State Rep. Tommy Brann on a the set of WKTV Journal’s “In Focus” public affairs show. (WKTV)
WKTV Staff
news@wktv.org
On the latest episode of “WKTV Journal: In Focus”, WKTV’s new public affairs show, we bring to the public a discussion with first term State Rep. Tommy Brann, as well as inviting in the director of a non-profit working to give alternatives to persons with mobility issues. And, with the high school football football season approaching, WKTV’s Ken Norris also talks with Wyoming High School’s new head coach and dean of students.
In the discussion with Rep. Brann, which will air twice a week on WKTV channels starting this week and running through Aug. 27, the businessman and legislator talks about his new “part-time” job in state government.
“I’ve only missed five nights at my restaurant, I come back from Lansing — we are only there Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday” in regular session, Brann told WKTV. “I do think it, possibly could be a part-time job. Right now, July and August, I only go one day a month. I mean, jeez, how is that right?
“Also, Sue (Brann, his wife) and I are giving half our legislative salary back to people in need, and that is a great part of the job, doing that.”
Michigan state representatives make $71,685 a year.
Also during the discussion, Rep. Brann discusses to of his efforts to pass legislation dealing with youth smoking and with the abuse of animals, as well as his and his brother’s well-known support for police and fire public servants.
“WKTV Journal: In Focus” will start airing on Tuesday, Aug. 15, the program will air on Tuesdays and Thursdays, at 6:30 p.m., on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel.
Steven Johnson is up front on his conservative values platform as he gets ready to go work in the Michigan House of Representatives for the 72nd District – he stated his conservative values before his convincing Nov. 8 election victory and he restated them this week as he is fully immersing himself in his new job.
Rep. Steve Johnson, far right, on an outing with a youth group. (Supplied)
And he does not think Michigan’s Republican surge, led by the state support for President-elect Donald Trump, had very much to with his win either.
“I don’t think so – I live in a pretty conservative area, so I think I was going to win on my values, that I was going to follow the Constitution and our Judeo-Christian heritage,” Johnson, a Republican, said Thursday.
In the general election last week, Johnson defeated Democrat Steve Shoemaker with nearly 60 percent of the vote in a far-flung district that includes includes the City of Kentwood and Gaines Township in Kent County, and Leighton Township, Wayland Township, Dorr Township and the City of Wayland in Allegan County. The seat was held by Ken Yonker, who vacated due to term limits but was elected to the position of Kent County Drain Commissioner.
Johnson, 25, resides in Wayland Township, is unmarried, and served in the Air Force from 2009-2014. He had been working in construction but now considers himself a full-time representative of his district.
“This is my job now,” Johnson said. “I am preparing for office, familiarizing myself with policy and ready to understand the bills I will be voting on.”
Among the bills he hopes to be voting on are right-to-life bills, something he said should and can happen in the current political climate.
“Absolutely,” he said. “One of our most fundamental rights, as taxpayers, is to protect unborn life. I will absolutely be working on legislation to defund Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers, as well as a life-at-conception act. Life begins at conception.”
Two other issues he will advocate for — or better stated: advocate against — is the federal Common Core education standards and tax breaks to attract business investment. During his campaign, he was critical of tax incentives given to lure Switch to take over the old Steelcase pyramid to create its Supernap data storage center in Gaines Township.
“First of all, Common Core is a federal program, a one size fits all, and it does not work,” Johnson said. “The federal government, the state government, should not be involved in education. That is best handled on the local school district level.
“Teachers and parents should be working together to decide on educational options. Nobody cares more about the job of education than the parents of the students. We need to get the bureaucrats out of the way when it comes to education.”
And as far as government tax breaks, he sees the problem is tax rates as much as breaks.
“Government should not be picking winners and losers, when it comes to businesses,” he said. “We need to have a low tax rate across the board, get the government to get out of the way. … Let the free market work, and whatever business and industry makes sense, locally or for Michigan, they will rise to the top.”
As for his thoughts, now that his election and his new job has sunk in as a reality?
“I’d like to just thank … (the voters) for their support and let them know that I will be leading the fight for following the Constitution and our Judeo-Christian values. That is why I ran.”
WKTV takes seriously its role as a communications provider. We want our community to be well-informed and more involved in local matters.
72nd District
The 72nd District includes the City of Kentwood and Gaines Township in Kent County and Leighton Township, Wayland Township, Dorr Township and the City of Wayland in Allegan County. The seat is currently held by Ken Yonker, who is vacating due to term limits.
Robert D. Coughlin – Candidate (R)
Occupation: Sales Management with an International Corporation
Residence: Kentwood
Why did you decide to run for the 72nd District Representative?
“I have an extensive background in local government. I’ve served the City of Kentwood for 20 years and have spent the last 13 as a city commissioner. I felt it was my time to take my background to Lansing.”
What issues would you address if elected?
“Michigan has been on a road to recovery for a while now, but we still have a way to go. With the number of strong universities we have in the state, we need to keep that talent from leaving the state. With my background in business and in local government, I’m hoping to improve the employment picture even further.”
Ryan Gallogly – Candidate (R)
Occupation: Social Studies teacher in Kentwood Public Schools
Residence: Gaines Township
Why did you decide to run for the 72nd District Representative?
“As a social studies teacher, I teach students to be actively involved. So, I figured I should as well! There are certainly improvements to be made regarding education reform and a more streamlined government, and I want to be a part of the solution.”
What issues would you address if elected?
“I would love to place an emphasis on K-3 education. K-3 is the foundation that education is built on. If we get the early ages addressed with the right curriculum and class sizes, the high scores in the older grades will follow.”
Steven Johnson – Candidate (R)
Occupation: Four years in the Air Force and now campaigning as a full-time candidate
Residence: Wayland Township
Why did you decide to run for the 72nd District Representative?
“I didn’t initially plan on running, but after seeing videos of Planned Parenthood selling baby parts while the government still chose to fund them, I decided to get involved. I called some local candidates to hear their stance and concerns with specific issues and didn’t receive a straight answer. I then chose to run myself.”
What issues would you address if elected?
‘We need to repeal Common Core. It’s a one-size method that doesn’t fit everyone. I’m Pro-Life and support a life at conception act. I would also stop corporate welfare. Too often big companies, like Switch coming into Gaines Township, are given big tax breaks.”
Steve Shoemaker – Candidate (D)
Occupation: Worked for Steelcase for 25 years as a Skilled Trades Journeyman. Retired in 2005.
Residence: Caledonia
Why did you decide to run for the 72nd District Representative?
“I saw some decisions that came out of Lansing that I didn’t agree with. The current 72nd district representative made some votes that I felt went against what he believed. As a leader its important to make tough decisions even if they’re not popular.”
What issue would you address if elected?
“The government needs to be made more transparent. Right now, Michigan ranks dead last in transparency. I would draft a bill to repeal exemption for Freedom of Information Act blockage for government representatives.”
Other candidates running for the 72nd District are Democrat Dick Cunningham, Republican Bill Hirsch and Republican Tony Noto.
77th District
The 77th District includes Byron Township and the City of Wyoming. The seat is currently held by Thomas Hooker of Byron Township, who is vacating due to term limits.
Tommy Brann – Candidate (R)
Occupation: Owner of Brann’s Steakhouse since he was 19-years-old.
Residence: Wyoming
Why did you decide to run for the 77th District Representative?
“I’ve always been interested in politics and admired the people who do it. I believe in free enterprise. There’s a lot of stories of entrepreneurs that I want to share not only with the government, but with children as well. I can help influence education.”
What issues would you address if elected?
“I would like to keep government simple. I believe the simpler, the better. Right now the state has $27.2 billion for teachers pension that is unfunded. The budget needs to be balanced, and that means no debt.”
Brann and Republican Frank Murin facing off in the primary for the Republican spot on the Nov. 8 general election. The Republican winner of the primary will face Democrat Dana J. Knight in November.
All candidates were contacted and invited to participate in sharing their message to the voters. Only contested races where the field would be narrowed or decided at the primary on August 2 were included.
