Sanborn seeks ways to stimulate economy

Alan Sanborn

Position: State Senator
District: 11 (Macomb County)
Political Party: Republican
Committees: Economic Development, Small Business and Regulatory Reform (Chair), Banking and Financial Services Committee, Families and Human Services, Judiciary.

Background: Senator Sanborn is a lifelong resident of Macomb County. After receiving his bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University, he served the county as a probation officer for 20 years before being elected in 1998 to the first of three terms in the House. In 2001, he won a special election for the 12th Senate District, and in 2002, following redistricting, he was elected to represent the new 11th Senate District.

Sanborn is a member of the Fraternal Order of Police, Juvenile Justice Association of Michigan and the Criminal Justice Advisory Committee for Rochester College, as well as several local Chambers of Commerce. He is active in the Kiwanis Club and the Church of Christ, and has been active in the Michigan-Ontario Juvenile Officers Association, as well as area youth and athletic programs in the past. He and his wife, Lori, live in Richmond with their three children.

Awards:
•Michigan Chamber of Commerce Champion of Commerce award in 1999-2000
• National Federation of Independent Businesses Guardian of Small Business award in 2000
• 2001 State Legislator of the Year award from the Michigan Credit Union League
• Michigan Business and Professionals Association Award for Distinguished Service in 2001
• Michigan Chiropractic Society’s Consumer Advocate Award in 1999

Q. How did you get involved in politics?
A. I was born into it, in a sense. When I was born, my father was a state representative. I’m very proud of my father—he was a big influence on me growing up, and he taught me all the fundamental principles for decision making that I still try to follow.

I was a probation officer in the juvenile court system for 20 years. During that time, I worked on many campaigns. I planned to get involved in politics, but I wanted to be around my family while my kids were at home. After they were in school, I ran for state representative.

Q. What are your legislative priorities, particularly in regard to issues that affect retail or small business?
A. My number-one priority is to improve the business climate in Michigan, thereby aiding private sector job creation. A strong economy with low unemployment means increased consumer spending and more opportunity for the manufacturing and retail sectors of our economy.

Most of the initiatives I supported to improve Michigan’s business climate in the past year focus on reducing the tax burden on business: tax relief for start-up firms; pausing taxes on small, high technology firms; phasing out the tax on businesses that provide health care benefits to their employees; and opposing the pause in the SBT reduction.

I also supported initiatives to increase venture capital opportunities for small businesses and to create a point person in state government whose sole focus is small business growth in Michigan.

This winter my Republican colleagues and I will work to eliminate red tape for business, lower the personal property tax burden and provide another avenue to get broadband access to Main Street.

Q. How can the state budget crisis be alleviated?
A. We must make government spending fit within current revenues. This will require us to take a critical look at all government programs, prioritize what’s necessary and what will enhance job growth and eliminate what isn’t necessary for those things.

It will require hard choices and may require cutting or eliminating programs that, up until now, have been sacred cows. However, we must do what is right for Michigan’s economy and taxpayers—not what is easy or convenient for government.

Q. Some legislators have been talking about taxes on services or entertainment. What are your thoughts?
A. I have voted “no” on every attempted tax increase in the six years I’ve been in the legislature. If I can paraphrase recent comments by Senate Majority Leader Sikkema, “Increasing taxes is what’s convenient for Michigan government, not what’s best for Michigan’s businesses and families.”

I will not vote to increase taxes when it will place an increased burden on Michigan’s businesses and families.

Q. How do you feel about sales tax fairness, specifically, recent legislative efforts to bring Michigan in compliance with the Streamlined Sales Tax Initiative?
A. I’m very focused on keeping taxes down. But if this makes it easier for Michigan businesses to compete fairly with out-of-state businesses, I support it.

I understand this issue is important to furniture retailers. I just came from Grand Rapids, whose furniture industry has been devastated recently. Also, two fine-furniture stores have closed in my district, unfortunately—it’s so sad to see stores close and the jobs that are lost because of that.

This is about tax equity, not a new tax. People need to pay their fair share and not try to beat the system.

Q. What is your philosophy on the relationship between government and business?
A. There’s merit in the old adage “the government that governs best is that which governs least.” Government should ensure a smooth, predictable regulatory environment that will promote business growth in the state.

Government should carefully examine every requirement it places on business to ensure it is necessary to achieve the desired result and consider whether a market-based mechanism could achieve a similar result.

Government should also consider exempting or setting lesser standards of compliance for small business when the impact on the overall outcome is negligible. I strongly support the Senate’s proposal to streamline permit processing in Michigan and reduce burdensome red tape.

Q. What are you most proud of during your time in office?
A. Just being given the opportunity to serve is an honor, but I take a little extra gratification from being elected Assistant President Pro Tempore of the Senate—a position that is filled by a vote of the entire Senate body—and thus being given the opportunity to preside over the chamber on a regular basis. I am also pleased to say that, of the thousands of votes held since I joined the Senate, I have never missed a single vote.

That’s a reflection of Macomb County—they have a strong work ethic and they sent me here to work hard and do the job. They expect me to vote and not dodge the tough issues, and I do my best to live up to their expectations.

My district is pretty conservative, as am I, and I believe that my voting record reflects the interests and ethics of the people who sent me here. I do my best, every day, to make Michigan the best possible place to live and do business.