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Problem-solvers in the state House and Senate now include at least a half-dozen new members with a science, medical or engineering background, Catherine Shaffer reports for Michigan Radio.
She speaks with two of them, who also are among eight new female representatives being sworn in today. (Forty-two women will be among the 110 House members.)
Laurie Pohutsky, D-Livonia: "Someone to advocate for evidence-based policy."Laurie Pohutsky is a microbiologist and the incoming Democratic representative from Livonia. She says her science knowledge will inform her work on issues like the environment and women's health. "Just someone to advocate for evidence-based policy I think is very, very important." . . .
Julie Brixie, D-East Lansing, has a background in environmental toxicology. . . . "The importance of science and the role of science in decision-making at the legislative level is really something that shouldn't be understated," says Brixie. She says her background will help in particular to inform policy around PFAS contamination in Michigan.
Brixie and Pohutsky both say that their disappointment with the outcome of the 2016 Presidential election was a motivating factor for them in choosing to run.
The public radio group reporter lists these four other newcomers with technical expertise:
- Rep. Padma Kuppa, D-Troy, who has a mechanical engineering degree.
- Sen. Rosemary Bayer, D-Pontiac, a computer engineer and co-founder of ardentCause L3C, a Troy database technology company serving nonprofits. The lifelong Michiganian has a computer science and math degree from Central Michigan University and a master's of business administration from Lawrence Technological University in Southfield.
- Sen. John Bizon, R-Battle Creek, a physician.
- Sen. Lana Theis, R-Brighton, a former state representative (2015-18) with a biology and chemistry degree from California State University ('96).
