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Legislative priorities
Committed to eliminating “red tape” and rules and regulations
that don’t make sense and get in the way of effective legislation
and thrifty business. “I believe that by reducing the single business
tax, you create an economic stimulus that benefits the state as a whole.
Large taxes and big government can crush businesses that are economy stimulators
and job-makers for people of this state. When I get into office I want
to do an assessment of Michigan state government to make it smaller and
more efficient, with less burden on the taxpayer.”
Comments on top retail issues
• Item pricing
“I support item pricing reform as long as there are built-in safeguards
for the consumer. There should be some system where the consumer can do
his or her own item pricing, be it with grease pencils or UPS scanners
on the aisles. I also feel that errors at the counters should bear penalties”
• Sales tax fairness
“I look at this issue from a tax-equity standpoint—not putting
Michigan businesses at a disadvantage compared to other states. This isn’t
a new tax, because people should be paying it anyway. A new process would
allow for the current law to be followed more regularly, which would benefit
Michigan business.”
• Credit card truncation
“I believe the customer has the obligation to take personal responsibility
for the protection of his or her credit card number. I would rather see
an increase in the amount of care taken by the customer, rather than get
caught up in legislation that adds cost for retailers to modify their
terminals to allow for credit card truncation.”
Key accomplishments
Helped orchestrate the overwhelming victory of the statewide ballot initiative
Proposal G over rival ballot initiative Proposal D in 1996. Proposal D
would have virtually banned bear hunting in Michigan, while Proposal G
gave the Natural Resources Commission and the Michigan Department of Natural
Resources the authority to manage wildlife through sound scientific and
environmental management principles.
Relationship of government to business
Believes that government should get out of the way of business. Says big
government does more to keep business at bay than grow the state’s
economy and job market. “I look at my district’s economy as
a three-legged stool. The three legs are manufacturing, agriculture and
tourism/retail. When these three work together, and are given the right
amount of government and public support, they form the foundation for
a strong local economy.”
Career-shaping influences
Worked for nearly a decade at the state Capitol. From 1993 to 1997 worked
as a legislative aide to House Republican Floor Leader Dan Gustafson;
and from 1997 to 1998 as chief of staff to Assistant Senate Majority Leader
Michael Bouchard. Afterward served as director of public policy for the
Michigan Association of Realtors. In 2000 founded Connect Michigan, a
telecommunications advocacy group dedicated to more competition and investment.
Most memorable experience in the legislature
“As a legislative staffer, I was on the House floor for the 27-hour
marathon debate over Proposal A (school financing and property tax reform).
It gave me not only immersion in the issue, but a taste of the system
at work. Then in 1998 I ran for the Senate and lost a close race to David
Mead. I learned a lot in that loss and applied it to my campaign for 2002.
Term limits
“I voted for term limits. I think there is benefit to interjecting
fresh ideas into state government, but a fair amount of time should be
given to those who hold those seats. I think extended terms, up to 12
years total, should be allowed for the House and Senate. But, in order
to hold those seats, the senator or representative must generate petition
signatures, on their own, to ensure that the public still wants them in
office for an extended amount of time.”
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