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70th district state representative candidates talk to the Courier before primary

Photo by Mikhail Nilov from Pexels

It’s election time all over the country. With several local seats up for grabs the Flint Courier is profiling candidates from multiple races. Here we are highlighting candidates for the seat of 70th district state representative. The seat is currently held by Rep. Cynthia Neeley.

For the August 2 primary, the candidates are DeWuan Robinson (D), Thomas Harris Jr. (D), Rich Jones (D), Cynthia Neeley (D), Tim Butler (R) and Trevor Berryhill (R). The top vote getter in each party will advance to the November 8 general election.

Three candidates in the primary answered a questionnaire sent to all the candidates.

Please note that the responses from candidates will appear as they were submitted to the Flint Courier
All photos are courtesy of the candidate, and the Flint Courier News does not endorse any individual candidate.

Here are the responses we received.

Rep. Cynthia Neeley (D)

Rep. Cynthia Neeley
1.) What do you think is the role of the 70th District State Representative for the City of Flint, and what qualifies you to stand in that role?   As the current state representative of the 70th district, I feel that I have the experience and knowledge and it is my duty to continue to advocate and support legislation that isFlint.

2.) If you are elected, what legislative committees would you try to serve on that will benefit Flint, and why?   Currently, as the state representative, I sit on the tax policy committee and the health policy committee. While sitting on those committees I have been able to bring much needed financial resources to the city of Flint.

3.) What would be your top three priorities as a legislator? Safety, Economic Development, Affordable Housing

4.) Do you have a plan to keep residents involved in the legislative process and kept in the loop on the bills and laws that are directly impacting Flint? If so, what is it?  As your state representative I will continue to work with constituents, community leaders and investors by way of round table discussions and coffee hours to discuss creating legislation that safeguards our communities, both economically and financially and newsletters to keep everyone in the loop on bills and laws that impact Flint.

Trevor Berryhill (R)

Trevor Berryhill

 

1.) What do you think is the role of the 70th District State Representative for the City of Flint, and what qualifies you to stand in that role? The State Rep’s job is to ensure Flint is properly represented at the state level in writing, supporting and voting on bills on the floor, while being a subject matter expert in directing people to resources or answering questions and addressing concerns. As for what qualifies me, I have a deep respect and concern for The city of Flint and its residents.

2.)  If you are elected, what legislative committees would you try to serve on that will benefit Flint, and why?

Local Government and Municipal Finance

Education

Military, Veterans, and Homeland Security

3.) What would be your top three priorities as a legislator? Improving the quality of education state-wide by focusing on the core subjects of math, science, history, civics, language arts and literacy.

Making Michigan more business-friendly by working with municipalities to reform tax codes to not only invite business into Michigan (and by extension Flint) but also make starting your own business easier and reduce the high tax burden on small businesses.

Building trust between the police and communities through partnerships.

4.) Do you have a plan to keep residents involved in the legislative process and kept in the loop on the bills and laws that are directly impacting Flint? If so, what is it?  By holding quarterly virtual town halls I hope to engage and inform the residents of Flint. I also will set up a website with a breakdown of each bill on the floor, and how I plan to vote. Lastly, sending out a “State Rep Report Card and Resident Input” card every 6 months.

Rich Jones (D)

No photo provided.

1)What do you think is the role of the 70th District State Representative for the City of Flint, and what qualifies you to stand in that role? As a state representative, I will introduce legislation addressing insurance rates fairness, eliminate taxes on school supplies and allocate for billions from the State of Michigan general fund balance to improve the quality of life.

2) If you are elected, what legislative committees would you try to serve on that will benefit Flint, and why?  I would join Education, Insurance and Allocations Committees

3) What would be your top three priorities as a legislator?

Allocate for money to make sure all water is tap drinkable

Get 75% of all Flint’s water accounts paid-30 million dollars a year-until all water In Flint, Michigan is tap drinkable

Fight for fair water and insurance rates in Michigan

4) Do you have a plan to keep residents involved in the legislative process and kept in the loop on the bills and laws that are directly impacting Flint? If so, what is it? I plan on having ALL subcommittees recorded, as well as vans to and from those meetings. ANSWERING the phone. I will also do bi-monthly town halls.

 

 

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