About Rep. Woodrow Stanley

State Representative Woodrow Stanley is currently serving his third term in the Michigan House of Representatives, representing the 34th House District, which includes most of the city of Flint. He began his tenure in January 2009 and was re-elected twice to continue serving the 34th District. As state representative, Stanley continues to focus on:

• Implementing critical budget reforms to make Michigan a more competitive state. These include reducing spending, fixing the state’s structural deficit and restructuring the tax system.

• Creating good-paying jobs that cannot be outsourced in high-growth, high-demand fields like renewable energy.

• Expanding access to quality, affordable health care with a special emphasis on acute health challenges facing minority citizens.

• Improving the secondary education system and increasing access to higher education for all Michigan students, regardless of economic background.

• Fighting foreclosure and attracting economic investment that will revitalize our local neighborhoods.

Dedicated to improving the economy and education system of the 34th District, as well as the state of Michigan, Representative Stanley serves on the following committees: Banking and Financial Services; Redistricting and Elections; and Local, Intergovernmental and Regional Affairs, where he serves as the Minority Vice-Chair. He also serves as the First Vice Chairperson of the Michigan Legislative Black Caucus. His commitment to his constituents is reflected in his sponsorship of the following legislation:

• Public Act 9 of 2010 - Representative Stanley’s first law was enacted to bring much-needed property tax relief to many Flint residents. The new law amends the Neighborhood Enterprise Zone Act to extend tax abatements for residential housing to some Flint residents.

• Public Act 233 of 2010 - Representative Stanley’s second law was enacted to aid in the preservation of Michigan’s natural resources. The new law calls for the regulation of certain substances that are discharged into the environment.

• HB 4200 - Vendor Management - This aims at ensuring that state-contracted vendors and those bidding on a state contract comply with statutes in place that call for the responsible management and performance of the vendors. If any of these vendors are found to have violated these statutes they would be barred from the contract award and/or further bidding on state contracts.

• HB 4426 - Property Taxes - This calls for notice of delinquent tax payments and forfeiture to be sent to the property owner or person billed for property taxes and all other persons entitled to the notice.

• HB 4367 (2009-2010) - No Reason Absentee Voting - In a move to increase voter participation, Representative Stanley sponsored HB 4367 to allow any Michigan resident to vote by absentee ballot without giving a reason. In addition, voters will be able to request an absentee ballot in person or by mail, fax or email.

• HB 5017 (2009-2010) - Hate Crimes Legislation - This will toughen laws and give law enforcement agencies the tools they need to crack down on hate crimes. The plan creates a new offense in the Michigan Penal Code called a bias-motivated crime, which includes any intent to intimidate a person based on one of these characteristics: age, disability, gender, national origin or ancestry, race or ethnicity, veterans, sexual orientation or association with a person or a group with one of these characteristics.

• HB 5634 (2009-2010) - Auto Insurance Reform - This aims to protect consumers and prohibit auto insurance companies from using a person’s education, occupation and credit score in determining insurance premiums.

Representative Stanley has spent decades serving the people of Flint and Genesee County. He was first appointed 2nd Ward Councilman in 1983, and won four consecutive terms until his election as mayor of Flint in 1991. His 11 years as mayor were highlighted by the establishment of economic development zones in the city, the expansion of the University of Michigan-Flint, several new housing developments, a new Job Corps center, development of an urban investment plan for Flint and Genesee County, the founding of the Tri-County Mayor’s Association and the establishment of faith-based initiatives (FRAMES) and a series of charitable youth initiatives.

He served on the Genesee County Board of Commissioners from 2004-2008 and served as Chair in 2008. He has also served as president of the Michigan Municipal League, chair of the National League of Cities Advisory Council, vice chair of the Michigan Democratic Party and president of the Michigan Association of Mayors.

As a lifelong resident of Michigan, Representative Stanley has received all of his formal education within the City of Flint. He is a graduate of Mott Community College and the University of Michigan-Flint where he has received degrees in Political Science. He also holds an honorary doctorate from the Detroit College of Business, currently known as Davenport University.

Representative Stanley and his wife, Reta, have been married for 36 years. They have two daughters, Heather and Jasmine, and four grandchildren. He and his wife continue to live in Flint and are active members of their hometown church, Vernon Chapel AME.