Press Releases

Kennedy: Protecting Natural Resources will Protect Jobs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Mary Ouellette
Friday, Oct. 17, 2008
Phone: (313) 549-3654

District 23 candidate announces plan to protect Michigan’s quality of life

BROWNSTOWN – In a move that will protect the natural resources and great communities that make our state special, State House candidate Deb Kennedy (D-Brownstown) today announced a plan that will crack down on those who abuse our land, air and water, as well as the predatory lenders that prey on our homeowners.

“We are lucky to live in Michigan with its great beaches and spectacular natural resources,” said Kennedy, a candidate for the 23rd House District, which consists of southern Wayne County. “While most of us may only think about Lake Erie as a great place to spend a sunny summer day, our Great Lakes and natural resources provide critical jobs for thousands of our residents. If we want to rebuild our economy, we must preserve our natural resources and the jobs that they supply.”

Kennedy’s plan will:
- Protect our Great Lakes and other waterways to ensure that our waters are not sold for profit or shipped to other states and countries.
- End Canadian and out-of-state trash by raising Michigan's dumping charge from the lowest in the region – attacking the economics of the trash trade and forcing trash exporters to take their waste elsewhere.
- Protect homeowners by cracking down on predatory lending practices, which will help bring an end to the foreclosure crisis in Michigan.
Kennedy is committed to protecting our natural resources in Southern Wayne County. As a community volunteer, she helped monitor a local landfill and protected Lake Erie from pollution by preventing a medical waste incinerator from being built in our community.

“We need to protect what has always made Downriver special,” Kennedy said. “As your next State Representative, I’m committed to building world-class communities, preserving our natural resources and protecting our unique quality of life.”
Kennedy Unveils Plan to Strengthen Education, Attract Jobs to the State

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Mary Ouellette
Friday, Oct. 3, 2008
Phone: (313) 549-3654

Plan will prepare students for 21st century jobs, boost funding for local schools

BROWNSTOWN – State House candidate Deb Kennedy (D-Brownstown) today announced her plan that will strengthen education in Michigan to create the new workforce of the 21st century global economy. The plan strengthens college and university outreach programs, boosts funding for schools and will expand the role of middle colleges to help prepare more students for good-paying jobs available now.

“In order to attract good-paying jobs in high-demand fields, Michigan needs to have a well-educated workforce,” said Kennedy, a candidate for the 23rd House District. “It’s no secret that our state has top-notch workers – the auto industry has already proven that. But the manufacturing jobs that were available last century won’t be around forever, and in order to get our economy moving in the right direction, education needs to be our top priority.”

Kennedy’s plan to strengthen education will:
- Make college affordable for working families.
- Boost funding for local schools to prepare our children to succeed.
- Expand the role of middle colleges to help more students prepare for the workforce.
- Offer tax credits to companies that help pay back their employees’ student loans.
The plan is part of Kennedy’s “New Michigan Now” campaign, a sweeping plan that aims to create good-paying jobs that cannot be outsourced, reform Michigan government, strengthen education and expand the role of renewable energy in Michigan.

“It is vital that we prepare our workforce to compete and succeed in the 21st century global economy,” Kennedy said. “A well-educated workforce will bring good-paying jobs right here to Michigan. As a State Representative, I will fight to bring our residents the best job opportunities and get our state back on track.”
Kennedy: Comprehensive Reforms Needed to Move State Forward

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Mary Ouellette
Friday, Aug. 29, 2008
Phone: (313) 549-3654

Candidate in 23rd House says reforms will create more efficient, effective government

BROWNSTOWN – With an important set of reforms designed to cut state spending languishing in the Michigan Senate – including cutting lawmakers’ pay and ending free lifetime health care benefits for elected officials – State House candidate Deb Kennedy (D-Brownstown) today called for change to bring an end to the political games in Lansing.

“Our residents are sick and tired of elected officials who play politics and talk more than they act,” said Kennedy, who is running in the 23rd House District. “Our lawmakers should be focused on issues like creating good-paying jobs and improving our schools – not scoring political points. Unfortunately, the reforms that will change that have been stalled in the Senate. These are common-sense, cost-cutting changes that Michigan needs, and we need them now.”

Earlier this year the Michigan House passed a series of reforms aimed at cutting government spending and restoring residents’ faith in government. One plan cuts lawmakers’ pay by 5 percent. Another plan ends free lifetime health care for lawmakers, an expensive and costly perk that should not be funded with taxpayer dollars. A third plan ends the revolving door between lawmakers and lobbyists by prohibiting legislators from joining the lobby corps for one year after leaving office. The Michigan Senate has refused to take action on any of these three measures since they were passed by the House in March 2007.

“We need to trim our budget and be more fiscally responsible, and slashing the salaries and expensive perks of our lawmakers is a big first step,” Kennedy said. “We need real change to turn Lansing around and move Michigan forward. We need elected officials who truly represent their communities – not special interests. That is what I will bring to Lansing as the State Representative for our Downriver working families.”
Kennedy Announces ‘New Michigan Now’ Campaign

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Mary Ouellette
Friday, Aug. 29, 2008
Phone: (313) 549-3654

Candidate aims to create jobs now, repair broken Legislature

BROWNSTOWN – State House candidate Deb Kennedy (D-Brownstown) today launched the “New Michigan Now” campaign, a sweeping plan that aims to create good-paying jobs that cannot be outsourced, reform Michigan government, strengthen education and expand the role of renewable energy in Michigan.

“Business-as-usual isn’t working in Lansing,” said Kennedy, who is running to represent the 23rd District in the Michigan House of Representatives. “We need a new Michigan and we need it now. We need to fix our broken Legislature and ensure our lawmakers are putting our residents ahead of special interests and their deep pockets – and that is exactly what ‘New Michigan Now’ will do.”

Announced across the state today, the “New Michigan Now” campaign encompasses a six-point plan to move Michigan forward by:
- Creating good-paying jobs and protecting Michigan workers.
- Reforming state government, cutting government spending and cutting taxes for homeowners.
- Strengthening education to create the new workforce for the 21st century.
- Building our energy independence and creating jobs.
- Protecting Michigan’s land, air, water and quality of life.
- Strengthening health care and protecting Michigan residents.
Kennedy Calls for Action Against Gas Gouging Businesses

Gas price increase has Candidate calling for stronger protections

BROWNSTOWN –Deb Kennedy (D-Browntown) today called for change to increase protections for residents who are victims of gas gouging.

“In today’s economy, many of us are having a hard enough time just feeding our families,” said Kennedy, who is running for State Representative in the 23rd District. “Some of these gas stations and big oil companies are quick to take advantage of a situation like a hurricane or other natural disaster to make a quick profit. Most gas station owners are good and honorable people, but others are willing to squeeze every dime they can out of Michigan’s hardworking residents.”

Gas stations across the state Friday afternoon hiked gas prices to profit from Hurricane Ike. Gasoline prices were $3.86 a gallon in Metro Detroit to start the day, according to GasBuddy.com. By 5:30 p.m., regular unleaded prices were approaching $6 a gallon in some areas of the state.

“Michigan residents shouldn’t have to worry about being ripped off at the pump by the same businesses they support,” Kennedy said. “I refuse to sit on the sidelines as Michigan residents are paying inflated prices for gas. These greedy businesses need to know that these practices won’t be tolerated. As State Representative, I will work to stop these predatory practices and put the best interests of our residents first.”

Anyone who suspects gouging should go to www.michigan.gov/homeland to report it. People can also report gouging by calling the consumer protection hotline at (877) 765-8388.
Kennedy’s Plan Will Reform Government, Cut State Spending

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Mary Ouellette
Friday, Sept. 26, 2008
Phone: (343) 549-3654

Candidate announces plan to fix broken legislature, cut taxes for homeowners

BROWNSTOWN – In a move that will fix our broken Legislature and return it to the people, State House candidate Deb Kennedy (D-Brownstown) today introduced a comprehensive plan that will reform government, reduce state spending and cut taxes for homeowners.

“Our government is broken, and it has failed to represent the people of Southern Wayne County and all of Michigan,” said Kennedy, a candidate for the 23rd House District. “Our residents deserve a government that works for them – not one that puts partisan politics ahead of good public policy. My plan will save taxpayers millions of dollars and help restore integrity to the Legislature.“

The government reform plan, which is part of Kennedy’s sweeping “New Michigan Now” campaign, will:
- Cut state spending by cutting lawmakers’ salaries and ending free lifetime health care benefits for lawmakers and other elected officials.
- Prohibit lawmakers from becoming lobbyists for two years after leaving office.
- Cut taxes for homeowners by eliminating the pop-up tax and ensuring that property taxes don’t rise when home values fall.
“New Michigan Now” also aims to create good-paying jobs that cannot be outsourced, strengthen education and expand the role of renewable energy in Michigan.

“Our working families are making tough sacrifices every day and stretching their dollars as far as they can go,” Kennedy said. “It’s time for our government to share in those sacrifices in order to get our state back on track. As State Representative, I will fight for our working families to create good-paying jobs now and reform our government to build a New Michigan Now.”