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Senator Tim Kaine talks poverty and jobs in Detroit

Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Kaine in Detroit.
Cheyna Roth
/
Michigan Radio
Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Kaine in Detroit.

Senator Tim Kaine was in Detroit today. The running mate of Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton spoke at the non-profit Focus: HOPE.

Kaine’s speech was mostly focused on Clinton’s plans for the economy and working to end poverty.

Part of Clinton and Kaine’s plan, he says, is to increase skilled and technical jobs. Kaine says it is especially important in places like Detroit.

“As Detroit recovers and companies are coming back in, they’re going to need a skilled work force to fill all of these jobs,” he said. “And the mayor was sharing with me an interesting challenge – and it’s a challenge. Jobs are coming back but will they be jobs that can be accessed by people that are right here?”

Kaine emphasized the importance of fixing crumbling infrastructure. He says fixing Flint’s water system should be at the top of the list.  

“A safe home means being able to drink the water,” he said. “I mean, it means being able to drink the water. Is that so controversial?”

Kaine’s visit follows the Republican vice presidential nominee, Mike Pence’s visit to Macomb County on Monday.

A statewide poll released by The Detroit News and WDIV last Wednesday showed Clinton with a double-digit lead over Republican nominee Donald Trump. 

Copyright 2016 Michigan Radio

Before becoming the newest Capitol reporter for the Michigan Public Radio Network, Cheyna Roth was an attorney. She spent her days fighting it out in court as an assistant prosecuting attorney for Ionia County. Eventually, Cheyna took her investigative and interview skills and moved on to journalism. She got her masters at Michigan State University and was a documentary filmmaker, podcaster, and freelance writer before finding her home with NPR. Very soon after joining MPRN, Cheyna started covering the 2016 presidential election, chasing after Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, and all their surrogates as they duked it out for Michigan. Cheyna also focuses on the Legislature and criminal justice issues for MPRN. Cheyna is obsessively curious, a passionate storyteller, and an occasional backpacker. Follow her on Twitter at @Cheyna_R