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.