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Legislative priorities
Focuses attention on identifying laws that are unfair to people and groups
that are trying to bring about positive change or growth. “I want
to help craft workable solutions and help solve problems. Case in point
is the recently passed Architect Seal Bill (House Bill 5819), which I
dealt with when I was a member of my local home builders association.
We were able to craft a bill that received bipartisan
support through both legislative bodies and was well received by builders
across the state. I want to do something when I see a situation where
the government has done something it shouldn’t do, or the law has
created a situation where development of something positive is being restricted.”
Comments on top retail issues
• Item pricing
“I support any legislation that allows an organization to be more
efficient, as long as the consumers’ needs are being met. As technology
improves and scanners become more accurate we should introduce that new
technology for the sake of efficiency.
“There has been concern raised that item pricing
reform will benefit stores, but frustrate and confuse shoppers. Anyone
who knows anything about running a business will tell you that retailers
would never want that to happen. If someone is frustrated in your store,
that someone won’t come back.”
• Sales tax fairness
“To protect the mom and pop shops on Main Street, I think it’s
only fair that people who are buying online be assessed the same tax as
everyone else. Either that or eliminate sales tax across the board, and
I don’t think we are ready for that. Small shops that have staked
their business on customer service are losing money to online shops because
of sales tax, and that isn’t right.”
Relationship of government to business
“The government regulates business too hard. If laws are being broken
by business owners, I support government intervention. But in day-to-day
operations, government should not act like a net on business, restricting
its growth.”
Committees
Education (chair), Senior Health, Oversight and Operations, and Employment
Relations Training and Safety.
Career-shaping influences
“My parents taught me the value of hard work and that nothing comes
to you for free. I have applied those values to my efforts in college,
operating a business and, now, in politics.”
Most memorable experience in the legislature
“Last summer, my district held a rally for activism and rights of
Hispanic Americans. The temperature that day was over 90 degrees and it
was really uncomfortable, but the crowds were large and people kept coming
and adding their voices and support to the rally.
Because of the heat, I made some calls to retailers in
my district to see if they might be willing to donate bottled water or
frozen treats to the cause, to comfort the participants of the rally.
The support was tremendous. In no time we had representatives from area
retailers with their donations. I really felt an incredible bond with
the community.”
Term limits
“I have never supported term limits, even though term limits are
somewhat responsible for me holding this office. I think Michigan is going
to recognize what term limits can and cannot do. A lot of times, the power
that a legislator has is based upon whether or not that lawmaker is going
to be back the next year. I understand the theory behind term limits,
but I don’t think the way they are set up now makes for practical
and effective legislation.”
Future plans
“I would like to continue to position myself as an advocate for education
reform that truly benefits Michigan children. I’d also like to spend
some time improving the economic climate in this state so that manufacturing
will continue to invest in Michigan.”
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