STATE HOUSE / DISTRICT 54 / REPUBLICAN

ROMAN GASKEY

Roman Gaskey of Lake Orion has degrees from U of M in mathematics of finance and risk management and data science. He is employed as a strategy and product analyst with Altumatim. He is involved with a couple of local community groups plus is a committee member with the Oxford DDA.

Government transparency

Michiganders deserve more transparency when it comes to lobbyist and special-interest contacts with lawmakers and the governor, budget negotiations, earmarks, and “pet project” records. Extending the Michigan Freedom of Information Act to the legislature and governor’s office is an imperfect way to achieve this goal, because state-level FOIA statutes are specifically tailored to administrative agencies, not for the give-and-take of lawmaking and constituent work. Most states now apply their public‑records laws to the legislative branch in some fashion, but they pair that with carveouts to protect sensitive constituent information and candid internal deliberations. That’s the balance I’d look for here: we should open up calendars, lobbyist contacts, and spending records, while being careful not to expose private casework or turn staff‑level brainstorming into a chilling effect. So, I support the spirit of extending FOIA to cover the legislature and governor’s office. My decision to support specific legislation would depend on how it handles constituent privacy and legitimate deliberation.

Data Center Farms

Michigan should not be providing incentives to attract large-scale data centers. Data center developers are interested in our state because of our climate and access to water resources, so we have leverage to demand additional benefits from those seeking to build here. To prevent residential and small-business ratepayers from being forced to subsidize data centers, there must be a requirement that any data center builds out sufficient energy supply to cover all the potential demand for electricity it generates. Further, we must require utility companies to prove that any data center-related power agreement protects existing customers from stranded costs. The state should prohibit data centers from using fresh groundwater or municipal drinking water. Closed-loop cooling, water recycling, wastewater safeguards, and public reporting of water usage should be required. I am strongly opposed to the state taking more control of the local approval process. Local governments exist for a reason. Michiganders move to certain communities because they appreciate their unique character. Communities should have the authority to decide on significant changes that affect infrastructure, land use, and quality of life. When it comes to my district, Bloomfield Township has enacted a data center moratorium. I support their right to do that. If Lansing tries to override the decisions of the communities in my district, I will stand with my constituents and fight to protect local control.

Economic incentive policy

MEDC has failed Michiganders. Time and time again, recipients of economic development benefits do not create the number of Michigan jobs they promise, and they move economic activity out of Michigan the first chance they get. I want Michigan to compete aggressively for jobs, investment, and manufacturing. Instead, we reward political connections. Our state should be competitive for everyone, not just subsidized companies. Incentive design needs to be informed by accountability and results. For incentives tied to job creation, payroll growth, wage commitments, and workforce training, we should enact milestone requirements such that payments are made only after specific targets are met. For projects requiring up-front capital, such as site readiness, infrastructure improvements, and strategic manufacturing, incentives need strong recapture provisions to repay our state should agreed-upon targets fail to be reached within a reasonable timeframe. We cannot continue a system where we socialize risk while privatizing profit. Michiganders deserve transparency, measurable results, and recourse when companies fail to deliver.

New taxes to offset Medicaid cuts

In my view, taxes on vices and unpopular goods and services are political gimmicks which generally fail. Without a broad base of goods, consumption taxes swing wildly based on consumer behavior and economic conditions, often capturing less revenue than projected. See the new twenty-four percent cannabis tax, for example. First and foremost, we must crack down on Medicaid fraud. Studies estimate that over six percent of Medicaid payments are improper. For our state, which often spends over $20 billion annually on Medicaid payments, this amounts to over $1 billion. To reduce this, we should implement existing tools powered by machine learning and AI to flag suspicious claims and correct improper billing. If more revenue is still necessary after reducing fraud, I would be open to targeted assessments on highly consolidated hospital systems or private-equity-owned healthcare ventures if they are designed to address monopoly pricing and excessive facility fees—not to burden independent providers or increase patient costs.

Financial disclosure

I am always open to more transparency, but in general I am satisfied with the disclosure requirements. State office holders and candidates are required to report earned income sources over $1,000, employment-related agreements, assets held for investment valued at over $1,000, real property interests valued at over $1,000, securities/investments valued at over $1,000, and liabilities over $10,000 with certain exceptions. That said, I would be open to reasonable improvements, especially clearer conflict-of-interest rules for when an official should recuse themselves from matters involving a direct financial interest, as well as stronger transparency around gifts, travel, and other benefits connected to lobbyists or groups seeking state action.

Validity of voting returns

We have a crisis of public trust in the results of our elections, and this is an issue I take very seriously. That’s why I support common sense measures such as voter ID and mandatory annual cleaning of the voter rolls. The fact that Democrat politicians are unwilling to support these measures creates an understandable distrust from many that bad actors are taking advantage of these gaps in the system.

Top three-five issues

Cost of living: We are in a cost-of-living crisis. Whether it’s groceries, housing, childcare, healthcare, energy, or auto insurance, constituents of all backgrounds tell me they can’t keep up. I am focused on three expenses: housing, energy, and healthcare. For housing, we can financially reward municipalities for approving affordable single-family units, modernize the permitting process, and invest in training more skilled contractors. For energy, we can hold utility companies accountable for their performance—if they can’t improve service, then you get a rebate. And for healthcare, we can reform provider-insurer contracts to prevent monopolistic providers from preventing price competition. Economic opportunity: One of the biggest reasons I am running for office is to address the sad reality of so many young Michiganders leaving. We have top-tier trade schools and universities which produce capable professionals, but we don’t offer the opportunities available in other states after we invest ione-in, two-out rule—for every new regulation an agency creates, two must be consolidated or eliminated. That also means allowing people to keep more of what they earn by lowering taxes. Cutting the income tax will help young and working people, and we also need to cut property taxes to help homeowners and seniors. Government efficiency:Too much of your hard-earned money is squandered on waste, fraud, and abuse. That’s why I support embracing technology to crack down on Medicaid fraud. As I discussed earlier, we should implement modern tools to flag suspicious claims and correct improper billing. Public safety: Our state and our country have some of the highest crime rates in the developed world. Part of this is due to under investment in law enforcement, which is why I strongly support our first responders. However, it’s not enough to intervene during or after a crime is committed—we also must address the root causes of crime in the first place. That means a focus on mental health. Inpatient capacity in our state is abysmal, so I support investing in humane inpatient facilities to help those who need more than outpatient care. Further, that means a focus on recidivism. Being tough on crime is good, but being smart on crime is even better. Artificial intelligence: The world is changing fast, and I am alarmed by our state having no plan regarding the integration of artificial intelligence into our economy. I have spoken to many state legislators, and there is a lack of knowledge and interest in this issue. Different legislators can’t even agree on what committee would oversee AI. I studied mathematics and data science, so I understand this technology in theory. Further, I work for an AI startup in the legal tech space, so I understand how it’s affecting our economy in practice. I will spearhead efforts to create a select committee on AI.

Why vote for you

Politics as usual hasn’t served our country, and it certainly isn’t serving our state. When I talk to voters, regardless of their ideology and background, they are tired of the same types of people backed by career politicians. I’m running because I believe the next generation needs to step up for the benefit of all Michiganders. You don’t fix a broken system by waiting to inherit it, you fix it by changing it. My values and experiences are deeply rooted in this district. I grew up in Orion and Oxford, attending Lake Orion schools K through 12. After graduating valedictorian of my class, I earned a degree in mathematics and data science from the University of Michigan. Most people in my position would choose to leave Michigan for better opportunities, and, for a while, I assumed I would be one of those people. But when I thought hard about my passions and what really mattered to me, I realized I had to step up. It deeply bothered me how out-of-state students would be so negative about the state I grew up in, so I decided that instead of being part of the problem by leaving, I would be part of the solution. This election should be about who will best represent and deliver for the people of our district. I’m proud to be running a grassroots campaign powered by conservative activists and hardworking volunteers, not lobbyists. You deserve someone who takes public service seriously and honors the commitments he makes. I am not running for this office as a steppingstone, and I will not quit on the people I ask to represent. So, if you trust the status quo, then I may not be your candidate. But if you want someone who will work to reverse Michigan’s managed decline, bring smart solutions to Lansing, and fight for a future where young people, working families, and seniors can afford to stay in our state, then I’m asking for your vote.