Michael J. Thorp, Democrat

Candidate for: State Representative - 51st District

Response:*

I am Michael J. Thorp, a candidate for State Representative in the 51st District. I decided to run after years of frustration. Our elected officials do not seem to understand the repercussions their decisions have on local communities.

They lower taxes at the state level but do not cut the spending. That forces communities to close jails, and cut medical and mental health treatment, among other things. They continue to add mandates to schools, clearly breaking the Headley Amendment which says the state must pay for anything they require of schools, the result, more cuts in the classrooms.

The partisan battles in Lansing continue. It took years to agree on protecting our water, the Michigan Business tax was a mess the day they passed it, roads are crumbling, and there’s no agreement on how to maintain our infrastructure. The future, to our legislature, is the next election cycle. Is that any way to run a business?

I have spent a lifetime listening to people as a television & radio reporter, a school board member, and community volunteer. As a School Trustee I have made difficult decisions in the public eye. I will reach across the isle to find areas we can agree, and make an impact, I will lead and I will stand up and make the difficult decisions that will move Michigan forward.

And I will always be aware of the impact my decisions have on people, local communities and the future.

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*Note: All candidate responses have been posted verbatim as sent to the Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce