The Right to Be Heard

As a Christian, I have a commitment that listening is an important part of what we do. It’s what we give each other.

It’s certainly been true around our dinner table. It’s what I do at work with my employees and my clients.

And we also need to listen to our opponents. They may be wrong, but they deserve our attention. It’s the same reason we should listen to the cause of the defenseless – they deserve a voice. That’s a big part of why I’m pro-Life.

Yet, a recent proposal would start encouraging the Legislature not to listen.

You may have heard of it: Reform Michigan Government Now! There’s a lot in it that should trouble conservatives and Republicans. One of its central proposals is to reconfigure (and shrink) the Michigan State House from 110 seats to 82 new super-districts.

Fewer and larger districts means there are fewer people in the State House who have direct experience with farmers and those involved agriculture. Even though they’re the second or third largest industry in the State (statistics! depends on who’s counting), they lose an important connection. Michigan will be better when it has legislators who have a real connection with our farmers.

But there’s another group that loses out: our racial minorities. When we expand our districts, we pack minorities in some districts, leaving others with maybe one in 10 if that. And if we are going to rebuild our State we will need to hear everyone.

Diluting the voice of our neighbors doesn’t make us stronger. Only deaf.

Michigan Does the Right Thing

Used with permission. © Adam Hart-Davis

In Michigan, we take access to water as a given.

That’s why I was so glad that Michigan finally got on board with the Great Lakes Water Compact. Thursday’s signing is a milestone for our State. Together with the new water use laws, this solves one of the critical issues for Michigan’s economic future.

After all, our growing suburbs depend on clean water. Our industries count on water. And we can’t imagine a summer without time on the water.

But for farmers here in Kent County, the new water use rules are critical for our farmers. The new groundwater safeguards assure they can access the water they need.

Legislation like this takes a lot of work. Fortunately we had able Republicans to lead the way: Senator Patricia Birkholz, and Rep. Dave Robertson. Working with the Governor, they were able to forge the compromise. In our press release, Protecting Michigan’s Water we applaud their hard work.

Legislation like this is part of a bigger task: rebuilding the trust between our communities and Lansing. In the coming term, we will not only need to stand for our principles, we will need to forge effective working relationships with one another. And in our campaign we have a term for it: West Michigan Values