Kate Gallup: Accountability and Affordability for Michigan

Kate Gallup is dedicated to transforming District 37 through community-driven policies focused on healthcare access, education, economic justice, and sustainable growth.

Many people are struggling to afford to live in the communities they work in, as housing costs keep rising, inflation has kept food prices and essentials high, healthcare expenses are unsustainable, and utility rates are some of the hightest in the nation. We also have schools that are underfunded to meet the needs of every child. On top of the challenges of everyday living to the working class, our basic freedoms, democratic rights and safety nets are under attack.

Over the past year, I have been collecting signatures for ballot initiatives including Michiganders for Money Out of Politics, an initiation of legislation to stop public utilities and large government contractors from donating in campaigns they have a conflict of interest. By increasing accountability in our election funding, we can push back on utility rate hikes and rising health insurance premiums. Once elected, I will take this further and enact policies that keep more money in the pockets of everyday people.

I’m also a supporter of MICare, a Michigan proposal that would provide basic healthcare for all while cutting out bureaucracy and expense. I’m tired of seeing the people I love jumping through a million hoops to get the care they need, and I’m tired of people not being able to afford the care they need. We also need to make sure that our healthcare workers are fairly compensated and can afford to live in the communities they are served.

Another initiative that I worked on this past year is Rank MI Vote to bring ranked choice voting to Michigan. This is a form of instant runoff voting that makes sure that the winning candidate is supported by a majority of voters rather than a plurality. We need democracy to work better for us and call all people into the voting process. Many people feel disillusioned with the whole system not representing their views and needs, and ranked voting can help ensure that elected officials better represent the people over special interests.

I also volunteered as an informational session leader and signature collector for Invest in MI Kids, an initiative to have fair share taxes in Michigan that would also help put more money into the school aid fund. The school aid fund also helps fund community college and some trade programs, ensuring people have the skills for good jobs and businesses can find amazing workers here.

I love our beautiful shoreline, inland lakes, our forests, and the many agricultural areas that sustain us. I want to make sure that these areas stay protected with common-sense policies that ensure they remain toxin and pollution-free for generations to come.

Finally, I love this community and know the goodness in the hearts of Michiganders. Many of us are heartbroken to see attacks on our immigrant neighbors, racial profiling of our tribal members, dehumanization of our LGBTQ+ loved ones, rhetoric that wants to set back women’s rights and take away medical choices, and rising hate and resentment towards the poor, those with disabilities, and anyone else deemed other or lessor. This cannot stand. We are a community that should come together around our kindness and building systems that work for all. With this being the 250 anniversary of our nation, it is imperitive that we lean into the “Liberty and Justice for All” mentality over rising authoritarianism and oligarchy.