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 Phillips makes push for statehouse seat   

   By Lucy Hughes
   IV Leader Staff, Oct. 19, 2006

    IVCC geology instructor Mike Phillips is making the run for District 106 state representative in the Nov. 2 election. Phillips is running for the Democratic Party against Republican Keith Sommer, who currently holds office as state representative. A state representative serves as the voice of the people living in their represented district.
    Citizens are able to contact their state representative with concerns, which will be taken to Springfield to be voiced. If elected, Phillips plans to use his position to make state government more open to the people by making aspects of it more accessible, such as the state budget, which he would like to clearly and openly displayed online.
    One of his most important priorities is to reform the state budget. “The state budget seems to be in a terrible mess,” said Phillips. He plans to improve spending by implementing fair and stable pension and education funds. In addition, he would like to invest in the increased use of renewable fuel.
    Phillips has been committed to educating IVCC students for nine years and he is the Lostant school board president. Since 2002, he has run the voter registration tables to give IVCC students a convenient place to register to vote. Most recently, the tables were set up in the lobby on Oct. 27 and 28, where approximately 40 students were registered.
    Those who still wish to register to vote may do so at their County Clerk’s office up until one week before the election. The deadline to register has passed, but late registration can be performed where new registrants must vote immediately. Phillips is a strong advocate when it comes to voting.
    “I think everybody should vote,” he said. Although he hopes to be voted into office, Phillips will be glad he participated regardless of the results. “Even if I don’t win, I’ve certainly learned a lot that I can use in class about how the system works,” said Phillips. More information on Phillips’ campaign can be found at http://phillipsforhouse.com.

 

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