Mark Meadows is eager to reform higher education, improve Michigan's economy and protect the environment.

As the Democratic contender for the 69th District seat in the state House of Representatives, Meadows says he wants to make education more affordable.

The 69th District covers East Lansing, Meridian Township and Williamstown Township.

"Higher education funding is critical to the future of the state and is really going to be what brings us out of our economic doldrums," he said. "Even though I don't want to lose our current manufacturing jobs, I don't think we are going to replace them in the future."

Meadows said the state should help more students with the cost of college.

"We can't just have higher education for the wealthy," he said. "It's been about a 25 percent increase in tuition in the last four years. Families are just not able to afford it."

Meadows said improving the economy and getting more jobs in Michigan are a top priority for voters this year.

If Michigan is to turn itself around, it needs to expand upon its strengths such as farming and biofuels, Meadows added.

Gov. Jennifer Granholm's 21st Century Jobs Fund — a $2 billion, 10-year investment in research and development projects throughout the state — is something that will draw people to live here, Meadows said.

In addition, Meadows said he wants to make sure the environment is protected for future generations.

"We need to protect our environment for our children and grandchildren," he said.

Prior to running for the 69th District seat, Meadows served on the East Lansing City Council for nearly 11 years. He served more than eight years as the city's mayor.

"I believe that experience is really why I was nominated for this position," he said. "If you are introducing legislation and pushing it to change the way annexation and detachment work, I've seen it in action. When you are talking about building jobs, we've brought about 1,300 jobs into the local economy."

Michigan can overcome its economic slump if it is known as the education state, Meadows said. Having a more educated population and better schools will draw people from around the country to live here.

"I've dealt with the relationship between communities and their schools," he said. "We have to give more money to universities, and we need to target funds to developing industries."