Winnie Brinks - WKTV Journal

By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

The cities of Wyoming and Kentwood will join the cities of Grandville, East Grand Rapids, and the southern portion of the City of Grand Rapids in selecting the next 29th District State Senator.

Running for the seat is incumbent Winnie Brinks (D) and current State Rep. Tommy Brann (R).

Note: All candidates who are running in the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood were invited to participate in the We the People videos, where candidates may talk about why they decided to run and the issues they want to address.

Tommy Brann (R)

Occupation: The current 77th State Representative, Brann has been a restaurant owner, Brann’s Steakhouse, for more than 50 years.

Why did you decide to run for this seat?

I decided to run because as an owner of a blue collar restaurant, I see and feel the struggles of my employees, customers, and neighbors. I want to address those struggles as your next state senator. I am good at this job. As a small business owner and a legislator, I know how to bring people together to solve the big problems we are facing. I know our district, I’ve lived and worked here my entire life. I know our values and I want to preserve and protect our way of life here in West Michigan.

What are a couple of issues you would want to address if elected?

I would like to address inflation, public safety, and the state budget. I know what it takes to manage a budget having done so for 51 years at my restaurant. As a state legislator for six years, I’ve managed that state budget being responsible with YOUR tax dollars. The state budget has a $5 billion surplus, the government is living too well. With rising costs, people need relief. I support measures to lower the income tax, increase the Earned Income Tax Credit, and suspend the gas tax. I also support fully funding the men and women of law enforcement. The nation is experiencing a crime wave. We need to defend our police and equip them with the training and resources needed to keep our communities safe.

Website: https://brannforsenate.com

Winnie Brinks (D)

Brinks has served in the state senate since 2018. Before that she, she served in the state House of Representatives for six years. She is graduate of Calvin College (now Calvin University), where she earned a bachelor’s in Spanish with a concentration in sociology. Before joining the state house, she was a caseworker for The Source, a non-profit employee support organization based in the City of Wyoming.

Website: https://winniebrinks.com

WKTV Journal In Focus podcast on the Pink Tax and other gender discriminatory policies, with (from right) Emily Bridson and guests State Sen. Winnie Brinks and Sandy Swanson, Past President of the Kentwood Women’s Club. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org

On the latest episode of WKTV Journal’s In Focus series of podcasts, we discuss the various aspects of what is sometimes called the Pink Tax, public policies including taxation that are often viewed as discriminatory toward females.

Visiting our studios, each with unique perspectives on the subject, are Kentwood City Commissioner and community advocate Emily Bridson; State Sen. Winnie Brinks, who, among her many duties in Lansing, serves on the Health Policy and Human Services committee; as well as Sandy Swanson, Past President of the Kentwood Women’s Club, a club which has the stated goal of, quote, “Enhancing the cultural, civic, education and social opportunities of Kentwood women.”

For a link to the “Pink Tax” audio podcast, click here; for a link to the episode’s interview video, click here and scan down the list to the July 11 In Focus podcast.

Regular episodes of WKTV Journal In Focus airs on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel (see our Weekly On-air Schedule for dates and times).