Kate Ebli

Blog

  • Ebli Calls on Kilpatrick to Quit as Detroit Mayor

    Posted Sep 02 at 12 PM

    MONROE – State Rep. Kate Ebli today called on Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick to resign as mayor because his legal troubles are a distraction and hurting job growth in Detroit and the region, including Monroe County.

    “I join the growing chorus of voices from elected officials, community leaders, faith leaders, newspapers and everyday citizens both in Detroit and beyond who have called for Mayor Kilpatrick to step aside for the good of the city, the region and the entire state,” Ebli said. “The unfortunate events in Detroit should not be allowed to continue any further. It threatens the ability of our region to attract investments and create good-paying jobs, both of which are absolutely vital and must be our Number One priority as a state.”

    Kilpatrick has been mired in mounting legal troubles, including violating bail conditions for a perjury case against him and a former aide and facing felony charges for allegedly assaulting a sheriff’s deputy.

    Faith leaders, elected officials, newspapers and everyday citizens have called for Kilpatrick to step aside as mayor of Detroit, including Congressman John Dingell, the Council of Baptist Pastors of Detroit and Vicinity, and the influential black newsweekly, the Michigan Chronicle.

    “I have watched the events in Detroit take place with great concern and sadness,” Ebli said. “We share in both Detroit’s success and it’s failure, and we cannot allow the Mayor’s legal trouble to continue to cause our region setbacks.”

    “We must focus on the tremendous job we have before us, and that is to get Michigan’s economy back in gear and create jobs for our citizens, who have suffered long enough,” Ebli said. “For this reason, Michigan can no longer afford to have Kwame Kilpatrick remain as mayor of Detroit.”

  • Let's Fix Our Broken State Government

    Posted Aug 12 at 11 AM

    In a recent Op-Ed published by the Monroe Evening News, Monday, August 11th, Kate Ebli calls for government reform so that our state government may better serve the interests of Michigan citizens.  Read below.

    Government is broken. At all levels and from the execu­tive to the Legislature to the courts, Michigan’s government has failed to serve the people of Monroe County and citizens across the state. I strongly believe that some crucial reforms must be made to fix government right now so it will work for the people.


    As a legislator, I have seen first­hand how state government puts partisan politics ahead of good public policy. I see everyday how government and its entrenched political culture have shut out citizens and listened only to the power elites with deep pockets and political connections.

    The people of Monroe County know government has stopped lis­tening to them. Recently, business coalition Detroit Renaissance released a poll showing that 87 percent of voters believe govern­ment is broken; a majority of those voters said Michigan’s gov­ernment needs to be fixed from top to bottom. Survey after survey has shown that the people’s faith in government is at all-time lows.


    The people of Michigan deserve better. They deserve a Legisla­ture that will focus on fixing our economy and creating jobs.


    I firmly believe that we must fix government so it will put people before partisan politics and start focusing on the economy and cre­ating good-paying jobs in Monroe County.


    I also believe Michigan families have suffered a lot in this reces­sion. It’s time politicians shared in the pain.


    In the Legislature, I voted in support of many reforms to fix government that have unfortu­nately stalled in the Senate — and that’s wrong.


    Delaying government reforms that should have been law by now only hurts our citizens and our economy. These reforms must be real, meaningful and provide long-term solutions, such as:


    ■ Reducing the excessive salaries and benefits of legisla­tors and the governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and secretary of state to bring them in line with state employees, as well as the salaries and benefits of all judges;
    ■ Ending legislators’ lifetime health care benefits;
    ■ Banning elected leaders and top government officials from lobbying for the special interests for two years after leaving office, which will make them listen to the people they serve, not the spe­cial interests who will sign their next paychecks;
    ■ Requiring legislators and the state’s top elected officials to disclose their incomes and assets, as well as those of their spouses, which will shine more light on government and reveal conflicts of interest;
    ■ Establishing a nonpartisan panel to redraw legislative dis­tricts to make them more fair and more competitive so the best can­didate with the best campaigns can win in any given election year, not the party in power; and
    ■ Reducing the size of the House and Senate to eliminate waste and streamline the Legisla­ture.


    Michigan must also streamline the courts so more judges are added to the lower courts, which handle the bulk of the people’s cases and which have struggled to respond to the needs of the people.
    In the Legislature, I voted for many similar reforms to govern­ment, including reducing legisla­tors’ pay and benefits. Many of these ideas have been espoused and supported by people from all political backgrounds, Republi­can, Democrat and independent.


    I will work with all parties in the weeks and months ahead to bring about real change that will hold government accountable and force elected public servants like me to be more responsive to the citizens we represent.


    People are struggling in today’s economy. Monroe County busi­nesses are getting hammered.
    Gas is $4 a gallon. Families are struggling to pay for food. The foreclosure crisis is devastating local neighborhoods. Police and fire departments are being asked to do more with less to keep our families safe from crime, natural disasters and terrorism.


    Government — and by that I include myself — must lead by example and share in the pain.


    The status quo is unacceptable.


    Michigan needs change. Reforms to the Legislature, executive and judiciary are a crucial step in the right direction that will fix gov­ernment and get our state and our economy back on track.

  • Michigan Police Groups Support Ebli

    Posted Jul 18 at 11 AM

    MONROE – State Representative Kate Ebli (D-Monroe) has received the endorsement and support of the Michigan Association of Police Organizations in her bid to continue to represent the 56th House District, which covers most of Monroe County.

    “Our law enforcement officers are on the frontlines every day, and I am honored to receive the endorsement of the Michigan Association of Police Organizations, whose members put their lives on the line to ensure our safety,” Ebli said. “I’m committed to working with Michigan’s finest as we work together to build stronger, safer communities. These men and women keep our residents safe, and I couldn’t be more honored to know they’ve put as much faith in me as we do in them.”

    Ebli, who dedicated her first term to fighting to create jobs and rebuild Michigan’s economy to attract good-paying jobs, has a personal understanding of the sacrifice those in the line of duty make to protect our families and communities. Her husband, Nick, is a retired Marine and Vietnam War veteran, as is her brother. Her father served as a Marine in World War II.

    “I know how important the jobs of police officers are to both them and us,” Ebli said. “We are able to sleep safely at night because of what they do. I truly value the support of these fine men and women in uniform.”

    MAPO is an umbrella organization that represents eight police groups – around three-fourths of the 19,500 certified police officers in Michigan. The eight organizations are: Detroit Police Officers Association; Police Officers Labor Council; Detroit Police Lieutenants and Sergeants Association; Michigan State Police Troopers Association; Michigan Association of Police; Michigan State Police Command Officers Association; Warren Police Officers Association; and the Flint Police Officers Association.

    Don't forget to look through some of Kate Ebli's other endorsements here.

  • Sierra Club Endorses Ebli for Second Term

    Posted Jul 17 at 4 PM

    MONROE – State Representative Kate Ebli (D-Monroe) has received the endorsement and support of the Sierra Club-Mackinac Chapter in her bid to continue fighting for the working families of the 56th House District, which covers most of Monroe County.

    “I’m honored to receive the support of the Sierra Club and I look forward to working together to safeguard our precious Great Lakes and our beautiful land,” Ebli said. “Lake Erie and the rest of our waters define who we are in Monroe County, drive our economy and improve our quality of life. With the support of the Sierra Club, I am confident we can ensure that our natural resources are protected and continue to create jobs now and for generations to come.”

    Throughout her first term, Ebli has been a leading force in fighting to protect Michigan’s land, air and water. She sponsored the plan that ratified the Great Lakes Basin Water Resources Compact, which will ban diversions of water outside the Great Lakes Basin. She is also one of the central architects of a plan to fight out-of-state and Canadian trash flooding into Michigan, sponsoring a plan to ban new landfills until 2012.

    Ebli dedicated her first term in the House to fighting for a broad-based approach to creating jobs now. She has worked to boost Michigan’s tourism industry and to promote initiatives that will help our workers land good-paying jobs in renewable energy and other rapidly growing fields.

    The Sierra Club Mackinac Chapter represents more than 18,000 members and is committed to protecting Michigan’s natural resources, focusing on issues such as clean water and energy conservation.

    Take some time to check out other endorsements received by Kate Ebli here.

  • Ebli Calls for Action Now to Provide Relief at the Pump

    Posted Jul 07 at 9 PM

    MONROE – As gas prices soared over the holiday weekend, State Representative Kate Ebli (D-Monroe) today called on the State Senate to take action on a plan that will bring motorists the relief they need by encouraging alternative fuel production in Michigan, which will decrease our dependence on foreign oil, create good-paying jobs and jumpstart our economy. Ebli also called on the U.S. Congress to take action at the federal level.

    “Our hard-working families are being forced to make difficult decisions and cut spending in other areas just so they can pay for gas,” said Ebli, who is up for re-election in the 56th House District. “With skyrocketing gas prices forcing our residents to empty their pocketbooks, less money is being pumped into our local businesses and economy. They are putting less money into savings than ever before, and digging themselves deeper into debt. During harsh economic times like these, we need to stand up for our working families and take action now.”

    The plan that passed the House will:

    •   Promote insurance discounts for residents who buy hybrid vehicles.
    •   Provide tax incentives for machines used to harvest biomass.
    • Create the Alternative Fuels Fund, which will provide incentives to retailers who sell renewable fuels and award grants to producers of alternative fuels.
    • Expand the role of the Renewable Fuels Commission, which develops strategies for increasing the use and production of alternative fuels in Michigan.


    Gas prices have skyrocketed in recent weeks, with new record highs being set day after day. The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular unleaded gas in Michigan last month was $4.11, according to AAA Michigan. That compares to $3.22 a gallon in June 2007 – a 28 percent increase.

    “We not only need this change to help our working families, but to sustain healthy small businesses, protect jobs and turn our economy around,” Ebli said. “Affordable gas prices are vital to the success of Michigan’s three largest industries – manufacturing, agriculture and tourism. If we want to get our economy back on track, we have to do all we can to help relieve the pain at the pump.”

  • New Website

    Posted Jun 27 at 2 PM

    Welcome to the new campaign website of State Representative Kate Ebli.  We just launched the new site a few days ago and are very exicted about some of its new features.  Please take some time to look around and see what Kate is working on to improve our economy and bring good paying jobs to the state.  Don't forget to sign up for our e-mail list so that we can keep you up to date about what's happening with Kate Ebli's campaign. 

    An introduction to our new website would not be complete without pointing out our new "contribute" feature.  Please take some time to help out the campaign in any small way that you can.  Often, people wonder what their money is being used for, below are some of the important items your money will help purchase to help Kate Ebli continue to fight for the change we need in Lansing:

    Your $500 donation will allow us to buy enough literature to knock 2000 doors.

    Your $250 donation will allow us to purchase 200 yard signs.

    Your $100 donation will allow us to buy 4 cases of paper.

    Your $50 donation will pay for a phone line for a full month.

    Your $10 donation will allow us to mail 50 post-cards.

    As you can see, any small amount can go a long way towards helping us to victory in 2008.  You can also always help by donating your time in the office or out knocking doors.  If you'd like to join our fight for change, see the volunteer page on our new website.  Also, don't forget to check back here regularly for updates.

  • Ebli to Continue Fighting for Monroe County

    Posted Jun 24 at 4 PM

    MONROE – State Representative Kate Ebli (D-Monroe) kicked off her campaign for re-election on Saturday with a celebratory breakfast attended by dozens of supporters. Ebli is seeking a second term representing the 56th House District so she can continue to fight for change in Lansing that will make Monroe County a better place to live, work and raise a family.

    “The people of Monroe County want change in Lansing, and I am honored to have their support as I fight to make Lansing work better for our families,” Ebli said. “I remain focused on what matters most for our community – creating good-paying jobs right now; investing in education; increasing access to quality health care; and protecting our way of life. I will keep working hard every day as our community’s advocate for the change we need now.”

    During her first term, Ebli has worked hard to create good-paying jobs now through initiatives such as attracting renewable energy and other cutting-edge companies and boosting Michigan’s tourism industry. She believes in rewarding companies that create jobs in Michigan – not those that outsource to other countries – and investing in education so Monroe County can produce a top-notch workforce that will attract high-quality employers.

    Ebli has also fought to stem the flow of Canadian and out-of-state trash into Michigan and protect our Great Lakes.

    Debbie Dingell, wife of longtime Michigan Congressman John Dingell, who represents Monroe County, fired up supporters at the event at Café Classics.

    "Kate Ebli understands the current challenges people face in Monroe County,” said Dingell, who is a member of the Wayne State University Board of Governors. “She is a strong and hard-working champion in Lansing for keeping and creating the jobs that will help our working families."



Paid for by: Committee to Elect Kate Ebli, P.O. Box 2141, Monroe, MI 48161