Annie Brown has served on the South Haven school board of the last 11 years. Education is one the main reasons she’s running again for state House.
Brown says she wants to make public education a budget priority in Michigan. She is one of two Democrats running in the 66th House District, which includes Van Buren and northwest Kalamazoo County. She sat down with WMUK’s Gordon Evans.
Schools
Brown says more oversight is needed for the state’s charter schools. She says that should include an elected school board. Brown says closing schools or consolidating districts should be a last resort. She says closing districts has happened because schools have been intentionally underfunded. Brown says families shouldn’t have to travel far to attend school.
Roads
Brown says a comprehensive plan is needed to fix roads now. She says that would mean a lot of money, but it will help put more people back to work. Asked where to find that money, Brown says she would look at the corrections budget for savings. She would also consider a slight increase in the gas tax. Brown says local governments have seen their revenue sharing cut. She says if that money were restored, municipalities use the funding for infrastructure and street repairs. Brown says water infrastructure, such as replacing lead pipes, should also be a priority to ensure safe drinking water.
Medical Marijuana
Voters approved legalizing medical marijuana in 2008. Brown says when that law was approved, people thought of elderly people and relieving their pain. But she says some people have taken advantage of having small shops to sell medical marijuana. Brown says some oversight from the state would be helpful. But Brown doesn’t support legalizing marijuana for recreational purposes. She says it affects early brain development and can lead to addiction to other substances.
Experience
Brown says people are fed up with Lansing, but not the experience of someone who has worked in local government and has experience listening to the people and being a leader. Brown says voters want new people who are listening to families. Although she lost two years ago in the general election, Brown believes this year can be different. She says people have really taken a second look at what’s happening in Lansing.
Discussion of other issues can be heard in the web version of the interview.
Taxes
When going door to door in the district, Brown says she hears from families that taxes are too high, and she agrees. Brown says middle class families need tax relief. She says some corporations are not being taxed enough. Brown says the state should ensure that big businesses getting tax breaks are working to create jobs.
Energy
As the state Legislature works on a new energy policy, Brown says getting 20% of energy from renewable sources would be a good start. She says more wind energy should be generated in West Michigan. Brown says that could also create jobs.
LGBT Discrimination
Brown says she would vote to expand the Elliot Larsen Civil Rights Act to add protection for sexual orientation and gender identity. She says Michigan should be welcoming to all people. Brown she doesn’t believe that strong religious beliefs are a legitimate argument against expanding the non-discrimination law.
Guns
Brown says there should be background checks for gun purchases. She says while there are limits on the amount of pseudoephedrine people can buy. Brown says there should also be limits on weapons and ammunition.
Voting
State lawmakers have voted to remove the “straight ticket” option from general election ballots. Brown worries that removing the option will cause longer lines and people will ignore bottom of the ballot such as school board. She says adding an appropriation to make that bill referendum proof is the sort of “shenanigans” that people are tired of in Lansing.
General Election
The interview with Brown was recorded two days after the FBI announced that criminal charges would not be filed against Hillary Clinton, but her handling of classified information over e-mail was criticized. Brown says Clinton is going to make a great Presidential candidate, and a good President. Brown says some mistakes were probably made with the e-mails. But she says that’s not what middle class families are focusing on.
