KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Kalamazoo County Board Chair Julie Rogers is officially announcing her bid for State Representative in House District 60.
Rogers held an official announcement ceremony late Wednesday afternoon at the Kalamazoo Public Library on Rose Street.
The ceremony featured guest speakers including former Kalamazoo County Commissioner and Board Chair John Taylor.
“I’m not here because I’m Julie’s friend, I’m here because Michigan needs leaders,” Taylor said. “Whether it’s her work on the economic Brownfield, where she created over 1,500 jobs, whether it’s the work she’s done by lowering prescription health care costs for seniors, she tirelessly again and again and again is there to serve the citizens of not only Michigan, but the 60th district.”
Once Rogers took the stage, she discussed some of her intentions and goals as a State Representative, such as issues surrounding health care.
“I am the only candidate in this race with health care expertise,” Rogers said during her speech. “I got my start doing public policy work as a fighter for my patients. I’ve seen first-hand the unnecessary pain and suffering when patients are forced to forego their treatment because of underinsurance, lack of insurance, or frankly, arbitrary caps that congress has enacted on Medicare. Many of you have felt that personally.”
Rogers also said she will make environmental issues a priority.
“I have served on the Kalamazoo County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority Board for over 10 years,” Rogers said. “While I served, I helped clean up contaminated properties and rehabed them while bringing jobs back, over 1,500, in getting these properties back on the tax rolls.”
Rogers elaborated on some of her intentions to follow environmentally-friendly procedures.
“I also championed our county’s very first sustainability policy, which has now made its way into our permanent budget appropriations process,” Rogers added. “I hope to continue fighting for renewable energy and sustainable features in each of our county buildings, particularly the new justice facility we’re working on that will open in 2023.”
Rogers also talked about her views on crime and how it should be dealt with.
“I believe that justice is a moral and legal issue,” Rogers said. “Many politicians talk about being tough on crime, but in order to be tough on crime, it’s essential to be serious about justice. We must take a hard look at our systems inequities and acknowledge the role that racism and socioeconomic standing play in policing policy.”
Rogers will now begin her campaign for the seat, which is currently held by Representative Jon Hoadley
— ORIGINAL STORY —
KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — A Kalamazoo County official and physical therapist is running for the Michigan House.
Kalamazoo County Board Chair Julie Rogers is officially announcing her bid for State Representative in House District 60. That seat is currently being held by Representative Jon Hoadley who has already announced his campaign for Congress.
Rogers is currently serving her 4th term on the commission and was selected as board chair back in January. She is also the Vice-Chair of the National Association of Counties Health Steering Committee, a member of the Kalamazoo County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, and was elected to serve in an at-large position on the Michigan Association of Counties Board of Directors, among other roles.
In a written statement she highlighted some of her main campaign focuses such as healthcare, protecting the local environment, criminal justice issues, and advocacy for civil rights.
Rogers says, ““I am the only candidate in this race with healthcare expertise. As a physical therapist at our local hospital, I have always advocated for my patients. I have seen firsthand the unnecessary suffering and pain caused when patients are forced to forego or stop care due to a lack of adequate insurance or to an arbitrary limit to their Medicare coverage enacted by Congress. Health care is a right. Everyone should have access to treatment, affordable medication, and mental health care. We can and should do better when it comes to taking care of each other.”
She also touched on water issues saying if elected she would “continue to hold polluters accountable, champion renewable energy, promote policies that keep our drinking water safe, and fight to protect Michigan’s waterways, parks, and public lands.”
In the criminal justice system, she touted her work to help procure a grant from MacArthur Family Foundation for Kalamazoo County with the goal of reducing the number of young adults in the county jail.
Rogers will make her official campaign announcement at the Kalamazoo Public Library on September 10th at 5:15 p.m.
