Priorities

The cost of living is simply too high. Whether you’re trying to raise a family or enjoy a secure retirement, skyrocketing prices are making it difficult for folks to even afford the basics. That’s why I’m focused on giving Michiganders a little extra breathing room in their budgets so they can actually get ahead — not just get by. In the Michigan Senate, I’ve championed legislation to repeal the retirement tax and provide historic tax cuts to working families, but our work is not done yet. There’s still more to be done to make child care, housing, and prescription drugs more affordable.

Everyone deserves the ability to learn, play, work, shop, and pray safely.  As Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee responsible for Military, Veterans, and State Police, I’ve focused on driving investments into evidence-backed public safety initiatives and ensuring our first responders have the resources they need to keep our communities safe. I’ve also fought on a bipartisan basis to provide our military service members and veterans with the benefits they’ve earned, while securing over $54 million to help Selfridge Air National Guard Base successfully attract a new fighter mission.

In the Michigan Senate, I have the privilege of representing the entire American shoreline of Lake St. Clair. From Grosse Pointe all the way to Harsens Island — Lake St. Clair connects our communities together, providing us with fresh drinking water, supporting local jobs and economies, and offering  unmatched recreational opportunities. As the lake faces challenges from threats such as invasive Microseira wollei or massive sewer discharges from Oakland County, I’m focused on working across the aisle to bring back all the resources I can to build up our region’s water infrastructure, hold polluters accountable, and protect the lake for generations to come.

Washington politicians are fighting tooth and nail to gut funding for public health programs and rip health insurance away from hundreds of thousands of Michiganders. I won’t let that happen — not on my watch. As Chair of the Health Policy Committee, I have championed legislation to codify the Affordable Care Act into state law, secure critical investments to expand access to behavioral health care, and temporarily protect Michigan from devastating Medicaid cuts. But as our state continues to face threats from the federal level — our work is at risk of being undone. With another term, I’ll continue stepping  up and fighting to not only protect, but expand access to quality health care because when you’re sick, you should be able to see a doctor without breaking the bank.

As a dad of two boys, I understand the importance of making sure our youngest Michiganders have access to the best education possible. I’m prioritizing school funding so children in our lakeshore community can have a bright future. From expanding Pre-K opportunities to investing in school safety and mental health efforts, every student deserves every opportunity at success.

Small businesses and their workers are crucial to our community’s success. While they continue to navigate many challenges post-pandemic, I’m working to ensure Michigan gives them every resource possible to ensure their success. During my first term, I championed bipartisan legislation to protect servers’ tips, eliminate taxes on tips and overtime, secure best-in-nation earned sick time, and reinstate prevailing wage — all while making smart investments to provide Michiganders with a tuition-free path to an associate degree or skills training certificate.