Our state has lost too many jobs. Outsourcing is sending our good-paying jobs to other states and countries, and we need a new direction. I believe we should reward companies that do business here in Michigan, not the ones that export jobs overseas. I will fight to change, diversify, and strengthen our economy.
I supported “Hire Michigan First,” an aggressive job-creation plan that gives priority for economic development projects to companies that employ Michigan workers. The "Hire Michigan First" initiative also cracks down on the practice of hiring illegal immigrants and prohibits businesses that violate these guidelines from receiving tax breaks or future state contracts.
Thousands of Michigan jobs depend on healthy Great Lakes water – that’s why I supported a plan to effectively ban the diversion of water from outside the Great Lakes basin.
The Western U.P. has a long history of mining. Due to the value of minerals that are located on the Western Upper Peninsula I believe the future of mining in the Upper Peninsula is bright. As long as the mining can be done without damaging our water or ground resources I will continue to be a strong supporter of the mining industry in the Upper Peninsula.
I am a hard worker for the forest industry in Michigan. I believe that the state can do more to help our timber industry. The timber industry can be an effective part in alternative fuels, including turning waste wood and switch grass into ethanol. This will soon provide good paying jobs to Upper Peninsula residents and strengthen our timber industry, which already provides many good paying jobs in the Upper Peninsula. Efforts to begin using waste wood products to fuel power plants in Northern Michigan are also strengthening the timber industry.
It is imperative that we address the proper stewardship of our forests through the responsible harvest of timber. I have and will continue to support Upper Peninsula forestry issues. Industry and users of our forests contribute $12 billion and 200,000 jobs to Michigan. Efforts to improve the management of our public lands can only mean great things for the continued enjoyment of our forests and for the Upper Peninsula’s forest products and tourism industries.
I am also a strong supporter of our farmers. Agriculture is one of the three biggest industries in Michigan and I will work hard to ensure that farmers have the resources they need to succeed.
Education
As a father of six, grandfather of eight, former School Board member and a current member of the Board of Trustees of Finlandia University, I know firsthand how important it is to give our kids a quality education so they can compete for the jobs of the future. I will fight to ensure all of Michigan’s children have access to pre-school. We must work to ensure higher education is available to everyone. We need a continued high level of support for K-12, our colleges and universities, and our trade schools. We have to train our young people and re-train the people who have lost jobs so they can prosper in today’s global marketplace.
Health Care
About 1.8 million Michigan citizens are without health care and that needs to change. All Upper Peninsula residents should have access to affordable health care. I’ve talked to many seniors who can’t afford the lifesaving medicines they need, and that’s wrong. I support using the state’s bulk-buying power and pass the savings on to the people. I also support a plan that passed the House which repeals the 1996 law that gives complete immunity to drug companies when their drugs harm or even kill our citizens. Michigan is the only state in the country that allows this and we need a change.
Tourism
We must support and promote tourism in Michigan. Tourism is a major component of our Upper Peninsula economy. Research results from Longwoods International, a leading tourism consultancy firm, show that there is a $3.43 return on each dollar spent on investment in tourism marketing. Tourism in our state contributes more than $2.4 billion annually in federal, state, and local tax receipts. Six percent of every tourism dollar goes directly into the state treasury in the form of sales tax receipts. In 2004, more than 193,000 of Michigan's jobs were directly related to tourism.
Protecting, Preserving, and Promoting our Land and Water
As the Chair of the Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee, I will continue to work hard to protect our unique natural resources. We, in the Western Upper Peninsula are blessed to live in such a beautiful area. In our treasured Upper Peninsula, enjoyment of the outdoors is a way of life, and it is an essential part of our character and shared heritage. Whether hunting, fishing, boating, skiing, snowmobiling, hiking or camping in the Western Upper Peninsula, we have a remarkable opportunity to capitalize on and promote a growing tourism industry.
In order to continue development in this regard, we must work to ensure that our land and water are protected. I supported a bipartisan, comprehensive plan passed by the House that will crack down on water bottlers and ensure that Michigan’s water is not subject to overuse. Michigan is the Great Lakes State and I will work to make sure it stays that way. I will also work to fight against the increasing pollution of our Great Lakes, inland waterways and our land.
Finally, during these tough economic times for our state we must be fiscally responsible in how we spend our tax dollars and get the most for the dollars we do have.