The Issues

Learn where Frank stands on the issues important to the 91st district and compare his stance with that of his opponent, Pat Outman

Question: Where does Frank Lafata stand on the Economy?

 

Answer: The current economy is very hard on the people of Michigan.  Food and gas prices continue to rise.  Healthcare costs are rising and insurance premiums, including those for the Affordable Care Act, have risen about 30% in the last year. Many in Michigan are struggling to feed their families and get the health care they need. Often having to sacrifice one to provide the other. 

 

Many of the programs designed to help the working poor and others with limited income have been cut at the federal level leaving it up to the states to decide whether to make up the lost funds or allow their citizens to continue to struggle to survive. 

 

Having faced many hardships in his childhood, Frank is adamant about helping those who are struggling the way his family once did.  We must provide for those less fortunate and if our federal government refuses to help, then Michigan must.

 

It is imperative that all Michiganders be able to feed their families, get medical care, buy or rent a home, and have access to affordable childcare. 

 

Affordability is what Frank is all about! 

Question: Where does Frank Lafata stand on farming and help for farmers?

 

Answer: Fifty-two percent (52%) of the land in District 91 is farmland.  That alone makes it imperative that we support the farming community.  Frank is especially concerned about small family-owned farms.  Here’s where he currently stands on the Farm Bill and other farming policies:

 

  • Introduce or reform programs to help small farmers keep or return to their farms

  • Supports improvements to the Community Facilities Loan and Grant Program which strengthens access to capital in rural communities

  • Supports the Crop Insurance for Future Farmers Act which extends access to crop and livestock insurance programs for beginning farmers

  • Supports measures to protect our farmland from foreign ownership

  • Supports research to find pesticides and fertilizers that will protect our crops with little or no harm to our environment

  • Supports provisions to improve local roads and bridges to help farmers get their product to market faster, easier and cheaper

  • Supports efforts to expand our specialty crops

  • Support measures that would identify the country of origin for our meat products

  • Support measures to address our agricultural labor crisis by passing policies or laws to protect “guest workers” from unjust persecution so they can, once again, feel safe to work here.

Question: Where does Frank Lafata stand on healthcare?

 

Answer: The health of our neighbors is important to Frank. The most recent budget bill from Washington DC threatens our local hospitals and doctors. Seniors will have to drive further for care and medication. Parents will have to take more time off work if their children need medical care. And all of us will be paying more.

 

As a State Representative, Frank Lafata will make sure that the scarce dollars of our state budget get stretched to cover as many families as possible.

Question: Where does Frank Lafata stand on Data Centers?

 

Answer: Frank believes there should be a moritorium on new data centers. We have seen water and electricity prices rise dramatically were Data Centers are built. If Data Centers are truly the billion dollar industry that they claim, why do residents have to pay extra for the water and electricity that Data Centers use? They need to pay their own share and not be a burden on regular people living in the area.

 

 

Frank welcomes all investment in our county, but Data Centers drive up the utility costs for citizens. As with any other growing industry or new company that wants to come in, we have to make sure that they are built, run, and operated in a way that gives priority to the residents of this district. And a moritorium will make sure the rules in place before resources are given away.

Question: Where does Frank Lafata stand on AI?

 

Answer: Any AI company looking to do business in Michigan must abide by a Michigan Citizens Bill of Rights for AI.

 

The rapid expansion of data centers and other resource-intensive infrastructure projects are a tax on the resources of citizens and a collapse of the AI bubble should not leave townships and citizens on the hook for irresponsible actions of big tech companies.

 

 

Question: Where does Frank Lafata stand on money for 911 Dispatchers?

 

Answer: In our rural district, where there are great distances from hospitals, it's critical that our neighbors get quick responses from 911 Dispatchers. We need to create incentives to hire more dispatchers and give them the resources to do their jobs. We talk alot about the stress of Air Traffic Controllers, but our 911 Dispatchers are taking phone calls from our seniors, children, families, and people having real emergencies.

 

As a State Representative, Frank Lafata will make sure that the scarce dollars of our state budget get stretched to cover as many families as possible.