State Rep Candidates Eschew Our Q&A

The Choice

UPDATE>>>> Candidate Siggins has submitted her answers.
​Find them here:
​https://www.nearnorthnow.com/the-pulse/candidate-siggins-weighs-in​

As we had posted in our pages last week, we submitted questions to the two candidates for the 101st District State House Representative race. We wanted to ask about issues that would reach beyond the culture wars such campaigns seem to thrive on and delve into the real work legislators face. Because of this we asked some of the leaders in our community to provide questions that concern the District they both seek to represent.

The original emails went out on Monday, the 24th and we asked if they could be returned by Wednesday. It was our hope to have the article ready  by Sunday for our newsletter which generally is sent out Sunday or Monday. Candidate Siggins camp asked for more time which we allowed since we had not heard from Candidate Fox. On Saturday after we sent Mr .Fox a reminder he asked to have the questions resent which we did.

On Sunday Mr. Fox emailed us stating ,”I will not be able to respond to these questions. I have some other commitments that take priority at this time.”
We reached out to Ms. Siggins campaign but apparently no replies are to be forthcoming from her either.

The questions we posed were about inflation, child care, mental health, schools and other areas that directly affect the lives of our citizens and are issues we would want our representative to be aware of and, if not, trust that they would do the research necessary to become aware. It disappoints us that those who wish to represent us in Lansing cannot find the time to respond to questions from their community.
 
Thus we are posting the questions. Should either candidate relent and decide to respond we will deliver their answers.
But our primary concern is the lack of follow through on their part. 
Our news site serves the greater Newaygo County area with readership often  reaching 12-15,000 unique readers a month. To ignore the opportunity to have voters learn how their candidates might react to real time concerns does nothing to inspire confidence in either person on the ballot.
And yet they remain the only options for voters.
 
Alexis Mercer- Editor
Ken DeLaat- Publisher
  
Here are the questions your candidates could not find the time for.

What are your ideas to support local school districts in the legislature?
 
What can you do to work with people who have opposing views to solve critical issues our communities face?
 
What do you see as the biggest challenge in the funding and delivery of care for mental health and substance abuse needs in our community?
 
What is your position on the safety net for families given rising inflation?
 
What is your position on the earned income tax credit?
 
What support will be given to ensure Counties, cities and townships are provided the funding that is continually stripped away through Revenue Sharing reductions and elimination of personal property tax?
 
What is your stance on Court funding and the need for the State to take over the funding of courts statewide?
 
There are currently legislative efforts that would essentially move the responsibility for the public mental health system to the Health Plans over time.  Are you in support of such legislation?

There is a staffing crisis for qualified staff for both health care and education.   What steps would you support to alleviate the staffing crisis?

Where do you stand on the charitable tax credit for donations?
 
Childcare is increasingly expensive and has limited capacity in our counties.  What would you do to make childcare more affordable and accessible?

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