Mike Moroz ran for state House two years ago, but this time it's an open seat since Representative Matt Lori cannot run again because of term limits.
The owner of a small painting business in Dowagiac says schools are under funded because of the changes in K-12 funding. Moroz says per-pupil funding is "stagnant." Asked where to get additional money, Moroz says he would start by reducing the number of charter schools, which he says take a lot of money away from public education.
Moroz says his plan to fix and maintain Michigan's roads would include examining where gas tax dollars are currently spent. He says better engineering practices could help roads last longer. Moroz says he would prefer local millages to raise money for roads to keep dollars closer to home. Asked about a possible increase in the gas tax or vehicle registration fees, Moroz says he would be more likely to support an increase in the gas tax. He says increasing vehicle registration fees would hit middle-class families too hard.
An increase in Michigan's minimum wage was increased by the state Legislature this year. But Moroz says it didn't go far enough, and takes too long to take effect. It will hit $9.25 an hour in 2018. Moroz says many adults are now raising their families on minimum wage. He says an increase would put more money into the economy as people spend their additional pay.
