{"id":2306,"date":"2019-08-10T01:55:17","date_gmt":"2019-08-09T22:55:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/yemeniamerican.com\/en\/?p=2306"},"modified":"2019-08-10T01:55:17","modified_gmt":"2019-08-09T22:55:17","slug":"abdullah-hammoud-addresses-pollution-roads-and-political-engagement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/yemeniamerican.com\/en\/abdullah-hammoud-addresses-pollution-roads-and-political-engagement\/","title":{"rendered":"Abdullah Hammoud addresses pollution, roads and political engagement"},"content":{"rendered":"

YAN – Dearborn<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"State Rep. Abdullah Hammoud is on a mission to end what he calls \u201cdiscrimination by pollution\u201d where some neighborhoods in Dearborn suffer asthma levels as much as four times higher than the state average.<\/p>\n

Hammoud introduced a state bill last year to increase the transparency in reporting pollution levels and the sources of pollution. Earlier this year, he brought his fight to the local level, urging the city council to adopt an ordinance that would help improve air quality by tightening some environmental regulations.<\/p>\n

Hammoud said there was a \u201cbroad base\u201d of support for the resolution, including Congresswoman Debbie Dingell and Wayne County Commissioner Sam Baydoun as well as activists on the ground.
\nIn an interview with the Yemeni American News, Hammoud urged council members to take a vote on the ordinance, even if they need to amend it.
\n\u201cI think we can get it done,\u201d Hammoud said.<\/p>\n

Additionally to being a voice for Dearborn, Hammoud has been an effective lawmaker, introducing and sponsoring several bills that were signed into law since joining the Legislature.<\/p>\n

Earlier this year, he introduced a resolution recognizing April as Arab American Heritage Month.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve also been big winners in the budget. We\u2019ve brought back over 10 million new dollars to the city of Dearborn,\u201d Hammoud told YAN.<\/p>\n

That money includes a $500,000 in funding to the Arab American National Museum and $6 million to a Henry Ford College project.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve had many great wins within the city,\u201d Hammoud said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Building bridges<\/strong><\/p>\n

Hammoud stressed the importance of building relationships with his colleagues, so they can understand his perspective when he talks about the needs of the city and the community.
\nIn fact, the state rep has made a mission to introduce legislators to Dearborn over the past years.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been able to bring over 50 state representatives to the city of Dearborn – Republican and Democrat. I give them a tour, make sure they get some good food before they leave, and use that as a means to build bridges.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hammoud was elected in the State House in 2016 to become the first Muslim American to represent Dearborn in the legislative body.<\/p>\n

At just 29, the lawmaker represents a new generation of activism that is not only interested in advocacy for the community but determined in pursuing public service to improve society as a whole.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf I can look back at my tenure in the House and identify things that help identify the lives of Dearborn residents, that\u2019s ultimately success as I could define it. Leaving the office better than when I first got there, making sure that we did something with the time we had to enact positive change and also to inspire, to inspire that next generation of youth,\u201d Hammoud said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The damn roads<\/strong><\/p>\n

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who won in 2016 in a campaign focused on fixing the \u201cdamn roads\u201d has proposed a 45-cent gas hike to repair the state\u2019s crumbling streets.<\/p>\n

Hammoud said before implementing the tax increase, the state should look into other avenues for funding and long term plans to fix the issue.
\nOne problem, the state rep said, is that all roads – no matter how frequently travelled – get the same amount of money.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf we appropriated the money equitably, so that the roads that have more drivers on them, larger trucks, more lanes highways, received more money, that\u2019s one approach we can do. Secondly, we can start making sure that the trucks, which are damaging the roads mostly are paying their fair share.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hammoud also called for looking into the methods for building the roads to hold contractors accountable.
\nIndeed, while Michigan\u2019s harsh winters and hot summers contribute to the terrible conditions of the streets, it seems that the roads in the state deteriorate at an astounding rate. An internet meme comparing a still-intact roman street built 1700 years ago to a pothole-ridden Michigan road built in 2018 has gone viral over the past year.<\/p>\n

The state rep said we should be investing to build our roads to last, not patching potholes for one year.<\/p>\n

The roads are only one aspect out of the dozens of bills that get introduced in Lansing every year – issues that Hammoud said deeply affect the lives of residents.
\nHence, Hammoud said the community must remain politically active to hold politicians accountable, himself included.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy message to the community is to stay engaged,\u201d he said. \u201cThe more the community is engaged, the more town halls they attend, the more rallies they hold – that\u2019s how they build political capital and apply to political pressure to make sure that their elected officials are representing them the way they want to be represented.\u201d<\/p>\n

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