I recently received a letter asking me to tell how I would be different from other candidates for the 25th Senate District seat. Following is my response to this individual:
Dear Mr. __________,
It was good to hear from you. You asked me to tell you how I, as a candidate for the Michigan Senate, would be different than other candidates. Because I cannot speak for the views of others, I will share with you where I stand on important issues facing our state.
Common sense is needed in Lansing. There is a clear lack of leadership. People demand leadership and they are not seeing it from many of our elected officials.
As you know, our state’s economy is in serious trouble. It is essential that the job market improves. We must make Michigan a business-friendly state. How can we accomplish that?
First of all, we must decrease burdensome regulations that make it difficult to start and maintain businesses. The tax structure must be overhauled so that businesses can make a fair profit. For starters, that means eliminating the 22% surcharge on the Michigan Business tax.
It must be clear that in our state’s attempts to attract jobs, we must not give a complete sellout in the area of tax incentives. For example, the recently enacted film tax credits went overboard. To allow a 42% tax credit for film makers is simply costing Michigan taxpayers way too much for creating jobs that have no guaranteed permanence. I have seen no firm evidence of any permanent jobs created in either St. Clair or Lapeer Counties from film tax credits.
We must use common sense!
Spending must be controlled by our legislators. We cannot spend money we don’t have. With the economy being in rough shape, revenues are not flowing into the state coffers like they were in recent years. In addition, because many Michigan families are having their personal income reduced, they’re in no position for an increase in taxes.
Raising taxes is not always the answer. It has been wisely stated that if you want less of something, you tax it.
So we must likewise reduce spending. I learned from my parents growing up on a farm in Lapeer County that if you don’t have the money, you don’t spend it.
It’s just common sense! Regarding every issue that the people of our state face, we must remember that “It’s People, Not Politics.”
Although burdensome taxes and a lack of jobs are the key issues facing Michigan’s electorate, others must be mentioned. The Department of Corrections expenditures must be reduced. However, care must be taken that dangerous criminals not be allowed on the streets to prey upon our citizens. I applaud such creative programs as MPRI, Michigan Prisoners Reentry Initiative, which reduces costly recidivism by having trained volunteer mentors help non-violent prisoners adjust to lives of freedom.
Sound common sense leadership results in creative solutions to problems facing our state. I plan to be a part of such problem solving as a state senator.
I feel strongly that we must protect our most vulnerable citizens, our children and elderly. Child protection is an area that I feel strongly about.
Education at all levels must be a top priority. As a teacher of special needs children for many years, I feel I can contribute to this legislative area. It was my privilege to serve on the House Education Committee during my years in Lansing. I firmly believe in the sanctity of human life. I am strongly pro-life and have sponsored key legislation while in Lansing. I was honored to be the keynote speaker at a recent St. Clair County Right To Life annual dinner.
As a member of NRA I believe in and support the strict interpretation of the second amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Furthermore, Article I, Section 6 of the Michigan constitution is also very clear where it says that “Every person has a right to keep and bear arms for the defense of himself and the state.” I support upholding every section of that document.
Mr. _________, I realize I have covered a lot of ground regarding my views. Perhaps there are areas for which you would like more detail. For further information, I would encourage you to read my blog at www.laurenhager.com. Also, please feel free to call me at 810-984-5380 or perhaps we can get together for coffee to share ideas. I would value your input.
Sincerely,
Lauren M. Hager
