State House of Reps.
46th District
(Pick one)
Name: Bradford Jacobsen
Age: 53
Residence: Oxford
Party affiliation: Republican
Education: BA James Madison College at Michigan State University
Occupation: Small business owner – florist/greenhouse
Government-related experience: 16 years as an Oxford trustee (1984-2000) and four years as a county commissioner (2006-present)
Why are you running for state representative?:
To improve the economic environment in Michigan so businesses like ours can stay here and be profitable.
What is your plan to help improve Michigan’s economic condition (i.e. attracting new businesses and retaining existing ones)?:
Reducing the current regulatory, statutory, and tax burdens on businesses through cutting the state budget and reducing and/or eliminating taxes.
Where do you stand on the issue of tax increases versus spending cuts? Which do you favor in order to deal with the state’s budget problems and why?:
I cannot currently support any tax increases. Businesses already pay too much. I think targeted cuts to all budgets need to be considered, this includes downsizing departments and finding wasteful spending.
What is your plan to help fix the state’s school funding problems?:
School funding is a tough issue. The best thing to do is focus on job creation and keeping jobs here. This will mean better property values and more funding available to schools. Consolidation and privatization should be considered as well.
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Name: David Jay Lillis
Age: 53
Party: Democrat
Education: Associate of arts in culinary arts, Oakland Community College
Occupation:Officer and executive sous chef, Norwegian Cruise Lines America
Why are you running for state representative? We need to be represented by someone who is an independent thinker and puts his constituency first, but listening and being committed to improving the district. No campaign contributions were taken…none.
What is your plan to help improve Michigan’s economic condition (i.e. attracting new businesses and retaining existing ones)? We need to clean up, repair and show we are a unified state with a plan for future growth and direction. We cannot continue to bribe businesses to come here.
Where do you stand on the issue of tax increases versus spending cuts? Which do you favor in order to deal with the state’s budget problems and why? ‘No tax increases!? verify return on investment either by monetary or services rendered. Check where the money is going and cut waste, starting with myself by accepting the 1998 salary.
What is your plan to help fix the state’s school funding problems? Reinvesting in students by pulling from over-budgeted areas (such as the prison system). The curriculum must also be upgraded to prepare them for the future workforce and inventors.