Healthcare

Behavioral Health

Michigan has a crisis in relation to access to quality care for individuals with a mental illness or substance use disorder. As a person who has lived with both and has worked as a behavioral health professional for over 10 years, I have intimate knowledge of how our system is broken and believe in innovative and evidence-based reform of the behavioral health system.

Patient Autonomy

I feel that all competent adult individuals should have a say in their own medical care. This includes personal choice in immunizations, expanded access of Right to Try interventions, allowing medical aid in dying, and refusal of treatment.

Innovative Interventions

We need to look past the old-fashioned view of stigma against psychedelics. These substances have been shown to reduce symptoms of PTSD, Generalized Anxiety, Opioid Use Disorder, and a myriad of other mental impairments. Legalizing the use of safe psychedelics and entheogens for clinical application is necessary and supported by clinical research. If SB 0499 dies in committee, I will move to re-introduce it in the House.

Environment

Great Lakes Protection

The protection of the Great Lakes from Line 5 is paramount. We need to strengthen our actions against invasive species. I will be a continued voice against nuclear waste storage near our waterways. Additionally, Michigan must be proactive in studying the ongoing impact of our diminishing ice cover – both on our marine species and our winter tourism revenue.

Clean Energy

Michigan needs to promote clean energy alternatives such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric. At the same time, Michigan must work to avoid foolheartedly overstepping local community desires. Michigan must monitor large corporations like Consumers Energy as they move to sell off their privately held hydroelectric dams to make sure that future owners are capable and reputable to avoid incidents like that of the Sanford Dam.

Infrastructure

Forget The Damn Roads

Every year Michigan rolls out the orange barrels of fun. We need to begin to abandon the costly never-ending repairs of our highway systems for more economical and environmentally friendly mass transit options. We need to begin work to build the Coast to Coast Corridor rail line and promote the federal High Speed Rail Act.

Don’t Forget the Bicycles

Michigan boasts it’s many bicycle trails such as the Iron Belle, Great Lake to Lake, and Bay to Bridge. However, several stretches of these trails run along deadly state highways or along “stroads” that don’t promote safe pedestrian access and divide neighborhoods. I believe Michigan must look at promoting the evidence-based recommendations of organizations like Strong Towns that can support healthy living with economic growth. Michigan must move away from it’s car-centric infrastructure and increase walkable and bikeable cities that promote healthier and safer living.