Heather Micha

Heather Micha earned a high school diploma from New Bern High School and a bachelor's degree from Empire State University in 2020. Her career experience includes working as a businesswoman.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Heather Micha is a lifelong resident of Broome County, New York. With years of experience as a public servant and community leader, Micha has balanced her roles as a mother of two, business owner, and community advocate.

For the past 14 years, she has operated Nice to Micha Cleaning Service, developed various businesses and nonprofits, and advocated for the Crime Victims Assistance Center and Women's Hope Home. Micha has held leadership positions, including President of the NYSW Binghamton Chapter, Broome County Status of Women Council, and Vice President of Great Women of Royalty, Inc.

Heather Micha, with a strong family background in farming and entrepreneurship, is committed to fostering economic growth. She advocates for reducing burdensome regulations to empower local farmers and businesses to thrive. She is dedicated to discovering innovative energy solutions while tackling affordable housing, homelessness, mental health, and education issues in the community.

Micha is a graduate of SUNY Empire State College, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Business, Management, and Economics. She is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Applied Theological Studies. Additionally, she founded the Harmony Memorial Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting children affected by substance use disorder.

Micha’s commitment to community service and her strong sense of unity set her apart as a candidate dedicated to fostering meaningful change.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Investing in small businesses is vital for strengthening local economies, driving innovation, and enhancing community development. I propose a New York State High-Risk Start-Up Angel Investor Tax Credit Program that encourages private investment in early-stage, high-risk small businesses. By addressing the funding gap these businesses face when seeking traditional financing, the program supports job creation and economic diversity across the state. This program promotes private-sector growth without imposing a lasting burden on the state budget, attracting investment, and empowering entrepreneurship in underserved areas throughout New York.The United States has the most expensive healthcare system in the world, yet it does not achieve the best health outcomes. A debate continues over how to create a system that provides high-quality, person-centered care. To address this, I propose the Spiritual Health and Wellbeing Act. I believe that public health should incorporate spiritual factors that influence an individual's sense of meaning, purpose, and connection, whether through faith, philosophy, or personal values. Research suggests that spirituality positively impacts lifestyle-related diseases. The Association of American Medical Colleges recognizes it as an important factor influencing how patients and healthcare professionals understand and engage with health.New York State's number of farms has dropped from about 57,000 in 1976 to around 30,650 today. In Broome County, farms have decreased from 641 to 440, averaging 160 acres each. This decline puts our dairy, grain, and cattle industries at risk. We must act swiftly to protect our farms, which are crucial to our food system, economy, and environment, support over 290,000 jobs, and generate more than $85 billion annually.

To address these challenges, I will introduce the Property Tax Cap for Longstanding Small Farmers to protect our farms and revitalize rural economies. I’ll also urge state assemblies to pass resolutions encouraging Congress to amend federal tax laws and ease the tax burden on agricultural producers.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

All three key messages mentioned above are essential for the Heather Micha campaign. For more information on the research and policies discussed, visit www.heathermicha.com/policy