Issues
Make funding education a priority
~ Thu, August 18, 2022 ~
Investing in public education is investing in the future of Michigan. A well educated community is a community that has greater civic engagement, healthier lifestyles, lower crime, and higher tax revenues to invest back into their neighborhoods.
As your state senator, I will fight to ensure that we properly fund our schools. We need to equip our teachers with what they need to best fulfill their role in educating our children. I will listen to teachers and administrators and make funding education a priority in the legislature.
A well educated Michigan is a Michigan that we all want to live in, one that will continue to thrive going forward.
Support small businesses to thrive in Michigan
~ Tue, August 16, 2022 ~
Small businesses are the backbone of our communities. Family owned businesses - like the Almont Country Smoke House in Almont, where they have been processing and smoking local meats for decades - are a big part of what keeps our towns thriving.
I'm committed to listening to small business owners and fight for the support they need to continue to thrive here in Michigan.
Investing in local libraries
~ Fri, August 12, 2022 ~
In the heart of Addison Township is their public library - a cornerstone of the community and serving its residents by offering access to the internet, books, movies, and scheduled programs. In the past few years the community has been coming together to raise funds for a new library building.
As state senator, I look forward to doing everything I can to further this initiative. Libraries are vital to our communities and worth investing in.
Prioritize care for our veterans
~ Tue, August 9, 2022 ~
One of the most sacred duties in government is to prioritize care for our veterans. This includes access to services on a local level, stellar healthcare including mental healthcare, expanding apprenticeship opportunities, and addressing housing needs.
Our veterans were willing to give the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Our priority as a society must always be to care for them in return.
Sustainable environmental policies for the future of Michigan
~ Thu, August 4, 2022 ~
Living in Michigan means fishing and playing in its beautiful lakes and rivers, having access to abundant produce from its rich farmlands, and sharing space with the native wildlife.
As your state senator, I will fight for environmental policies that are sustainable for the future of Michigan.
+ We must continue to clean up toxic man-made chemicals seeping into our water supply.
+ We must hold air, land and water polluters accountable.
+ We must preserve our pollinators (bees, butterflies, etc) that pollinate approximately 30% of our food supply.
+ We must fund invasive species management initiatives.
Michigan's natural environment is a treasure for us to protect and manage wisely.
Civil discourse is imperative to a healthy democracy
~ Thu, July 28, 2022~
“Let us listen to one another. Hear one another. See one another. Show respect to one another.”
- President Joe Biden
Civil discourse is imperative to a healthy democracy. As your state senator, I will ensure that I do my part to foster civil discourse.
I will:
+ Listen to my constituents and commit time to hearing ideas, concerns and differing views
+ Be open and transparent with constituents on issues being considered in the legislature
+ Prioritize the common good and care for one another as a community
+ Fight for education funding to ensure that we mandate a good civic education in our schools
In our differing views, let's not forget that it is in our freedom of speech, our desire for a more perfect union, our quest for equality, our demand for representation in government, that unites us as citizens and protects our democracy.
Keeping church and state separate
~ Tue, July 26, 2022 ~
"The purpose of separation of church and state is to keep forever from these shores the ceaseless strife that has soaked the soil of Europe with blood for centuries." - James Madison
"The government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion." - John Adams
I believe that it is imperative for the health of our state and our nation that our legislators understand the intent of our founding fathers to keep church and state separate. Freedom of all religions must be protected; religious beliefs cannot and should not be intertwined into our laws.
Recent rulings of the Supreme Court have been troubling as they have disregarded this crucial pillar of our country's democracy. I will fight to ensure that any legislation in Michigan adheres to the standard set forth by our founding fathers - keeping church and state separate.
Affordable healthcare and prescription drug options are vital
~ Thu, July 21, 2022 ~
Healthy Michiganders make thriving, prosperous communities. Affordable healthcare and prescription drug options are vital for Michigan families to stay healthy. As your state senator, I will fight for expanded access to Michigan's Healthy Michigan Plan and for lower prescription drug prices.
Investing in infrastructure is investing in a prosperous future
~ Tue, July 19, 2022 ~
Investing in infrastructure is investing in a prosperous future for Michigan. As your state senator, I will work with my colleagues to ensure that our state budget prioritizes funding for our roads, bridges, airports, rail, and transit programs. I applaud Governor Whitmer's progress in infrastructure investments, and look forward to working with her in the future on this issue.
Advocate for equal rights for all Michiganders
~ Thu, July 14, 2022 ~
As your state senator, a top priority will be to advocate for equal rights for all Michiganders. I stand with Attorney General Dana Nessel, who in March argued to the Michigan Supreme Court that LGBTQ+ Michiganders should be protected under the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act.
This excerpt from the summary of the current standing on the case highlights why it is vital to fight to ensure ALL Michiganders' rights are protected: "...discrimination because of an individual’s sexual orientation is not prohibited under the ELCRA."
I will fight to expand the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act in the Michigan senate to include LGBTQ+ Michiganders.
Reproductive rights and bodily autonomy
~ Tue, July 12, 2022 ~
Reproductive rights and bodily autonomy are worth fighting for, and as your state senator I will tirelessly fight to ensure those rights are secured.
With the reversal of Roe v. Wade in the Supreme Court, Michigan is left with a vague, antiquated law from 1931 banning all abortions with no exceptions, except when saving the life of the pregnant woman. Currently, the law is not enforceable due to an injunction by a judge while it is being challenged in court. This is a precarious position for Michigan women to be in.
Thankfully, approximately 800,000 Michiganders - 10% of our population - have signed the petition to include reproductive freedom on the ballot this November. I have been, and will remain active in the fight for this fundamental human right.
Common sense gun reform to make Michigan safer
~ Thu, July 7, 2022 ~
It is no secret that our country has a gun violence epidemic. While I am grateful for the bipartisan gun reform bill that has been passed in Congress, I believe that there is more here in Michigan that we can do to ensure our citizens are safe from gun-induced domestic terrorism.
As your state senator, I will fight to pass red flag laws that will allow law enforcement to temporarily remove weapons from the possession of a friend or family member who is displaying threatening behavior towards themselves or others.
I will work on legislation to ban assault weapons - weapons of war responsible for ~85% of mass shootings - from the general population.
I will relentlessly fight to make Michigan safer; common sense gun reform is at the top of my list.
Your vote is your voice
~ Sat, July 2, 2022 ~
In the summer of 1919, 103 years ago, Michigan became the 3rd state in the nation to ratify the 19th Amendment, giving women the right to vote. Michigan women fought for 75 years to have a voice in our elections and gain this right.
The right to vote is the backbone of democracy and a right we must protect and defend. In the Michigan Senate, I will work to ensure the right to vote is supported with secure, fair access for all registered voters to participate in the voting process. I will fight against any proposed legislation that seeks to inhibit Michiganders from voting.
The best way to enact change. Your vote is your voice!
Michigan's statewide primary election is August 2. If you need to register, you have several options to do so: Michigan.gov/Vote
Paid for by Friends of Theresa Fougnie, 3836 Bristol Ct, Clarkston, MI 48348