Kurt Heise (born February 9, 1966) is a Republican politician from Michigan formerly serving in the Michigan House of Representatives.[1]
Prior to his election to the House of Representatives, Heise was the director of the Wayne County Department of Environment and county drain commissioner from 2003 to 2009. He is a municipal attorney and environmental consultant, and a member of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Lake St. Clair.[2]
He is also the primary backer of a bill currently on the House floor (5/20/2015) that would exempt much of the specifics of Michigan's energy infrastructure from inquiries under the Freedom of Information Act.[3] Heise formally announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for Plymouth Township Supervisor in the 2016 election but was kicked off the ballot due to unfinished paperwork. Despite being kicked off the ballot, Heise won a write-in campaign in the Republican primary election for Plymouth Township Supervisor.
Political positions
In 2022, as Plymouth Township Supervisor, Heise recommended using the township's $2.83 million portion of the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) for golf course and sidewalk updates. This caused controversy among some Plymouth Township residents, who felt that the funds should go toward road repairs and feared that the sidewalk projects would be used to justify cancelling school bus routes.[4]
In the 2022 Michigan gubernatorial election, Heise supported Tudor Dixon for governor. Dixon lost to incumbent Governor Gretchen Whitmer.[5]
Heise named finding a solution to Plymouth’s 35th District Court funding shortfall as a township priority for 2023. The issue has been attributed to police writing fewer tickets following the wider adoption of ride share services that have decreased the number of DUIs and OWIs, as well as a reduced number of drivers on the road in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic. Heise has indicated support of illegal policing tactics to raise revenues through increased traffic ticketing and reducing court staff.[6]
U.S. House of Representatives elections
2018
In 2018 he filed to run to replace two term Representative Dave Trott.[7] However, in February he withdrew from the race and endorsed State Senate Leader Mike Kowall.[8]
References
- ^ "Michigan Manual: State Representative Kurt Heise" (PDF). 2021-06-01.
- ^ "Kurt Heise, District 20". Michigan House Republicans.
- ^ "Michigan Legislature - House Bill 4540 (2015)". www.legislature.mi.gov. Retrieved 2021-06-01.
- ^ "How Plymouth Township supervisor Kurt Heise recommends spending $2.83 million ARPA funds".
- ^ "After gubernatorial loss, what is Tudor Dixon's political future?". 9 November 2022.
- ^ "Budget deficit continues to grow at Plymouth's 35th District Court".
- ^ "Form 1 for Kurt Heise for Congress". docquery.fec.gov. Retrieved 2021-06-01.
- ^ Burke, Melissa Nann. "Heise ends campaign for Congress, endorses Kowall". The Detroit News. Retrieved 2021-06-01.