The following column was published by the Lapeer County Press on Saturday, December 27

It is an honor to serve residents and families across portions of Lapeer, Genesee and Tuscola counties.

With the start of a new legislative term in 2025, majority in the House turned from Democrat to Republican. We have worked hard to stand up for workers, make life more affordable, respect taxpayer dollars and support students. I also remain committed to serving as your voice on several committees and in various roles through my position as your representative.

At the start of the term, I fought for service industry workers and small business owners throughout our area by voting to safeguard Michigan’s tip credit system. I heard from countless people about the damage that would have occurred if a Michigan Supreme Court ruling forcing dramatic and unrealistic changes to the state’s sick leave and wage system went into effect. Livelihoods would have been lost, and many local businesses would have had to close their doors for good.

We were able to come to an agreement with the Democrat-controlled Senate and the governor for a system that worked for both workers and small business owners. This was a testament to how state government can work together to deliver solutions. The final plan that was signed into law guaranteed all workers have access to sick time and reined in proposed “no-call, no-show” leave from the original court ruling that would have left small businesses, emergency medical service providers, schools and others routinely understaffed and overwhelmed. This was a huge win for workers and the future of our local economies. We have continued these reforms by negotiating a tax cut in this year’s signed budget, with state income tax on overtime and tips no longer being collected.

I have also advocated for plans that increase rural health care access and address Michigan’s regulatory environment so health care professionals want to live and work right here in our state.

My bill that passed the House in June enters the state into the Nurse Licensure Compact, which gives registered or licensed nurses in Michigan the flexibility to work across state lines. The compact also allows nurses in other member states to practice in our state without having to go through costly, time-consuming and duplicative processes. By eliminating burdensome bureaucratic barriers, we can grow our workforce in critical. This bill is currently awaiting action in the Senate before it can become law.

I have led in ensuring that funds are used for their intended purposes. I uncovered that hundreds of millions of dollars from the Tobacco Settlement are being redirected to help fill holes in other budgets. Instead of using these dollars to deal with the health effects of smoking, like cancer, arterial disease, and others, they are being used to bail out large municipalities. That is unacceptable. Further, the state implemented a “sin” tax to help curb people from purchasing tobacco products. The revenue generated from this is being redirected to maintain our state Capitol building. While I am not opposed to the People’s House, funds designed for a purpose should be dedicated to that purpose – and these funds should be going to help combat addictions and pay for the cost incurred to our society from smoking.

I am serving once again on the House Appropriations Committee, while also chairing the Second Amendment Caucus in the House and the American Legislative Exchange Council’s Energy, Environment and Agriculture Task Force. These roles allow our communities, businesses, workers and families to have a seat at the table when policy is discussed on our unalienable rights, how best to spend tax dollars, and what the future of our state looks like.

I look forward to working on your behalf both locally and in Lansing in the new year.