Focusing on Youth and the School System
Saginaw schools face teacher shortages (House Bill 6058, 2024, barely scratched the surface), Bay County struggles with mental health resources, and Midland's career prep lags despite its manufacturing base-all while the 2025 budget underfunds education. The Solution: I'll secure $50 million for mid-Michigan schools-hiring teachers, expanding mental health support, and launching trade programs for our kids. Every student gets a shot at a future, not just a desk.
Fixing Roads, Sidewalks, and Infrastructure
Beyond the Bay City bridge fiasco (tolls up to $5.50, closures galore), roads like M-25 in Bay County are pitted, Saginaw's sidewalks crumble (e.g., near Jefferson Ave.), and Midland's flood-damaged infrastructure (post-2020 dam failures) languishes-yet the 2025 budget prioritizes "pork" over fixes. Bay City Bridge Partners (BCBP) doubled tolls ($15 to $30 monthly pass, February 2025), closes bridges like Independence often, and operates opaquely under a 75-year deal-angering a city already strained by Lafayette's closure and Veterans' gridlock. The Solution: I'll bring home $100 million in state funds to pave our roads, repair our sidewalks, and rebuild after floods-no tolls, no excuses. I'll sponsor a 'Mid-Michigan Infrastructure Overhaul Act' to make it happen. I'll cap tolls at $1, demand BCBP transparency, and fight to end this contract early with state funds. Our bridges are ours-not a private cash grab.
Reforming the Justice System and Holding Courts Accountable
No senator since January 3, 2025, leaving 270,000 residents silenced in a competitive district (53.38% Democrat in 2022). No senator means no sponsor for bills on schools, infrastructure, or justice, stalling mid-Michigan's needs in a divided legislature. Mid-Michigan's courts face distrust-Saginaw Count's 10th Circuit has backlog complaints, Bay County's judges are criticized for inconsistent sentencing, and Midland's juvenile system lacks rehabilitation focus. Residents on X decry "rubber-stamp" rulings and unaccountable judges. The Solution: Day one, I'll force special election and push a 60 day vacancy law. Our kids, our workers, our families deserve a voice now. In my first 100 days, I'll introduce bills that put us first-education funding, infrastructure repair, and court accountability. No more waiting. I'll introduce a 'Justice Reform Act'-court transparency reports, stricter judicial oversight, and youth diversion programs to keep kids out of jail. Our judges answer to us, not the other way around.