FeedsSlavens pledges strong voice in Lansing
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Dian SlavensDian Slavens said it was time to get involved.
“I’m very concerned about the direction the State of Michigan is going in,” she said.
That’s why Slavens, a Canton Township resident for the past 20 years, is running for the 21st District in the House of Representatives. The district includes all of Canton Township, Van Buren Township and the City of Belleville. State Rep. Phil LaJoy, the incumbent, is term-limited out of office. His son, Todd, is her Republican challenger. Brian Cronan is running as an independent.
She said the top three issues facing the state are jobs, education and accessible health care.
She said the key to job creation is the business tax structure put in place last year.
“I think that’s why a lot of the businesses left,” she said.
She said it would also help to promote the state, citing quality of life issues that would be attractive to prospective employees. She said the state should reward companies that create good paying jobs for Michigan residents, too.
“Michigan workers have been hit hard as their jobs have been downsized or outsourced to other states and countries – we need to take decisive action to turn this around and make Michigan a magnet for job providers,” she said. “Diversifying our economy to create new jobs in renewable energy production and life sciences will help create more jobs now in high-demand fields.
“We can make Michigan a leader in these fast-growing fields, and I will fight to make that happen.”
She said she would strive to bring more educational funding to the district, as well. The Plymouth-Canton and Van Buren school districts do not get as much per pupil funding as some of their neighboring districts. She would push for more equality there.
“I’m going to make sure I’m a strong voice to get our increase,” said Slavens, who works as a respiratory therapist for the Henry Ford Health Care system.
She said she would push to increase access to health care, as well.
“We need to intervene early to get people the health care they deserve,” she said.
She said the state budget could be cut through governmental reforms and through a potential release of non-violent criminals. The key to solving problems in Michigan, however, could be as simple as working across party lines, she added.
“We just have to stay focused and get together to get things done,” she said. “I believe we need to talk and listen to each other. We need to stop being so close-minded.”
