Q&A with David Takitaki

What makes you qualified to be our next State Representative?

• Both my Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from Michigan State University and my Ph.D. work at Western Michigan University have given me the knowledge, perspective and critical thinking skills necessary to excel as a State Representative. My education allows me to see the complex way in which diverse issues are related to each other and prescribe holistic, fundamental solutions to difficult problems.
• As a professor of Political Science at both Muskegon Community College and Adrian College, I have demonstrated expertise in the fields of American Government, Constitutional Policy, International Relations, Sustainable Development, Political Economy, Micro/Macro Economics and Institutional Design.
• As a professor of Communications at Adrian College I have demonstrated expertise in Formal Debate, Consensus Debate, Argumentation, Public Speaking, Parliamentary Procedure, Journalism and Classical Rhetoric.
• My experience serving as a Union Steward and Bargaining Team Member for the AFT-AFL/CIO Local 1729 at Western Michigan University gives me an appreciation for the role of organized labor and a deep conviction to defend worker's rights.
• My experience managing a million-dollar service and entertainment facility for Village Hearth, Inc. has given me the ability to anticipate the needs and concerns of businesses in our community and fight for policies that will revitalize Michigan's economy.
• Combined, these skills and experiences allow me to offer something no other candidate can: a unique synergy of intellect, practical experience, and communicative skill. Not only do I possess the vision to move Michigan forward, I also have the knowledge needed to draft complex legislation, the argumentation skills needed to champion that legislation in the Michigan House and the communicative skills needed to maintain transparency and accountability to our community.

How will you create Jobs?

• Encourage industrial revitalization and adaptation to make Michigan businesses more able to adjust to market demands and technological innovations.
• Develop collaborative relationships between business, labor and government to keep Michigan businesses ahead of an ever-changing market.
• Review Michigan's overall taxation policy and pass legislation to ensure Michigan's tax structure remains attractive to new businesses and competitive with other states.
• Support additional tax credits and incentives to attract new businesses to Michigan.
• Structure tax credits to specifically reward businesses that commit to a long-term presence in Michigan.

How will you help small businesses?

• Repeal / Amend the Michigan Business Tax Surcharge.
• Adjust the Gross Receipts Tax to avoid punishing low-margin, high volume businesses.
• Support statewide advertising efforts, such as the "Pure Michigan" campaign.
• Continue to support and develop "Local First" initiatives and provide incentives for using Michigan-based suppliers.

How will you help Michigan's workers?

• Coordinate with workers, producers and educational institutions to constantly provide workers with the training and skills they need to earn living wage jobs.
• Defend Organized Labor's ability to bargain collectively by opposing misleading "Right to Work" proposals.
• Revisit unemployment and worker's compensation laws to ensure that they adequately provide for the needs of displaced and injured workers.
• Fight to make certain pension funds are not squandered and guarantee retirees the dignity they have earned.
• Continue to refine workplace safety requirements and enforce strong policies to protect Michigan's workers from job-related injuries.

How will you improve education?

• Strengthen communication and cooperation between the five parts of my PEACE plan for education: Parents, Educators, Administrators, Community members and Elected officials.
• Develop and enforce clear, effective and achievable standards for educators and administrators on all levels.
• Implement merit based pay incentives for teachers that reward effort, ingenuity and commitment.
• Provide adequate funding to schools for the arts, preschool expansion, new technology, building modernization and maintenance, teacher salaries, smaller class sizes, access to higher education, comprehensive special education, generous veterans benefits and crucial after-school programs.
• Encourage and facilitate a culture of support for both K-12 and Higher Education at the community level.

How will you balance the budget?

• Modernize Michigan's antiquated tax structure and gain much needed revenue by working with businesses to implement a fair profit-based tax for services.
• Improve budget efficiency and forecasting by shifting to a two year State budget cycle.
• Reform Michigan's tax policy and hold those who profit most from Michigan's economic system most responsible for the maintenance of that system by implementing a graduated state income tax.
• "Leave no stone unturned" to comprehensively seek out and correct waste and fraud in all State programs and agencies.
• Consolidate State agencies in situations where such a consolidation could prove economically efficient while preserving critical services and living-wage jobs.

How will you improve the environment in which we live and work?

• Expand renewable energy development and implement responsible policies to harness Michigan's wind and solar energy for the benefit of its people.
• Support statewide carbon emission policies to compliment national climate legislation.
• Increase the resources available to the MDNRE for preservation projects.
• Work with Michigan's hunters and conservationists to implement sustainable practices for our woodland and wildlife resources.

How will you improve Michigan's transportation system?

• Update and upgrade Michigan's transportation infrastructure, including its funding and allocation process.
• Bring Michigan road-user fees in line with national averages.
• Invest in new techniques and technologies to improve road quality and durability, especially in consideration of Michigan's winter months.
• Develop new strategies lessen construction and repair interference without displacing or endangering road workers.

How will you support Michigan's Agricultural Industry?

• Support Michigan's farmers in their efforts to improve food quality, product marketability, safety and agri-tourism.
• Defend the Right to Farm act and support putting the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program into statute.
• Recognize the unique needs of the agricultural community and advocate keeping the MDA as a separate agency.
• Protect Michigan wetlands while creating responsible permitting practices for agricultural producers.

How will you correct the injustices faced by our citizens?

• Recognize access to health care as a fundamental human right.
• Work to amend the Michigan State Constitution as it defines marriage to be consistent with the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution.
• Institute new initiatives for the Corrections system that actively attempt to rehabilitate prisoners in a humane and constructive manner.
• Eliminate punitive driver responsibility fees.

How will you remain connected to the 92nd District?

• Open a permanent and accessible office within the 92nd District to provide direct communication and constituent services.
• Hold monthly town-hall style meetings to inform the community of legislative initiatives and get feedback from citizens about emerging issues.
• Tap leaders in areas such as education, business, agriculture, issue advocacy and religion as advisors on matters of impact to the community.
• Make a commitment to divide time effectively between Muskegon and Lansing and not turn "invisible" until the next election cycle.