STATE HOUSE/56TH DISTRICT

Birmingham, Bloomfield Township

Sharon MacDonell

Democrat

Sharon MacDonell of Troy has been a manager for advertising and video at Lawrence Technological University. She has a degree in history from University of Michigan, and has been a precinct delegate.

Abortion ballot issue

Voters will be asked whether they support cementing abortion rights in the Michigan Constitution when they vote this November. How do you plan on voting on this issue? Please explain your answer.

I will vote for the Reproductive Freedom for All proposal because I believe healthcare is a private matter for everyone, and women have the right to make decisions regarding their own healthcare.

Term limits and transparency

Voters this November will be asked whether they support changes in terms limits and to enact financial transparency regulations for members of the legislature and administration. Are you supporting this ballot issue? Please explain your answer.

The Michigan Legislative Term Limits and Financial Disclosure Amendment has now been passed by both houses in Lansing and will appear as a ballot proposal on Michigan’s general election ballots in November. If passed by the people, the amendment to our state Constitution will bring Michigan in line with most other states regarding financial items on the ballot. However, the proposal is not as strong as its proponents wish. State legislators will still not have to disclose as much as members of the U.S. Congress do. Left out of the proposal are important disclosures such as income, debts, details on owned property, and travel payments. This information should be made public.

Legislative bans on education topics

In 24 states legislation has been introduced to restrict or outright ban the teaching and/or discussion of certain topics such as race, racism, gender-based issues and how American history is taught in the K-12 public school system. Critics of these efforts to restrict what is taught in public schools say such legislation prevents open inquiry into important issues. Should the state legislature in Michigan dictate or restrict what is taught in public school classrooms? Would you support such legislation? Why or why not? Please be specific in your answer.

Although I have a BA in history, most Michigan legislators do not. Therefore, it is not appropriate for state legislators to make decisions for our public schools that should be made by professional educators. I would not support such legislation. It is impossible to teach American history without touching on the topics of race, racism, and gender, therefore, it would not make sense to teach incomplete history.

Highland Park Water and Sewer debt

Highland Park, a member of the Great Lakes Water Authority, since 2012 has failed to pay for what now amounts to over $54 million in water and sewer debt, which means member communities in Oakland County will be placed in a position to underwrite this debt whether through increased rates for water and sewer or tapping budget reserves to accomplish the same. The state of Michigan has failed to deal with this issue. What do you think should be the solution to this growing problem of a GLWA member community failing to pay for water and sewer services? Please be specific.

Our county and state government should always work together to keep prices low for all House District 56 and Oakland County residents at a time when people are struggling from rising prices. As a state legislator, I'd utilize my role to explore state level solutions that would help resolve this issue while working with our partners at the county level to ensure these debts don't persist into the future and place House District 56 residents at risk of increased water prices.

2020 presidential election results

Do you accept the presidential election results of 2020 in Michigan? Will you accept the results of the 2022 primary and general elections? Explain why or why not.

I accept the 2020 election results because they have been audited several times. There is no evidence of any election misconduct in Michigan. I will accept the results of the 2022 primary and general elections because city clerks are still doing their jobs. My only fear for the future is the possible politicization at the Michigan Secretary of State level and down into the county and city clerks' offices. We must do our best to keep the business of these offices nonpartisan, ethical, and fair.

Right of redress

The Michigan House and Senate have in the past employed seldom used maneuvers to prevent the public from challenging laws that were enacted. Lawmakers accomplish this by attaching an expenditure provision to the legislation which then prevents citizens from petitioning to overturn the law. Citizens in Michigan are allowed referendum rights when it comes to legislation but not laws involving spending. Do you think that such legal maneuvers should be used by the legislature or do such actions diminish the rights of the public to challenge what lawmakers have adopted? What can be done to eliminate such maneuvers on the part of the legislature?

It is a terrible shame that elected officials can use unethical and anti-constitutional methods to cheat Michiganders out of their rights. It’s a sign that they know their policies are wrong, unpopular, and unwanted. I want to lead the effort to stop this kind of unethical behavior and seek to overturn laws that have been cemented in by these unfair practices.

Top five issues

What would you list as your top five issues if elected to this position.

Properly funding and supporting public education; Protecting voting rights; Fighting discrimination; Improving access to healthcare; and improving Michigan’s economy and infrastructure.