Brenda Lawrence in MI Congressional representatives, past and present

On Education: Public-private partnerships to connecting college to jobs

Brenda Lawrence: Require public private partnerships and connecting education to jobs. I think schools should publish the completion rates of the students in their programs and the students earnings upon graduation. Companies should be investing in the cost of education by the industry that will receive the worker. We need extended programs like Teach America where students get credit.

Marcia Squier (Green Party): I would implement an extension of the public education system to include all ages of people, from preschool to PhD. If elected, I would support full federal funding of public universities. I also support the elimination of all current student debt through quantitative easing.

On Environment: Flint water crisis is example of environmental injustice

A: The State of Michigan demonstrated repeated failures on every level in response to the Flint water crisis, and unfortunately, continue to do so. The Governor failed to act when he was made aware of the situation and has continued to fail to lead in resolving the crisis. Flint continues to have unsafe water. The situation is a clear example of environmental injustice. It also demonstrated the ill-conceived concept of Emergency Financial Managers, and what the human cost can be when purporting to govern by spreadsheet.

Q: Should Congress provide funding to help Flint?

A: Unfortunately, the federal government involvement in the initial stages which was to oversee and consult with MDEQ was unacceptable as well. When we are interpreting regulations for action or inaction and not taking into consideration the consequences to human life we are failing.

On Free Trade: Oppose TPP, NAFTA, and similar trade deals

Brenda Lawrence: I do not support any trade deals that take jobs out of the US, or allow currency manipulation to cheat the US. While we do live in a global economy and we must resolve to balance the scales. We should not enter into any agreement that would allow any other country or countries to be given an advantage in trade that will take jobs and financial benefits out of the US.

Marcia Squier (Green Party): I absolutely do NOT support the TPP, the TTIP, the TISA, or any other similar trade deal! They will eliminate jobs, not create them. Those of us from the Motor City know how disastrous NAFTA was and is to the auto industry. The TPP is known as NAFTA on steroids.

On Gun Control: Enact common sense gun control reforms & close loopholes

Brenda Lawrence: We need to enact common sense gun control reforms that include closing the background check loopholes and putting in place no fly, no buy. The number of gun accidents that we have in the country each year makes it clear that we need a better process in place to determine if the person purchasing or owning a gun is educated and qualified to be responsible for the weapon. I think the process should be similar to obtaining and renewing a driver's license. We also need to implement smart technologies that are available now.

Marcia Squier (Green Party): I would reduce the number of firearm-related injuries and deaths in the U.S. by having universal background checks for violent offenders, we can ensure that vicious people can't legally own a gun.

On Health Care: ObamaCare is sound policy, but deal with consequences

Brenda Lawrence: I support ObamaCare and think it is sound policy. I do believe that there are amendments that could be made to resolve some of the unintended consequences, particularly for small business owners. However, the republicans do not want do discuss improving ObamaCare, they continue to attempt to repeal it.

Marcia Squier (Green Party): I think the Affordable Care Act should be repealed. I would instead extend the age requirement for Medicare to include all ages of people, from cradle to grave. I would include full coverage for all, with income-based deductibles for care and prescriptions. I would also include dental, vision, mental health, and chiropractic care because we all need and deserve to be healthy and no one else should die because of a lack of health insurance.

On Immigration: Refugees aren't terrorist; that's just more fear tactics

Brenda Lawrence: Yes, Michigan is an ideal place for refugees to relocate. The 14th District in particular has very diverse and welcoming communities. The stringent process that refugees go through to obtain that special status is very thorough and takes years. Talking points of refugees being terrorist is just more fear tactics. Refugees have been successfully relocating to Michigan for years without any issues and are making contributions to our Michigan economy.

Marcia Squier (Green Party): Throughout history, our great nation has been a place of refuge for people displaced by war and acts of terror. There is a stark contrast this time, however. We are the ones supplying the Middle East with weapons. We are exacerbating their reason for seeking refugee status in the first place.

On Social Security: Protect social security, Medicare and Medicaid programs

Brenda Lawrence: We need to focus our efforts on community initiatives that will allow our aging population to age in place. Too often, the lack of reliable transportation or minor physical challenges cause are seniors to have to leave their homes. We must find a way to deliver these services safely and affordably to our seniors so they can stay in their home. We must protect social security, Medicare and Medicaid programs that aid seniors.

Marcia Squier (Green Party): Congress should move to include eldercare services in universal health care, from cradle to grave, with income-based deductibles for care & prescriptions. In addition, with publicly funded college education and elimination of ALL current student debt, we will be able to provide even more qualified professionals in this critical field.

On Tax Reform: I believe in a progressive tax

Brenda Lawrence: I believe in a progressive tax. I think we should not be taxing anyone living below the poverty line. Also, I think we should raise the amount allowed for deductions for children and dependents.

Marcia Squier (Green Party): Several things need to be done to make the tax code fairer. For example, exported goods should be tax exempt, but imported goods should always be taxed. This will discourage corporations from shipping jobs overseas and encourage job creation and retention here at home. I also believe that corporate tax loopholes should be closed, large corporations should be paying the most in taxes. Small businesses should receive tax exemptions and government grants for creating a sustainable, vibrant "Main Street". These same rules should be applied to people as well. The highest earners should pay the highest taxes, while the other 90% should receive tax exemptions and incentives.

On Education: Refinance college loans to reduce student debt

Now, millions of young people are struggling to keep up with their student loan payments. Young people are working hard, playing by the rules, and getting an education--only to be crushed with student loan debt.

The economic impact is real. Forty million Americans have outstanding student loans. The Bank on Students Emergency Loan Refinancing Act will save millions of these young people hundreds or even thousands of dollars a year, putting real money back into their pockets. The sooner we pass refinancing legislation, the sooner they'll get a little bit of relief.

On Jobs: Paid sick leave helps women & minorities most

Some of the disparities are depressingly familiar. Latino workers have significantly lower rates of access to paid sick days than the workforce as a whole: Only 47% of Latinos have paid sick days, compared to 61% of the total workforce.

Brenda Lawrence will enact a progressive agenda that will make it clear the need for public policy standards that guarantee all workers can earn the time they need to care for their health and their families without sacrificing their jobs or economic security.

On Jobs: Fight to raise minimum wage to $10.10 an hour

Minimum wage policies do help raise the wages for America's lowest-paid workers--making an adequate minimum wage an important pillar of a national antipoverty agenda. Brenda Lawrence will fight to raise the federal minimum wage to $10.10 an hour.