Regina Ross - Candidate for City Council - District 7

1) Federal policies often shift in ways that impact cities’ ability to provide essential services and maintain stability, especially in today’s political climate. What are the key federal programs you believe most directly affect Detroiters, and how would you advocate to preserve or replace these supports?

Response: Health and Human services: medical, social security, food program. I would advocate the re-instate these programs, if they are removed from Detroiters' In would speak to local, statewide, and national leadership to keep or re-instate benefits of Detroiters. . I will advocate aid from other sources such as private sectors, non-profits, grants, and any other sources available.

2) With the challenges posed by economic uncertainty, rising inflation, and evolving federal policies, what will be your approach to collaborating with local, regional, and national leaders to protect Detroit’s progress? What specific area—such as housing, education, or economic development—will you prioritize?

Response: I will collaborate with the local, regional, state and national leaders to protect Detroit's progress. In housing we will continue with the blue print of training Detroiters in the apprentice program, the students/apprentices will be repairing homes in Detroit and the advance students will assist in new affordable homes. Programs similar to this blue print will aid in forward to the growth and economic development; and education.

3) A review of the City of Detroit’s Economic Outlook 2024-2029, dated February 2025, states that:

“Detroit’s economic recovery has encountered significant headwinds over the last eight months, but we expect it to regain its footing this year as the macroeconomic environment becomes more favorable. We note, however, that there is substantial uncertainty surrounding our forecast, particularly regarding policy changes with the new presidential administration, as well as with the pace of inflation and the Federal Reserve’s response.”

The report further states that the gains made in the number of jobs in the city and the number of Detroiters employed have declined since mid-2024. With this sobering background information and the instability caused by the tariff policies and the anticipated gutting of federal programs, what will your strategy be to:

A. Monitor the general fund for impacts, identify the trigger for a reduction in revenue that would necessitate scaling back services or triggering layoffs, and/or slow down the pace of service delivery?

B. Engage other levels of government to arrive at a plan of action?

Response:

A: We can monitor funds; however we should be preparing for revenge change now, we will not have to result to service reduction and layoffs. I would prefer, a reduction of something like working four days than five days a week, to prevent layoffs and service reduction.

B. It is necessary for local, state, county, regional and national leaders work together to arrive at a workable plan of action to combat tariff policies, the gutting of federal programs, and declining jobs and employed for Detroiters.