Our Economy
Strengthening Michigan’s economy helps us weather circumstances like inflation and recession, and we can do it by supporting our workers, boosting small businesses, and attracting diverse and resilient industries to our state.
Our workers are the backbone of our economy, and I am fighting to ensure living wages, paid sick leave, and worker protections including the right to collective bargaining. In 2023, I worked with my colleagues to repeal right-to-work, reinstate prevailing wage, and bolster the ability of teachers to negotiate contracts.
And because our economy cannot thrive without small businesses and without public transit to make them accessible to employees and consumers, I co-sponsored legislation that would provide an infusion of $6 billion over the next 10 years to address business attraction along with community revitalization, affordable housing, and overdue investments in Michigan’s infrastructure—without raising taxes.
So many critical issues facing our state, from our underfunded schools to our lack of public transit, are made worse by a lack of equity in how we generate revenue and make investments. As a member of both the Tax Policy and Appropriations committees, I advocate for equitable investments that do not shift the tax burden onto low-income and middle class individuals and their families.
That’s why I voted to repeal the retirement tax and expand the earned income tax credit, and I championed legislation to extend a tax credit to 100% disabled veterans, and their widows, who rent that is currently only available to their homeowner counterparts.
It is essential that we continue to prioritize tax policies and investments that can bridge the gap and protect vulnerable Michiganders.