Michigan labor leaders will meet the press this morning to discuss their endorsement of Sue Smith, candidate for the 99th District seat in the Michigan House of Representatives.
Danny Hoffman, communications director for the American Federations of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organization, said issues such as prescription drugs, school funding, patient rights and nursing-home reform will be addressed at the meeting at 9:30 a.m. at the Isabella County Courthouse, 200 N. Main St.
Mike Premo, Smith’s campaign manager, said health care, prescription drug cost and education are key issues in the 2000 election.
“These are going to be critical issues for working families,” he said.
“Some districts feel they are not getting their fair share,” Hoffman said of school funding.
Nursing-home reform, such as hiring more nursing home inspectors and posting citations for the violation of nursing-home regulations on the Internet, will also be addressed.
Hoffman said when he served as vice mayor of Ypsilanti, home of Eastern Michigan University, he was surprised at the number of students who did not vote.
“I was always amazed at the apathy of the students,” he said.
Students may not think the cost of prescription drug affects them, but it could, Hoffman said.
“Students may have elderly parents they may have to care for and this becomes an issue. I think that students should be very concerned about some of the issues,” Hoffman said.
“Education is a key issue that affects working families,” Premo said.
Mid Michigan Community College receives the lowest amount of per-pupil funding in the state, he said.
Mark Gaffney, Michigan AFL/CIO president, and Smith will speak and answer questions, Premo said.
Hoffman said he hopes this election year brings a more balanced array of both Democrat and Republican representation.
“The balance of power in the state is so out of whack,” he said.

E-mail the author: Dorothy BourdetLIFE Staff Writer