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.

Setting the Record Straight

By now you probably have seen the letter in Friday’s Press.

The situation with Wes VanDenburg was a difficult one for our district, but I will stand by how we handled it.

Wes Vandenburg did not just make a mistake. As the facts came out, it was clear this was a deliberate act. He committed a crime. He admitted his guilt, was tried, convicted and paid his dues to society.

During this time, I cooperated fully with the investigation and heeded the advice of the school’s counsel. In a crisis, you can’t hide from your problem. On the school board we worked to handle the problem in a frank and open manner, balancing the needs to hold Mr. VanDenburg accountable while protecting the school from potential liability by not jumping to conclusions until the investigation was complete.

At a personal level, we recognized we were looking at a potentially career-ending crime. In such circumstances, you need to deal fairly. I will not walk away from my duty to be a man of integrity, that’s a duty I owe to God. And treating other people with integrity and fairness — that’s another of those West Michigan Values I hope to bring to Lansing.

So I will be unapologetic for being a leader in a time of crisis. We needed to treat Mr VanDenburg fairly. We needed to test the accusations before we acted. Some will always want to fly off the handle. That balanced, respectful approach to our problems is exactly the style of leadership we need in Lansing. Next year the Legislature will be pulled by a number of crises. There will be no place for brashness there — it is a time that calls for tested leadership.

The Six Billion Dollar Question

Michigan faces plenty of challenges. A report released last week tells us what one of the biggest ones will be: our roads.

The report from the Citizens Advisory Committee on Transportation Funding estimates that Michigan will need to double the money it spends on our roads and bridges. The total estimated price tag? More than 6 billion dollars annually.

This is a huge hit. It’s double what we are currently spending. And one thing is certain, we can’t take it out of our fuel taxes.

Rich Studley from the Michigan Chamber of Commerce stated it right:

“One of the things we’re learning is that a transportation funding system based on motor fuel taxes is increasingly obsolete. … I don’t think anyone on the task force is under the illusion the problelm is a small one or wil be easily resolved.”

No matter who gets elected in November, they’re going to face this challenge.

Ignore the problem? I don’t think so.

Of course, some might try to ignore the problem or postpone a solution, waiting for better times. Unfortunately, that is not an option. Our business and industry depend on our roads. We need this infrastructure in place if we are to reshape a new Michigan.

Can’t we just shift money?

The needs in our state are double what we’re spending now. Pitting one region against another will not solve the problem. So the question is, what kind of leader can help us meet this challenge together?

With a price tag like this, there will be plenty of disagreement. I have proposed a solution, including looking at truck weights. And let’s face it, others will bring their solutions as well — this is going to take some tough negotiation. And new ideas.

A problem this tough takes a different kind of leadership.

The answer to the 6 billion dollar question depends on the leadership we send to Lansing. So then, do we elect people who will keep on with the same approach we’ve been following with all its partisan deadlock? Do we turn to some ivory-tower brash new idea? Frankly, these are the answers we get when we talk to ourselves.

It sounds so obvious, but the great virtue of business is that you learn how to build practical solutions with people who may be very different. That’s the same lesson I’ve applied these last 7 years on the Caledonia school board. We’ve made it work by working together. I believe this type of practical leadership is the sort that Lansing desperately needs.

“Cooperative and Creative Leadership . . .”

Those are words of The Grand Rapids Press’ endorsement.

And modestly, I think they sum up what we’ve been trying to do for this campaign.

Everyone knows that Lansing is broken.  The question ahead is what we will do about it.  And I should emphasize that word “we.”  It’s going to take both sides to solve our problems.  As I’ve said before, we’re going to have to listen to one another.  Leadership is helping others see our principles in action.  That’s the style of leadership I brought to my business for 24 years, and to the Caledonia school board. It’s principle backed by real-world knowledge and a commitment to results.

And we have a term for that informed, principled, practical leadership: “West Michigan Values.”

And now its a Grand Rapids Press value, too.

Trying to Make it Better

Last week during the Kentwood parade, I met a woman who was amazed that I was on the school board. I could understand, the folks in Kentwood don’t pay attention to what happens in Caledonia. But it wasn’t that. She was amazed that I was serving on a school board at all.

Amazed about the Caledonia school board? Honestly, I thought I was just stepping up to a task.

Eight years ago when I first began thinking about the school board, I began with a simple notion: how can I make this community better? After all, I grew up here. This is my home. I had the opportunity to help, so I took it.

That was what also had motivated me to serve on committees with the Michigan Nursery and Landscape Association. I wanted to share the gifts I’ve received. And this idea that we are to be a blessing to others also lies at the heart of my campaign for the State House.

And that’s one of the big differences in this campaign. Over the years, I’ve lead real organizations, shared my time and talent with others, shouldered the responsibility, and sought to improve our life together. That’s a record of public service very different from some who run for office with little record of leading or taking responsibility in their community.

It’s a hands-on public service. In Lansing, I’ll bring that same commitment to my tasks in the Legislature to make things better for our community and for our State.