BRAD ON THE LOCAL ISSUES

Strengthen Our Education
Brad is the chair of the K-12 subcommittee on appropriations and the Vice-Chair of the education policy committee.  With these leadership venues he has vetted SEL and DEI gone too far and empowered parent choice by means of teacher selection and audio recording of school boards. 

Paquette has ensured funding for parents to choose their own educator during the summer of 2023 and also instituted a new program called Troops to Teachers which immensely supports any honorably discharged veteran to continue their service, in the classroom. 

He is also spearheading more full flexibility for substitute teachers who are interested in getting into the education profession.  

Improve Our Roads and Infrastructure
Getting to and from work everyday can be treacherous when a Michigan Motorist dodges one pothole to tumble into another.  Over the term of the 100th legislature, Paquette has supported devoting all additional funding to roads, but it was vetoed.  This would have brought millions of much needed dollars to Cass and Berrien Counties.  Roads should not be political, but after the Governor's 45 cent gas tax proposal and refusing to bend from the suggested increase, it has become a contentious issue.   The gas tax increase also generated a new formula that would send that vast majority of the funding to Detroit.  Finding consensus with the governor is required, but we must do so with those from Southwest Michigan in mind.  

Uphold the 2nd

Brad will uphold the rights of citizens to keep and bear arms.  He will in no way start down the slippery slope of revoking weapons either.  Paquette trusts law-abiding citizens.  It is as simple as that. 

Paquette is a Champion for Life

Not only will Brad uphold and seek out policies that protect life, he is a leader who takes action on the ground floor.  He supports and advocates for local organizations, neighbors, and students who are actually in the process of making impactful pro-life decisions.  

Take the survey to let Paquette know where you stand on this important stance. 

Improve Our Health Care
Paquette believes that investing in Direct Primary Care is a great way to move toward reform in health care.  It allows for doctors to be freed up from dealing with the middleman by having to barter with insurance agencies to be compensated and allows them to spend more valuable one-on-one time with patients.  Also, it enables patients to know exactly what they are being billed, before they get to their appointment.  Paquette sponsored legislation HB 5945 to ensure transparency during his first term and it is currently pending in the Michigan House.  The road to healthcare reform will be a long one, but simple steps are the way to get there.  For example, Michigan is one of a handful of states that has the most restrictions on Nurse Practitioners. Enabling our Nurse Practitioners to provide care will cut costs immediately for patients.  Allowing for flexible short term health plans is another method to find feasible options for those searching for health care that works for them.  

Reform Our Auto Insurance
We got this done last term... relief by means of options in choosing coverage!  Shop around and head to www.reducemiratesnow.com to learn more.  

If you know of any constituent that has concerns with their care, my office has been assisting.  Please reach out. 

Support Foster Care Families
Brad was blessed to have grown up with other children in his home as his parents took in many children in need of foster care.  Families that undertake this task are to be encouraged and supported, especially as they consider the intensive process of adoption.  The dropout rate for parents working with the state reaches 80% over the first two years.  The foster care system places much stress on loving families that seek to harbor children in need of a home.  The procedure to make this happen must be simplified for those parents who have a lot of love to give. 

Back Security and Law Enforcement
Our law enforcement has been providing the same excellent service as expected over the last few years, but with less support.  Law enforcement will feel our wholehearted support as they keep citizens safe.  Our local first responders have been on the front lines, even throughout the pandemic.  Looking for methods to get law enforcement further integrated into communities will be future endeavors that Paquette will be working on as the protection and safety of all of our citizens is most important.  Back the Blue.  Send a note to Brad at contact@bradpaquette.com if you would like a free back the blue decal sent to your house! 

Energy Policy

Paquette is a strong advocate for various forms of energy to thrive in Southwest Michigan.  He seeks to enable the free market to allow for innovation to flourish in Nuclear, Solar, and various other efficient forms of energy.  Paquette recently hosted a tour with the Argonne National Lab to learn more about furthering energy policy here in Michigan as Nuclear Energy is the best dispatchable green energy. 

Advocate for Agriculture
As a Farm Bureau Endorsed Friend of Agriculture, Paquette knows that Farmers have always been the first stewards of our great region of Southwest Michigan.  Regulations from the EGLE that put increased burden small farmers can be lessened along with nuisance violations. He will continue to protect the Michigan Right to Farm Act.  

New climate initiatives are also concerning as there is a concerted push toward synthetic foods and/or the ingesting of bugs for nutrition.  This needs to be defended against because cows are legitimately being named the biggest harmer of our climate under these policy recommendations. 

Support Paquette at WINRED