NEWSBRIEFSNovember 2016 Vol16 No2

www.aaupaft.org

By The Editorial BoardThe New York Times. 9.24.16

In any normal election year, we’d compare the two presidential candidates side by side on the issues. But this is not a normal election year. A comparison like that would be an empty exercise in a race where one candidate — our choice, Hillary Clinton — has a record of service and a raft of pragmatic ideas, and the other, Donald Trump, discloses nothing concrete about himself or his plans while promising the moon and offering the stars on layaway…

The best case for Hillary Clinton cannot be, and is not, that she isn’t Donald Trump. The best case is, instead, about the challenges this country faces, and Mrs. Clinton’s capacity to rise to them.

The next president will take of�ce with bigoted, tribalist movements and their leaders on the march… War, terrorism and the pressures of globalization are eroding democratic values, fraying alliances and challenging the ideals of tolerance and charity.

The 2016 campaign has brought to the surface the despair and rage of poor and middle-class Americans who say their government has done little to ease the burdens that recession, technological change, foreign competition and war have heaped on their families.

Over 40 years in public life, Hillary Clinton has studied these forces and weighed responses to these problems. Our endorsement is rooted in respect for her intellect, experience, toughness and

courage over a career of almost continuous public service, often as the �rst or only woman in the arena...

Mrs. Clinton’s occasional missteps, combined with attacks on her trustworthiness, have distorted perceptions of her character. She is one of the most tenacious politicians of her generation, whose willingness to study and correct course is rare in an age of unyielding partisanship. Over eight years in the Senate and four as secretary of state, she built a reputation for grit and bipartisan collaboration. She displayed a command of policy and diplomatic nuance and an ability to listen to constituents and colleagues that are all too exceptional in Washington.

… One of her boldest acts as �rst lady was her 1995 speech in Beijing declaring that women’s rights are human rights… [S]he threw her support behind legislation to establish the Children’s Health Insurance Program, which now covers more than eight million lower-income young people. This year, she rallied mothers of gun-violence victims to join her in demanding comprehensive background checks… [S]he now vows to push for comprehensive immigration legislation... and to protect law-abiding undocumented people from deportation and cruel detention….

Her most lasting achievements as a senator include a federal fund for long-term health monitoring of 9/11 �rst responders, an expansion of military bene�ts to cover reservists and the National Guard, and a law requiring drug companies to improve the safety of

their medications for children. Below the radar, she fought for money for farmers, hospitals, small businesses and environmental projects.

As secretary of state, Mrs. Clinton… led efforts to strengthen sanctions against Iran, which eventually pushed it to the table for talks over its nuclear program, and in 2012, she helped negotiate a cease-�re between Israel and Hamas… Mrs. Clinton led efforts to renew diplomatic relations with Myanmar, persuading its junta to adopt political reforms…

Mrs. Clinton… has learned hard lessons from the three presidents she has studied up close. She has also made her own share of mistakes. She has evinced a lamentable penchant for secrecy and made a poor decision to rely on a private email server while at the State Department. That decision deserved scrutiny, and it’s had it. Now, considered alongside the real challenges that will occupy the next president, that email server, which has consumed so much of this campaign, looks like a matter for the help desk. And, viewed against those challenges, Mr. Trump shrinks to his true small-screen, reality-show proportions.

Through war and recession, Americans born since 9/11 have had to grow up fast, and they deserve a grown-up president. A lifetime’s commitment to solving problems in the real world quali�es Hillary Clinton for this job, and the country should put her to work.

Note: The original article was edited for Newsbriefs. Hayg Oshagan -Ed.

NEWSBRIEFS 1Elections 2016

Hillary Clinton for President

NEWSBRIEFS 2 Elections 2016

U.S. PRESIDENT and VICE-PRESIDENT

THE 2016 ELECTIONS

HILLARYCLINTON

TIMKAINE

• Seeks to strengthen and grow the economy, as a �rst priority.• Will expand access to higher education and invest in good paying jobs. • Will propose a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United. • Looks to restore collective bargaining rights for unions, and defend workers’ rights.• Supports a pathway to citizenship.• Experienced as a civil-rights lawyer, U.S. Senator, and U.S. Secretary of State.

• As Governor, passed the largest bond package for higher education construction in Virginia history.• Strong advocate of immigration reform. • Lifelong supporter of career and technical education to improve students’ access to skills-based learning.• Experienced as a civil-rights lawyer, teacher, and public servant. • First to deliver speech entirely in Spanish on Senate �oor, in June 2013.

BALLOT PROPOSALS• AUTHORITY: Allow the Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan (RTA) to levy a property tax assessment in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb and Washten-aw counties in order to construct and operate a public transportation system that connects Wayne, Oakland, Macomb and Washtenaw counties. The new RTA would include rapid transit bus routes across county lines, specialized service for senior citizens and people with disabilities, commuter rail and airport service.

• INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT: Allow a new millage for enhancement of regional schools. The millage would be collected by the Wayne County Regional Educational Service Agency and distributed to local public schools within Wayne County, based on pupil member-ship count. The funds would help almost 35 school districts, from the Allen Park Public Schools to the Wyandotte City School District.

U of M BOARD of REGENTS MSU BOARD of TRUSTEES

• Worked in Detroit Public Schools for 36 years as teacher, guidance counselor, and assistant principal.• Former President of American Federation of School Administrators and the Organization of School Administrators and Supervisors.

DIANN WOODARD• As a Trustee, fought to increase higher education funding. • A leading voice on the board in support of the MSU Energy Transition Plan.• Chairperson of the Public Policy and Faculty Liaison committees.

DIANNE BYRUM• 24 years on the University of Michigan Board of Regents.• Co-led effort to add sexual orientation to the University’s anti-discrimination policy. • Fought for the University to be accessible to students of all backgrounds.

LAURENCE B. DEITCH• Member of the Women's Leadership Board at the Harvard Kennedy School and and a trustee of the Skillman Foundation.• Voted against tuition increases 6 times. • Passion for affordable, accessible, quality education.

DENISE ILITCH

WSU BOARD of GOVERNORS

• Former Michigan AFL-CIO President of 12 years.• Understands importance of WSU for working families and its role in Detroit’s economic development.• On numerous Boards of Directors including Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan for 12 years.

MARK GAFFNEY• 20 years of experience in higher education. • First female Field Director for Fannie Lou Hamer Political Action Committee.• Graduate of Michigan Political Leadership Program.

YVETTE MCELROY ANDERSON

MI BOARD of EDUCATION

• Co-founded the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services (ACCESS).• Has a lifetime of experience serving students, working families and communities across Michigan.

ISH AHMED• Current President of the State Board of Education, a champion for public schools, and support of educators. • As Director of the MI Economic Center, works to advance our economic future.

JOHN AUSTIN

NEWSBRIEFS 3Elections 2016

WSU AAUP-AFT VOTING GUIDEMI SUPREME COURT 1st DISTRICT COURT of APPEALS

• 37 years of legal experience, including 16 as a practicing attorney and 21 as a jurist. • Travels to promote access to and understanding of our justice system. • Takes a rehabilitative approach with those who come before her in court.• Believes in full disclosure of a candidate’s campaign funding.

DEBORAHTHOMAS

CYNTHIA DIANESTEPHENS

FRANKSZYMANSKI

NICOLEJAMES

• Served 10 years as a Juvenile Court Judge for Wayne County Circuit Court, has 26 years experience as a trial attorney.• Believes quality education is a right, not a privilege, and the Court can protect this right.• Is an award-winning jurist who started numerous community programs supporting education and effective rehabilitation.

• State of Michigan judge since 1982. Appointed to the Michigan Court of Appeals in 2008. • Was Vice-Chair of the Wayne County Charter Commission, and Associate General Counsel to the Michigan Senate. • On the board of the National Consortium on Racial and Ethnic Fairness in the Court.

• Assistant prosecuting attorney for Wayne County for more than 15 years. Worked in the Trials Division, Homicide Unit, Appellate Unit, and the Domestic Violence Unit.• Served as a mentor to “at risk youth” in the Lansing community,and worked as a substitute teacher in the Lansing Public School District.

U.S. CONGRESS

• Wants to stop foreign trade deals, ensure student access to a high quality education.• Increase government account-ability, strengthen campaign �nance laws.• Supports comprehensive, bipartisan immigration reform.

GRETCHEN DRISKELL• Create good paying jobs by saying no to unfair trade deal. • Believes in immigration reform that secures border, provides a fair path to citizenship. • Protect Social Security, Medicare by opposing privatiza-tion or voucher programs.

SUZANNA SHKRELI• Priority is the economy, opposes the TPP trade agreement. • Supports affordable higher education, raise in the minimum wage and equal pay for women. • Supports path to citizenship and the DREAM Act.

SANDER LEVIN• Pursue a national manufacturing strategy and promote export of U.S. goods.• Simplify and reform the tax system. • Keep nuclear and biological weapons out of the hands of terrorists.

FRANK ACCAVITTI

DISTRICT 8

DISTRICT 7

DISTRICT 9

DISTRICT 10

• Strengthen the Affordable Care Act.• Protect Medicare and improve access to prescription medication. • Hold charter schools to the same standard as public institutions.• Increase minimum wage, ending gender based pay discrimination.

ANIL KUMAR• Create good paying jobs and support manufacturing in the U.S. • Opposes unfair trade deals like the TPP.• Improve long-term care, and quality health care, mental health.• Protect the Great Lakes and support conservation of natural resources.

DEBBIE DINGELL• Second most senior member of the House, founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus. • Accomplishments include Violence Against Women Act, Martin Luther King Holiday Act, Alcohol Warning Label Act.• Promotes economic develop-ment in SE MI, justice and civil rights for all Americans.

JOHN CONYERS• Funding for education, career and technical schools, community colleges.• Expand early childhood and urban focused literacy programs. • Supports a pathway to citizenship and the DREAM Act.• Supports regional mass transit.

BRENDA LAWRENCE

DISTRICT 11

DISTRICT 12

DISTRICT 13

DISTRICT 14

NEWSBRIEFS 4 Elections 2016

REMEMBERNOVEMBER 8, 2016Election Day. VOTE!It’s a Tuesday.Polls open 7.00a -- 8.00p

PRESIDENTIALELECTORS OF PRESIDENT

AND VICE-PRESIDENTOF THE UNITED STATES

Vote for not more than 1 R Hillary Clinton Democratic Tim Kaine

PROPOSAL SECTIONAUTHORITY

A PROPOSAL AUTHORIZING THE REGIONAL TRANSIT AUTHORITY OF SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN (RTA) TO LEVY

AN ASSESSMENT R YES

INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT

REGIONAL ENHANCEMENT MILLAGE PROPOSAL R YES

CONGRESSIONAL

REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESSVote for not more than 1

(Your ballot will show candidates from your district only) R Gretchen Driskell Democratic Dist. 7 R Suzanna Shkreli Democratic Dist. 8 R Sander Levin Democratic Dist. 9 R Frank Accavitti Democratic Dist. 10 R Anil Kumar Democratic Dist. 11 R Debbie Dingell Democratic Dist. 12 R John Conyers Democratic Dist. 13 R Brenda Lawrence Democratic Dist. 14

STATE BOARDSMEMBER OF THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION

Vote for not more than 2

R Ish Amed Democratic R John Austin Democratic

REGENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGANVote for not more than 2

R Laurence B. Deitch Democratic R Denise Ilitch Democratic

TRUSTEE OF MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITYVote for not more than 2

R Dianne Byrum Democratic R Diann Woodard Democratic

GOVERNOR OF WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITYVote for not more than 2

R Yvette McElroy Anderson Democratic R Mark Gaffney Democratic

NONPARTISAN SECTIONJUDICIAL

JUSTICE OF SUPREME COURTVote for not more than 1

R Frank Szymanski

JUSTICE OF SUPREME COURTINCUMBENT POSITION

Partial Term Ending 01/01/2019Vote for not more than 1

R Deborah Thomas

JUDGE OF COURT OF APPEALS1st DISTRICT

INCUMBENT POSITIONVote for not more than 2

R Nicole James R Cynthia Diane Stephens

WSU AAUP-AFT 2016 ELECTIONS BALLOT GUIDE