Carol Higgins says Michigan needs to address a widening gap between the rich and poor, improve education and infrastructure.
Higgins has worked in farming, been a public school teacher and small business owner. The Democrat is challenging Republican Representative Aaron Miller in the 59th state House district. That includes Saint Joseph and most of Cass Counties.
Higgins says she hears many small business owners complain that there are jobs available, but no one who is applying for employment. Higgins says she believes that people can support their family better on welfare than they can in some jobs. She says there is a disconnect between what people need to live and what they can get paid in some jobs. Higgins says subsidizing employers to hire workers is one idea worth considering.
Asked about more funding for education, Higgins says she doesn't want to raise taxes. She says savings could be found in the corrections system through criminal justice reform. Higgins supports a tax on tickets for sporting events and other forms of entertainment.
Higgins says the Flint water crisis shows that the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality has been under funded and under staffed. She says that has resulted in fewer inspections to ensure that regulations are being followed.
To help the agriculture industry, Higgins says the state could promote food hubs and support farmers that grow food that goes directly to restaurants and institutions.
