Candidate Profile: Jewell Jones For State House

Jewell Jones, an Inkster resident is running for State House District 11.

Age: 25
Party affiliation: Democratic Party
Family:n/a
Occupation:State Representative 3 years
Previous elected experience:Inkster City Councilman
Family members in government:no
Campaign website: https://www.facebook.com/unitedforjewelljones/

The single most pressing issue facing our state is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.
Managing the COVID-19 crisis and rebuilding an equitable Michigan economy. The COVID-19 crisis has critically damaged our economy. The current general unemployment rate in Michigan is 8.5%. Among African Americans the unemployment rate is 35.5% and maybe higher. This sad fact underscores the reality laid bare by the pandemic. There are widespread disparities and inequities in employment and business opportunities between whites and blacks in Michigan.
The crisis is also revealing the enormous disparity in access to quality health care services. African Americans only represent 14.1% of the state's population yet they are 20% of the state's 139,061 COVID-19 cases and 37% of the reported deaths. This data clearly reflects the inequity in access to affordable wellness and health care treatment services. Many of these COVID-19 victims work in low paying essential service jobs and are more susceptible to infection because they are required to work in these Frontline positions.
I am committed to fighting for and promoting policies that close the employment, health care and education gaps that exist between African Americans and other vulnerable populations like seniors. We need to remove racial discriminatory barriers that limit job and business opportunities for blacks and other minorities. We must also improve availability and accessibility of affordable health services to seniors and disadvantaged groups. These changes will require strengthening existing legislation and proposing new measures that eliminate systemic racism in the job economy, educational institutions, and the health care service community.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
I am seeking my third term in the Michigan House of Representatives and I understand the challenges facing my district better than my opponent. Equally important, as a member of the House I have gained extensive knowledge and experience about writing legislative policies and improving delivery of state services to my constituents. Also, there is no substitute for the relationships I have established in the legislature and with the governor's office. These contacts are invaluable and absolutely essential to getting things done in state government. My opponent would be challenged to provide effective leadership and representation as he has not served in a state government office.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
I am currently serving my second term representing the 11th House District, which comprises all of Garden City and Inkster, and portions of Dearborn Heights, Livonia and Westland. Jones is Vice Chair of the Military, Veterans and Homeland Security Committee and is a member of the Regulatory Reform Committee.
Before serving in the Michigan House of Representatives, I was a member of the Inkster City Council. He was also a member of the Inkster Task Force, the Inkster Youth Coalition, the Inkster Chamber of Commerce and more.
I attend the University of Michigan-Dearborn, where I am pursuing a dual major in Political Science and Business Studies. I am also a member of the Michigan National Guard, Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, an Inkster Auxiliary Police Officer, and a member of the Black Student Union and the Student Veteran Association.
I am a native and lifelong resident of Inkster. I have been active in political campaigns for several years and previously operated a small business. I am a Senior Deacon in his church, The Spiritual Israel Church and Its Army. In the House, I am focused on improving public education, keeping young talent in Michigan, fighting for environmental and social justice, and maintaining strong, vibrant communities.

What steps should state government take to bolster economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic for local businesses?
I believe the state, federal and local governments should increase funding for new business creation. The state should lead in funding by providing grants and tax incentives that encourage existing and new business development. I will fight for funding to strengthen state and private programs that provide entrepreneurship education, training and mentorship. We should also increase state business opportunities for minority and women owned enterprises. Make more state purchasing opportunities available to disadvantaged businesses.

How will you address the calls for racial justice and police reform?
We need investments to fight poverty, racial disparities and inequities in the Criminal Justice system. There is little doubt there is widespread systemic racism in the Criminal Justice and Prison systems as evidenced by the number of blacks affected by these institutions. In Michigan Blacks represent 53% of the 38,500 people incarcerated in prison. Additionally a 2017 Michigan State Police (MSP) report on traffic stops showed that African Americans stopped rose from 17% to 21% of the number of stops. Racial profiling is a problem among the MSP and local police as well.
Beyond the inappropriate traffic stops we must strengthen policies that eliminate police brutality and other prohibited behavior. The use of choke holds, chemical sprays and attack dogs should be eliminated to prevent the rising abuse of policing powers in our community. We need to hold violators of acceptable policing practices accountable by enforcing existing laws and incorporating new policies that lead to safer, community policing practices. Violators of break the law should be fired and face criminal prosecution for their offenses.
I am an Inkster Auxiliary Police Officer so I fully understand the challenges officers face daily on the job. We should always be mindful as police officers we are here to "protect and serve," not to exert undue force in executing our responsibilities. I strongly believe we should invest in mental health and service programs that complement our policing efforts with professionals who can assist in dealing with domestic and other matters that do not directly involve criminal offenses.

List other issues that define your campaign platform:
I believe the state, federal and local governments should increase funding for education. The state should lead in funding education and local governments should provide additional funding through equitable property tax millage assessment. It is essential that local officials, educational leaders and parents be involved in decisions on whether their schools districts should be abolished or consolidated. I believe educational funding should be based on need and not zip code. We need to find new revenue to fund poorer performing schools. I believe increased funding education is critical because it is essential to strengthening our economic future.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
I am running for re-election to the Michigan House of Representative because I am committed to completing the work I began when I decided to seek this office 3 years ago. Voters in my community deserve a government that is responsive and willing to provide equitable services and resources that improve the quality of their lives. I represent communities that are still experiencing significant social and financial challenges because of declining economic conditions. These are working class people that relied heavily on auto manufacturers and other industrial companies for employment until innovation and the tech revolution compelled those companies to leave in the ‘80s and ‘90s. While serving in office, my mission is to help lead 11th district communities back to the economic security, social stability, self-dignity, and the quality of life they enjoyed when they were vibrant cities. I am fighting to ensure they receive a fair share of state resources and services to enable them to attract new businesses, restore and strengthen their educational institutions, and become safe, livable communities.