LOCAL NON-PARTISAN VOTER GUIDE GENERAL ELECTION Tuesday, November 3, 2020 LIVONIA POLLS ARE OPEN 7:00 am – 8:00 pm LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF NORTHWEST WAYNE COUNTY Website: www.LWVnorthwestwayne.org E-mail: [email protected] Ph: 734-421-4420 Included in this Local Voter Guide: Information about the following races not included in this local Contested Races: Voter Guide can be found by Michigan House of Representatives, visiting www.Vote411.org or District 11 and District 19 Wayne County Commission District 8 and www.LWVnorthwestwayne.org District 9 President Wayne County Prosecuting Attorney, Clerk, Treasurer and Register of Deeds US Congressional Representative 3rd Circuit Court Judge -non-incumbent US Senate Livonia Public School Board Michigan Supreme Court Schoolcraft College Board of Trustees Michigan Court of Appeals Governing Boards of Michigan Universities Two State Ballot Proposals Uncontested Races are listed on page 5 Wayne Co, RESA Proposal is on page 5 The League of Women Voters of Northwest Wayne County is a nonpartisan organization established in 1960 in Livonia, MI. The League works to encourage citizen participation in government. It never supports or oppos- es any political party or candidate. Publication of these statements and opinions of candidates is solely in the interest of public service and in no way is to be construed as an endorsement by the League of Women Voters. The League takes no responsibil- ity for any views or facts stated by the candidates. The work of the League is financed by the dues of its volunteer members and by contributions from citizens in the community. Membership in the League of Women Voters of Northwest Wayne County is open to anyone 16 years of age or older. For more information about the League or information about elections, contact the League of Women Voters of Northwest Wayne County at: PO Box 51502, Livonia, MI, 48151, phone: 734-421-4420, or Website: www.LWVnorthwestwayne.org Copyright 2020, League of Women Voters of NW Wayne County Page 1 of 14 Michigan House of Representatives, District 11 - 2 Year Term VOTE FOR 1 (District 11 covers only a small portion of Livonia: voters living between Joy and Plymouth Roads, between Merriman and Middlebelt) Education: What is your po- Economic Security: What Social Justice: How would CANDIDATES sition on the role of public policies do you support to you address the racial, funding of education in Michi- increase jobs and help economic, health, educa- gan? What measures do you (Visit VOTE411.org for Michigan residents improve tion, etc. inequities, includ- support/propose to improve their economic positions, in ing Michigan’s 20% of responses to educational outcomes and general and given the pan- children and 17% of seniors accessibility for all Michigan additional questions) demic? living in poverty? students? I believe the state, federal New job growth and We need much more in- Jewell Jones (D) and local governments should expanded employment vestment in resources to share the responsibility of options result from building fight poverty, racial dispari- funding education. The state and maintaining a strong ties & inequality in health Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/unitedforj should lead in funding educa- educational system that care & educational opportu- ewelljones/ tion and local governments provides post-secondary and nities. I am committed to Occupation / Current Position: should provide additional career-technical training more financial support for State Representative 11th House funding through property tax opportunities that lead to policies & programs that District Michigan House of Repre- millage assessment. I agree good-paying jobs. Addition- eradicate institutional rac- sentatives there should be choices in ally, increasing financial and ism and barriers that limit Education: Bachelor of Arts - Politi- public education and it is es- technical support for small opportunities for racially cal Science & Business (Degree ex- sential that local officials, businesses assures that disadvantaged minorities. I pected) University of Michigan - educational leaders and par- workers in the largest also support increased Dearborn ents be involved in decisions segment of our economy will funding for Medicaid and Qualifications and Experience: on whether their schools dis- continue to prosper and social service programs to State Representative Jewell Jones is tricts should be abolished or grow even in difficult times. ensure funding & resources serving his second term representing consolidated. I also believe The state should make every are available to minimize the 11th House District, which com- educational funding should be effort to provide effective health care risks to low prises all of Garden City and Inkster, based on need and not zip incentives to small business- income families and and portions of Dearborn Heights, code. We need to find new es that stimulate growth and seniors. We also need to Livonia & Westland. revenue to fund poorer enable entrepreneurs to increase funding for K-12 performing schools. provide full-time employ- schools in poorer districts & ment, good wages and expand college & job train- benefits to their employees. ing for disadvantaged youth. Funding for Michigan's public Deregulation will make We need to reduce the James C. schools is insufficient to meet American businesses more barriers that exist because rising education standards, globally competitive. “Buy of racial, economic, health, Townsend (R) according to a recent study by American” rules help bolster and education and training researchers at Michigan State two key pillars of our indus- shortfalls. We should look Facebook: http://[email protected] University. I believe that Mich- trial base. Renegotiated for and model after, pro- Education: Bachelor of Science in igan Voters would be willing to trade deals with and the grams that help children Business Management- Spring Arbor pay more for schooling, if long-needed NAFTA update and seniors living in University there is a stronger emphasis – the United States, Mexico, poverty. Qualifications and Experience: 20 in teaching the basics: reading Canada agreement -- will years working at the Country's larg- writing, math, to put us on soon help level the playing est Rescue Mission, working with the par with other countries. field for America’s factory homelses Music and art are also neces- workers. Michigan business sary, but not all the classes in needs to get back to work, diversity and social and politi- and observe all health and cal justice. Save that for the safety standards. college of your choice. Visit the on-line version of this voter guide at VOTE411.org • See what's on your ballot • See updated candidate responses and pictures + responses from federal and state candidates • Check your voter registration • Find your polling place Copyright 2020, League of Women Voters of NW Wayne County Page 2 of 14 Michigan House of Representatives, District 19 - 2 Year Term VOTE FOR 1 (District 19 covers most of Livonia except for those living between Joy and Plymouth Roads, between Merriman and Middlebelt) Education: What is your po- Economic Security: What Social Justice: How would CANDIDATES sition on the role of public policies do you support to you address the racial, eco- funding of education in Michi- increase jobs and help nomic, health, education, (Visit VOTE411.org for gan? What measures do you Michigan residents improve etc. inequities, including support/propose to improve their economic positions, in Michigan’s 20% of children responses to educational outcomes and general and given the and 17% of seniors living in additional questions) accessibility for all Michigan pandemic? poverty? students? The funding of public educa- One way to increase the Michigan needs to focus on Laurie Pohutsky tion must be a top priority in availability of jobs in Michi- policies that promote (D) our state. Improving educa- gan is to require that any equity, not just equality. tional outcomes requires that company who receives tax Not everyone in our state we equitably fund our public incentives hires Michigan starts at the same point, Website: schools so that all children can workers. Additionally, em- and equitable policies work http://www.lauriepohutskyformichiga access a quality education phasizing the availability of to offset that. We need to n.com regardless of their socioeco- jobs in the skilled trades will prioritize addressing the Facebook: nomic status. Unfortunately, also help direct young peo- disparity between health http://www.facebook.com/lauriepohu increases to the School Aid ple towards these careers. outcomes for black and tskyhd19/ Fund have barely kept up with Increasing the minimum white mothers and new- Twitter: twitter.com/lpohutsky19 the cost of inflation. We must wage, re-establishing borns. Equitable education Occupation / Current Position: I increase funding to the School protections for workers' funding will address some currently serve as the Michigan State Aid Fund and prioritize making unions, and strengthening education disparities. While Representative for House District 19. pre-K available to all children. paid sick time policies will not a complete solution, Education: I graduated from Michi- Studies have shown that chil- further help Michiganders repealing the pension tax gan State University with a Bache- dren who participate in pre-K improve their economic po- will partially address the lor's of Science in microbiology. learning have overall better sitions. poverty some seniors are Qualifications and Experience: educational outcomes. facing. Addressing prescrip- Prior to being elected, I worked in tion drug pricing and health the fields of toxicology, health care, care costs will also help and food safety. I also have experi- combat the poverty we see ence in environmental testing. across our state. We must end using Livonia tax With the COVID 19 pandem- Far too many people in our Martha Ptashnik dollars to subsidize Detroit ic, we will need to get to state are hurting. 1.3 mil- Public Schools. Currently 43 work right away to rebuild lion people have lost their (R) cents of every dollar collected our economy.