State Representative Phil Skaggs

1 week ago

Everywhere I go, I hear the same thing: Michiganders want their families to be happy, healthy, safe AND close to home.

But too many of our college graduates are leaving in search of opportunity in Chicago, Ohio (🤮), out West, or down south.

Michigan should be a state where they can stay, succeed, and build their futures. Let’s keep our young people here – investing in their communities and strengthening our economy. Let’s help everyone Make It In Michigan.

Here’s My Plan to Keep Our Graduates Here and Stop the Brain Drain:

The Make It In Michigan tax credit offers a powerful “carrot” to support graduates who choose to live and work in Michigan by covering up to 50% of their student loan repayments. If students put in the effort, graduate, stay and work, we should pitch in and help with their student loan debt so we keep their talent here.

The Make It In Michigan student loan grants would:

🎓 Reduce student loan debt and help young people thrive
🥕 Incentivize graduates to stay and work in Michigan
🎓 Grow our economy by strengthening our workforce

Michigan is at a critical juncture. We are a net exporter of talent. That’s not good for our families or our state’s future. Too many of our brightest college graduates are leaving the state, driven in part by the burden of student loan debt and the search for higher wages elsewhere. At the same time, Michigan faces workforce shortages across key industries. If we want Michigan to thrive, it must be a place where young people can afford to live, work, and build their futures. The Make It In Michigan program is how we keep our children and grandchildren close to home. ... See MoreSee Less

State Representative Phil Skaggs

2 weeks ago

Most of us are fed up with the influence of big money in our politics.

Most Americans don’t have enough power in how our society is run. We understand our political system is rigged against us by a tiny minority of big donors. Their money drowns out our voices. It’s clear -- our American Republic is in crisis!

But, I believe we can put power back in the hands of the people.

We can fix our democracy from the bottom up! We can empower regular Michiganders to be more involved in politics. That’s why I’m introducing a small-dollar campaign financing bill to encourage all of us to donate to candidates so our interests are followed when they are elected. We must amplify our voices!

My bill – Amplify MI Voice – gives an easy-to-claim state tax credit to every Michigander who contributes small-dollar amounts to state and local campaigns and causes, up to $250 total in refunds per year.

By empowering a small-dollar campaign financing system that competes with the big donors, candidates will be incentivized to spend more time listening to and courting working people, rather than focusing on big donors.

Our democracy belongs to all of us. We can reclaim it. We can fix it. We can break the stranglehold on our democracy perpetrated by wealthy and well-connected campaign donors by empowering everyday Americans.

When we Amplify our Voices and use our votes, we can make real change – big, structural, progressive change. Power to the People! ... See MoreSee Less

State Representative Phil Skaggs

3 weeks ago

Yesterday, I joined State Representatives Betsy Coffia, Reggie Miller, and Penelope Tsernoglou to call for the passage of House Resolution 284, which would establish a bipartisan committee to investigate allegations of abuse connected to Jeffrey Epstein at the Interlochen Center for the Arts.

At a time when transparency and accountability are desperately needed, House Leadership has chosen not to prioritize these deeply troubling allegations. I strongly disagree with that decision.

The Legislature has a responsibility to fully investigate claims of abuse involving an institution that has received state funding and serves thousands of young people each year. We owe it to survivors, families, and students to ensure that every allegation is taken seriously and that Interlochen is providing a safe environment for the children entrusted to its care. ... See MoreSee Less

State Representative Phil Skaggs

4 weeks ago

This week, I sponsored the Michigan Voting Rights Act bills to fight back against the horrible decision by the United States Supreme Court to gut the federal Voting Rights Act.

Just days after the Supreme Court ruling, states across the south our openly gerrymandering to eliminate Black representation from their states in Washington.

As hard-won voting rights protections erode at the federal level, states must step up to protect the right to vote. That’s what we’re doing here in Michigan! ... See MoreSee Less

State Representative Phil Skaggs

1 month ago

Last week, I introduced a resolution to remember the more than 1.5 million Armenians lost in the Armenian Genocide. We honor their lives, uplift their stories and stand for truth and justice.

By adopting this resolution, we affirm that truth matters.

We affirm that remembrance matters. And we affirm that the people of Michigan will not be silent in the face of injustice.

We honor the victims.

We stand with their descendants.

And we recommit ourselves to a future where history is not denied and where atrocities are not repeated. ... See MoreSee Less

State Representative Phil Skaggs

1 month ago

Michiganders are feeling the pressure of rising costs-at the pump and on their utility bills. As energy prices continue to rise, we should be focused on solutions that lower costs and make our energy more reliable.

House Democrats have been working to move Michigan toward energy independence by investing in clean, homegrown energy. These investments help reduce reliance on foreign sources, create jobs here at home, and keep costs more stable for families.

However, House Republicans want roll back Michigan’s clean energy progress. Despite claims about affordability, moving away from renewable energy would make our energy supply less diverse and more dependent on volatile fossil fuels-ultimately leading to higher costs for Michiganders.

This comes down to a simple choice: continue building a more affordable, reliable energy future here in Michigan, or move backwards.

I remain committed to supporting policies that protect Michigan families, lower energy costs, and strengthen our state’s long-term energy independence. ... See MoreSee Less

State Representative Phil Skaggs

1 month ago

House Democrats offered over 70 amendments to restore funding and protect essential services, but none were adopted because House Republicans voted against them. Budgets are a reflection of values, and our state budget should focus on lowering costs, supporting families, and investing in our communities. However, House Republicans are moving us in the wrong direction. I will continue working with my colleagues to push for a final budget that puts Michigan families first—one that invests in education, health care, and strong local communities. ... See MoreSee Less