grants, community college funding, and apprenticeship programs. I remain very frustrated that too many middle class families do not qualify for financial aid even as parents of students heading to college are still saddled with student loan debt. Taxation reform Our country needs tax fairness starting with the marginal tax rate so that someone like Jeff Bezos pays the same rate as a teacher. I am frustrated that the tax bill signed into law in 2017 left out the middle class. While it’s easy to say that millionaires and billionaires need to pay their fair share, it’s important that we define the highest wage earners and understand the impacts for small business owners. How we tax wage earners needs to be equitable and I believe our policies need to support the middle class first and foremost. I also believe in raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour to address ongoing economic disparity. 2020 presidential election results Yes. I believe in democracy and a peaceful and smooth transition of power. I will of course accept the outcomes of the 2022 primary and general election. I am saddened that this question even needs to be asked. Your top issues Lowering costs for families. From prices at the pump, to child care, to college, Americans are feeling price pressures – and middle and working class families are bearing the brunt. For eighteen months I have been the leading Congressional voice on passing the CHIPS Act and bringing relief to our automotive manufacturers – the economic downtownpublications.com

engine of Oakland County. I am proud to sit on the committee that is overseeing the passage of that bill and next Congress will continue to be a champion for Michigan’s automotive sector. I will continue to be a champion for women at a time where our rights are under attack by radical Republicans like never before. I voted for a bill that will make Roe v. Wade national law while representing one of the most endangered seats in Congress. I will never stop fighting for a woman’s right to make her own health care decisions. Why voters should select you As a proud daughter of Oakland County, the mission that drives my entire office is delivering for Michigan’s 11th Congressional District. I am so proud that we have returned over $100 million dollars to constituents that came to us with casework needs. This is by far the most of the Michigan delegation and one of the highest totals in the entire Congress. We have helped veterans access benefits, small businesses get COVID aid to keep their doors open and assisted seniors who were facing the loss of their homes. Further, I delivered $18 million dollars through community funded projects ranging from infrastructure to critical mental health response programs to updating Livonia’s senior center. When Michiganders need help accessing benefits or navigating complex federal processes, and when municipalities need a strong voice in Washington, they know they can count on me to get the job done. My record of delivery is proof positive of that.

CAST AN ABSENTEE BALLOT FROM THE COMFORT OF HOME Can’t make it to the polls on Tuesday, August 2? You can request an absentee ballot from your local municipal clerk’s office. Simply phone your local clerk’s office and ask for an absentee ballot application. The application will arrive by mail at the address you supply. Fill it out and mail it back. Your local clerk will then mail you a ballot to vote in the August 2 primary. Local clerks contact phone numbers: Birmingham: 248.530.1880 Bloomfield Hills: 248.644.1520 Ext. 1403 Bloomfield Township: 248.433.7702 DOWNTOWN NeWsmagaziNe

august 2 primary voter guide Birmingham, Bloomfield Township, Bloomfield Hills

U.S. CONGRESS 11TH DISTRICT/REPUBLICAN MARK AMBROSE

Mark Ambrose, an investment banker with Wells Fargo Bank, ives in Bloomfield Township. He served in the U.S. Army, earning the rank of captain. He is a graduate of West Point Military Academy, and received an MBA from Columbia University Business School and a master of international affairs from Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs. He has been involved with Financial and Estate Planning Council of Metro Detroit and Homes for Autism. Israel-Palestine conflict Both political parties have consistently offered support for Israel, initially as it was the lone democratic state in the Middle East. However, in the last decade there has been a growing divide in that support, with the rise of the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement on college campuses, continuing conflict between Palestinians and Israelis, and the lack of focus by this and the last administration to address the two-state solution. Where do you align on the issue of Israeli and Palestinian concerns and economic support of Israel? Is it a religious issue or a democracy issue? First, I would disagree with the premise that the last administration had a lack of focus when it comes to Israel as President Trump’s administration achieved the historic establishment of our embassy in Jerusalem. My response to this question is not anecdotal but very personal and based on experience as I have stayed in Akko, Israel (an Arab town near the border with Lebanon) and I have traveled to Nazareth, also an Arab town within Israel. The 6B

people living there are full citizens of the state of Israel, enjoying all the rights and freedoms of that country. They have representation in the Knesset, and the Israeli-Arabs I spoke with had no interest in moving to either the West Bank or the Gaza Strip. When I traveled to the West Bank, it was a starkly different situation. It was chaotic, poorlygoverned by Fatah, and there did not seem to be any real protections for religious minorities. We must stand with democracies and those countries that protect all their citizens, regardless of their ethnic or religious group. It is for that reason that Israel has my unwavering support. The Palestinian people must stop electing terrorist groups, like Hamas in Gaza, in order to be eligible for any type of support from the United States. Build Back Better Act Is the $1.9 trillion spending plan known as the Build Back Better Act dead or is there a chance that it can be revived yet in 2022? What aspects of it do you feel are imperative for the Democrats to enact for voters?

million immigrants in the past couple of years. Southern states in particular are concerned, along with critics in general, that the current administration lacks a clear policy of how to deal with immigrants at our southern border. Further, several groups are calling for a complete overhaul of the immigration policy. What do you feel is needed in terms of an immigration policy at this time? This administration’s neglect of the crisis at our border is hurting both U.S. citizens and illegal immigrants. It is irresponsible and cynical. I am a strong supporter of legal immigration and support those who wish to abide by our nation’s laws and processes to become lawful citizens of the United States. As an Army reservist, I served along our southern border in Arizona. I was shocked at the violence this small Arizona town endured due to human trafficking and drug smuggling. This is not sustainable, and it is killing U.S. citizens and illegal immigrants alike. Our priority must be to secure our southern border. National health care insurance

In this period of extraordinary inflation, this administration’s “Build Back Better Act” is irresponsible. It would only add to the pain that Americans would feel as prices rise more than they have in 40 years. The price tag is actually well beyond $1.9 trillion as different types of accounting gimmicks were used to try to make the advertised cost more palatable to the public. The price spike we are experiencing was set in motion by the partisan American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. That $1.9 trillion package was unnecessary in an economy that was already well into a recovery. Not a single Republican in the House or Senate voted for it, so Vice President Harris broke the tie and the Democrats pushed the reckless package through. One of President Obama’s top economic advisors, Larry Summers, derided that bill as the “least responsible economic policy in 40 years.” Immigration reform Title 42, which allowed the federal government to turn back immigrants at the border during a public health crisis such as COVID-19, was due to expire at the end of May. Estimates are that Title 42 allowed the U.S. to turn away some two

We often hear the concept that health care is a right for everyone. But it would appear that candidates have a slightly different approach for how to handle health insurance. Please explain in detail your health insurance policy position and the potential cost to the government/taxpayers for this. From a Constitutional standpoint, legal minds with years of experience still argue over whether healthcare is a right or not. While we often hear of healthcare described a right, that does not mean it is universally accepted. It is, however, the right and decent thing to do to care for those who are unable to care for themselves. We need to have a safety net to protect our most vulnerable neighbors, but the government should not mandate the type of coverage that the population at large is allowed to have. Government is inefficient in its allocation of resources. We must trust families enough to make their own decisions as to what healthcare package works best for them. Additionally, until we settle on a more moderate solution to our healthcare problem, it is virtually impossible to estimate the potential cost to taxpayers. What is clear is that the current unfunded mandates and costs

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associated with “Obamacare” are unsustainable. This is another reason I have posted a debt clock on my website so people can see (in realtime) the costs we are placing on our future generation’s shoulders due to Washington’s inability to find better solutions to our most pressing problems like this. Student debt issue Payments on college student loans have been delayed during the pandemic but loan payments are expected to resume later this fall. At the same time, there has been a steady call for part or all of student debt to be forgiven. Do you favor forgiving student loans? If so, should this be accomplished through executive order or passage in Congress? Please explain. I am opposed to forgiving student loans. The government would be disproportionately favoring the wealthy and those with advanced degrees over those who never had the opportunity to go to college or graduate school. There are also many who sacrificed and tightened their belts to pay off their student loans. This is an irresponsible proposal that gives preferential treatment to one class at the expense of another. Taxation reform Congress during the last administration lowered the top tax rate from 39.6 percent to 37 percent but the Biden administration wants to restore the top tax rate for 39.6 percent for joint filers making $450k and individuals making $400k. Do you support the increase in the top tax rate? Are there other tax reforms that you support? Please explain. I am in favor of the government living within its means and eliminating wasteful spending. I do not support any tax increases. Tax increases often create incentives that have the 07.22

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opposite effect of what was intended. 2020 presidential election results Do you accept the presidential election results of 2020 in Michigan? Will you accept the results of the 2022 primary and general election? Explain why or why not. Two principles that are foundations of our democracy are 1) Civilian control of the military and 2) The peaceful transfer of power. While Democrats questioned the validity of the 2016 election and Republicans questioned the results of the 2020 election – rule of law asserts we must accept the results of the elections of the past and work toward taking steps which will restore confidence in our electoral system in the future. I will argue strongly for reform that will strengthen our belief in the credibility of our elections, such as voter ID requirements and strict rules around absentee voting and the chain of custody for ballots. Voting rules should never again be changed by executive orders and the rulings of judges. Rule changes must be voted on by state legislators. Otherwise, too much power flows to the executive or judicial branch in each state.

from Columbia University and have worked in banking for 24 years, also earning my designation as a Chartered Financial. I understand economics and the causes of inflation. I know how to fix it. Military – I am a graduate of West Point and served as a tank officer in the U.S. Army overseas and here at home. Border security – While in the Army Reserve, I served along the Mexican Border in Arizona and witnessed the violence and crime that a porous border invites. Foreign Policy – I earned a Master of International Affairs at Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs with a specialization on Russia and the PostSoviet states.

Reduce inflation and improve our economy through responsible economic policies. Security: Border Security, Public Safety, and Honoring our Police. Build our military, so that it will never be challenged. Create jobs for Michigan and America through fair trade and economically encourage business to invest, build and manufacture in the United States. Cure Autism – dedicate resources to ending this disease. Why voters should select you Tell us why voters should select you over your opponent in this race. Please be specific in drawing your comparisons. I believe I have the strongest likelihood of defeating either Andy Levin or Haley Stevens in the general election due to a background that can address some of the most pressing challenges we have today: Reducing inflation – I earned an MBA downtownpublications.com

While I do believe in an overhaul of the current process, we must continue to discourage and turn away illegal immigration and encourage legal immigration. This administration is failing both the American people and the honorable people looking to come into our country the right way. National health care insurance

here in the 11th district has failed us. Look around, gas prices are up an obscene amount, product shortages are a regular occurrence, and we are more divided as a people than ever. This is not normal. I want my daughter to grow up in a prosperous county that has an optimistic version of America, not one that hates itself. We must come together and I am the candidate to unite Oakland County and be a true public servant.

President Trump put us on a great path forward to allow for true competition in the marketplace, lowering drug costs and in some cases outright making them free. Medicare for all and Obamacare are not viable options for our country moving forward.

MATTHEW DENOTTER Student debt issue No, I do not favor student loan forgiveness. We need to our give graduating seniors better options for education outside of the normal university system. Our young people are struggling and many are finding amazing success in the trades. We must encourage this. Taxation reform

Your top issues What would you list as your top three-five issues that you hope to address in this next term of Congress?

Immigration reform

The Trump tax cut helped all Americans with their finances. We must continue to fight to lower taxes and lower government spending. Matthew DenOtter is a realtor living in Highland. He received his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Calvin College. Israel-Palestine conflict We must continue to support Israel and our Middle Eastern allies. Without a strong foundation, the US would not be able to maintain our interests in that region of the world. The issues facing Israel and Palestine are clearly religious and political, but not insurmountable. I believe a peaceful solution can be had. Build Back Better Act I do not believe in passing Build Back Better (BBB). This bill would be a disaster for the already strained transportation and supply chain industries. Hidden inside of this package is a bill to do away with 1099s. This would upend our trucking industry and create chaos in several others like agriculture.

2020 presidential election results I have serious reservation with the 2020 election. Mainly, with the security of the mail-in ballots and our QVF system here in Michigan. I support reforms like Secure MI Vote to stop the mass mailing of unsolicited absentee requests and a regular audit of our voter rolls. I hope that the SOS will follow the law this election. Your top issues 1. Stopping the inflation crisis 2. Fixing our supply chain 3. Protecting life 4. Protecting our constitutional rights 5. Lowering the US government’s spending Why voters should select you I am not a career politician. I am not running to advance a political agenda or for vanity. I am running because I believe that our current leadership

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august 2 primary voter guide Bloomfield Township, Bloomfield Hills

STATE SENATE/7TH DISTRICT/DEMOCRAT RYAN FOSTER

and in some cases members of the state Supreme Court and university boards, although the Senate has not advanced such bills. Would you support financial disclosure legislation and, if so, are the current bills approved by the House sufficient? Should the disclosed information be publicly available? Yes I would support any bills making elected officials financial records available. Donald Trump was told to release his records and he would not. Being open is very important so our voters can see what kind of person they are getting. Term limits for legislators/administration

Ryan Foster is a graduate of Ferris State University who resides in Southfield. He is a driver for Precision Transportation. Foster has not previously held elected office. Legislative bans on education topics In 24 states legislation has been introduced to restrict or outright ban the teaching and/or discussion of certain topics such as race, racism, gender-based issues and how American history is taught in the K-12 public school system. Critics of these efforts to restrict what is taught in public schools say such legislation prevents open inquiry into important issues. Should the state legislature in Michigan dictate or restrict what is taught in public school classrooms? Would you support such legislation? Why or why not? Please be specific in your answer. How American history is important and should be taught not excluding any topic. Slavery, wars and rights of citizens should be taught. The First Amendment is freedom of speech and press, which means we should not label any group at fault or omit history. Legislative ethics/transparency Michigan continues to rank near the bottom in comparison with other states when it comes to codified ethics and transparency rules for state lawmakers. The Michigan House, during several recent sessions, has approved bills to force disclosure of personal financial information of House and Senate members, along with members of the administration, 8B

Do you think the current term limits for House and Senate members are in need of review? Do you support the proposal for term limits that could be on the November ballot which would allow an elected House or Senate member to serve longer terms in either the House or Senate? Why or why not? Yes and it should be. The 22nd amendment means two terms only. President Washington started this long ago. There are members of office who never lose. They have money and connections and it carries over to the next election. Real citizens never have a chance to get name recognition or win races because of lack of funds. I am a prime example of this. State budget surplus The state of Michigan has been running a general fund and school aid fund surplus for two years and is expected to carry over a surplus of $7 billion moving into the budget for fiscal year 2022-2023, which must be adopted by October 1. The surplus has been driven by growing tax revenues and a decline in student population, which reduces spending in that area by about $300 million annually. The budget surplus does not include nearly $15 billion in federal pandemic funding that will be spent over the next several years. A variety of proposals from the administration and the Republicancontrolled Senate have been put forth, including tax cuts for both business and individuals. What are your ideas for using the budget surplus for the coming fiscal year’s

budget? Be specific.

DISTRICT COMMUNITIES Our state’s budget surplus should be used to cut down our debt. If we cut down our debt now our government will have more flexibility later in terms of economic woes. Highland Park water/sewer debt Highland Park, a member of the Great Lakes Water Authority, since 2012 has failed to pay for what now amounts to over $54 million in water and sewer debt, which means member communities in Oakland County will be placed in a position to underwrite this debt whether through increased rates for water and sewer or tapping budget reserves to accomplish the same. The state of Michigan has failed to deal with this issue. What do you think should be the solution to this growing problem of a GLWA member community failing to pay for water and sewer services? Please be specific. Water should be cut off. If they can’t afford to be a city and do basic government activities like policing, roads and education, have Highland Park be taken over by another city or be annexed with Detroit. Voting law changes Voters approved no-reason absentee voting and a number of other changes by a wide margin in 2018. There have been several attempts since 2020 to make changes to the election laws, but critics have charged that some of the changes would negatively impact some voters. Do you think further changes to the election laws are needed and if so, what specifically would those changes be? If you do, why do you think so? How would that impact the proposal voters passed in 2018? The laws and voting amendments were put in place for safety because of COVID-19. Now that the virus and society is moving forward we can get back to more traditional voting. Also not restricting others from voting where you have stricter ID laws and residency requirements but making it easier for working class Americans to vote and encouraging the process. 2020 presidential election results Do you accept the presidential election results of 2020 in

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Bloomfield Township, Bloomfield Hills, Pontiac, Auburn Hills, Lake Angelus, part of Waterford, Franklin, Lathrup Village, Beverly Hills, Southfield, part of Detroit

Michigan? Will you accept the results of the 2022 primary and general election? Explain why or why not. Yes. President Biden won fair and square. President Trump lost with the same numbers he beat Senator Hillary Clinton with. I would accept my results because I pledge not to spend a lot of money to create a fake image to win a race. Other people in this race are going to spend thousands of dollars and lie to you. I can just approach you at your door step and tell you the truth. Michigan abortion ban law In 1931, Michigan legislators adopted a law that banned abortion in the state, based on an 1846 ban that had been in effect. Now with the U.S. Supreme Court preparing to rule and likely overturn Roe v. Wade, some are concerned that the 1931 Michigan law will prevent any abortions here. Do you think the 1931 Michigan act banning abortion should be revised or eliminated to allow for abortions here if Roe V. Wade is overturned? Why or why not? I am a Democrat but do not support abortion. Only exception is rape. It says in the Bible ‘I knew you from the womb.’ If I say I support abortion to win a race, that would be deceiving. But if I lost a race based on my religious beliefs, it would be an honor. Right of redress The Michigan House and Senate have in the past employed seldom used maneuvers to prevent the public from challenging laws that were enacted. Lawmakers accomplish this by attaching an expenditure provision to the legislation which then prevents citizens from petitioning to overturn the law. Citizens in Michigan are allowed referendum rights when it comes to legislation but not laws involving spending. Do you think that such legal maneuvers should be used by the legislature or do such actions diminish the rights of the public to challenge what 07.22

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lawmakers have adopted? What can be done to eliminate such maneuvers on the part of the legislature?

advisory board member on the Dr. Martin Luther King Task Force and Fair Michigan, and Congregation Beth Ahm.

Right of redress is a effort of lawmakers saying they know more than the average citizen. Then citizens can’t change or probably never hear about it. It’s wrong and that’s the reason why I am running for Michigan state Senate district 7.

Legislative bans on education topics

Why select you? Why should voters choose you over your opponent(s) in this contest? Please be specific. Why select Ryan Foster over incumbent Jeremy Moss? I am bringing real issues to the battle. First I am not a career politician and do not have a giant bank account. But I will give energy to issues for the working class, push for reducing our state’s debt, investing in early education K-5 grade and standing up for our police officers. I did eight years of police service, six years of Michigan Department of Corrections, three years army reserve, teacher, football coach and president. My opponent has not been on working class side because he is big money, incumbent, friends in high places, sheltered and doesn’t represent middle class and working class Americans.

JEREMY MOSS

Jeremy Moss is currently finishing his first term as a Michigan state Senator. He previously served as a Southfield city councilman and state Representative. He is a graduate of Michigan State University who majored in journalism and political science, and is a resident of Southfield. He has been active as an downtownpublications.com

In 2016, I co-sponsored legislation that was signed into law requiring instruction in Michigan public school curriculum on genocide, including the Holocaust and the Armenian Genocide. That bill passed 105-1 in the House and 35-3 in the Senate because our legislature at the time recognized that by requiring our students to learn in the classroom about past atrocities – factually and comprehensively – we are providing the most impactful tool to ensure they are not repeated. This approach allows our students to strengthen their sense of empathy for those who may look or seem different and their resolve to take action against injustice and prejudice. We have more work to do. Sadly, an effort that was once overwhelmingly bipartisan has now been politicized and I do not support efforts in the legislature to repeal this type of curriculum or restrict truth in education. Legislative ethics/transparency I am leading efforts in the state legislature to create a more open government so you can hold your elected officials accountable. Michigan is one of only two states in which the governor and legislators are not subject to document requests under the Freedom of Information Act. I drafted the Legislative Open Records Act to give you more access to the innerworkings of government and we are closer than ever to seeing this institutional-changing legislation signed into law. We are also one of only two states not requiring state lawmakers to disclose our personal finances. Without that disclosure, legislators could move legislation to personally enrich themselves and their family. I support financial disclosure. To build trust, we must shine a light on legislative conflicts of interest. For my efforts on government transparency, I was twice awarded the Michigan Press Association’s Sunshine Award. Term limits for legislators/administration Thirty years after term limits were

adopted, Michigan voters will have the chance to examine its impact and assess how it worked. There will be a proposal on November’s ballot to reduce the years someone can serve in the legislature from 14 to 12 while allowing a lawmaker to serve that time in one chamber, instead of the current cap of six years in the House and eight years in the Senate. I supported bringing this proposal to the ballot for voters to decide and I will vote for it. The current system is flawed, especially in the House where we have seen years of legislative scandals due to inexperience, ineptitude, and unaccountability. Lawmakers in consequential leadership positions – some who earn these influential spots in just their first year in office – make short-term policy decisions with impunity because they won’t be around when future legislators clean up their mess. State budget surplus With our budget surplus, I am working to direct tax relief to Michigan residents who have been experiencing rising everyday costs. I championed our Senate Democrats’ plan to relieve the sales tax on gas, issue immediate $500 rebates to working families, restore the earned income tax credit, and repeal the tax on retirees. In the wake of the pandemic and its impact on our communities, we should continue to grow our historic investment in K-12, support post-secondary education including community colleges and skilled trade apprenticeships, boost assistance to job training and retraining programs, and provide grants and forgivable loans to vulnerable industries that have not fully recovered. These last few traumatic years should also compel to us make long-term, serious investment in mental health services. Highland Park water/sewer debt This specific billing dispute is currently working its way through court and no other community should absorb liabilities as we await legal clarity on exactly what debts are owed. I’m a fierce advocate for government transparency and GLWA must ensure full disclosure on how this issue escalated to this point. The core problem is decades-long disinvestment in our communities by state government. Generations of legislators slashed revenue sharing – tax dollars we send to Lansing with

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the expectation they will fund essential services back home – and, as a result, cities in Michigan receive the least state support compared to cities around the country. Highland Park defaulted into emergency management due to funding cuts and emergency management accelerated the crisis the city is facing today. I established the Municipal Caucus in the legislature, a bipartisan group of legislators who previously served in local government focused on solving our broken municipal finance system. Voting law changes Voting rights secure all other rights. I join the two-thirds of Michigan voters who supported Proposal 3 in 2018 to enshrine voting rights and promote access to absentee voting. Nevertheless, Republican Senators have introduced legislation to restrict how you vote, chasing disproven claims about our election. I am leading the fight in the state Senate against Republican bills that could make it harder for you to vote. Instead, we should be embracing positive reforms that keep voting fair, accessible and efficient. We must ensure that Michigan’s election administrators receive adequate resources and proper training for each election. I’m also working on proposals to permit clerks to start processing absentee ballots earlier, just as other states do, thereby expediting the results and avoiding election night chaos. 2020 presidential election results The 2020 election was the most scrutinized election in Michigan history. A bipartisan Michigan Senate Oversight Committee report found that indeed the results were accurate and there is no systemic fraud in our voting systems. I accept the result of the 2020 election and will accept the results of the 2022 as an accurate reflection of the will of Michigan voters. Michigan abortion ban law I am a pro-choice legislator. I do not believe government should dictate how women and families access reproductive care. With Roe v. Wade on the path to being struck down as of this writing, and the dangerous implications for Michigan women, we

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august 2 primary voter guide Birmingham

STATE SENATE/8TH DISTRICT/DEMOCRAT Legislative ethics/transparency

MARSHALL BULLOCK II

Marshall Bullock II is currently a state Senator finishing his first term in office. He lives in the University District of Detroit and has a bachelor’s degree from University of Phoenix. Bullock also served as a district manager for the city of Detroit, and the in the Duggan administration. Legislative bans on education topics In 24 states legislation has been introduced to restrict or outright ban the teaching and/or discussion of certain topics such as race, racism, gender-based issues and how American history is taught in the K-12 public school system. Critics of these efforts to restrict what is taught in public schools say such legislation prevents open inquiry into important issues. Should the state legislature in Michigan dictate or restrict what is taught in public school classrooms? Would you support such legislation? Why or why not? Please be specific in your answer. Absolutely not. The current wave of censorship in schools to mandate away the uncomfortable truth and facts of history is in direct conflict with the purpose of education. I believe that the legislature should encourage freedom of expression. Schools are a place where there should be open discussion on a diverse array of issues and topics, so that students can differentiate between the various ideologies and perspectives in a safe space that allows them to develop a healthy respect for differing opinions. I do not and will not support legislation to restrict what is taught in the public schools of Michigan.

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aid fund surplus for two years and is expected to carry over a surplus of $7 billion moving into the budget for fiscal year 2022-2023, which must be adopted by October 1. The surplus has been driven by growing tax revenues and a decline in student population, which reduces spending in that area by about $300 million annually. The budget surplus does not include nearly $15 billion in federal pandemic funding that will be spent over the next several years. A variety of proposals from the administration and the Republicancontrolled Senate have been put forth, including tax cuts for both business and individuals. What are your ideas for using the budget surplus for the coming fiscal year’s budget? Be specific.

At face value, the legislation proffered in the House has merit, but I would have to study the bills further to properly determine my position. My support would be based on the rationale afforded in the legislation. Although elected members of government are public figures, they should be afforded privacy in certain areas.

I would like to see revenue sharing for municipalities increased as well as economic relief plans for Michigan families. As we are seeing costs increase, we also see that there is no concomitant wage increase. Legislation should be introduced to provide some funding which would give tax relief – especially to mid to lower income working families.

Term limits for legislators/administration

Highland Park water/sewer debt

Highland Park, a member of the Great Lakes Water Authority, since 2012 has failed to pay for what now amounts to over $54 million in water and sewer debt, which means member communities in Oakland County will be placed in a position to underwrite this debt whether through increased rates for water and sewer or tapping budget reserves to accomplish the same. The state of Michigan has failed to deal with this issue. What do you think should be the solution to this growing problem of a GLWA member community failing to pay for water and sewer services? Please be specific. There has to be a role for the state of Michigan to step in and provide, whether that’s arbitration or some financial assistance to alleviate this matter, which further erodes the public interest and confidence in our ability to oversee matters of importance. Voting law changes

State budget surplus The state of Michigan has been running a general fund and school

Voters approved no-reason absentee voting and a number of other changes by a wide margin in

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DISTRICT COMMUNITIES Birmingham, Royal Oak, Clawson, Beverly Hills, Berkley, Huntington Woods, Pleasant Ridge, Ferndale, Oak Park, Royal Oak Township, part of Detroit

2018. There have been several attempts since 2020 to make changes to the election laws, but critics have charged that some of the changes would negatively impact some voters. Do you think further changes to the election laws are needed and if so, what specifically would those changes be? If you do, why do you think so? How would that impact the proposal voters passed in 2018? I do not believe further laws are needed in the area of voting. If some of the proposed legislation were to pass, it would restrict voting and have a dampening effect on the electorate. The people have spoken on this issue, and we don’t need to go backward in our voting rights. 2020 presidential election results Do you accept the presidential election results of 2020 in Michigan? Will you accept the results of the 2022 primary and general election? Explain why or why not. Yes, I accept the presidential election results of 2020 in Michigan, and I will accept the 2022 primary and general election results as well. I believe in the process, and I have availed myself as an active participant. To not accept the results (minus some blatant and wholly visible act of sabotage) would undermine everything I believe in as a Michigan citizen and responsible voter. Michigan abortion ban law In 1931, Michigan legislators adopted a law that banned abortion in the state, based on an 1846 ban that had been in effect. Now with the U.S. Supreme Court preparing to rule and likely overturn Roe v. Wade, some are concerned that the 1931 Michigan law will prevent any abortions here. Do you think the 1931 Michigan act banning abortion should be revised or eliminated to allow for abortions here if Roe v. Wade is overturned? Why or why not? The 1931 Michigan act should be 07.22

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eliminated if Roe v. Wade is overturned. The state should not be in the business of legislating people’s bodies, nor should we base our argument on religious grounds. The fact is, banning any medical procedure becomes a slippery slope, depending on who wields the power, and I am not convinced that banning abortion is where we would end, given the mindset of those that choose that direction.

I will continue to be that. That is why voters should choose me, because “I get things done.”

MALLORY MCMORROW

Right of redress The Michigan House and Senate have in the past employed seldom used maneuvers to prevent the public from challenging laws that were enacted. Lawmakers accomplish this by attaching an expenditure provision to the legislation which then prevents citizens from petitioning to overturn the law. Citizens in Michigan are allowed referendum rights when it comes to legislation but not laws involving spending. Do you think that such legal maneuvers should be used by the legislature or do such actions diminish the rights of the public to challenge what lawmakers have adopted? What can be done to eliminate such maneuvers on the part of the legislature? I don’t agree with these tactics. Voters must know the character and interests of those that they send to Lansing. To protect their rights those in office must seek to promote the greater good. Why select you? Why should voters choose you over your opponent(s) in this contest? Please be specific. During my time in the Senate, I have learned that to be an effective legislator, you have to be able to build coalitions and work with those that don’t always share your point of view. This comes naturally to me, and I have committed all of my efforts to doing what is right for my constituents and as a result I have gotten legislation passed as well as votes from across the aisle on issues that were important to my constituency. We all have a sense of purpose and know that we owe our presence in Lansing to the electorate, but not everyone that has been elected has been effective. My constituents want an effective and vocal advocate. I have been that and downtownpublications.com

Mallory McMorrow is completing her first term as a state Senator. A resident of Royal Oak, she is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame with a degree in industrial design, and has been involved with the Royal Oak and Oakland County Democratic Clubs. Prior to her Senate career, she worked in product design and advertising for Mazda, Mattel, Gawker Media, and Hearst, among other companies. Legislative bans on education topics I’m horrified by recent attempts to ban books and roll back progress that has been made over decades to teach the full scope of our history. It is important that kids are taught an accurate account of our country and world’s history. Shielding them from hard truths and difficult or uncomfortable conversations sets them up for failure in the real world outside of the classroom. I oppose and would vote against any efforts to block accurate education in any subject from classroom curriculums. Legislative ethics/transparency

November, letting the voters decide. Michigan currently has some of the strictest legislative term limits in the nation. While well-intended to promote fresh ideas and allow more people the opportunity to run and serve, the impact of such strict term limits have removed any institutional memory from the state House and Senate by pushing out qualified officials just as they’ve gotten their feet under them. In practice, this has led to less willingness to take on long-term issues and solutions that would outlive one’s term, and has increased the power and influence of lobbyists who carry far more years of experience in Lansing than most legislators. Amending our term limits to cap total years of service at 12 years but flexibility to serve in both or one chamber will create more opportunity for long-term thinking, development of expertise, and reduce the influence of lobbyists – without completely removing term limits in the state. State budget surplus Given the pain many families are feeling right now with inflation and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, I support the governor’s proposal of leveraging some of our surplus dollars to provide immediate $500 relief to households earning $250k/year or less. However, I do not support the Republican tax cut proposals which would create longterm cuts to our state budget, cuts which we would not be able to sustain once our one-time surplus dollars run out. What we need is real tax reform that better balances our system to ensure sustainable longterm revenue while taking the bulk of the tax burden off of lower- and middle-income families, such as a graduated income tax. We need to invest in the things that will attract people to Michigan. People = talent. Smart economic development recognizes that companies will grow or move to where the talent is, not the other way around.

exception. Additionally, the state must pass legislation to create a more streamlined process for municipalities to create stormwater utilities – legislation by Senator Rosemary Bayer that I’ve cosponsored. Currently, Oakland County communities pay millions in legal fees and settlements from a handful of law firms who take our communities to court over this issue – taxpayer dollars that are enriching these few firms but not being used to fix this growing problem. Voting law changes Expanding access to the ballot box is critical, and these changes were supported by a wide majority of voters in 2018. However, our clerks – both Republican and Democratic – have consistently asked the legislature to pass supporting legislation and funding to sufficiently adapt to these changes, including more time to process and count absentee ballots and requiring training for poll challengers. As with most issues, my role as a legislator is to rely on and support those who are experts in our field, and I’ve consistently advocated for the legislature to do more to support the changes our clerks and election officials are requesting to ensure our elections are efficient, secure, and that voters trust that their vote is counted securely. 2020 presidential election results Yes. Free and fair elections are the bedrock of our communities, state, and system of democracy. I’ve built close relationships with our clerks and election officials and know that Michigan leads the nation in election security. Sometimes our preferred candidates win. Sometimes our preferred candidates lose. It’s incumbent on all of us to trust the voters to decide what’s next, to accept the results of each election, and to operate from a place of truth. Michigan abortion ban law

I voted in support of the resolution placing financial disclosure and term limit reform on the ballot. I would support the bills currently introduced and support stronger policies around financial disclosures and transparency. Term limits for legislators/administration I supported the resolution placing term limit reform on the ballot in

Highland Park water/sewer debt The state of Michigan can and should leverage federal infrastructure dollars to both mitigate the impact of this debt and invest the critical dollars needed to upgrade our water infrastructure, and separate the combined sewer system to better manage more extreme flooding and extreme weather incidents that have become the norm instead of the

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The fall of Roe and the retreat to Michigan’s 1931 will be devastating to women, girls, and all people who need to access reproductive care in Michigan – reaching as far as families seeking IVF treatment, stripping women of the ability to participate fully in our economy by determining if and when to get pregnant, and – because the 1931 states that abortion is a felony – 11B

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STATE SENATE/8TH DISTRICT/DEMOCRAT sending doctors, women, and family members to jail. Beyond supporting the Planned Parenthood/ACLU/ Michigan voices ballot initiative which would amend our state constitution to enshrine abortion access and reproductive rights, I’m the co-sponsor of legislation to repeal the 1931 and the primary bill sponsor on the Reproductive Healthcare Act in the Senate, which would effectively codify Roe and access to abortion in statute.

owners navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. We’ve brought millions of dollars back to our district to support parks, pedestrian safety, infrastructure projects, removal of lead water service lines, and so much more. I’ve got a strong track record of fighting every day for my constituents – and against outright lies, hatred, and fearmongering – and would be honored to do so again over the next four years.

STATE SENATE/7TH DISTRICT/DEMOCRAT need a pro-choice majority in the legislature to repeal the 1931 Michigan law making abortion a felony in our state that would immediately be in effect after the impending Supreme Court ruling. I have already co-sponsored legislation to repeal that law and I enthusiastically support the Reproductive Freedom for All campaign to enshrine the right to choose in our state Constitution. Right of redress

Right of redress I’ve consistently supported efforts to strengthen and protect the citizens petition initiative process, such as allowing voters to request their name be removed from a petition should they feel misled, and preventing signature collectors from lying about what an initiative does. It violates the Michigan Constitution to include policy restrictions within appropriations bills and I support efforts to challenge those efforts when they arise. Why select you? In this moment, with so much under attack – from reproductive rights to discrimination against the LGBTQ community, to racial justice and the accurate teaching of our history, to the critical threat of climate change and voting rights – you deserve someone in Lansing who will fight for you every single day. Through it all, we’ve never lost sight of our people. We’ve held dozens of town halls and events, hosted a near-weekly Livestream with direct access to experts, helped over 1,000 people access their unemployment benefits, and supported policies to help all of our residents and small business

Gov. Whitmer has rightfully required policy bills and spending bills be drafted separately to gain her signature and become law, and I support that approach to prevent manipulation of the referendum process. As state Senator, I have led many reforms to increase public participation in our lawmaking process when bad actors in the legislature instead work to diminish it. The Michigan Constitution guarantees that citizens can put an initiative on the ballot if they gather enough signatures, but that proposal first appears before the legislature, where a simple majority in each chamber could adopt it without sending it to a public vote. We’ve seen shameful legislative tactics deployed to fast-track some proposals and prevent others from ever becoming law. I introduced a resolution to increase the threshold for the legislature to pass a publicled proposal – from a simple majority to three-quarters vote – otherwise, it must go to the ballot.

public service. I’ve built relationships to be effective and produce real results. Eight of my bills were signed into law – real solutions affecting real people – including legislation to create more pathways for students who dropped out of high school to complete their degree, reduce unfair barriers for returning citizens seeking employment, and assist homeowners with making needed home improvements by lowering property taxes. That is no small feat being a Democrat serving in a Republican majority. For this work and more, Capitol-area news outlet MIRS News named me as its 2021 Democratic Legislator of the Year. I’m running for my last term in the Senate under term-limits and have a lot more energy left to see through the issues I’ve been working on.

Why select you? I grew up in this district, was educated here (2004 Groves High School graduate), and have devoted more than a decade of my life to

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august 2 primary voter guide Birmingham, Bloomfield Township

STATE HOUSE/5TH DISTRICT/DEMOCRAT REGGIE REG DAVIS

Reggie Reg Davis is a community liaison for the city of Detroit and a retired broadcast journalist. He resides in northwest Detroit. He attended Wayne State University and Oral Roberts University and is founder/president of CeaseFire Youth Initiative. He previously was a Detroit City Charter commissioner, Detroit Deputy District Manager and a Wayne County commissioner. Legislative bans on education topics In 24 states legislation has been introduced to restrict or outright ban the teaching and/or discussion of certain topics such as race, racism, gender-based issues and how American history is taught in the K-12 public school system. Critics of these efforts to restrict what is taught in public schools say such legislation prevents open inquiry into important issues. Should the state legislature in Michigan dictate or restrict what is taught in public school classrooms? Would you support such legislation? Why or why not? Please be specific in your answer. Our children should not be restricted from information, they should begin learning and researching true history and life experiences as soon as they are able to speak in complete sentences. I will not support legislation which restricts or bans the teaching or discussion of certain topics such as race, racism, genderbased issues and how American history is taught in the K-12 public school system. Legislative ethics/transparency Michigan continues to rank near the bottom in comparison with other downtownpublications.com

states when it comes to codified ethics and transparency rules for state lawmakers. The Michigan House, during several recent sessions, has approved bills to force disclosure of personal financial information of House and Senate members, along with members of the administration, and in some cases members of the state Supreme Court and university boards, although the Senate has not advanced such bills. Would you support financial disclosure legislation and, if so, are the current bills approved by the House sufficient? Should the disclosed information be publicly available? Yes, I support financial disclosure legislation and the current bills are probably not strong enough. The disclosed information should be publicly available because those who are elected by us, the people, should at all times be subject to scrutiny and evaluation by the people who put them there; it’s called public trust and transparency is a very important part of that type of trust.

must be adopted by October 1. The surplus has been driven by growing tax revenues and a decline in student population, which reduces spending in that area by about $300 million annually. The budget surplus does not include nearly $15 billion in federal pandemic funding that will be spent over the next several years. A variety of proposals from the administration and the Republican-controlled Senate have been put forth, including tax cuts for both business and individuals. What are your ideas for using the budget surplus for the coming fiscal year’s budget? Be specific. The budget surplus should be used to rebuild and prolong the infrastructure of our roads, bridges and highways. Michigan should never have a pothole season and our highways should run smoothly, similar to the roads in the state of New Jersey. The surplus should also be used in an effort to fight against senseless gun violence in which our state has its fair share of. Highland Park water/sewer debt

Term limits for legislators/administration Do you think the current term limits for House and Senate members are in need of review? Do you support the proposal for term limits that could be on the November ballot which would allow an elected House or Senate member to serve longer terms in either the House or Senate? Why or why not? Yes, I believe that the current term limits for House and Senate members are in need of review. I support the proposal for term limits that could be on the November ballot which would allow an elected House or Senate member to serve longer terms. The state of Michigan should have term limits, however, I believe that three two-year terms for the House of Representatives and two four-year terms for Senate is not enough time for a representative of the people to serve. Many citizens never have the chance to know their representative because they come and go so fast. State budget surplus The state of Michigan has been running a general fund and school aid fund surplus for two years and is expected to carry over a surplus of $7 billion moving into the budget for fiscal year 2022-2023, which

Highland Park, a member of the Great Lakes Water Authority, since 2012 has failed to pay for what now amounts to over $54 million in water and sewer debt, which means member communities in Oakland County will be placed in a position to underwrite this debt whether through increased rates for water and sewer or tapping budget reserves to accomplish the same. The state of Michigan has failed to deal with this issue. What do you think should be the solution to this growing problem of a GLWA member community failing to pay for water and sewer services? Please be specific. It’s probably not the absolute answer, however, one solution is that Highland Park water and sewer should be held responsible and they should pay whether by a long-term payment plan or a reduced lump sum. Either way, they need to be held responsible. Voting law changes Voters approved no-reason absentee voting and a number of other changes by a wide margin in 2018. There have been several attempts since 2020 to make changes to the election laws, but critics have charged that some of the changes would negatively

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DISTRICT COMMUNITIES Part of Birmingham, part of Bloomfield Township, Bloomfield Hills, Oak Park, Berkley, Beverly Hills, part of Royal Oak, part of Southfield, part of Detroit

impact some voters. Do you think further changes to the election laws are needed and if so, what specifically would those changes be? If you do, why do you think so? How would that impact the proposal voters passed in 2018? Any type of measure or law that suppresses a citizen’s right to vote freely, safely and without any type of condition or stipulation is uncalled for and I do not support it. 2020 presidential election results Do you accept the presidential election results of 2020 in Michigan? Will you accept the results of the 2022 primary and general election? Explain why or why not. Yes, I do support the presidential election results of 2020 in Michigan and I will accept the results of the 2022 primary and general election. The state of Michigan has one of the most steadfast and reliable election systems in this country and I stand by it. Michigan abortion ban law In 1931, Michigan legislators adopted a law that banned abortion in the state, based on an 1846 ban that had been in effect. Now with the U.S. Supreme Court preparing to rule and likely overturn Roe v. Wade, some are concerned that the 1931 Michigan law will prevent any abortions here. Do you think the 1931 Michigan act banning abortion should be revised or eliminated to allow for abortions here if Roe V. Wade is overturned? Why or why not? The 1931 Michigan act banning abortion should be immediately eliminated to allow for abortions here if Roe v Wade is overturned. A woman should have the absolute right to choose what she does with her body. I support a woman’s right to choose. Right of redress The Michigan House and Senate have in the past employed seldom used maneuvers to prevent the 13B

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public from challenging laws that were enacted. Lawmakers accomplish this by attaching an expenditure provision to the legislation which then prevents citizens from petitioning to overturn the law. Citizens in Michigan are allowed referendum rights when it comes to legislation but not laws involving spending. Do you think that such legal maneuvers should be used by the legislature or do such actions diminish the rights of the public to challenge what lawmakers have adopted? What can be done to eliminate such maneuvers on the part of the legislature? Citizens should allow their representatives to do their job, however, there should be certain thresholds set in place by which the democracy by which we live should come into play. If our legislators are continuously spending incorrectly according to the majority census of the citizenry, then the people should be able to step in and make some type of correction. Why select you? Why should voters choose you over your opponent(s) in this contest? Please be specific. I campaign on the ideal of how important it is for us to save lives in the great state of Michigan. From my plans to reform mental health care to my stance as an anti-gun violence advocate, we must begin to shift our focus as a state to one of the most important reasons that we have government in place and that is for the safety and welfare of the citizens of our beautiful state. As state Representative I will sponsor and support bills that make for better auto insurance rates and for roads and highways that allow for better travel however, I will first and foremost be concerned with and support bills that stand for a healthier, safer, happier Michigander who can breathe fresh air, have access to good health care (physical and mental) and can go to school and walk the streets without the threat of gunfire. This is why the citizens of the newly drawn State House District 5 should vote Reggie Reg Davis for State Representative.

STEELE P. HUGHES

Steele P. Hughes is currently constituent services director for District 10 in the state House of Representatives for Rep. Mary Cavanagh (D-Redford). He received a degree in business administration from Northwood University. A resident of Detroit, he has been a board member and football coach for Detroit City Lions Youth Organization, involved with the Detroit branch of NAACP and Detroit PAL organization. Legislative bans on education topics The simple answer is no I will not support legislation that limits or bans of Michigan teachers from teaching critical topics. President Franklin Roosevelt said it best in his first inaugural address, “…the only thing we have to fear is fear itself – nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.” Unfortunately, the political leadership in the Republican Party deems it necessary to attack educators like my wife, a current teacher in metro Detroit. Limit the critical analysis of our nation’s history and legislate nationalism instead of promoting free thought and unbiased environments. If the left is suffering from so-called wokeness, then the right is suffering from intolerance. As Malcom X was quoted, “Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” Our children can’t be adequately prepared if we hide the truth, degrade the facts and whitewash our struggles that have led to some of this country’s amazing advancements. Legislative ethics/transparency To be a true public servant you must be open to public scrutiny. I am not

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sure if the current bills in the state house go far enough. The best model we have currently is the state of Alaska which ranks as one of the highest in ethics practices according to a 2015 Washington Post article. Personally, I would support a constitutional amendment creating a new elected State Office of Inspector General – this person should be nonpartisan and given broad scope to investigate state political officials, state agencies, local government practices, open meetings and FOIA request/investigations. After the amount of fraud perpetrated on the UIA during the pandemic and the lack of trust in government we need proper oversight in Lansing and throughout the state. Term limits for legislators/administration This Michigander like many others supports term limits, but yes, we need to review our current model. Sadly, this legislative session rushed this proposal on the ballot. Now I agree with the financial disclosure provision of the ballot initiative, because currently law makers police themselves in this regard. Our constituents need to know if we have any financial conflicts of interest. We need more debate on term limits in both chambers, to keep political acumen but not a lifetime career. State budget surplus We definitely need an income tax cut for Michigan’s working families and repeal the draconian pension tax on retirees. I support the Governor’s proposal for $500 rebate checks to help Michigan families battling current inflationary hurdles. I would hope to work with my future GOP colleagues to create a more manageable tax relief bill. Yes, the income tax should be cut to 4 percent, but only for those making less than $500,000 annually. I believe the 4.25 percent should remain for higher income tax brackets. Budget surpluses are great, but in reality our state and local municipalities continue to face legacy cost (pension deficits) we need to seriously plan to resolve now and not later. My budget wish list would include the following: Increased funding in skilled trades training for high school and adult education. Increased funding for foster care and adult/senior care. Funding green infrastructure projects for example mixed rubber-asphalt based road paving (ex. Dickinson County) / Water

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retention ponds in metro Detroit to ease pressure on sewer system. Highland Park water/sewer debt This problem was created by the state of Michigan when Highland Park was moved to the GLWA system after their water treatment plant was forced to close. Now there is no easy fix to this problem, because Highland Park is not flush with cash or tax base to pay the outstanding debt. The immediate fix would be payment from the state of Michigan to cover the debts. The state in turn would have to cut revenue sharing to Highland Park to reimburse taxpayers. Highland Park needs to consider merging with a neighboring city to best provide services to the residents. But let’s be clear, Highland Park is only the problem we see right now. In our near future many small municipalities will face similar hardships. Growing legacy costs, higher interest rates on bond payments, decreasing population and lack of commercial/industrial growth. Michigan governments will have to think long and hard about adopting regional government structures to cut cost and deliver services to residents. Voting law changes The voters in Michigan have spoken and Lansing needs to respect the will of the people. I have no major concern with 2018 voter approved election law. 2020 presidential election results Yes. Joe Biden is President of the United States and he won the state of Michigan’s 16 electoral votes. I trust Secretary of State Benson to monitor and help facilitate a free and fair election in 2022. Michigan abortion ban law I am a father to a beautiful baby girl and it is my duty to protect her at all cost. Part of this protection is my belief she and every other woman on our planet has the right to make decisions for her own personal health. This includes the right to have a safe abortion. The 1931 law is a relic that needs to be repealed. Doctors should not have to worry about criminal charges for providing this procedure. Right of redress We have seen the legislature use the expenditure tactic for the Emergency Manager law which was repealed by 07.22

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majority of Michigan voters. Yes, the public should have a right to redress all laws passed by the legislature. Although the remedy cannot be the same for all laws or we will have a free for all of special interest groups working to shape agenda and manipulate voters. One solution I could support is sunset clauses on legislation passed with appropriations that have been repealed before by voters. Or voter ballot initiatives could be petitioned to go on the ballot during that sunset period before a vote on renewal of the legislation.

NATALIE PRICE

Term limits for legislators/administration

Why select you? Voters should vote for Steele P. Hughes because I am your average community member seeking to represent the everyday person. I am a son, husband, father and brother that’s running with honesty and integrity. Once elected, the legislation and appropriations that I will be focused on are education, healthcare, foster care reform and infrastructure with a focal point specifically on updating our underground infrastructure. I’m the only candidate in this race with Lansing experience, I have worked as the consultant services director for State House District 10 since January 2021. I’ve worked on over 4,000 unemployment claims, countless DHHS issues, assisted community members on navigating insurance claims and connecting them with resources when their basements flooded last summer. I’ve done the work in Lansing and I am looking to continue doing the work with just a different title as your next State Representative. So I ask for your support, please vote for Steele P. Hughes for State Representative on August 2, 2022. For more information, please visit www.strongerwithsteele.com

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vote, disclosure must be required. I am in support of the constitutional amendment that will be on our November ballots, which will require statewide officials to file financial disclosure, putting Michigan in line with what 48 other states and Congress already require.

Natalie Price is a Berkley city council member, and was previously Berkley Citizens Engagement Advisory Committee Chair. She has a bachelor’s degree from Vassar College and a master’s degree from University of Exeter in the UK, both in English and critical theory. She has been active in Sierra Club, Equality Michigan and co-creator of Backyard Playroom. Legislative bans on education topics I will not support any legislation that attempts to dictate or restrict what is taught in public school classrooms. As a former teacher and as a mom of two elementary-age students, I know that kids need to be able to discuss race, racism, gender, sexuality, and the difficult realities of our nation’s history in order to learn how to navigate the world in which we live with kindness, compassion, empathy and the ability to make a positive difference. Legislative ethics/transparency As a city council member, I am subject to much stricter standards of ethics and transparency than my state representatives. My communications related to all cityrelated business are subject to the Freedom of Information Act. I also follow a clear policy that requires me to disclose any possible conflicts of interest before I take action or vote on any related matters. Our state lawmakers, members of the administration, and members of the state Supreme Court and university boards should, at the very least, be required to meet the same standards of ethics and transparency as our municipal leaders. If personal financial information has the potential to impact a state leader’s action or

Under the constitutional amendment that is proposed for the November ballot, voters will have the opportunity to decide whether to allow lawmakers to serve 12 years overall in Lansing, spending potentially their entire time in the House or Senate or dividing the years between the two chambers. I support this proposal because I understand that the existing law (which limits members of the state House to three two-year terms and members of the state Senate to two four-year terms) does not allow enough institutional knowledge to accumulate for optimal leadership in either of these bodies. State budget surplus I support Governor Whitmer’s recently proposed budget and spending plan, which would roll back the retirement tax and triple the Earned Income Tax Credit, make the highest per-student investment ever, continue rebuilding our infrastructure, spur economic developments, back workforce development programs, and lower costs. I also support her proposed MI Tax Rebate Right Now plan, which would send a $500 immediate tax rebate to Michigan’s working families. I do not think that the surplus, which is bolstered by temporary COVID-relief funds, should be used for sweeping tax cuts, which would leave a permanent hole in the state budget.

Headlee) improperly restrict how local governments can collect the money they need. The state has also diverted $8.6 billion in revenue sharing away from our cities. This has cost Highland Park alone $17,083,580 since 2002. We must fix this broken system in order to give all our cities the resources they need to provide essential services to our residents. Voting law changes When more people participate, our democracy gets stronger. Voters strengthened our democracy when they amended our state constitution in 2018 to enable no-reason absentee voting and required automatic voter registration. I support such changes that empower more eligible voters to participate and will fight against any changes to election laws that limit participation in our democratic process. 2020 presidential election results Yes. We have a safe and secure election process, and the attempts to sow mistrust about the voting process since 2020 are a direct attack on our democracy. We must counteract fear with facts in order to sustain and increase participation in our election process. When more people participate, our democracy gets stronger. Michigan abortion ban law The 1931 law that bans abortions in Michigan must be eliminated in order to protect reproductive justice for all. Access to legal and safe abortion care is an essential element of access to affordable quality healthcare, which all people deserve. Right of redress

Highland Park water/sewer debt The state of Michigan is responsible for this issue and should foot the bill for it. Before 2012, Highland Park had its own water processing facility. The state shut it down and required that Highland Park participate in GLWA on an emergency basis with the promise of a remediation plan for fixing its facility. This “emergency basis” continued for a decade with water rates that Highland Park clearly could not afford. This situation is indicative of a bigger issue of our state’s failure to provide adequate support to our municipalities. Conflicting tax laws (Prop A and

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Our Constitution says that voters may hold a referendum on any bill passed by the legislature only as long as there is no money expended. The intent was to prevent a situation in which the state would need to take back money that has already been spent; however, after the Emergency Manager law was repealed by voters, the party in power started throwing in at least $1 to their controversial bills so that voters couldn’t challenge them. This is just political gamesmanship plain and simple, and it has been used to deny Michigan residents their voice in our democracy. The legislature should be 15B

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accountable first and foremost to the citizens of Michigan, which is why protecting access to the ballot through voting rights legislation and passing transparency and accountability laws is so important. Michigan citizens deserve a legislature that won’t use legal loopholes and anti-democratic tactics to pass laws in conflict with the interests of Michigan families, but will instead work on behalf of Michiganders to get things done on the issues that matter to the people. Why select you? We need leaders in Lansing who are well-poised to fight for the issues that matter most. As the only elected official in this race, I provide a clear voice of proven leadership. My voting record reflects our values of equity and inclusion, environmental protections, and support for local businesses. As a former teacher, I will advocate for strong schools throughout our region, ensuring that all districts have the resources they need. And as a mom, I will fight to keep all of our kids safe by fighting for common-sense gun laws and intentionally inclusive communities. I am grateful for the endorsements and support of Oakland County Treasurer Robert Wittenberg, former state Senator and state Representative Gilda Jacobs, state Representative Lori Stone, Oakland County Commissioner Charlie Cavell, as well as mayors and fellow city council members/commissioners from throughout our region. I will continue to build community as a trusted leader in Lansing.

MICHELLE WOODDELL

Michelle Wooddell, a resident of Southfield, is an associate professor in the School of Nonprofit, Health, 16B

Hospitality and Tourism Management at Grand Valley State University. She has a PhD in public administration from Wayne State University, a masters in public administration from New York University, and a bachelor’s degree in political science from University of Michigan. She is a former board member of League of Women Voters and Junior League of Detroit, but has not held public office. Legislative bans on education topics I believe that trained education professionals – not state legislators – are in the best position to determine the material that is taught in our classrooms. As teachers, we are trained not only in our areas of specialization but also how to ensure that the material is delivered in an age-appropriate, culturally-sensitive and thoughtful manner. Parents who have concerns about specific areas should talk with their child’s teachers and the local school systems, not their state legislator. I am much more concerned about ensuring that all of our schools are properly funded, that our teachers are supported and that every student in Michigan has an equal opportunity to achieve their full potential. The system of educational funding in our state needs to be revised to promote more stability and long-term planning. Many of our school buildings are in need of infrastructure repairs and the personnel crisis in our public schools is real and needs to be addressed quickly yet competently. Legislative ethics/transparency I absolutely would support bills that increase transparency of the financial transactions of state lawmakers and I would support making these disclosures publicly available. In general, I believe that every Michigan resident has the right to know who is supporting our elected officials and we have the responsibility as voters to ensure that we do our homework about candidates. I also believe that Michigan needs to revise its campaign finance laws. This campaign has opened my eyes to the need for increased attention to the ways in which our elected officials fund their campaigns. I would like to limit the amount of money that Super PAC’s are allowed to spend in a given election, to increase transparency around “dark money” and to expand public disclosure of Super PAC donors. Putting the power back in the hands of the people as opposed

to the lobbyists is, in general, a good thing for Michigan. Term limits for legislators/administration I believe that our state legislature could benefit from having more experienced individuals in place, so I do support the November ballot proposal. However, I believe that we need to do everything that we can to elect individuals who see public service as a chance to give back to their community, as opposed to a lifelong career. I believe that our system of government does better when we have leaders who come from all sectors of society – business, education, health care, the nonprofit sector, agriculture and more. We need leaders who are not just taking the next step in their lifetime of holding public office, but who are willing to step forward for a period of time to help address our state’s challenges. Out on the campaign trail, so many people have thanked me for running – for being willing to put myself out there even though I am definitely not a politician. State budget surplus This is a unique time in Michigan’s history, as we enjoy a budget surplus that will allow us to address some of our key statewide challenges. I would combine policies that provide immediate relief for our residents in this time of high inflation with policies that invest in our state’s long-term success. My priorities would be: Repeal of the “retirement tax” for Michigan seniors; Tax rebates for all Michigan residents, as proposed by Governor Whitmer; Investments in infrastructure projects throughout the state, including schools, roads, bridges and state parks; Investment in programs that address the need for increased mental health support in our communities; and support for programs that invest in clean energy production in Michigan so that we can be less reliant on other countries and states. Highland Park water/sewer debt Although I know there is some dispute about the legal underpinnings of this issue, the fact remains that a great debt has been amassed by Highland Park, one of our region’s poorest communities. The issue should obviously have been dealt with long ago, but since it has not, I support an immediate suspension of

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the extra fees that other member communities are now paying to help pay down this debt while we wait for the court case to play out. Alternatively, debt payments should be placed into escrow while the issue is settled. The larger issue, however, is ensuring that everyone in our region has access to affordable clean water. We need to invest more in strengthening and maintaining Michigan’s water infrastructure including lead pipe removal, drinking water treatment, storm water, and wastewater management. Voting law changes In my opinion, voting is the most fundamental right that we have as Americans and that’s why one of my very first volunteer positions in the community was as a member of the League of Women Voters of Michigan’s state board. In that role, I had a firsthand look at the ways in which a person’s ability to vote is impacted by their economic conditions, transportation issues and a lack of good voter information. I believe that there are many things that the state legislature can do to ensure that our election laws support full participation, including: Expanding equitable access to the ballot, including measures such as early voting, absentee ballot preprocessing, and full funding of our election administration at all levels. Declaring our polling places as gunfree zones. Expanding voter registration opportunities and making it easier for all residents to participate in the process. 2020 presidential election results I was a poll worker in 2020 and this helped cement my faith in the voting process in Michigan. I saw so many people who were committed to ensuring the integrity of the vote that day and I absolutely accept the presidential election results. I will accept the results of the 2022 elections. This mistrust in our basic system of elections must end, as it is tearing at the very fabric of our democracy. We need to do more to educate the public about the processing of ballots and we need to ensure complete transparency throughout the process. Election deniers and their claims of stolen elections without evidence cannot be allowed to continue to disrupt our democracy without vigorous pushback from the majority of voters.

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VOT E AUGUST 2 N D By Absentee or At The Polls

Michigan abortion ban law First and foremost, I 100 percent believe that healthcare decisions should be made by the individual in consultation with whomever they choose and I support a woman’s right to choose to terminate a pregnancy. If Roe v Wade is indeed overturned, I think that Michigan’s leaders have an obligation to consider a bill to overturn the 1931 law and I would vote in support of its elimination. My larger concern is that an individual’s fundamental right to privacy is at stake in this debate and I believe that action at the federal level is needed to stop our nation from becoming a patchwork of different regulations with respect to privacy. Who I choose to marry, when I choose to have children and how I choose to live should, in general, should not be dictated or over-regulated by the government. Right of redress I think that, as a state, we need to be careful about the degree to which we allow policy measures to be adopted with just a high number of signatures, particularly when circulators have the right to lie when talking with voters. We see this now in Betsy DeVos’ push to allow public funding to flow to private schools. The people of Michigan have already spoken on this issue and the state constitution doesn’t allow it, yet if her petitions gain the correct number of signatures, it will automatically become law. That is a process that wreaks havoc with the normal democratic process. I believe that a mechanism already exists to hold legislators accountable for bad laws – elections. To be a functioning democratic republic, we need voters to hold their elected officials response for their action – or inaction – on an issue.

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economic situations have access to quality and affordable educational opportunities. Finally, I am a working mom with aging parents and an adopted son who struggles with his mental health every day. I know the challenges that families face in trying to balance everything that goes into living a full and productive life. Although it pains me to say it, I am also one of the oldest candidates running for this seat. I know that I would absolutely not have been the best representative that I could be if I sought this seat 10 years ago. Age has taught me critical decisionmaking skills, improved my negotiating ability and helped me understand the complexities of solving large-scale community problems.

Strengthen Our Schools by adopting a more equitable funding model to ensure all schools & students have ample resources. Protect Our Environment by investing in renewable energy to create jobs while making Michigan more sustainable. Promote Equity, Inclusion, & Safety with fair wages, accessible healthcare, & common-sense gun laws that protect our communities.

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LEARN MORE ABOUT MY PRIORITIES at www.VoteNataliePrice.com or follow @VoteNataliePrice on social media

DEMOCRAT FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE

Why select you? I believe that my district would be best served by my vast experience in the public, private and nonprofit sectors. I am a small business owner so I know all about the challenges of balancing the bottom line with the needs of my team. I am also an educator. Every day I see the challenges that today’s students face – from college affordability to the need to balance work, family and school. I also understand the importance of ensuring that students from all backgrounds and sociodowntownpublications.com

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august 2 primary voter guide Birmingham, Bloomfield Township

STATE HOUSE/5TH DISTRICT/REPUBLICAN PAUL TAROS

administration, and in some cases members of the state Supreme Court and university boards, although the Senate has not advanced such bills. Would you support financial disclosure legislation and, if so, are the current bills approved by the House sufficient? Should the disclosed information be publicly available? Corruption at all levels of government needs to stop and those who are found guilty need to be fully prosecuted. Financial disclosures should be required for not only elected officials, but also bureaucrats in a position to select and/or pay vendors. Term limits for legislators/administration

Paul Taros of Birmingham is president of Taros & Associates, PC, certified public accountants. He received his BBA from University of Michigan and his MBA from Wayne State University. He is a threetime Ambassador of the Year for the Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce, on the board of directors for Crossroads for Youth, and active at St. George Greek Orthodox Church. Legislative bans on education topics In 24 states legislation has been introduced to restrict or outright ban the teaching and/or discussion of certain topics such as race, racism, gender-based issues and how American history is taught in the K-12 public school system. Critics of these efforts to restrict what is taught in public schools say such legislation prevents open inquiry into important issues. Should the state legislature in Michigan dictate or restrict what is taught in public school classrooms? Would you support such legislation? Why or why not? Please be specific in your answer. Our schools need to get back to teaching students how to think, not what to think. Schools should teach and discuss the Dr. Ossian Sweet case, which took place in Detroit. (Dr. Ossian Sweet along with ten family members and friends were charged with murder after a mob attacked his Detroit home.) Students would be able to discuss race and gun rights, among other things.

Do you think the current term limits for House and Senate members are in need of review? Do you support the proposal for term limits that could be on the November ballot which would allow an elected House or Senate member to serve longer terms in either the House or Senate? Why or why not? No, I do not believe we should increase the number of years a person can serve in the House or Senate. Our founders envisioned a lawmaker serving in the legislature and then returning to live as a private citizen, under the laws they passed. We do not need career politicians. State budget surplus The state of Michigan has been running a general fund and school aid fund surplus for two years and is expected to carry over a surplus of $7 billion moving into the budget for fiscal year 20222023, which must be adopted by October 1. The surplus has been driven by growing tax revenues and a decline in student population, which reduces spending in that area by about $300 million annually. The budget surplus does not include nearly $15 billion in federal pandemic funding that will be spent over the next several years. A variety of proposals from the administration and the Republicancontrolled Senate have been put forth, including tax cuts for both business and individuals. What are your ideas for using the budget surplus for the coming fiscal year’s budget? Be specific.

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Water was once a minor expense, but today it is a major portion of every household’s budget. When a GLWA member does not pay for their water and sewer services it drives up the cost of water and sewer services for the other member communities. If a GLWA member doesn’t pay their bills they should be removed from the authority. Voting law changes Voters approved no-reason absentee voting and a number of other changes by a wide margin in 2018. There have been several attempts since 2020 to make changes to the election laws, but critics have charged that some of the changes would negatively impact some voters. Do you think further changes to the election laws are needed and if so, what specifically would those changes be? If you do, why do you think so? How would that impact the proposal voters passed in 2018? Fair and honest elections are a cornerstone of any democracy. Every eligible voter should be assured that their vote is counted and that there are no fraudulent votes cast. I would support any law that restores our belief that the election results are fair and accurate. 2020 presidential election results Do you accept the presidential election results of 2020 in Michigan? Will you accept the results of the 2022 primary and general election? Explain why or why not.

DISTRICT COMMUNITIES Part of Birmingham, part of Bloomfield Township, Bloomfield Hills, Oak Park, Berkley, Beverly Hills, part of Royal Oak, part of Southfield, part of Detroit

law that banned abortion in the state, based on an 1846 ban that had been in effect. Now with the U.S. Supreme Court preparing to rule and likely overturn Roe v. Wade, some are concerned that the 1931 Michigan law will prevent any abortions here. Do you think the 1931 Michigan act banning abortion should be revised or eliminated to allow for abortions here if Roe V. Wade is overturned? Why or why not? Government should protect those least able to care for themselves and I cannot think of anyone more deserving of protection than an unborn baby. To think of an unborn baby just days away from being born, to be suddenly torn from the mother’s womb and killed is abhorrent. Roe v. Wade needs to be overturned. Right of redress The Michigan House and Senate have in the past employed seldom used maneuvers to prevent the public from challenging laws that were enacted. Lawmakers accomplish this by attaching an expenditure provision to the legislation which then prevents citizens from petitioning to overturn the law. Citizens in Michigan are allowed referendum rights when it comes to legislation but not laws involving spending. Do you think that such legal maneuvers should be used by the legislature or do such actions diminish the rights of the public to challenge what lawmakers have adopted? What can be done to eliminate such maneuvers on the part of the legislature? The citizens elect the legislature, so it is disingenuous to say that if the legislature attaches an expenditure provision to a piece of legislation it prevents citizens from having a voice. When Democrats embrace the mantra “the ends justify the means” it is very troubling. Why select you?

Taxpayers are being crushed by skyrocketing food and gas prices. To help ease their pain I would certainly be in favor of tax cuts. The bloated state government is full of pet projects, ineffective programs and wasteful spending. Let’s give the taxpayers a break and cut their taxes.

There are millions of voters who believe voter fraud took place in the 2020 election. The documentary “2000 Mules“ indicates that there was voter fraud. Other investigators have found numerous statistical abnormalities that suggest voter fraud took place. These facts certainly warrant a commission to investigate the 2020 election and make recommendations to insure safe and secure elections in the future.

Highland Park water/sewer debt Highland Park, a member of the Great

Michigan abortion ban law In 1931, Michigan legislators adopted a

Legislative ethics/transparency Michigan continues to rank near the bottom in comparison with other states when it comes to codified ethics and transparency rules for state lawmakers. The Michigan House, during several recent sessions, has approved bills to force disclosure of personal financial information of House and Senate members, along with members of the

Lakes Water Authority, since 2012 has failed to pay for what now amounts to over $54 million in water and sewer debt, which means member communities in Oakland County will be placed in a position to underwrite this debt whether through increased rates for water and sewer or tapping budget reserves to accomplish the same. The state of Michigan has failed to deal with this issue. What do you think should be the solution to this growing problem of a GLWA member community failing to pay for water and sewer services? Please be specific.

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Why should voters choose you over your opponent(s) in this contest? Please be specific. Michigan is in trouble. We are paying more in taxes and getting poorer services. Our schools are failing, the roads are atrocious and public safety has declined. We need to prioritize our spending and eliminate unnecessary programs. I have and will continue to call out wrongdoing by elected officials. 07.22

august 2 primary voter guide Bloomfield Township

STATE HOUSE/20TH DISTRICT/DEMOCRAT NOAH ARBIT

we want to raise our kids to be upstanding citizens capable of contributing to our communities and achieving their aspirations, we must ensure that they are educated in a holistic manner. That means learning about difficult chapters of history; that means learning about messy, inconclusive debates that polarize our society. I will vehemently oppose legislation that seeks to sanitize curricula. Legislative ethics/transparency

Noah Arbit is the founder and executive director of the Michigan Democratic Jewish Caucus. A resident of West Bloomfield, he has a degree from Wayne State University in comparative politics and Jewish studies. He previously worked as director of communications for the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office, was a staffer for Governor Gretchen Whitmer and worked on the Hillary Clinton 2016 campaign. He is a member of the West Bloomfield Diversity Task Force, sits on the executive committee of West Bloomfield-Lakes Area Democratic Club and is a member of Jewish Labor Committee. Legislative bans on education topics In 24 states legislation has been introduced to restrict or outright ban the teaching and/or discussion of certain topics such as race, racism, gender-based issues and how American history is taught in the K-12 public school system. Critics of these efforts to restrict what is taught in public schools say such legislation prevents open inquiry into important issues. Should the state legislature in Michigan dictate or restrict what is taught in public school classrooms? Would you support such legislation? Why or why not? Please be specific in your answer. Absolutely not. The idea that we should shield our kids from necessary, if difficult, conversations about our world and our history is asinine. But the truth is, those who advocate for silencing educational inquiry are not concerned with kids’ welfare; they are instrumentalizing our kids to obscure their real motivation, which is both simpler and more noxious: bigotry. If downtownpublications.com

Michigan continues to rank near the bottom in comparison with other states when it comes to codified ethics and transparency rules for state lawmakers. The Michigan House, during several recent sessions, has approved bills to force disclosure of personal financial information of House and Senate members, along with members of the administration, and in some cases members of the state Supreme Court and university boards, although the Senate has not advanced such bills. Would you support financial disclosure legislation and, if so, are the current bills approved by the House sufficient? Should the disclosed information be publicly available? Yes, I support and will vote for the transparency and financial disclosure legislation, and will work with legislators in both parties to bring greater transparency and accountability to all branches of Michigan government, including the legislature and the executive office of the governor. Term limits for legislators/administration Do you think the current term limits for House and Senate members are in need of review? Do you support the proposal for term limits that could be on the November ballot which would allow an elected House or Senate member to serve longer terms in either the House or Senate? Why or why not? Reasonable minds can differ on the utility of term limits writ large, but any successful term limits policy would adequately balance two competing goals: the need to retain institutional knowledge in the legislature, and the need to refresh our institutions with new blood and new voices. By this metric alone, Michigan’s current legislative term limits policy is an

abject failure that has drastically harmed the quality of governance in our state, to the detriment of all Michiganders. Limiting state reps to six years and state senators to eight years means legislators have little time to learn how to navigate the institution before they are turfed out; this vacuum of legislative expertise empowers entrenched lobbyists, special interests, and other power brokers at the expense of the people’s elected representatives. I encourage all voters to join me in supporting the ballot proposal “Michiganders for Transparency and Term Limits.” State budget surplus The state of Michigan has been running a general fund and school aid fund surplus for two years and is expected to carry over a surplus of $7 billion moving into the budget for fiscal year 2022-2023, which must be adopted by October 1. The surplus has been driven by growing tax revenues and a decline in student population, which reduces spending in that area by about $300 million annually. The budget surplus does not include nearly $15 billion in federal pandemic funding that will be spent over the next several years. A variety of proposals from the administration and the Republican-controlled Senate have been put forth, including tax cuts for both business and individuals. What are your ideas for using the budget surplus for the coming fiscal year’s budget? Be specific. I am open to conversations about prioritizing the areas in which the surplus should be used, but as a general principle, it must be used sustainably and targeted to build capacity. I am not interested in squandering a one-time sugar high. Let’s invest with purpose and build infrastructure that will last and pay dividends long into the future. Let’s invest in expanded mental health care treatment for Michiganders, particularly youth and seniors. Let’s invest in a robust public transit system to connect southeast Michigan, and in educating and training young people – our workforce of the future. Let’s build capacity in the services that we deliver to residents, so we can become an even more innovative, thriving economy that fosters dynamic businesses and delivers for people. Let’s help shape the contours of our economic future, instead of letting events and trends

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DISTRICT COMMUNITIES Part of Bloomfield Township, West Bloomfield, Orchard Lake, Sylvan Lake, Keego Harbor, part of Commerce Township

elsewhere dictate how Michigan will proceed in the 21st century. Highland Park water/sewer debt Highland Park, a member of the Great Lakes Water Authority, since 2012 has failed to pay for what now amounts to over $54 million in water and sewer debt, which means member communities in Oakland County will be placed in a position to underwrite this debt whether through increased rates for water and sewer or tapping budget reserves to accomplish the same. The state of Michigan has failed to deal with this issue. What do you think should be the solution to this growing problem of a GLWA member community failing to pay for water and sewer services? Please be specific. I strongly support Governor Whitmer’s recent request that GLWA forestall the portion of its planned rate increase attributed to Highland Park’s debt until the culmination of the legal process or arrival of a political solution between the parties. Clearly, residents of West Bloomfield, Commerce, Bloomfield, Orchard Lake, Keego Harbor, and Sylvan Lake should not be held financially responsible for the dispute between Highland Park and GLWA. Pending the outcome of the litigation, I am open to working with the Whitmer Administration, members of the legislature, and experts on various ideas and strategies to arrive at creative, fiscally responsible solutions to the issue of Highland Park’s debt to GLWA – so long as the solution does not involve other communities underwriting that debt. Voting law changes Voters approved no-reason absentee voting and a number of other changes by a wide margin in 2018. There have been several attempts since 2020 to make changes to the election laws, but critics have charged that some of the changes would negatively impact some voters. Do you think further changes to the election laws are needed and if so, what specifically would those changes be? If you do, why do you think so? 19B

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How would that impact the proposal voters passed in 2018? I believe in expanding the franchise, so that every Michigander has access to the foundational constitutional right to elect their own government. I will zealously oppose any proposal seeking to curtail that right. It’s time to empower local clerks to preprocess absentee ballots, so the public can receive results in a timely manner; make Election Day a state holiday, and cease underfunding municipal and county clerks’ budgets for election administration. These are the kinds of legitimate reforms that would substantially improve Michigan’s elections and boost confidence and trust in our voting system – not the anti-democratic bile promoted by extremist politicians seeking to appease the egos of disgraced former presidents. 2020 presidential election results Do you accept the presidential election results of 2020 in Michigan? Will you accept the results of the 2022 primary and general election? Explain why or why not. It is deeply disturbing and a sad reflection of the state of our politics that this question even has to be asked. Of course I accept the results of the 2020 election, in which Joe Biden and Kamala Harris were duly elected. Of course I will accept the results of the 2022 Democratic Primary and general election, regardless of whether or not I am the winner. Our constitutional democracy depends on fidelity to the rule of law, and on the consent of the governed. I will not be party to any action or statement that casts doubt on the legitimacy of free and fair elections, and I will never be afraid to call out election deniers, conspiracy theorists, and demagogues wherever they rear their ugly heads in the State of Michigan. Michigan abortion ban law In 1931, Michigan legislators adopted a law that banned abortion in the state, based on an 1846 ban that had been in effect. Now with the U.S. Supreme Court preparing to rule and likely overturn Roe v. Wade, some are concerned that the 1931 Michigan law will prevent any abortions here. Do you think the 1931 Michigan act banning abortion should be revised or eliminated to 20B

allow for abortions here if Roe V. Wade is overturned? Why or why not? Unequivocally, yes. It is long past time to repeal Michigan’s snapback abortion ban. I am thankful that Attorney General Dana Nessel and Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald have committed not to enforce the 1931 abortion ban should Roe v. Wade be overturned. But, that is no substitute for legislative action. If elected, I will sign on to be an original co-sponsor of the Michigan Reproductive Health Act, and I will be a fierce advocate for safe and legal abortion access and reproductive health. I encourage all voters to join me in supporting the “MI Right to Reproductive Freedom” constitutional amendment proposal, which will likely be on the November ballot. Additionally, it is long past time to repeal Michigan’s antiquated ban on sodomy, because we cannot rely on a radical, right-wing United States Supreme Court to protect the rights of women or LGBTQ+ people in Michigan. We need Lansing to act. Right of redress The Michigan House and Senate have in the past employed seldom used maneuvers to prevent the public from challenging laws that were enacted. Lawmakers accomplish this by attaching an expenditure provision to the legislation which then prevents citizens from petitioning to overturn the law. Citizens in Michigan are allowed referendum rights when it comes to legislation but not laws involving spending. Do you think that such legal maneuvers should be used by the legislature or do such actions diminish the rights of the public to challenge what lawmakers have adopted? What can be done to eliminate such maneuvers on the part of the legislature? It is absolutely time to eliminate the distinction between appropriative and policy legislation that makes legislation containing any amount of appropriations exempt from citizen review via initiative and referendum. The legal loophole is anti-democratic and its continued use only erodes faith in our democratic institutions to represent the will of the people. Relatedly, it is also long past time to repeal the constitutional provision undergirding the “adopt-and-amend” legislative tactic, whereby the

legislature takes up and adopts a citizen-led constitutional ballot proposal before it appears on the ballot only to amend it later, so as to prevent the substance of the initial ballot initiative from entering the force of law. These are both noxious tactics that fly in the face of democratic principles.

education degrees from Wayne State University. A West Bloomfield resident, he is a trustee on the West Bloomfield Schools Board of Education, and involved with the West Bloomfield/Lakes area Democratic Club and Sierra Club.

Why select you?

The state legislature should certainly not be empowered to prevent important race and gender-based issues. During my 24-year career in public education, I have never witnessed “critical race theory” being taught in our classrooms – it’s not part of the curriculum to begin with, since CRT is a university level concept, so why ban it? Efforts to ban these topics from discussion in the classroom absolutely discourages open inquiry by students and prevents students from understanding our country’s history. The purpose of teaching about racism, slavery, the civil rights movement, and the women’s rights movement, among others, has never been to make students feel guilty about history, but rather to teach them about the injustices that marginalized groups have faced to ensure we do not allow history to repeat itself. I would absolutely oppose legislation that seeks to restrict what is taught in schools regarding race and gender.

Why should voters choose you over your opponent(s) in this contest? Please be specific. I never intended to run for office, but I was sick and tired of watching my hometown of West Bloomfield be gerrymandered and treated as an afterthought in Lansing. I stepped up to run when no one else would, because I love our community. I am the only Democratic candidate who was raised in this community, who was educated in this community. And I will move heaven and earth for our community, which is exactly why Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence, West Bloomfield Township Supervisor Steve Kaplan, county commissioners Marcia Gershenson and Kristen Nelson, and so many of our leaders have endorsed my candidacy. Because West Bloomfield, Commerce, and the Lakes deserve a passionate, forward-thinking, relentless leader who exhausts every path to find innovative, commonsense solutions. A leader who shows up, works tirelessly, and fights for us with faith and fidelity. That’s the kind of person I am. That’s the kind of representative I’ll be.

KEN FERGUSON

Ken Ferguson is a teacher of visuallyimpaired students with the Grosse Pointe School System. He received his bachelor’s degree from Eastern Michigan University, and masters and

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Legislative bans on education topics

Legislative ethics/transparency Transparency in government is essential in maintaining a government free of corruption and maintaining public trust in the government. Several bills have been introduced in the House to require financial disclosure of the State Board of Education (HB 4344), candidates for the state’s Executive Branch (HB 4602), judicial candidates (HB 4090), and state representatives (HB 4323). Despite bipartisan support for these bills, many have not been touched since their introduction in the House or committee referral in 2021. I agree that the bills currently introduced in this session of the legislature make solid efforts to require financial disclosure, but House and committee leadership must take them seriously. There is no reason that these bills should have died in committee if there was bipartisan support and cosponsorship. Ignoring these bills because of the fear of personal ramifications is irresponsible governing and 07.22

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jeopardizes the trust that Michigan’s voters place in our elected officials and legislature as a whole.

I believe our current term limits are too short and the rapid turnover allows special interests to have the upper hand in driving legislation. While I applaud the efforts of the ballot measure, I feel it would have been more beneficial to increase the House term to eight years and Senate to twelve years while still incorporating the financial transparency piece.

voter registration to expand access to electoral participation to folks who were unable to make it to the polls on election day, for whatever their reason may be. Let me be clear: attempts to undermine the 2018 ballot initiative to expand voting rights should be seen as nothing less than attempts to suppress voters in lowincome communities and communities of already marginalized Michiganders. The only changes to our state’s election laws that I would support are changes which would further empower Michiganders to vote in elections, regardless of their party affiliation, race/ethnicity, or socioeconomic background.

State budget surplus

2020 presidential election results

As an educator, it is my firm belief that any school aid fund surplus monies should be allocated to districts which are struggling to provide adequate resources for their students. In my mind, it’s simple: school funds should continue to fund our public schools. With regard to the general fund, I support allocation of these funds toward initiatives that Governor Whitmer was elected to tackle, including improving Michigan’s infrastructure, expanding access to skilled trade training programs, making higher education more affordable for Michigan’s students and their families, and eliminating the state’s retirement tax.

I do accept the presidential election results of 2020 in Michigan as several investigations have proven there was no evidence of voter fraud. Regardless of the outcomes of the 2022 primary and general elections, I will accept the results because I have faith in our Secretary of State that our elections are handled fairly and responsibly.

Term limits for legislators/administration

Highland Park water/sewer debt Water and sewage is a basic human right. While it is important for local municipalities to be fiscally responsible and pay their debts, it does not make sense to raise rates on a community which is already struggling to meet their obligations. Municipalities, counties, and the state of Michigan must work together to support Highland Park by providing state officials to offer guidance as well as financial assistance by using some of the budget reserves. Voting law changes Attempts by members of the state legislature to undermine legislation passed by a wide margin of Michigan’s voters are highly problematic and suggest that some members of the legislature are willing to overturn policy that voters put forth and voted into law for their own personal benefit and security in their elected office. Voters approved noreason absentee voting and same-day downtownpublications.com

Why select you? My track record of service to my community truly sets me apart from other candidates in this race. In 2016, I was elected to serve on the West Bloomfield School Board. As an educator working with the blind and low-vision, I’ve served the students across Wayne County that need support most, while also serving my colleagues in the local teachers’ unions with the AFT and MEA. Prior to my career in education, I served our country with the Army Reserves in Desert Storm. I have received the endorsement of labor unions who have placed their faith in me as the candidate who will strive to ensure everyone in my community feels represented in Lansing. I have dedicated my life to building and maintaining relationships with the people around me and made it clear that I am someone that can be trusted to represent everyone, regardless of their race, gender, socioeconomic status, or political affiliation.

JAMES SKLAR

Michigan abortion ban law As a dad, I find it very concerning that there are legislators who seek to restrict my daughters’ choices regarding their bodies. I think the 1931 abortion ban should certainly be overturned should Roe v. Wade be overturned. I was happy to hear about the recent preliminary judicial decision protecting a woman’s right to choose, but there is still work to be done in protecting the right to abortion in Michigan.

Legislative ethics/transparency It’s past due time Michigan finally implements legislation to expand Michigan’s open records laws. Currently, Michigan legislators, the governor, lieutenant governor, and executive office employees are exempted from FOIA. Consequently, I support removing these exceptions and enacting the proper procedures and requirements for the disclosure of public records by all public bodies in our state. Term limits for legislators/administration Currently, Michigan has one of the strictest legislative term limits in the nation. Term limits may actually be contributing to Michigan’s last place ranking in state government ethics and transparency. Having worked three years in the legislature, too much institutional knowledge is in the hands of lobbyists and corporations who can afford those lobbyists. I support measures to shift the power back to Michigan citizens, which is why I support reforming our term limits in Michigan. State budget surplus

Right of redress The use of expenditure provisions in public acts to prevent voters from overturning laws they feel unjust is deceptive and does not serve the interests of Michiganders. Referendum rights should include the right to handle appropriations. I was pleased to see the city of Detroit propose a ballot initiative in 2021 seeking to subject appropriations legislation to the same referendum policy as other legislative action taken by the city government, though I was disappointed it did not pass, because such an action would eliminate these deceptive maneuvers to block voters from holding a referendum on laws that legislators want to maintain despite voters disagreeing.

K-12 budget, and supporting the health and safety of students and teachers.

James Sklar of West Bloomfield has undergraduate degrees from Oakland University and a law degree from Michigan State University College of Law. He has worked as an intern at the White House during the Obama Administration and as a legislative aide in the Michigan House of Representatives.

For a surplus, I believe we need to make sure our waterways are clean and limit chemicals like PFAS. Additionally, our communities need to be better equipped to handle water main breaks and be proactive when it comes to water leaks in households. This past year has shown that water main breaks can go on for hours without being detected, which cause boil advisories to be issued. I believe Michigan needs to adopt and be the leader in our water infrastructure. The technology is there as I have seen its integration sprout up right here in Oakland County. It’s time that Michigan becomes a smart state when it comes to water. Highland Park water/sewer debt

Legislative bans on education topics I plan to vote against any legislation that would restrict or outright ban the teaching and/or discussion of certain topics such as race, racism, genderbased issues and how American history is taught in the K-12 public school system. Additionally, I support free public education, increasing our

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According to the water authority, the city of Highland Park has paid less than 1 percent of its water bill since 2012 and other metro Detroit communities have been paying more money to GLWA for Highland Parks

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august 2 primary voter guide Bloomfield Township

STATE HOUSE/20TH DISTRICT/REPUBLICAN DIANA THERESA MOHYI

school administrators in the last two years have caused children’s education to suffer. The first priority must be to fix the damage. Suicidal behavior of young people is skyrocketing and school administrator’s response is to buy therapy dogs instead of solving the issue, division, isolation and loneliness. Canceling the St Mary’s Fair was callous. Legislative ethics/transparency

Diana Mohyi is a self-employed attorney in private practice who lives in West Bloomfield. She is a graduate of University of Michigan and Case Western Reserve University Law School. She is a member of the Oakland County Bar Association, Greater West Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce, Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce, Junior League of Birmingham, Impact 100 of Oakland County and German American Business Council of Michigan. Legislative bans on education topics In 24 states legislation has been introduced to restrict or outright ban the teaching and/or discussion of certain topics such as race, racism, gender-based issues and how American history is taught in the K-12 public school system. Critics of these efforts to restrict what is taught in public schools say such legislation prevents open inquiry into important issues. Should the state legislature in Michigan dictate or restrict what is taught in public school classrooms? Would you support such legislation? Why or why not? Please be specific in your answer. The state legislature should restrict what is taught in public classrooms to protect children just like protecting minors from advertising. I would support banning the teaching of critical race theory curriculum because it is divisive inaccurate value based curriculum. It is a parent’s inalienable right to decide on the values that should be taught to their children. It is the responsibility of schools to provide the highest quality education in core curriculum: math, science, reading and writing. Many Michigan children barely know how to read and write. The policies of the 22B

Michigan continues to rank near the bottom in comparison with other states when it comes to codified ethics and transparency rules for state lawmakers. The Michigan House, during several recent sessions, has approved bills to force disclosure of personal financial information of House and Senate members, along with members of the administration, and in some cases members of the state Supreme Court and university boards, although the Senate has not advanced such bills. Would you support financial disclosure legislation and, if so, are the current bills approved by the House sufficient? Should the disclosed information be publicly available? I would support reasonable financial disclosure legislation. Public servants do not have the same expectation of privacy regarding their finances as the general public because their decisions impact the public. With regard to current legislation, I don’t believe it is enough. The public should be able to view the financial disclosure that legislative officials must provide. Public officials must disclose the sources of their income with reasonable protections for client confidentiality mandated for legal professionals. Term limits for legislators/administration Do you think the current term limits for House and Senate members are in need of review? Do you support the proposal for term limits that could be on the November ballot which would allow an elected House or Senate member to serve longer terms in either the House or Senate? Why or why not? The current Michigan term limits appear reasonable. I would not support a proposal which would allow legislators to serve longer terms because that would be tantamount to

electing kings and queens to rule over us. Term limits keep the swamp from getting too deeply rooted in the government system by acting as a drain. State budget surplus The state of Michigan has been running a general fund and school aid fund surplus for two years and is expected to carry over a surplus of $7 billion moving into the budget for fiscal year 2022-2023, which must be adopted by October 1. The surplus has been driven by growing tax revenues and a decline in student population, which reduces spending in that area by about $300 million annually. The budget surplus does not include nearly $15 billion in federal pandemic funding that will be spent over the next several years. A variety of proposals from the administration and the Republican-controlled Senate have been put forth, including tax cuts for both business and individuals. What are your ideas for using the budget surplus for the coming fiscal year’s budget? Be specific. The legislature should return funds back to taxpayers by cutting taxes and issuing tax refunds to taxpayers. Michiganders and small businesses are financially damaged by the government imposed shutdowns put in place by decree of Governor Whitmer. It is the state government’s responsibility to try to do what little it can to make up for it by providing Michiganders financial relief. Part of that fund could be used towards fixing the roads and infrastructure. Highland Park water/sewer debt Highland Park, a member of the Great Lakes Water Authority, since 2012 has failed to pay for what now amounts to over $54 million in water and sewer debt, which means member communities in Oakland County will be placed in a position to underwrite this debt whether through increased rates for water and sewer or tapping budget reserves to accomplish the same. The state of Michigan has failed to deal with this issue. What do you think should be the solution to this growing problem of a GLWA member community failing to pay for water and sewer services? Please be specific. Highland Park must be held accountable for the debt. Responsible

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DISTRICT COMMUNITIES Part of Bloomfield Township, West Bloomfield, Orchard Lake, Sylvan Lake, Keego Harbor, part of Commerce Township

member communities are not responsible for the debts of the delinquent member and it would be an illegal taking to impose that responsibility. Highland Park could be sued in court by member communities which have been aggrieved by this failure. The state government should take over local government’s duties when it is not doing its job on an emergency basis to avoid a public health crisis. The state or county government should directly collect taxes from communities to pay for these services since the current structure is not working. The state government could pass a law which mandates that. Voting law changes Voters approved no-reason absentee voting and a number of other changes by a wide margin in 2018. There have been several attempts since 2020 to make changes to the election laws, but critics have charged that some of the changes would negatively impact some voters. Do you think further changes to the election laws are needed and if so, what specifically would those changes be? If you do, why do you think so? How would that impact the proposal voters passed in 2018? Yes, the election law needs to be changed to protect election integrity. Ballot harvesting must be absolutely illegal, absentee ballots must be specifically requested, voter ID must be required, time limits must be upheld for whether votes are counted if they are sent to the clerk past election day, and signature verification must be enforced on absentee ballot processing by clerks. These proposed changes would not interfere with the 2018 changes and will only improve the Michigan election system all Michiganders. 2020 presidential election results Do you accept the presidential election results of 2020 in Michigan? Will you accept the results of the 2022 primary and general election? Explain why or why not. I accept the result of the 2020 07.22

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STATE HOUSE/20TH DISTRICT/REPUBLICAN Michigan election under protest because on information and belief, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson interfered with a lawful election audit by destroying evidence necessary to conduct said audit. The people of Michigan need to move forward and not backwards. Michigan must be able to hold election audits without interference from officials, especially those charged with upholding the integrity of elections. I would accept the results of the 2022 primary and general, however, I would support election audits to verify the accuracy of the election. Michigan abortion ban law In 1931, Michigan legislators adopted a law that banned abortion in the state, based on an 1846 ban that had been in effect. Now with the U.S. Supreme Court preparing to rule and likely overturn Roe v. Wade, some are concerned that the 1931 Michigan law will prevent any abortions here. Do you think the 1931 Michigan act banning abortion should be revised or eliminated to allow for abortions here if Roe V. Wade is overturned? Why or why not? I am pro-life. I do not think there should be a revision to the law because abortion is the termination of a human life. This issue could be decided by ballot proposal by voters. Right of redress The Michigan House and Senate have in the past employed seldom used maneuvers to prevent the public from challenging laws that were enacted. Lawmakers accomplish this by attaching an expenditure provision to the legislation which then prevents citizens from petitioning to overturn the law. Citizens in Michigan are allowed referendum rights when it comes to legislation but not laws involving spending. Do you think that such legal maneuvers should be used by the legislature or do such actions diminish the rights of the public to challenge what lawmakers have adopted? What can be done to eliminate such maneuvers on the part of the legislature? The legislature should never use maneuvers to prevent the public from challenging laws adopted by legislature. A law should be passed which prohibits such maneuvers. downtownpublications.com

Why select you? Why should voters choose you over your opponent(s) in this contest? Please be specific. I have a track record of being responsible and practical and fulfilling my duties to my clients and the public. I am an attorney with over 10 years practice experience and a full time small business owner for over five years in legal practice. I focus on family law and have served my clients with the highest quality service. I have had real life experience in the working world and understand what the needs of small business and families are. I am not a product of government bureaucracy. I am the only Republican candidate who fulfilled my precinct delegate duties at the county and state convention. My Republican opponent failed to show up. I recognize the destruction that has happened to small business and education in the last two years and I am committed to fixing it. I am committed to protecting our constitutional freedoms.

STATE HOUSE/20TH DISTRICT/DEMOCRAT unpaid bills. Highland Park officials have been litigating this case in the courts for years and Highland Park lost. I agree with the court’s decision, and the state needs to work with Highland Park to come up with a comprehensive plan to repay their debt that will be fair to Highland Park and to the residents of Michigan. Voting law changes I believe that voting is a fundamental right of every Michigan citizen, and it’s the job of our state government to ensure easy access to the ballot box. Consequently, I would oppose any legislation that restricts Michigan citizens the right to vote.

I’m running for State Representative because the Michigan House needs fresh new ideas and an understanding of how to enact those policies the right way. I worked three years in the Michigan Legislature, interned at the White House under the Obama Administration, and obtained my law degree from Michigan State University College of Law. I’m worried that the opportunities I had to succeed aren’t there anymore. I will work hard to keep our talent in Michigan and invest in the future generations of Michigan leaders. My passion for Michigan and my experiences are why I believe I will be an effective voice for my community.

2020 presidential election results Yes, I accept the 2020 results, and I will accept the 2022 results. Our elections are secure. There is a process for finalizing and certifying vote counts for elections here in Michigan. The honest truth is, many Michiganders are falling victim to misinformation designed to sow mistrust in our elections. I am committed to ensuring free and fair elections, preserving a healthy democracy, and honoring the will of the voters. Michigan abortion ban law Michigan residents and families need to be able to have high quality and affordable healthcare, which is why I believe we need to repeal Michigan’s 1931 State law, which makes abortion illegal. I stand with women across the state of Michigan, and I believe that we should protect, not attack, or limit access to, important resources for women’s health. I will gladly vote against any legislation that attempts to prohibit women’s freedoms in any way. Right of redress When lawmakers attached expenditure provisions to prevent citizens from overturning laws, these actions diminish the rights and trust of the public. It is the duty of the legislature to ensure citizens have their voices heard and votes counted, which is why I would propose and support legislation to close loopholes and improve government transparency. Why select you?

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august 2 primary voter guide Bloomfield Township, Bloomfield Hills

STATE HOUSE/54TH DISTRICT/DEMOCRAT Legislative ethics/transparency

STEPHANIE FAKIH

Stephanie Fakih of Bloomfield Township is founder and principal attorney of Rights First Law PC. She earned her BA in political science from University of Michigan and her JD from Fordham University School of Law. She currently is a Bloomfield Township trustee, involved with Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce, member of the board of Bloomfield Youth Assistance and Cranbrook Center for Collections and Research. Legislative bans on education topics In 24 states legislation has been introduced to restrict or outright ban the teaching and/or discussion of certain topics such as race, racism, gender-based issues and how American history is taught in the K-12 public school system. Critics of these efforts to restrict what is taught in public schools say such legislation prevents open inquiry into important issues. Should the state legislature in Michigan dictate or restrict what is taught in public school classrooms? Would you support such legislation? Why or why not? Please be specific in your answer. In Michigan local school boards are tasked with, among other things, approving recommended curriculum and textbooks based on standards, goals and policies established by the board. It is important these curriculum decisions remain at the local level. Many families often choose to call a place home because of a highly rated school district. Allowing local school boards to approve curriculum and textbooks puts families in control by voting for school board members who represent the ideals important to them. 24B

Michigan continues to rank near the bottom in comparison with other states when it comes to codified ethics and transparency rules for state lawmakers. The Michigan House, during several recent sessions, has approved bills to force disclosure of personal financial information of House and Senate members, along with members of the administration, and in some cases members of the state Supreme Court and university boards, although the Senate has not advanced such bills. Would you support financial disclosure legislation and, if so, are the current bills approved by the House sufficient? Should the disclosed information be publicly available? When personal financial disclosures are required they provide necessary information to the public about a public official’s financial interests and help ensure that officials are making decisions in the best interest of the public and not for personal financial reasons. Requiring personal financial disclosures can also serve as a reminder for public officials of a potential conflict of interest, allowing them to abstain from making decisions that may be seen as conflicts of interest. The disclosed information should be publicly available to allow a determination of what, if any, conflicts exist. Term limits for legislators/administration Do you think the current term limits for House and Senate members are in need of review? Do you support the proposal for term limits that could be on the November ballot which would allow an elected House or Senate member to serve longer terms in either the House or Senate? Why or why not? Elections can, and do, serve as term limits when voters are mobilized; voters do not have to wait until someone is term limited out of office before replacing them. Extending the terms of Michigan legislators is only a good thing if voters are engaged and want to continue to vote for a representative in the House or Senate. State budget surplus The state of Michigan has been running a general fund and school aid fund surplus for two years and

is expected to carry over a surplus of $7 billion moving into the budget for fiscal year 2022-2023, which must be adopted by October 1. The surplus has been driven by growing tax revenues and a decline in student population, which reduces spending in that area by about $300 million annually. The budget surplus does not include nearly $15 billion in federal pandemic funding that will be spent over the next several years. A variety of proposals from the administration and the Republican-controlled Senate have been put forth, including tax cuts for both business and individuals. What are your ideas for using the budget surplus for the coming fiscal year’s budget? Be specific. Michigan needs a huge investment in infrastructure. According to the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, Southeast Michigan alone needs an additional $1.2 billion per year for the next 25 years just to get our roads to fair condition. Bonding our way out of this is not sustainable. Michigan’s roads, bridges, water and sewer systems are in disrepair and without a serious influx of money, will never again meet the standards we have come to expect in the United States of America. By investing in Michigan’s infrastructure, we are investing in a better future for our families. Corporations and large companies will finally eye Michigan for their newest facility or office and will gladly come here, without incentives, because of our quality of life and educated, capable workforce. We have to make Michigan viable from a business perspective and the only way to do it is if we get serious about infrastructure; only then will Michigan finally be a national player attracting people to our state, not out of it. Highland Park water/sewer debt Highland Park, a member of the Great Lakes Water Authority, since 2012 has failed to pay for what now amounts to over $54 million in water and sewer debt, which means member communities in Oakland County will be placed in a position to underwrite this debt whether through increased rates for water and sewer or tapping budget reserves to accomplish the same. The state of Michigan has failed to deal with this issue. What do you think should be the solution to this growing problem of a GLWA member community failing to pay for water

DOWNTOWN NeWsmagaziNe

DISTRICT COMMUNITIES Part of Bloomfield Township, Bloomfield Hills, Auburn Hills, Orion Township, Lake Orion, Oakland Township

and sewer services? Please be specific. Highland Park is certainly responsible for the amounts owed to the Great Lakes Water Authority, but we have to ask how Highland Park got to this point. We need to ensure local governments across our state do not find themselves unprepared for the increased cost of water and the necessary capital to maintain water and sewer infrastructure. Federal dollars helped create these systems and federal dollars may be required to help maintain them. Until then, Michigan needs to think seriously about water and sewer infrastructure and a municipalities’ ability to maintain that infrastructure with limited revenue that also pays for other critical services. Voting law changes Voters approved no-reason absentee voting and a number of other changes by a wide margin in 2018. There have been several attempts since 2020 to make changes to the election laws, but critics have charged that some of the changes would negatively impact some voters. Do you think further changes to the election laws are needed and if so, what specifically would those changes be? If you do, why do you think so? How would that impact the proposal voters passed in 2018? Like our government, elections have checks and balances. Michigan’s current voting laws ensure that anyone eligible to vote can vote. If questions arise about an individual’s eligibility to vote, there are mechanisms in place to verify that votes are legally cast. If someone is found to be in violation of our voting laws we have severe criminal penalties to account for that behavior and to deter others from engaging in similar acts. 2020 presidential election results Do you accept the presidential election results of 2020 in Michigan? Will you accept the results of the 2022 primary and general election? Explain why or why not. 07.22

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I accept the presidential election results of 2020 and will accept the results of the 2022 primary and general elections. Elections are handled hyper-locally – your local clerk is in charge of the elections in your city or township. I encourage anyone questioning the veracity of election results to volunteer with their city or township clerk’s office during election season and see that everyday people run our democracy and while it may not be perfect, it is fair and just.

maneuvers on the part of the legislature? Legislators represent the interests and values of the voting population and should not employ legal maneuvers that diminish the voice of citizens. If the legislature is eager to pass laws that at first glance seem unpopular, the legislature must work on messaging. Explain to citizens why the law is necessary and why it is in their best interest. Why select you?

Michigan abortion ban law In 1931, Michigan legislators adopted a law that banned abortion in the state, based on an 1846 ban that had been in effect. Now with the U.S. Supreme Court preparing to rule and likely overturn Roe v. Wade, some are concerned that the 1931 Michigan law will prevent any abortions here. Do you think the 1931 Michigan act banning abortion should be revised or eliminated to allow for abortions here if Roe V. Wade is overturned? Why or why not? The 1931 Michigan act banning abortion should be eliminated. Personal freedoms are extremely important to people in this country and that does not change when it comes to a woman’s body and her decision to carry and birth a child. Roe v. Wade has been the law of the land for decades and the U.S. Supreme Court’s reversal of that decision does not and should not catapult us back to outdated laws. The Michigan legislature should work to ensure women in Michigan have personal autonomy over their bodies.

Why should voters choose you over your opponent(s) in this contest? Please be specific. The newly drawn House District 54 is representative of our state as a whole: red and blue and seemingly on different sides of everything. Inflation, shortages of goods, uncertainty about the future – these are serious things happening to all of us, right now. We need leadership to take action and lead us out of these problems, together. As a criminal defense attorney I work everyday between stakeholders that have seemingly different end games, but I know this is never the case. I know how to build relationships to get things done and I am ready to do that in Lansing. I am going to Lansing to remind lawmakers we are not in competition with each other, but in competition with other states. We can and should better the lives of Michigan residents. We have everything in this state that we need, we just need the leadership to put it together. I am that leadership.

GARY GERSON

University and a master’s in education from Grand Canyon University. He is a friend of Bloomfield Township Public Library. Legislative bans on education topics Teachers must teach the truth. History teachers must be allowed to present factual accounts of history even if those truths are painful. English teachers must be allowed to tackle subjects that might be controversial. We must trust our teachers and administrators to decide what is age-appropriate and necessary for curricular development as needs evolve. Legislating limitations is insular and shortminded, and I do not support such legislation. Efforts to restrict open inquiry are bad for our kids, our state, and our educational system. Buzzwords such as “critical race theory” can be divisive, and I prefer the term “culturally relevant teaching” as it affirms students’ ethnic and racial backgrounds and is the basis for critiquing the causes of social inequality on personal levels. I taught high school for 26 years and know that teachers need to be in charge of their curricula. This is about supporting our good teachers.

seems sound, allowing a longer term in either the House or the Senate if one stays in either one or the other, which makes sense to me. I would like to see how the “combination” statute would work and if that needs further tweaking. State budget surplus With inflation now in the works and a recession looming, I do approve of the governor’s plan to refund some of the money directly to the people, and I am also in favor of a proposed tax break to further put money into the taxpayer’s hands and further into the Michigan economy. But thinking outside of that box, I would like to see more of the surplus going into the study of, and provisions for, Michiganders who are the victim of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. There needs to be an influx of funds into this arena as kids (and adults) with FASD are underrepresented in the current budget and underserved in the welfare system. I want money to go into specialized housing and training centers to help keep those with alcohol-related neurological disorders out of jail (they make up perhaps one-third of those incarcerated).

Legislative ethics/transparency

Highland Park water/sewer debt

Public servants need to show their sources of income and be transparent in their financial dealings. It seems obvious that the Michigan public has impressions that many politicians, judges, and board members have conflicting interests that may compromise their decision-making. While this may not be true in many or even most cases, the perception exists. Michigan is one of only two states that doesn’t require public disclosure of finances. So no, current legislation is insufficient, and I do support House Bill 4062. Previous efforts have been approved by ethics committees so it is a mystery as to why they have stalled. It is time for financial disclosure.

It is clear that member communities in Oakland County have already been subsidizing Highland Park’s longoverdue water bill. This needs to stop, and any funds that come from member communities should indeed be placed in escrow rather than paid directly to the Great Lakes Water Authority. A judge has ruled that Highland Park should pay their bill, and I agree that they should. I’m saddened that Highland Park residents have been paying for their water but that the funds have not gone to the GLWA. I know that Highland Park has suffered economically, but they have to find a way to budget for clean water for their residents who are already paying for it. Highland Park must pay that bill.

Term limits for legislators/administration

Voting law changes

Gary Gerson is principal of Bloomfield Educational Consultants. Gerson, a resident of Bloomfield Township, has a bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt

I’m learning that six total years for a state rep is not a lot of time, politically speaking. It would seem that once a representative gets used to the way things work in Lansing, that rep is then finished with the term. I do agree with term limits, but I would rather the state rep’s years be studied more closely. The proposal

DOWNTOWN NeWsmagaziNe

The only voter law changes that I see necessary are those that protect the voters and allow every single vote to be counted by any means necessary. I think the approved votes from 2018 should be supported completely. As for other changes, many of the recent “suggestions” are derived from a 25B

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limited population that still believes the myth of voter fraud by our previous president and others. Those suggestions are ludicrous and limiting, seemingly counter to the 2018 mandates. Leave voter laws alone unless they are aimed at protecting each voter and his/her vote. 2020 presidential election results There was no fraud. There was no “steal.” Michigan’s voting reputation is just fine as it is, and I will accept the primary and general election results. This panic about voter fraud needs to go away.

education, scientific inquiry, global warming and the greenhouse effect, foster care, adoption subsidies, Children’s Special Health, business development, the gig economy, world travel, textbook development, being an author, graphs and data, religious studies, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, AIDS education, the arts, and youth sports. There is no substitute for experience, and I was a lead teacher, a curriculum director, a head coach, and president of the faculty council. I developed my own business. I wrote five books. I thrive at building understanding and cohesion. I have education and children in the forefront of my platform.

Michigan abortion ban law As I am writing this response, Governor Whitmer has already begun the process of dismissing the 1931 act. Assuming Roe v Wade is overturned, abortion rights will fall to the state. We are in good shape now to keep women’s reproductive rights legal, but we must also aim for the future when subsequent governments might disagree. It is now our responsibility as legislators to overturn this law and revise Michigan’s constitution to completely support abortion rights for women. Their bodies, their choices.

SHADIA MARTINI

Why select you? My Democratic primary opponents are both brilliant and accomplished. That being said, my knowledge base is quite broad, and that makes me a firmer representative for our district’s population. I have wide experience in advanced education, specialized education, IEP’s, learning challenges, curriculum development, private schools, public schools, science 26B

Term limits for legislators/administration The proposal on the November ballot regarding term limits, if passed, would still make Michigan one of the states with one of the strictest term limit rules for state legislatures in the country. I will support either outcome that Michigan voters choose in November. State budget surplus

Right of redress Citizens have a right to petition and I don’t want to see that right compromised by additional provisions of any sort. I would like to study which maneuvers have come into play and what referendum rights have been compromised. Any system of challenge to lawmakers’ adoptions should be honored as long as laws and the constitution are not violated. I would study this to see how these adoptions have been used unethically and work to reverse them if they are not appropriate. I would consult experts if necessary, including the American Civil Liberties Union, to see if this fits their agenda as well.

Michigan is only one of two states in the entire country that does not require state lawmakers to disclose financial interests. The supposed bipartisan transparency legislation advanced through the state House is not actually transparent. Financial disclosures by legislators would not be made available to the public, only to a secret committee exempt from the Freedom of Information Act. Public disclosure is mandated in dozens of states, and it should be mandated in Michigan just the same. The current legislation is not sufficient.

Shadia Martini of Bloomfield Township owns Martini Construction, Great Estate Realty and Pigalle Salon. She has a degree in architectural engineering from Aleppo University and an MBA from University of Michigan. She is involved with National Association of Builders, National Association of Realtors, Muslim Unity Center, and on the board of Syrian American Council and Arab American Center for Economic and Social Services. Legislative bans on education topics I oppose efforts to restrict or ban the teaching of issues surrounding race, gender, and history in our classrooms. In Syria, where I grew up, our curriculum was controlled by the government. We were lied to about history and about the world around us, to the benefit of the dictatorship. America is a free democracy, our children should be able to learn about critical issues without impediments or restrictions imposed by politicians with biased agendas. Legislative ethics/transparency

I support Governor Whitmer’s proposal to offer a $500 tax rebate to working families rather than the proposed longterm tax cuts in the Senate. Michigan’s economic future is uncertain due to inflation, the continued economic impact of the pandemic, and supply chain issues. A recession may be looming on the horizon – we need to think beyond the short-term while still offering sensible relief to Michigan families. Highland Park water/sewer debt Residents of Oakland County should not be responsible for the city of Highland Park’s neglect, plain and simple. Now, a sewage rate hike is set to hit GLWA communities, in part due to Highland Park’s debt. I support Governor Whitmer’s request that the rate increase incurred due to Highland Park be paused and the proposal for an independent audit that will answer critical questions concerning the debt. Voting law changes Michigan voters voted overwhelmingly to make voting easier and more accessible. Current proposals to help “secure the vote” are spurred by election conspiracies from 2020 and are designed solely to make it harder for marginalized groups to vote. I believe in continuing to reflect the will of Michigan voters in 2018 and maintaining our current election laws.

DOWNTOWN NeWsmagaziNe

2020 presidential election results I accept the results of the 2020 election in Michigan and I will accept the results of the 2022 primary and general election. I grew up in Syria, a country where only one candidate was allowed on the ballot for president. I know what fraudulent elections look like: no such thing occurred in Michigan. Michigan abortion ban law The archaic 1931 law banning abortion should be eliminated. Left as it was written, the law bans virtually all abortions except for those conducted to protect the life of the mother. The right to choose must be protected – an almost 100 year old law that does not even contain rape or incest exceptions does not belong in the 21st century. Right of redress The legislature should not intentionally prevent Michiganders from challenging enacted legislation – this is unequivocally an infringement of guaranteed rights. Attaching extraneous expenditure provisions with clear intent to block the public from challenging legislation should be disallowed. Why select you? I’ve lived under dictatorship and democracy. I’ve been a worker and a small business owner. My unique life experiences have allowed me to see both sides of the coin. I’m so appreciative of the right to political participation, something that I could have never imagined growing up in a country like Syria where one negative word about the government could land you in prison. I’ve embraced my newfound rights to the fullest extent. Since the outbreak of the war in Syria in 2011, I’ve been an outspoken human rights advocate at the state and national level, meeting with legislators on both sides of the aisle to fight for civilians under siege. I was a leader in the effort to get the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019 passed and signed into law. Beyond my decade of advocacy experience, I’ve been a southeast Michigan small business owner and real estate broker for over two decades. I’m ready to bring my business know-how and my grassroots advocacy experience to Lansing to fight for working families and to promote sensible pro-growth economic policy. 07.22

august 2 primary voter guide Bloomfield Township, Bloomfield Hills

STATE HOUSE/54TH DISTRICT/REPUBLICAN SANDY KIESEL

to control what their children are taught. School boards and the state must listen. Legislative ethics/transparency

Sandy Kiesel of Orion Township is Executive Director of Election Integrity Fund and Force and COO of Bright Harbor LLC Wealth Management. She has a degree in mechanical engineering from Trine University and an MBA from Michigan State University Eli Broad School of Business. She is a former board member of Society of Automotive Engineers and is involved with Automotive Women’s Alliance Foundation. Legislative bans on education topics In 24 states legislation has been introduced to restrict or outright ban the teaching and/or discussion of certain topics such as race, racism, gender-based issues and how American history is taught in the K-12 public school system. Critics of these efforts to restrict what is taught in public schools say such legislation prevents open inquiry into important issues. Should the state legislature in Michigan dictate or restrict what is taught in public school classrooms? Would you support such legislation? Why or why not? Please be specific in your answer. It is important that K-12 public school students are taught the basics of reading, writing and arithmetic along with topics that do not promote hate, that do not stereotype any race, gender, ethnicity or sexual orientation, and that are age appropriate. High quality education is critical to develop properly prepared people to move our state forward in the future. With the guidelines above, the exact content of the curriculum is a local topic that should be a collaboration between parents and school boards. Parents have the responsibility and the right downtownpublications.com

Michigan continues to rank near the bottom in comparison with other states when it comes to codified ethics and transparency rules for state lawmakers. The Michigan House, during several recent sessions, has approved bills to force disclosure of personal financial information of House and Senate members, along with members of the administration, and in some cases members of the state Supreme Court and university boards, although the Senate has not advanced such bills. Would you support financial disclosure legislation and, if so, are the current bills approved by the House sufficient? Should the disclosed information be publicly available? Trust and transparency are critical to a properly functioning government. If this does not exist, the electorate will always question the actions of the government. I support disclosure of personal financial information if there is a reason for concern with restrictions to the time period of when a person is serving in public office and only to ensure that no ethical standards are violated. I do not support that the disclosed information be made available to the public. Disclosure of the information could put individuals unnecessarily at risk. Term limits for legislators/administration Do you think the current term limits for House and Senate members are in need of review? Do you support the proposal for term limits that could be on the November ballot which would allow an elected House or Senate member to serve longer terms in either the House or Senate? Why or why not? I believe that our term limits are in need of review. Legislators, in their last term in office, seem to not have the same dedication to the constituents as they are not concerned about re-election. As they are more focused on what comes next for them, future opportunities for the next position can have undue influence on their positions. I do not support the extension on term limits that is potentially on the November

ballot. The handling of this proposal did not give voters a chance to express their opinions. I believe limiting former representatives working for lobby groups immediately following their term in office should be managed similar to non-compete agreements in business. I also support changes that would drive more accountability for public functionaries in their last term. State budget surplus The state of Michigan has been running a general fund and school aid fund surplus for two years and is expected to carry over a surplus of $7 billion moving into the budget for fiscal year 2022-2023, which must be adopted by October 1. The surplus has been driven by growing tax revenues and a decline in student population, which reduces spending in that area by about $300 million annually. The budget surplus does not include nearly $15 billion in federal pandemic funding that will be spent over the next several years. A variety of proposals from the administration and the Republican-controlled Senate have been put forth, including tax cuts for both business and individuals. What are your ideas for using the budget surplus for the coming fiscal year’s budget? Be specific. Our children in Michigan are behind. They were behind before the pandemic and the educational gaps only increased during the pandemic. Those surplus funds should be used to raise the education level of our students. The children are Michigan’s future. Highland Park water/sewer debt Highland Park, a member of the Great Lakes Water Authority, since 2012 has failed to pay for what now amounts to over $54 million in water and sewer debt, which means member communities in Oakland County will be placed in a position to underwrite this debt whether through increased rates for water and sewer or tapping budget reserves to accomplish the same. The state of Michigan has failed to deal with this issue. What do you think should be the solution to this growing problem of a GLWA member community failing to pay for water and sewer services? Please be specific. Highland Park needs to pay their bills.

DOWNTOWN NeWsmagaziNe

DISTRICT COMMUNITIES Part of Bloomfield Township, Bloomfield Hills, Auburn Hills, Orion Township, Lake Orion, Oakland Township

As a process improvement and waste elimination specialist, I would recommend they use engineering techniques to locate non-value added items and focus on reducing waste in their other expenses to enable paying their water and sewer bills. Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel and Macomb County Public Works Commission Candice Miller said, “other member of the communities have unfairly absorbed Highland Park’s unpaid water and sewer bills.” These other communities should not be responsible for Highland Park’s water and sewer expenses. Voting law changes Voters approved no-reason absentee voting and a number of other changes by a wide margin in 2018. There have been several attempts since 2020 to make changes to the election laws, but critics have charged that some of the changes would negatively impact some voters. Do you think further changes to the election laws are needed and if so, what specifically would those changes be? If you do, why do you think so? How would that impact the proposal voters passed in 2018? Yes, many election laws need to be revised to produce transparent and trusted elections. Election laws need to be followed and when they are not, there must be accountability. I have spent the last 18 months working on election integrity and leading teams across the state to analyze government data. What was uncovered was inaccurate Qualified Voter Files, no reason absentee voting, drop boxes with uneven availability and no monitoring, outside money with no accountability, the use of ERIC to feed our qualified voter file, no meaningful audits, no investigations and no consequences for breaking the law allowed us to have an election where it was easy to cheat impossible for the public to trust. I want all of the current laws to be followed, laws that make it easy to cheat eliminated and laws that make every legal vote count passed. 2020 presidential election results Do you accept the presidential election results of 2020 in 27B

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Michigan? Will you accept the results of the 2022 primary and general election? Explain why or why not. I do not accept the 2020 election results. Data determines election legitimacy and everyone should be able to clearly see the data. Over the last 18 months, the nonprofit, nonpartisan organization I lead conducted extensive research across the state. The results are currently released in several reports and can be seen on www.electionintegrityforce.com. Additional analysis was also presented by MC4EI, PIME, Stand Up MI, Patrick Colbeck, and in the movie 2000 Mules. With the exposure of Qualified Voter File inaccuracy, vote count variability, ballot stuffing by mules and laws not followed, there was illegality in the election. No results following illegality can be accepted. For 2022, accepting results depends on following the law. We must have an accurate Qualified Voter File, voter identification, monitored drop boxes, ballot chain of custody, no machines, complete transparency during the transporting and counting of ballots, and nongovernmental audit of results. Michigan abortion ban law In 1931, Michigan legislators adopted a law that banned abortion in the state, based on an 1846 ban that had been in effect. Now with the U.S. Supreme Court preparing to rule and likely overturn Roe v. Wade, some are concerned that the 1931 Michigan law will prevent any abortions here. Do you think the 1931 Michigan act banning abortion should be revised or eliminated to allow for abortions here if Roe V. Wade is overturned? Why or why not? Abortion is often framed as a binary decision of “pro-life” versus “prochoice.” This issue is more complicated. When is pregnancy and life viable? Pro-life people say at conception yet, in nature, 50 percent of fertilized eggs are lost before implanting in the uterus. If such a large percentage of eggs never implant, is it an abortion to take a morning after pill to prevent an egg from implanting? What about eggs that are fertilized during in-vitro fertilization yet never transferred, is that an abortion? What about babies that have genetic testing and are not viable life, is terminating that pregnancy an abortion? The binary 28B

case does not cover these examples as the 1931 law also does not adequately address medical knowledge and advancements. To be clear, late term abortions are unacceptable and should be illegal. However, as the few examples above show, there are areas of gray that need consideration. Right of redress The Michigan House and Senate have in the past employed seldom used maneuvers to prevent the public from challenging laws that were enacted. Lawmakers accomplish this by attaching an expenditure provision to the legislation which then prevents citizens from petitioning to overturn the law. Citizens in Michigan are allowed referendum rights when it comes to legislation but not laws involving spending. Do you think that such legal maneuvers should be used by the legislature or do such actions diminish the rights of the public to challenge what lawmakers have adopted? What can be done to eliminate such maneuvers on the part of the legislature? I believe in the people’s right to participate and choose. The people being involved, the more the better, is always best. I do not like maneuvers that impact referendum rights and support other ways for Michiganders to be able to participate and choose. Elect people like myself that will always consider the opinions of the people in the district and contact all of your representatives often to ensure they understand the position.

policies, creating laws and taking actions to assure the well-being and prosperity of Michiganders. I am fiscally responsible and focused on economic growth. I support lower taxes, elimination of obstructive regulations, investing in our infrastructure, funding our police and firemen, investing in our education system and policies that attract business and investment to Michigan.

DONNI STEELE

Donni Steele of Orion Township is the Orion Township Treasurer. She previously served on the Orion Township Board of Trustees. Steele has a degree in business administration and management from Hillsdale College. She is the chairperson of the Paint Creek Trail Commission, treasurer of Polly Ann Trail Management Council, and is on the Orion Township Parks and Path Committee and Orion Chamber.

students who will ultimately live and teach in Michigan. Monies spent for schools in Michigan is not indicative of the outcomes we are receiving from our students. I would legislate for “let’s go back to the basics – educational achievement and excellence.” Legislative ethics/transparency Currently for candidates and elected officials all campaign financial information is public information – how much money was given; who gave it; when it was given; what their employment is; address; etc. Although Michigan is one of the few states who doesn’t force these personal financial disclosures, I am unclear for the purpose of these disclosures beyond campaign financial disclosure. I would need a compelling reason to legislate such financial disclosures, including making it publicly available. In the event these arguments are compelling, I would disclose my financial information, for I have nothing to hide. Term limits for legislators/administration I support longer terms for the House and Senate collectively; however, I believe the collective term(s) should be longer than 12 years. The leadership, wisdom and knowledge are not being maintained by the elected leaders, they are being maintained by the staff and consultants. By the time legislators learn to be efficient and effective, it’s time for them to go.

Legislative bans on education topics State budget surplus

Why select you? Why should voters choose you over your opponent(s) in this contest? Please be specific. I am a Michigan First Candidate. I am patriotic, passionate and persistent for your personal freedoms. I am fighting for election integrity. I want to make it easy to vote and hard to cheat resulting in transparent and trusted elections, the foundation of Constitutional Republic. I believe in God given freedoms and our constitution. I will stand strong against government overreach and work to restore your personal choice and freedoms; your right to free speech, bear arms, personal medical decisions, and education of your children. My priority is implementing

Extreme measures on either side diminishes educational excellence. Education should be allowing our students to have critical and analytical thinking on all subjects. Outright banning or forcing teachers to teach these subjects has gotten us so far away from the basics of education. Education should be about excellence, achievement, preparedness all within a safe learning environment – both physically and socially. Our schools should have more learning freedoms and flexibility but the goal should always be the same – academic achievement and excellence. Our Michigan teachers should be the best of the best and be paid accordingly. Our universities should have excellent and rigorous teaching programs for our college students so we can attract the best

DOWNTOWN NeWsmagaziNe

The future of Michigan should be considered in all spending. Michigan should be positioned to attract and retain population, students, and businesses. All spending should be placed through the lens of “the future posterity for Michigan.” To me this would include lower personal income taxes; less Michigan incurred debt; enhanced school safety mechanisms for K-12 and universities; less personal business taxes for all business; all aging infrastructure; attract and retain talent through innovation and educational opportunities. Highland Park water/sewer debt The state should take responsibility for this issue and come up with a 07.22

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STATE HOUSE/54TH DISTRICT/REPUBLICAN solution. The state made Highland hook up to GLWA and now the state must help these member communities. It is so illogic to assume your neighbors should pay for your water/sewer usage – in essence that’s what we are doing with Highland Park – the neighbors are paying their bill. One of my concerns as treasurer of Orion Township is why hasn’t this been exposed sooner? Why hasn’t the Water Resource Commission of Oakland County exposed this, why are they not advocating on behalf of the communities which they serve? The state should immediately step in with all parties involved and collectively come up with a solution to ensure other communities will not be responsible for Highland Park’s water/sewer costs. Highland Park will never be able to afford this past debt and the state should make the paying communities whole for their past interference. However, moving forward, Highland Park needs to pay for their water and sewer. Unfortunately, at taxpayers’ expense this issue is being settled and exposed in court – what a huge waste of resources that could have been utilized to resolve this issue initially. Voting law changes I support the “Secure My Vote” petition and the possibility of this becoming law. This ballot initiative requires voter identification; prohibits donations to fund elections; and absentee ballot applications are available only upon request. Working at a local municipality and witnessing the plethora and the availability for voters to vote during the election cycle is immense and these stated changes will not hinder voters’ ability to vote and will not impact the proposal of 2018. 2020 presidential election results Yes, and yes. We as a community; a county; a state and a nation – we must always look forward and work on making things better.

harmful to state governments, which is the essence of this ruling. I support the state law which allows preserving the life of the mother and I believe the state of Michigan should create her own laws.

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Right of redress Clearly the government spends too much money and there is far too much overreach with the (peoples) funds. I believe in less government, less spending, less regulations and I would work on diminishing these maneuvers which prevents citizens referendum ability. Why select you? I have been an active community advocate and resident of this area for over 50 years; I have a strong background in the real estate business and as a small business owner for 20+ years; I have 10 years of experience as an elected official in Orion – a beautiful and thriving community. During my tenure as treasurer and trustee I have continued to be a fiscal conservative who has concentrated on saving our residents time and money through safer and more efficient processes. My heart is for the community, the people, the state and this country. I am a hardworker, a wife, a mother, a sister, and daughter – I have the most qualifications and experience as state Representative for the 54th district.

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Michigan abortion ban law I support the 10th amendment to the United States Constitution which supports states’ rights. At the local level we witness preemptive state legislation constantly which can be very harmful to local governments – as example, the Highland Park water issue. Similarly federal mandates are downtownpublications.com

We thank you in advance for your support of our effort to bring you quality local journalism each month. www.downtownpublications.com DOWNTOWN NeWsmagaziNe

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august 2 primary voter guide Birmingham, Bloomfield Township

STATE HOUSE/56TH DISTRICT/DEMOCRAT SHARON MACDONELL

Sharon MacDonell of Troy is a manager for advertising and video at Lawrence Technological University. She has a degree in history from University of Michigan, and has been a precinct delegate. Legislative bans on education topics In 24 states legislation has been introduced to restrict or outright ban the teaching and/or discussion of certain topics such as race, racism, gender-based issues and how American history is taught in the K-12 public school system. Critics of these efforts to restrict what is taught in public schools say such legislation prevents open inquiry into important issues. Should the state legislature in Michigan dictate or restrict what is taught in public school classrooms? Would you support such legislation? Why or why not? Please be specific in your answer. I would not support such legislation. I strongly oppose allowing political groups to manipulate curricula to suit their current whims. Education is about reality. Accurate social studies and history should be taught to students, at their age-appropriate levels. Only by learning about America’s past – the positives and negatives – can students formulate their understanding of how this country arrived where it is today and then decide how they wish to recreate it in the future. Legislative ethics/transparency Michigan continues to rank near the bottom in comparison with 30B

other states when it comes to codified ethics and transparency rules for state lawmakers. The Michigan House, during several recent sessions, has approved bills to force disclosure of personal financial information of House and Senate members, along with members of the administration, and in some cases members of the state Supreme Court and university boards, although the Senate has not advanced such bills. Would you support financial disclosure legislation and, if so, are the current bills approved by the House sufficient? Should the disclosed information be publicly available? The Michigan Legislative Term Limits and Financial Disclosure Amendment has now been passed by both houses in Lansing and will appear as a ballot proposal on Michigan’s general election ballots in November. If passed by the people, the amendment to our state constitution will bring Michigan in line with most other states regarding financial items on the ballot. However, the proposal is not as strong as its proponents wish. State legislators will still not have to disclose as much as members of the U.S. Congress do. Left out of the proposal are important disclosures such as income, debts, details on owned property, and travel payments. This information should be made public. Term limits for legislators/administration Do you think the current term limits for House and Senate members are in need of review? Do you support the proposal for term limits that could be on the November ballot which would allow an elected House or Senate member to serve longer terms in either the House or Senate? Why or why not?

because it will encourage elected officials to stay in either the House or the Senate for their entire legislative career and give them the time needed to learn proper governing procedures, develop policy expertise, and establish trusted relationships with colleagues, so they can serve the people more effectively. State budget surplus The state of Michigan has been running a general fund and school aid fund surplus for two years and is expected to carry over a surplus of $7 billion moving into the budget for fiscal year 2022-2023, which must be adopted by October 1. The surplus has been driven by growing tax revenues and a decline in student population, which reduces spending in that area by about $300 million annually. The budget surplus does not include nearly $15 billion in federal pandemic funding that will be spent over the next several years. A variety of proposals from the administration and the Republicancontrolled Senate have been put forth, including tax cuts for both business and individuals. What are your ideas for using the budget surplus for the coming fiscal year’s budget? Be specific. One thing I believe we should not do is spend all of the surplus funds now. I would prioritize public schools, including in-school mental health resources for our children and infrastructure improvements as the beneficiaries of some of the funds. I support Governor Whitmer’s MI Tax Rebate Right Now to get money into the hands of Michigan’s working families who are suffering from the effects of inflation. I believe the rest can be held aside as a rainy-day fund for emergencies. Highland Park water/sewer debt

I do believe our current term limits need review. Studies show that our rigid term limits for the Michigan legislature don’t stop elected officials from becoming professional, lifelong politicians. The limits also create too much turnover so that our legislature has many inexperienced members at any given time. While I would not support ending the term limits altogether, I do support the 2022 moderate expansion of term limits

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DISTRICT COMMUNITIES Part of Birmingham, part of Bloomfield Township, most of Troy, Clawson, part of Royal Oak

same. The state of Michigan has failed to deal with this issue. What do you think should be the solution to this growing problem of a GLWA member community failing to pay for water and sewer services? Please be specific. Our county and state government should always work together to keep prices low for all House District 56 and Oakland County residents at a time when people are struggling from rising prices. As a state legislator, I’d utilize my role in exploring state-level solutions that would help resolve this issue while working with our partners at the county level to ensure these debts don’t persist into the future and place House Distict 56 residents at risk of increased water prices. Voting law changes Voters approved no-reason absentee voting and a number of other changes by a wide margin in 2018. There have been several attempts since 2020 to make changes to the election laws, but critics have charged that some of the changes would negatively impact some voters. Do you think further changes to the election laws are needed and if so, what specifically would those changes be? If you do, why do you think so? How would that impact the proposal voters passed in 2018? I supported improved voting access and redistricting changes back in 2018. My only interest in changing them now is to build on them and guarantee fair and even better access to voting for everyone. I do not support those who wish to roll back these freedoms and limit voter access in the future. 2020 presidential election results Do you accept the presidential election results of 2020 in Michigan? Will you accept the results of the 2022 primary and general election? Explain why or why not. I accept the 2020 election results 07.22

august 2 primary voter guide

because they have been audited several times. There is no evidence of any election misconduct in Michigan. I will accept the results of the 2022 primary and general elections because city clerks are still doing their jobs. My only fear for the future is the possible politicization at the Michigan Secretary of State level and down into the county and city clerks’ offices. We must do our best to keep the business of these offices ethical and fair.

It is a terrible shame that elected officials can use unethical and antiConstitutional methods to cheat Michiganders out of their rights. It’s a sign that they know their policies are wrong, unpopular, and unwanted. I want to lead the effort to stop this kind of unethical behavior and seek to overturn laws that have been cemented in by these unfair practices.

Michigan abortion ban law

Why should voters choose you over your opponent(s) in this contest? Please be specific.

In 1931, Michigan legislators adopted a law that banned abortion in the state, based on an 1846 ban that had been in effect. Now with the U.S. Supreme Court preparing to rule and likely overturn Roe v. Wade, some are concerned that the 1931 Michigan law will prevent any abortions here. Do you think the 1931 Michigan act banning abortion should be revised or eliminated to allow for abortions here if Roe V. Wade is overturned? Why or why not? Yes, I will work on revising or eliminating the 1931 ban legally. As an American, I believe in bodily autonomy and that no person or government has the right to force me to do something with my body against my will. I will fight to protect reproductive rights from governmental overreach for the women of Michigan and House District 56.

Why select you?

I believe I am more energetic than my opponent and more committed to protecting women’s reproductive freedom. I have spent years making my community the best it can be for my neighbors and family, and now I am ready to do that on a much broader scale, from Lansing, for all of the people of House District 56. My priorities include funding our public schools adequately, protecting everyone’s voting rights, defending reproductive freedoms for all, ensuring clean and safe drinking water in the state, and protecting underserved communities from unfair treatment at home, school, work, and in society.

CYNDI PELTONEN

involved with the Clawson Troy Optimists, Clawson Performing Arts Boosters, Clawson Chamber of Commerce, and Oakland County School Boards Associations. Legislative bans on education topics I do not support legislation that dictates or restricts what is taught in our public school classrooms. The main roles of the legislature are oversight, appropriations, and assistance to constituents. Dictating what is taught in classrooms is micromanaging and an overreach for which legislators are not qualified. It is the role of the State Board of Education to provide leadership and general oversight over all public education. Michigan’s Strategic Education Plan, approved by the SBE in 2020, “aims to provide focused direction to Michigan’s education community in support of all learners.” In support of Goal 2 “to improve early literacy achievement,” MDE released its Equity in Literacy document in 2021. This resource advises school districts about using evidence-based strategies, initiatives, and programs to improve literacy achievement and access to literacy, with special attention to reducing class, racial, and ethnic disparities. The guidance document describes research-based literacy instruction and addresses practices that support access to high-quality literacy learning for all Michigan students.

Right of redress

Legislative ethics/transparency

The Michigan House and Senate have in the past employed seldom used maneuvers to prevent the public from challenging laws that were enacted. Lawmakers accomplish this by attaching an expenditure provision to the legislation which then prevents citizens from petitioning to overturn the law. Citizens in Michigan are allowed referendum rights when it comes to legislation but not laws involving spending. Do you think that such legal maneuvers should be used by the legislature or do such actions diminish the rights of the public to challenge what lawmakers have adopted? What can be done to eliminate such maneuvers on the part of the legislature?

Yes, I support financial disclosure legislation that shines a light on elected officials’ financial interests. Strengthening Michigan’s conflict of interest laws to require legislators to file personal financial disclosure reports would raise ethics standards and bring a higher level of accountability. People deserve to know where lawmakers’ interests lie.

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Cyndi Peltonen is a retired vocal music teacher for PK-8 graders. She previously taught in Birmingham and Berkley Schools. She has a bachelors in music from Wayne State University. A resident of Clawson, she has been the president, vice president, secretary, treasurer and trustee over several tenures on the Clawson Board of Education. She is

Term limits for legislators/administration Yes, term limits need to be revisited. A great deal of institutional knowledge was lost when the 1992 law was passed. Research shows it’s not the fact that we have term limits but that the limits are so short. With constant turnover, only

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staff and lobbyists have a deep knowledge of issues. While term limits are good for bringing in new people, with terms so short, everyone is always thinking of the next election cycle. Even on the school board you need a couple of years to get your “feet wet.” The current proposal is a good start, but we must continue to review the issue and find solutions that are best for the common good. State budget surplus Tax cuts do not result in economic stimulus. According to the Citizens Research Council of Michigan, we are already a low tax state. There is no reason for further tax cuts. Instead we should invest in our people. Restoring revenue sharing to our cities and townships, providing much needed support to K-12 education, community colleges, state colleges and universities would help make up for ground lost over the last 20 years. Putting people to work by investing in our infrastructure, rolling back retirement taxes and expanding the Earned Income Tax credit, puts dollars in the pockets of those who need it and will spend it. I agree with Governor Whitmer’s Budget Proposal to Enhance Education – including a 5 percent per pupil increase to the foundation allowance, support for economically disadvantaged students, special education, vocational, career and technical education, funding for educator recruitment and retention, pre-school, student mental health, school safety, before and after school programs, and school infrastructure. Highland Park water/sewer debt It is not fair to residents in other GLWA municipalities who have seen water and sewer rates continue to rise. We have been shouldering the cost for far too long. These increases are especially hard for lower wage and fixed income households to absorb. The May 10 ruling by a Wayne County Court orders the city of Highland Park to start repaying its debt to GLWA for water and sewer charges. It may be time for the state to step in and help find a resolution, since it was the state, under a previous administration, that “temporarily” moved Highland Park to GLWA. 31B

august 2 primary voter guide “Let us never forget that government is ourselves and not an alien power over us. The ultimate rulers of our democracy are not a president and senators and congressmen and government officials but the voters of our country.”

STATE HOUSE/56TH DISTRICT/DEMOCRAT Voting law changes I support “Promote the Vote” and “MI Right to Vote.” Both these ballot measures would expand voting rights and strengthen the guarantees voters overwhelmingly approved in 2018. These two proposals accurately reflect voters’ wishes as expressed in 2018. The other two proposed ballot measures are intended to suppress the vote and undermine trust in our elections.

FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT 32ND PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

2020 presidential election results Of course I accept the election results of 2020 and will accept the results of the 2022 elections, as well. Over 250 bipartisan, transparent, and ethical postelection audits confirmed the accuracy and integrity of the 2020 election in Michigan. Michigan abortion ban law Yes, the act should be struck down. I am a “volunteer signature gatherer” for the petition to amend the constitution to: “establish new individual right to reproductive freedom…” These are just a few of many reasons we must ensure every woman has the right to decide if and when to have a child without political interference: Reproductive rights are basic human rights. Women are entitled to selfdetermination and human dignity. Overturning Roe v Wade revokes a personal liberty right that has been the law of the land for 50 years. Having an abortion is a very personal decision. If a person does not believe in abortions, they should not have an abortion. Banning abortions does not eliminate abortions, it just does away with safe abortions.

past 30 years through my work with Clawson PTAs at all building levels, Clawson-Troy Optimist Club, Clawson Performing Arts Boosters, Clawson Chamber of Commerce, Oakland County School Boards Association, and 21 years on the Clawson Board of Education. As part of my board service I took classes, seminars, and attended conferences to earn the levels of Certified Board Member Award, Award of Merit, Award of Distinction, and Master Board Member Award. Through these classes and hands-on experience, I know how to craft good public policy and to use a multi-million dollar budget as a tool to set priorities. I can work with those who may have a different political philosophy to do what’s best for kids. In addition, I have completed masters level coursework for public administration and educational leadership, including Michigan School Finance. This unique combination of experience and education has prepared me to be successful as the next state Representative in the new HD56.

Right of redress

VOTE

No, these legal maneuvers are devious and cowardly, and yes they do diminish the right of the people to hold legislators accountable. The ballot proposal MI Right to Vote includes language which outlaw this sort of “end around.” Why select you? I have a proven record of leadership and community service over the

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07.22

august 2 primary voter guide Bloomfield Township

COUNTY COMMISSION/9TH DISTRICT/DEMOCRAT MARK HOLLAND

Yes. Mass transit is vital for our future. People who are afforded the privilege to work at home have a career in computer technology, but what about the essential workers who keep us afloat during the pandemic? Yes. I support mass transit all the way to Pontiac. Oakland’s sustainability efforts

Mark Holland of Pontiac is employed at United Wholesale Mortgage and has attended classes at Oakland Community College, University of Phoenix and the American Institute of Banking. He is a former member of the Pontiac City Council and a former deputy mayor of Pontiac. Highland Park Water and Sewer debt Highland Park, a member of the Great Lakes Water Authority, since 2012 has failed to pay for what now amounts to over $54 million in water and sewer debt, which means member communities in Oakland County will be placed in a position to underwrite this debt whether through increased rates for water and sewer or tapping budget reserves to accomplish the same. The state of Michigan has failed to deal with this issue. What do you think should be the solution to this growing problem of a GLWA member community failing to pay for water and sewer services? Please be specific. If elected, first, we would consult with the county commissioner of that district as well as other municipal representatives to bring us up to speed on what plans they have to correct the deficit. We would schedule a meeting with The GLWA board of directors and see what we can do together to assist Highland Park.

Oakland County Executive David Coulter has appointed the county’s first sustainability officer, as part of the county’s effort to address global warming issues in the coming years. Do you support the county’s efforts on this undertaking? Should the board of commissioners have a role in setting the agenda for reaching carbon neutral goals in the future? Yes. This is why mass transit is so important to help get more gasoline cars off the street and more people carpooling or riding our transit system of the future to help save our air and quality of life. Future of the board of commissioners The size of the county board of commissioners has been reduced over several decades, each time with the reduction being billed as a way to save taxpayer funds. The most recent change in board size, prompted by Democrats taking control of the board, reduced the size from 21 commissioners to 19. Some have suggested that the ultimate goal may be to reduce the size of the board to 15 members, like in Wayne County, followed by a sizable annual pay increase. With all honesty, this is a question for our citizens. Elected position is an office owned by Mr. and Mrs. Oakland County and the citizens should decide the compensation for elected positions and the number of elected representatives. After all, we work for them. 2020 presidential election results

Mass transit for region In 2016, voters in the four-county area of Oakland, Wayne, Macomb and Washtenaw counties narrowly turned down a regional mass transit millage. There had been talk of bringing that question back in subsequent election years but supporters have not been successful in that effort. Do you agree that the counties should be pushing ahead with mass transit plans? Please explain. downtownpublications.com

Do you accept the presidential election results of 2020 in Michigan? Will you accept the results of the 2022 primary and general election? Explain why or why not. I will not discuss the past 2020 election, we are focusing on the future of Oakland County citizens.

What do you believe are the key issues facing Oakland County at this time? How would you work to resolve the issues? Pandemic recovery funding, work with other municipalities and our state and federal representatives to create a funding plan to cover our hardest hit COVID areas. Assisting Pontiac with moving the Community Block Grant Department to Pontiac City Hall. Pontiac has a large number of senior citizens who could use assistance with home repairs. Bringing the CDBG Department back to Pontiac would bring Pontiac citizens closer to needed funding and resources. Why you Why should voters select you over your primary opponent? Please be specific in drawing your comparison. I get the job done. A former city councilman and former deputy mayor of the great city of Pontiac. Experience matters, with legislative and executive experience as well as the community boards I’ve been apart of like TIFA and Brownfield Board, Allow me to work for you and elect me your next Oakland County Commissioner in the newly drawn district 9. I will work hard for you.

ANGELA POWELL

DISTRICT COMMUNITIES Part of Birmingham, part of Troy, Pontiac

Highland Park Water and Sewer debt Water is important and the state should have some responsibility with this debt. But overall something is going to have to be figured out and it probably will be some shared responsibility from residents, government, businesses, private funding involved. Mass transit for region Bottom line is this new generation is changing to have a major focus on transportation in a mass transit fashion and we need to be trying to focus on this! So, yes, I support mass transit. Oakland’s sustainability efforts Yes, I support it. And I am in support of having the discussion regarding carbon neutral goals in future. Future of the board of commissioners I am in support of pay being adjusted and board size is determined by party in majority and where county stand at the time, and there are many things to consider during this process. 2020 presidential election results Yes, because I am confident in our local, county and state clerks and leadership whom govern this process to do their jobs well. Remember clerks represent both sides, so they all want efficient elections. I watched/witnessed closely with Oakland and city of Pontiac’s process. Key issues Mental Health, workforce, housing, transportation.

Angela Powell of Pontiac is currently a member of the Oakland County Board of Commissioners, starting in 2018. She is the owner of an individual and small business tax preparation firm, Tax Savvy Referrals. Powell has a bachelor’s degree in English from Oakland University. She has served as the Constituent Services Coordinator for state Rep. Tim Greimel, Community and Political Director for the Oakland Democratic Party and as the Democratic Communications and Community Organizer for the state House.

Key issues DOWNTOWN NeWsmagaziNe

Why you? I am a hard worker whose work ethics speaks for itself. My track record, leadership, partnership, community organizing, and fighting has taught and allowed me to advocate for people. And during all ups and downs, I have kept myself in the public eye to continue working/supporting communities. I am that leader who maximizes on getting the resources needed to improve individuals lives. If people are in a good place, they will want better, but the opportunity must be given and this is what I work to do. 33B