Name: Amy East
Age: 42
Address: 18525 Warner Rd. Decatur, MI 49045
Occupation: Stay-at-home mom; copyeditor
Incumbent: No
Family (optional): Husband Joel, daughter Eliza, 2 dogs, a baker’s dozen of chickens, and a turtle named Sparkles
How long have you resided in the area you seek to represent?
25 years? I grew up here, left when I was 24 or so to pursue a career in archaeology, and came back over a year ago with my husband and daughter.
Why are you seeking the position of State Representative for the 59th District?
Because I love my home, and I believe in it. I love the values I learned here, the experiences I’ve had. I want it to be a place where my daughter, my nieces and nephews, and all our children can make a home. But as it stands, I see families, schools, and our local economies struggling. I want to work to make sure this is a place where our future generations can find opportunity and raise their families.
What is the role of a State Representative for the 59th District, and why are you uniquely qualified to fill that role? The state representative should be the voice of our people and its concerns in Lansing. They should be focused on improving the quality of life for everyone here. I have deep roots in this area. For me, being state representative means representing and fighting for my home. And I think you can’t underestimate the power of someone who’s fighting for their home. My career in archaeology has given me many tools as well. From unique perspectives on issues we’re facing as a society, to the collaborative abilities that come with working with people of all stripes for common goals, to the legal, ethical, and administrative experiences I’ve gained, I think I bring a valuable voice to the conversation.
Are you familiar with the poverty rate in the district where you are running for office? Yes, we’re higher than the national average in both St. Joseph and Cass counties, predominantly among young women.
Why do you think people are poor? There are a lack of economic opportunities, too many jobs don’t pay a living wage. Childcare isn’t affordable. There is also a generational component. Poor people have kids who will likely stay poor because of the way many of our systems are set up.
What does the State Representative for the 59th District do right, and how do you intend to maintain or expand this? I think he’s done a great job being available to the people of the district. He’s been very accessible to the members of the district. He’s also worked across the aisle on things that have mattered to the people here. And he’s also done a great job asking for input from educators on matters that impact our schools.
What could the State Representative for the 59th District do better, and how do you intend to facilitate this happening? ***Did not answer***
What is your position on the Black Lives Matter Movement? I’m sad that it’s taken so long for the issues that the BLM movement is fighting for to get real traction. Racism and inequality need to be talked about in our communities, but they, more importantly, need to be addressed with action.
What do you think are the central issues behind the Black Lives Matter Movement? In a nutshell, systemic racism.
What is your position on police reform? The police perform valuable services in our communities. But they’re also performing roles that shouldn’t be theirs to handle. I would like to see local, state, and federal changes to mental health services, addiction services, and criminal justice reform to make our society, as a whole, healthier so that we can take the extra weight off our law enforcement personnel.
What is your take on the U.S. response to the COVID-19 pandemic? I think that as a nation, we’ve done a poor job of responding to the pandemic. I think that, as a state, we’ve done much better.
What is your take on the COVID-19 response in your district? I see many people who are caught in the crossfire of the political football that the pandemic response has become. I see people who don’t know who or what to believe, and so they’re becoming increasingly apt to believe scientifically dubious sources. I worry that most people won’t take it seriously until it affects them personally.
Do you support increased pandemic testing and tracing measures? I support increased testing for anyone who wants it. While I understand the epidemiological nature of contact tracing, there is a part of me that is cautious about it. Expanded testing and contact tracing are scientifically valid and needed, but require a populace that trusts its government. Right now I think we’re facing the reality that many people don’t have that kind of trust.
What will be your response to the climbing rate of jobless claims? We need to get this virus under control sooner, rather than later. I think the pandemic has accentuated how precarious most people are, in terms of being able to pay their bills or buy food or whether they have a savings account. It’s also underscored just how necessary internet access, particularly broadband, is to our lives. So may response: get the virus under control, push for good-paying jobs, increase access to broadband so that more jobs can be done virtually.
What do you think are your prospective constituents’ biggest everyday challenges? Being able to pay the bills and having quality healthcare.
What measures will you work to put in place to address those challenges? We need a healthy economy that can offer jobs for college-educated, skilled laborers, and unskilled laborers that pay well enough to raise a family. Part of that comes with supporting unions in their fight for better wages and raising the minimum wage. Part of it comes with supporting broadband so that people can live here and work remotely. And part of it comes with investing in projects and infrastructure that will bring money and more jobs to our area.
With public revenues already significantly impacted by COVID-19 and the economy, how will you address cashflow problems for the public bodies in your district and under your watch? I think we need to revisit the state’s flat tax structure. I believe it unfairly burdens those at the lower end of the scale. I also think we need to be asking those large corporations who are making money hand over fist for their boards on the backs of regular Michiganders to invest in our people and pay more in taxes.
What is your favorite thing about the district in which you are running? Driving around all the back roads, over the hills, by the fields and lakes and swamps, through the woods.
What else would you like us to know about you? I love Hamilton, baking, archaeology, and my family. I don’t like public speaking, but you can probably get me to ramble on for way too long by asking me about any of the above.
