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Interviews with news makers and discussion of topics important to Southwest Michigan. Subscribe to the podcast through Apple itunes and Google. Segments of interview are heard in WestSouthwest Brief during Morning Edition and All Things Considered

WSW: Republican Beth Griffin Seeks 66th District State House Seat

WMUK

Republican State House candidate Beth Griffin says she wants her children to be able to find good jobs in Southwest Michigan and stay close to home. 

Griffin taught at Parchment Middle School, and says she is still guest teaching. She has served on the Van Buren County Commission for past four years. Griffin spoke with WMUK’s Gordon Evans.

Taxes

Griffin says low taxes are a priority. She says that if she is elected, she wants to take a look at what’s been done so far. Griffin says the state’s rainy day fund has to be protected.

Local Government Funding

A recent lawsuit claims that the state has been short-changing local governments. Griffin says when decisions are made in Lansing it often affects local government, but she says there is often not the money to help pay for it (known as an unfunded mandate). Griffin says she will be an advocate for local governments in the state House.

Auto Insurance Rates

Griffin says she has heard about auto insurance when knocking on doors talking to seniors. She says it doesn’t make sense that auto insurance is more expensive in Michigan than it is in surrounding states. Griffin says costs such as an MRI are expensive and are different for someone injured in a car accident as opposed to an injury that happens in another way. She says more expensive car insurance stresses vulnerable populations. But Griffin says she would not change the system that pays life time benefits for people who are catastrophically injured.

State Campaign Finance Complaint

The Michigan Democratic Party filed a campaign finance complaint saying Griffin used her county e-mail account for campaign purposes. Griffin says she checks work e-mails and personal e-mails on one phone. She says she should have been more careful, and “will make it right.” But Griffin says she thinks voters are focusing on issues important to them.

Money

Asked about money in politics Griffin calls it “completely ridiculous” that you have to raise a lot of money to run for office. She says the reality is that money has to be raised to get her message out. Griffin says a lot of people who would be great for public service, can’t afford it. But she said she is not sure how to change the system.

Discussion of other issues can be heard in the extended version of the interview.

bethgriffin100416-web.mp3
Interview with Beth Griffin - web version

Workforce Development

Griffin says a quality workforce is important for the state’s economy, but she says a quality workforce now is different than it was 10 to 20 years ago. She says a lot is being done locally by intermediate school districts providing vocational job training based on feedback from businesses. Griffin says skilled trade is a high-needs area, and manufacturing is changing.

Flint

Griffin says in Van Buren County, the health department will test water for anyone who requests it. She says while her heart breaks for families, local officials have responsibility for families in their cities. Flint was under an emergency manager at the time. Griffin says a manager is only meant to be used in times of great fiscal difficulty. She says emergency managers should be short-term, but are sometimes necessary. Griffin says she’s open to changes to the current law, but wants to study the issue more.

Aging

Griffin calls aging “a big issue for me.” She’s worked as a volunteer at a food pantry, and also serves on the region’s Area on Aging. Griffin says she plans to advocate for seniors who want to stay in their own home as long as possible. She says that includes securing rants and funding for agencies that can serve Michigan’s aging population.

Presidential Election

Asked about the top of the ticket, Griffin says she is focused on her race for state House. But she does plan to vote for Donald Trump in November. Griffin says the main reason is the current vacancy on the Supreme Court, and that Trump has released a list of conservative judges he would consider for the nation’s highest court.

Gordon Evans became WMUK's Content Director in 2019 after more than 20 years as an anchor, host and reporter. A 1990 graduate of Michigan State, he began work at WMUK in 1996.
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