An Update from Representative Thomas Albert

We received the following monthly column information from the office of Representative Thomas Albert.

January article: Priorities in the New Year

The 2019-2020 legislative session is off to a great start. This week the Senate and House met for the first time this year to begin working and voting on legislation. Over the past eight years, Governor Rick Snyder served our state well, and I am thankful for his leadership during the Michigan comeback. Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s inauguration introduces a new administration and a different political landscape in Lansing. This will bring new challenges but also new opportunities for creative solutions and problem solving.  I am committed to continue working hard to pass good policy, and this term, that will mean finding bi-partisan solutions to our state’s biggest problems. I look forward to working with my new colleagues in the Legislature, as well as Gov. Whitmer and her team.

My goal for this legislative session will remain the same: Helping make our state a better place to live, work, and raise a family. We can do this by focusing on the issues most important to you:

Auto Insurance Reform

I remain committed to supporting reform that will lower Michigan’s highest-in-the-nation auto insurance rates. Last term, I was proud to support legislation that would have been the first step in reforming Michigan’s broken auto insurance system. This year, I look forward to continuing to work on reforms that will responsibly lower rates for drivers. To do this, we need to crack down on fraud, provide coverage options, reduce out-of-control medical costs, and address other factors creating unfair premiums for Michigan drivers.

Improving Education

Investing in our next generation should always be top priority for our state government. I am proud to have supported historically high funding for our schools during my first two years in office and will continue supporting budgets that put more money in the classroom. Improving education in Michigan will take more than just money; we need to critically look at policies and procedures to ensure our schools are adequately equipping students for life’s next steps. I believe this includes expanding opportunities for high school students to get involved in career training and skilled trades programs that will kick-start great careers. In addition, I remain committed to supporting school safety programs, such as the Competitive School Safety Grant Program administered by the Michigan State Police. This initiative provides $25 million to nearly 200 schools for safety and security updates. A number of schools in the 86th District have already received grants to make improvements to their buildings.

Community Building

Lastly, I will keep my focus on policy that will help the 86th District remain the best place to live, work, and raise a family. With this in mind, I am happy to be partnering with the Rising Tide initiative in Ionia, which is a state-administered program to provide communities with the tools they need to design and build a successful economic framework. Over the course of the next year, community leaders will come together to invest time and resources to help the Ionia community grow and thrive.

For every bill that comes across my desk, I ask myself, “Will this help the people of the 86th District?” Because of that mindset, I will not always vote on party lines, but I can promise my vote will always reflect what I believe is good policy for our community.

If you would like to discuss state policy or a local issue, please feel free to call or email my office at any time. In addition, I will continue holding monthly ‘office hours’ across the district. No appointment is necessary. On Friday, January 25th, I will be in Ada at Jamnbean Coffee (590 Ada Drive) from 9-10:00 a.m. and in Belding at Third Wave Coffee (105 Main St.) from 11:00 a.m. – noon. I look forward to hearing from you!

 

1 Comment

  1. What a load of propaganda. No, it’s more than that. It’s a load of crap. The outgoing group of legislators and those still in office thumbed their noses at their constituents. They ignored the will of the people which was voiced in the referendum votes. He and his compatriots brought national disgrace to Michigan. Rep. Albert stated, “For every bill that comes across my desk, I ask myself, ‘Will this help the people of the 86th District?’” He conveniently forgot that when he voted. What a hypocrite and embarrassment.

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