The Reason I’m Running

Well, we wrapped up the door to door today. And as I look back I kept hearing one issue on the doorsteps — an issue that hits our family.

“What will happen when our kids graduate? Will they stay in Michigan?”

That touches home. We have college students, and soon enough we’ll be empty nesters.

One of the saddest aspects of Michigan’s economy is how we’ve turned our children into our most valuable export. Instead of staying around they go to where opportunity is better: Texas or Florida or North Carolina. And who can blame them.

And when they leave, all too often they never come back.

That brings me why I’m running. I’m not running because I have an agenda, or because I have this life desire to go Lansing, or because this is somehow a family business. I’m running because I want a State where my children can return after college, a state with real opportunity and good jobs.

I’m running because I think I can make a contribution to our State

I’m running because it’s not too late. We can do something. Now. Together. It’s time to put Michigan’s economy on a better foundation.  To get our economy growing again,  we will take need to take a look at our tax code and what we can do to create fairer taxes. We will need make sure Lansing runs lean.  And we will  need to make sure that children throughout the State are well-educated.

All that will take a practical, even a servant leadership.

Every time I look at the family picture, I realize again this election is personal. The challenges are real. But  there’s good news There still is time — we only have to  take it. This Tuesday, let’s make a Michigan our kids can come home to.

Number Five Thousand

Sometime last week I shook my 5,000th hand in this campaign.

The values on our doorstep are the values we need in Lansing.

That also means I had my 5,000th conversation about our State, what makes it great, and what we need to do.

I’ve been carrying on this conversation for more than five months. The conversations took place across our district: the young family starting out in Gaines township, a worried single dad over in Kellogsville trying to do right by his kids; a very smart, very concerned manager out in Cascade; the elderly couple in Leisure Estates in Kentwood.

The variety of people I met at the door continues to amaze me. I count myself blessed to have met so many of you. My shoes may wear out, but my spirit is revived by this campaign.

And after a few thousand conversations, some topics keep coming up:

• What do we do with Lansing?
  The same old way of doing business just won’t do. We will need new approaches.

• What can we do for our kids?
  They’re our future, but our schools struggle to fulfill their promise. yet far too many are moving out of the state.

• How do we get our economy moving again?
  When one third of small business owners can’t find something good to say about Michigan’s business climate, you know we have work in front of us. Almost everything the State does affects business. Taxes, regulation, benefits – there’s a lot we can do.

They’re great questions. Tough ones, too. We have a leadership logjam in Lansing. It’s going to take a different style of leadership, and a renewed commitment to working together. Here in West Michigan we know something about that. We know that we need to listen to one another if we are to work together.

I believe the values I find on the doorsteps are the values we need in Lansing. That’s why I’m running. We can call them West Michigan Values, or simply call them what they are, common sense.

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

Our Fabulous Fourth

We had classic cars and a big rig, but this baby was our favorite. And did you know, we also won the parade award for Best Non-Profit float?

What a great time we had Friday — the beautiful, cloudless sky, the cool temperature — it was just right for a parade! So the team hit two, first the big one in Kentwood, and then off to Cascade. I had a great time meeting so many residents. But it was tiring. That evening, it was so good to finally sit down relax and watch the fireworks.

And as we did, I couldn’t help thinking how thankful I am for this country of ours, for the freedoms we enjoy, and for the privilege of working to earn your trust.

And here’s the truth, we could not do it without a team of wonderful volunteers, young and old.

Below the fold, I’ve put up some more of our parade photos.

West Michigan Business Values

For over 23 years I have met payroll, served customers, and created jobs in Michigan. Yes, I know how government regulation and overbearing red-tape can strangle small business and stop opportunity. I also know how a good job brings hope to families.

I began this campaign because I wanted to make a difference in Lansing, the same way I have in my business, the same way I have for our schools here in Caledonia. That’s why I’m so grateful to receive the endorsement from more than 90 business owners throughout our area. More than ever, Lansing needs the sort of experienced West Michigan values they represent.

With your help, I hope to live up to their endorsement.