Jobs

Our state has lost too many jobs. Outsourcing is sending our good-paying jobs to other states and countries, and we need a new direction. The people of the Western Upper Peninsula, and all of Michigan, deserve a representative that understands that his number one job is to create and protect jobs. I believe we should reward companies that do business here in Michigan, not the ones that export jobs overseas. I want to create tax incentives for companies that create jobs here. I will fight to change, diversify, and strengthen our economy.

I support repealing the Single Business Tax, but not at the expense of our children, parents, grandparents, and public safety. The SBT contributes nearly 25 percent of the state’s budget annually. While repealing the tax would reduce red tape and create a more attractive business climate here in Michigan, doing away with the SBT without a plan for replacement funds is the height of fiscal irresponsibility and puts vital programs like education, health care and police and fire protection at risk.

It is imperative that we address the proper stewardship of our forests through the responsible harvest of timber. I have always supported, and I will continue to support, Upper Peninsula forestry issues. Industry and users of our forests contribute $12 billion and 200,000 jobs to Michigan. Efforts to improve the management of our public land in order to ensure the health of our Western Upper Peninsula forests can only mean great things for the continued enjoyment of our forests and for the Upper Peninsula’s forest products and tourism industries.

Education

As a father of six, grandfather of seven, former School Board member, and a current member of the Board of Trustees of Finlandia University, I know firsthand how important it is to give our kids a quality education so they can compete for the jobs of the future. I will fight to ensure all of Michigan’s children have access to pre-school. We must also work to ensure higher education is available to everyone. We need a continued high level of support for K-12, our colleges and universities, and our trade schools. We have to train our young people and re-train the people who have lost jobs so they can prosper in today’s global marketplace.

Health Care

The status quo is keeping 1.8 million Michigan citizens without health care, and we need a change. All Upper Peninsula and Michigan citizens deserve access to affordable health care. Prescription drug prices are skyrocketing. I’ve talked to too many seniors who can’t afford the lifesaving medicines they need, and that’s wrong. I support using the state’s bulk-buying power and pass the savings on to the people. I also support repealing an unfair 1996 law that gives complete immunity to drug companies when their drugs harm or even kill our citizens. Michigan is the only state in the country that gives pharmaceutical companies a free ride, and we need a change.

Tourism

We must also support and promote tourism in Michigan. Tourism is a major component of our Upper Peninsula economy. Research results from Longwoods International, a leading tourism consultancy firm, show that there is a $3.43 return on each dollar spent on investment in tourism marketing. Tourism in our state contributes more than $2.4 billion annually in federal, state, and local tax receipts, and six percent of every tourism dollar goes into the state treasury in the form of sales tax receipts. In 2004, more than 193,000 of Michigan's jobs were directly related to tourism.

Protecting, Preserving, and Promoting our Land and Water

As your State Representative, I will work hard to protect our unique natural resources. We in the Western U.P. are blessed to live in a beautiful and special land. In our treasured Upper Peninsula, enjoyment of the outdoors is a way of life, and it is an essential part of our character and shared heritage. Whether it is hunting, fishing, boating, skiing, snowmobiling, hiking, or camping, the Western U.P. has a remarkable opportunity to capitalize on and emphasize a growing tourism industry.

In order to continue to develop in this regard, we must work to ensure that our land and water are protected. As your next State Representative, I will fight against companies that want to bottle up, ship off, and sell our water for profit in other states. Michigan is the Great Lakes State, and I will work to make sure it stays that way. I will also work to fight against the increasing pollution of our Great Lakes, inland waterways, and our land.