WORKING WITH YOU TO PUT OUR COMMUNITY FIRST.
MEET MICHAEL
Michael is a second-generation American. His mother came to the United States at a young age and went on to become a first-grade teacher. Michael followed in her footsteps and became an elementary school teacher after attending the University of Memphis College of Education. He began his professional career as a public school educator and now serves as your county commissioner. Michael and his wife, Lauren (also a teacher!), live in Memphis.
OUR PRIORITIES
Dear Neighbor,
I'm proud to represent you and our community on the Shelby County Commission. Over the last four years, I've listened to you. The priorities I heard are what I worked on. As a community, we made a historic investment in pre-K education. We fought to protect our health and our environment. We invested in the quality and safety of our neighborhoods. It's been an extraordinary honor to serve as your county commissioner. Let's continue working together to develop the agenda for a better future.
I hope to earn your vote on August 4th.
Sincerely,
Michael Whaley
Shelby County Commissioner
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Pre-K & Education
✔️Led the effort to increase access to quality pre-kindergarten in Shelby County, nearly tripling the county investment in pre-K to $8 million a year
✔️Significantly increased funding to address and support youth mental health
✔️Supported community organizations like the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and Collage Dance Collective throughout the pandemic to ensure music and arts education in our schools
Environment & Parks
✔️Fought to protect our environment and our drinking water with an ordinance to help prevent oil spills
✔️Worked with constituents to help revitalize and expand public parks across the district, like Shelby Farms Park and Gaisman Park in Berclair
✔️Pushed the county to purchase more energy efficient vehicles and supported the improvement of regional public transit
Safe & Strong Neighborhoods
✔️Installed new security cameras and provided doorbell cameras and lights directly to neighborhood associations in District 13
✔️Supported the 100 Club of Memphis' Fallen Officer Fund that provides early support to families of first responders lost in the line of duty
✔️Led Shelby County's effort to support the Humane Society's low-cost vet clinic, making animal care more affordable
Balanced & Community-Centered Budgets
✔️As budget chairman, cut the property tax rate and sponsored $2.4 million in tax relief this year for seniors, veterans, and disabled Shelby County residents
✔️Supported raising the minimum wage for county employees to at least $16/hour to ensure we are investing in our people first
✔️Led the county's first ever community-centered budgeting process to make the budget more transparent and gather public feedback on what matters most to you
Endorsements & Distinctions
