jenn’s priorities for the upper peninsula
“Promises made, promises delivered: When I set out to become your next state representative, I made a pledge to be a strong voice for UP values in Lansing. That’s why I secured millions in investment to re-invent the Escanaba Paper Mill, to restore the Vista Theatre in Negaunee, to aid the Republic Township dam and fish passage project, extend the Iron Ore Heritage Trail, and more.
If re-elected, I’ll continue to fight for us – to support our children, small businesses, local communities, workforce, and seniors, such that the UP is a place all are proud to call home.”
ensure access to healthcare
As State Representative, I was proud to codify the Affordable Care Act to ensure those with pre-existing conditions aren’t denied coverage. Further, we lifted the cap on health insurance contributions, such that those with expensive or long term conditions receive the care they need throughout their life. We’ve made other significant strides, including ensuring oral chemotherapy treatments are covered by insurance and improving our children’s dental health through checking their teeth at schools.
Beyond physical health, we’ve taken the mental health crisis head-on, expanding the Community Mental Health budget, reducing the student to counselor ratio in schools, and working to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and substance abuse. Through improving health access and outcomes, we’ve strengthened our communities and families.
Finally, one of my proudest accomplishments in this area is passing the Reproductive Health Act, protecting the right for women to have control over their bodies and the doctors who provide these services. Make no mistake about it – abortion access is on the ballot this year, and we need pro-choice champions to protect this right year after year.
Strengthen public education
My maternal grandparents didn’t have more than an eighth-grade education, and my family made clear that education was the key to unlocking one’s full potential. That’s why after college, I followed my interests in infrastructure and youth mentorship, working in education to instill that same passion for hard work in the next generation. I am committed to strengthening public education so every kid in the UP can build a brighter future.
As a product of public K-12 education in rural schools and wife of a Gwinn Public Schools teacher, I know the importance of every school, regardless of zip code, having access to good educators, materials, and support services. That’s why I worked to pass the biggest education budget in Michigan’s history, all without raising taxes. We secured free breakfast and lunch for every public school student, brought millions in transportation funding to the UP to help rural students get to school, and we increased career technical education. If re-elected, I’ll continue to invest in our children, support staff and teachers, and increase access to broadband internet access, so that no student falls through the cracks and everyone can realize their fullest potential.
SUPPORTING OUR WORKFORCE
I understand the squeeze families in the UP face when it comes to making ends meet — especially as wages remain stagnant and costs continue to rise for everyday essentials. Families are barely treading water, and it’s clear that it’s not for lack of work ethic or trying! That’s why I’ve invested in our workforce here in the UP.
I’m proud to have a 100% voting record with the AFL-CIO. We made Michigan the first state in nearly 60 years to support workers by repealing anti-union “right to work” laws, and we restored the prevailing wage, requiring fair pay and benefits for all publicly funded projects.
Our state budget increased wages for direct care workers, and we brought $200,000 in funding through the Going Pro Talent Fund grant to support 100 local workers from four businesses in Gwinn and Marquette. We’re also investing in the future of work, expanding apprenticeships and programs for emerging industries, like semiconductor manufacturing. I pledge to devote future tenures in the state house to preparing our workforce for a 21st century economy.
PROMOTING ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
If you’ve been in the UP for a few years, you know the past 365 days for our towns have been different. Our snowfall has been incredibly minimal, we experienced horrible flooding, and were just denied millions in FEMA relief, not out of a lack of need, but because demand for FEMA funding is so widespread across the country.
We need to address this problem with our eyes wide open: the climate crisis is here. This is not something we can leave to our children or grandchildren to solve — we need pragmatic, hard solutions now. During my first year as state representative, I was honored to receive the Legislator of the Year award from the Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council. I’ve made active steps to transition to a greener economy, providing high-paying, union jobs in the process while empowering local communities to play a significant role in this transition.
We’ve also made significant strides to keep our communities safe, guaranteeing lead poisoning screenings for children, invested over $2 billion to upgrade drinking water facilities, and invested to protect the Great Lakes from pollution. These steps and more are necessary to ensure the generations who follow us can enjoy our Michigander way of life, marked by enjoying our beautiful natural resources.
SUPPORTING SENIORS
The Snyder-era pension tax dealt a major blow to Michigan’s seniors. Money that was promised to our retirees was taken away. I’m proud I played a part in righting that wrong by repealing the retirement tax, putting an average of $1,000 back in the pockets of half a million Michigander households. Public/private pensions will now be fully exempt from income taxes after a four-year phaseout – and this includes contributions employers mandate or match to 401(k) plans up to the first $113K.
