Santana for State Representative of the 10th District

Harvey Santana understands the importance of the “Green” economy and is interested in helping build a foundation for this emerging industry to begin creating jobs in Michigan. In recent years, “GREEN” has been recognized as a social movement as opposed to a strategy for job creation. The primary objective of a GREEN economy is to reduce the effects that our business practices have had on our overall environment. This debate has raised questions about the economic benefits and the reality of the potential jobs that could emerge if Michigan and Detroit were to harness the power of this emerging industry.

The Obama Administration has committed to investing billions of dollars into two areas that will produce the majority of the initial job growth; Weatherization and Alternative Energy.

Weatherization
Weatherization is the lowest level of GREEN jobs, yet it is where the first wave of green jobs will be created. These jobs will focus on the analyses of energy usage (energy audit) and reducing the amount of energy (heating, electric, etc.) that commercial and residential buildings exert by modifying, replacing, or repairing existing components (water heater, windows, cracks in wall, furnace, etc.). The reduction of energy that is exerted by each building will lessen the coal that utility companies must use which translate into less environmentally harmful gases being released into the atmosphere.

Alternative Energy
The alternative energy method seeks to develop and discover non-environmentally harmful sources of energy to power our modes of transportation and our commercial and residential buildings. Job creation through alternative energy is a long term project that will create jobs and a positive and long-lasting effect on Detroit’s overall economic health. A large part of alternative energy development relies on the manufacturing of parts. As an example, Solar panels and wind turbines can be produced in Michigan. The manufacturing of these parts can be conducted in Detroit and throughout SE Michigan at abandoned manufacturing plants that require reinvestment.
The retooling process and the eventual manufacturing of parts would require a large workforce that could potentially come from Detroit.

Harvey Santana understands the value of a diversified economy and sees the promise and potential of a GREEN future in Michigan. As State Representative, Harvey Santana will demonstrate strong leadership to break through the logjam that prevents us from progressing on this issue.

Harvey Santana understands that one of the many priorities for our state is Economic Development and Job Growth. Many of the discussions at dinner tables across our state and in political circles revolve around creating jobs. How do we do it? What needs to be done? Citizens want to go back to work and earn competitive wages and benefits. The problem? Lack of Leadership!

Harvey Santana believes Michigan’s location on an international border positions our state to become a Global Logistics Hub. Logistics is the movement of products and materials from point to point in the supply chain to efficiently serve business and industry.

Harvey Santana believes that the jobs of tomorrow are in the movement of products “Faster, Cheaper and Safer.” Detroit and Wayne County are home to an enormous amount of developable land that lays vacant. If coordinated correctly, Michigan can be positioned as the “GO TO” state for large commercial businesses to relocate without popular “tax incentives and free land” deals. The importance of a modern transportation network is a critical component in the decision making process for any business seeking to relocate. Michigan must have the highway capacity, access to rail, access to airport, water ports and accessibility to Canada.

In the past, many transportation and economic development plans recognized free-flowing commercial and freight traffic as an economic imperative for protecting and growing a region’s basic industries. But, they did not specifically identify logistics as an economic sector to be cultivated. The sophistication of supply chain management has elevated the importance of reinvesting in our transportation infrastructure. Detroit and Wayne County working together with the State of Michigan must coordinate all infrastructure projects to build an environment for this emerging industry to grow in Michigan.

Michigan’s future as a logistical hub

Harvey Santana recognizes that logistics in Michigan represents a $10 billion-plus industry employing more than 140,000 people. Michigan needs to concentrate on the two following items in order to not only diversify our economy but establish our state and our region as a competitive market place for business:

1. Improving access to regional distribution centers through various means of transportation modes.
2. Improving U.S./Canada connectivity.

Harvey Santana understands the needs of the business community and the leadership that is required to create sustainable jobs. Michigan must become a state where jobs are accessible to those that have limited educational attainment as well as those who have stronger academic credentials.

Harvey Santana’s vision is to make Michigan the most efficient and cost-effective first-tier multi-modal transportation and logistics hub in the country. To do so, he will work with other legislators and units of government to develop consensus on these investments. Leadership is needed to push the discussion of re-designing Michigan’s economy from a manufacturing state to a logistics state. We have an opportunity to capitalize on our geographic location as a Great Lake state bordering with Canada. Our biggest asset is our geography, Michigan can be developed as a center for job development, while strengthening existing businesses and attracting new business to our state, but this requires steadfast leadership that is unafraid of breaking through traditional partisan bickering and is committed to making the correct decisions for Michigan’s future.

In order to create a strong economic Michigan we must address the basic needs of those seeking to do business in our state. Developers require three basic to create jobs in Michigan. The basic requirements are:

• Infrastructure: Business needs to know they have access to a transportation network that can move products “faster, safer and cheaper.” Southeast Michigan has access to an international border, extensive freeway system, rail lines, a Port Authority and a World class airport. Businesses also have access to both Brownfield sites and developable parcels of land.
• Commitments on time: There’s an old saying “Time is money.” In the business world Investors need to know how much time it will take to get from the moment an announcement is made of their relocation…to the moment their business is opened. There are several steps required to opening a business. Starting at the site plan review process to possible zoning changes to acquiring permits, businesses need to understand the amount of time that is required so that the proper financial decisions can be made.
• Political Risk: The political health of government is a major factor in the decision making process for economic developers. Is the government corrupt? Is it dysfunctional? Is it combative? Or is the government fluid and transparent. Are elected officials prepared to lead and make sophisticated judgments? Are the elected officials able to successfully manage the assets of government?

As your State Representative, Harvey Santana will encourage the City of Detroit, Wayne County and the State of Michigan to strengthen our partnerships and work towards rebuilding our infrastructure. By positioning ourselves with President Obama’s Transportation plan, Michigan stands to benefit by not only creating jobs in construction, however long standing jobs in transportation and the logistics/warehousing industry.

Harvey Santana understands the enormous financial challenges we face in Michigan. Our state has suffered through economic downturns due to job losses in our major industries, the cyclical effects of our national economy and our structural deficit. Michigan must make serious changes to or tax system and budget priorities.

Over the years, in response to the ongoing structural deficit, the Michigan Legislature has cut the budget, raised the income tax temporarily and used other one-time measures to balance the budget. None of these is an acceptable long-term solution. Spending cuts to public safety, health care, human services and education are being felt all across the state. Not only do spending cuts cripple services, but they are also bad for the economy, as they lead to a further loss of jobs. Given the size of the current deficit and the implications of reduced services, it is virtually impossible to address the deficit solely through cuts.

Fiscal year 2009 marks the ninth consecutive year that state revenues have not been adequate to fund state services and programs. Since 2001, Michigan has undertaken a combination of one-time measures, spending reductions and modest revenue enhancements to balance each year’s budget. These have not addressed the structural deficit, which is a serious and growing problem. It is time for state policymakers to look at revenue options that will provide long-term solutions.

The 2009 Fiscal deficit of $2.1 billion was addressed with $1.7 billion in stimulus dollars and $400 million in cuts, Michigan’s projected deficit for FY 2010 is $3.0 billion and $2.5 billion in FY 2011

Since the first decline in revenues in fiscal year 2001, Michigan has experienced cumulative deficits well in excess of $10 billion, has exhausted over $6 billion in fiscal reserves and has instituted over $4 billion in spending cuts.

As a State Representative, Harvey Santana will review a variety of solutions and judge each on its own merit. Harvey Santana understands that Michigan’s budget only has two sides – INCOME AND EXPENSES. The INCOME side of the budget is largely based on a mid 20th century economic structure which no longer exists. As a State Representative, Harvey Santana will work with other legislators to find innovative solutions to address the economic reality that Michigan now faces. Michigan must consider serious changes to our tax structure and have honest conversations about replacing the flat tax we now have which punishes lower income earners and rewards the higher income earners with alternatives such as the graduated state income tax. Conversely, Michigan must also address the tax structure for businesses in Michigan which is NOT competitive. In a rapidly changing economy Michigan needs to make serious changes to our tax system so businesses can be competitive with other states and a global economy. Our business tax structure needs to be in line with those of our competing states by lowering the cost of doing business in Michigan. The Michigan Business Tax is a unique tax in the United States. While most states have a straight forward corporate income tax, the Michigan Business Tax has both a corporate income tax and a gross receipts tax followed by a 22% surcharge. Michigan needs to change the tax system to foster business growth. Ultimately, Michigan needs to change the tax structure so it is simple and understandable.

Harvey Santana is committed towards fixing Michigan’s Department of Corrections.  Michigan is spending approximately $30,000 per inmate every year while the national average is $23,876.  That is over $6,000 more per year per inmate than most other states.  Our State Penitentiaries warehouse almost 50,000 inmates.  Michigan ranks 9^th in the nation for the most people incarcerated per 100,000 people.  That is one category in which we do NOT want to be in the Top Ten.

Corrections’ spending has grown 538% in the last 34 years, making Michigan one of only four states that spends MORE on corrections than it does on higher education.  Harvey Santana believes that is the opposite of what our State priorities should be.  The annual budget for the Department of Corrections is almost $2 Billion dollars which amounts to 20% of the General Fund Budget.

Every year, nearly 35% of all released Michigan prisoners return to Wayne County of which 85% return to the City of Detroit.  The current State strategy has not worked, is not working and will continue to fail if nothing is done to correct this problem.

True Rehabilitation

Michigan is facing an incarceration and post-incarceration crisis in urban communities. The reality of former prisoners returning to cities without life-skills training, education or job training during a tough economy is sobering.  Returning citizens to our communities who have not been rehabilitated and who are not prepared for normal life is a recipe for disaster.  Michigan must become innovative in their approach towards finding solutions to this problem.  This is a public safety concern for law enforcement, businesses, the courts and most importantly the community.

As a State Representative, Harvey Santana will focus on strategies to create prison-to-work initiatives, modeled after successful programs that already exist. Michigan must become serious about reforming the correctional system and breaking down barriers for ex-offenders to find employment.

Advocating for the Mentally-Ill

Harvey Santana understands that there are inmates with a history of mental illness.  Mentally ill people are being sentenced for crimes when they should be provided with the psychological help they need.  Sadly, our State mental health programs were severely weakened by our previous Republican Governor John Engler and we continue to pay the price for that mistake today.

As a State Representative, Harvey Santana will advocate for the proper placement of mentally ill offenders to hospitals instead of prisons. He understands that mentally ill people are being sentenced for crimes they commit, yet they are not being given the help they require. These offenders are trapped in a “revolving door.”  Mentally-ill offenders are trapped in a cycle of lack of treatment which leads to a deepening disorder, followed by additional arrests and, eventually, prison sentences.

The strategy of “Locking them up, forgetting they exist while pretending the problem is no longer present ” has not worked, is not working and will continue to fail if nothing is done.

Possible solutions:

Harvey Santana will work with all stakeholders to review all options to this growing problem. Some of the solutions listed below have been forwarded by the residents throughout the state, business organizations and others. For Harvey Santana, proper Corrections Reform must be one of our States highest priorities.

Among the things we can and should do are these:

1. Releasing of old, sick and low-risk inmates who pose no real threat to our communities.
2. Reducing our average cost to fall more into line with the cost averages we see in other Great Lakes states.
3. Placing low risk offenders on electronic GPS tethers, instead of expensive penal incarceration.
4. Reinstating disciplinary credits focused on academic and professional achievement to reduce recidivism rates.
5. Reevaluating how we go about prisoner re-entry programs  so we can better use our resources to improve and expand the Michigan Prisoner Re-Entry Initiative (MPRI).
6. Diverting the mentally-ill into proper treatment facilities instead of general prison populations.
7. Conducting a thorough, professional and complete financial audit of the Corrections Department Budget to better allocate money, personnel and resources to obtain better outcomes.

Harvey Santana believes that a repopulation strategy for Michigan’s urban cities is a combination of several factors. Rebuilding our urban infrastructure will require effective land use strategies that attract businesses, reduce crime and provide for infrastructure investments. Some Michigan cities will become smaller and we must look at becoming innovative in our approach towards rebuilding our urban cities. Harvey Santana understands that these strategies will require a long term plan that can withstand fluctuations during hard economic times.

The job of a State Representative is to manage the assets of government during good and bad times. In Lansing, Harvey Santana will support legislation that provides urban areas the ability to attract both new businesses and new residents while better meeting the needs of current businesses and residents.

The rebuilding of our urban areas begins at the local level. Local units of government and their elected officials must look towards the future and make wise decisions about their infrastructure and landscape. This will require constant communication, dialogue and a determined effort to create an economic and visionary plan that looks several years into the future.

Harvey Santana understands that representing an urban environment requires knowledge of crime prevention, urban planning, education and economic development. Cities like Detroit, Flint, Pontiac, Saginaw and others all face enormous challenges but none of these challenges can overcome the resiliency of the people willing to stand and rebuild.

As a State Representative, Harvey Santana will create and support legislation that addresses the needs of urban areas.