Senate District 12, Casandra Ulbrich

Casandra Ulbrich
Democat
State Senate
12 Oakland County

Why are you running for office?

I am running because I can no longer watch as leadership is replaced by partisan bickering. As a member of the State Board of Education, I am part of a bi-partisan board that puts party aside for the best interest of our state, a philosophy I will take to Lansing.

What is the biggest problem facing Michigan residents today and how would you solve it?

The lack of job growth is Michigan's biggest problem. Michigan needs to do a better job of prioritizing investments in those areas that will stimulate our economic growth and restore our standing as a sought-after place to live and prosper. This includes higher education and entrepreneurship/small business assistance.

What's a better solution: finding revenue or cutting costs to meet Michigan's public education budget? How would you do it?

Neither alone is a solution to supporting public education. The State Board of Education recently engaged in a six-month process, which included public participation, to identify recommendations that will both enhance and support public education in the state of Michigan. The report, which includes a number of recommendations passed on to the legislature, can be viewed at www.michigan.gov/sbe.

What's the best way to create jobs for Michigan residents?

We should continue to support entrepreneurship opportunities. Our higher education institutions are among the best in the country. With 15 public universities, Michigan is in a unique position to capitalize on the cutting-edge research taking place. These innovations can be commercialized into companies that will hire highly skilled workers.

After you leave this earth, what will they say about you?

Casandra turned her passion for education into action