The performance of the political arm of state government has been a miserable failure this year.  I can't think of a single person within this system who would disagree with that statement - Republican or Democrat.  We saw many opportunities to implement positive policy changes to better secure the financial health of the state slip away. Instead, we got the exact same government at a higher price.

I knew that serving in the minority would be a disadvantage in terms of pushing a conservative, fiscally restrained agenda, but I did not understand to what extent.  As a state representative I just have two guarantees.  The first is the ability to introduce a bill - not get it heard or voted on - just introduced.  The second is to vote on any bill that the Speaker allows for a vote.  

This was particularly frustrating during the budget and tax debate.  There were many great ideas and alternatives that never received a vote.  The best way to guaranty such ideas receive due consideration is to return Republicans to the majority in the House of Representatives.

Was there anything in particular that surprised you?

Coming out of the business world, I was used to logic dictating policies.  Here, political considerations trump sound policy.  There is a need for give and take in the system, but in Lansing, good ideas are taken off the table purely for political reasons before good faith negotiations even begin.  Honest, open policy debates do not happen anymore - and that is a serious deficiency in our state government today.

You and I have worked together in the past back when you were the Ionia County GOP Chair and doing something like that, chairing a local party, that's something not many folks in Lansing have done.  It's a unique perspective.  How has your time in grassroots leadership affected your approach in Lansing?

The grassroots approach is my nature in the first place.  It is much more difficult to change a system through the system itself.  Ultimately, regular people still hold the control if they are willing to exert that control.  For all the talk of the influence of the lobbyists in Lansing, it does not compare to the power of the people when they are organized and motivated.  Our state has given much reason for the citizens to join together and demand change.  

I am very active in organizing a strong response to the policies adopted by the state this year, mostly through candidate recruitment.  If we Republicans can get back to the basics of fiscal restraint and smaller government, the sky is the limit next November.

Heading into next year what's on your personal priority list?

The times will dictate the priorities.  Even with massive tax increases in 2007, the 2008-2009 budget will be at least $350 million in deficit and then $1 billion the following year.  That is because spending rises about 5% faster than revenues.  You can't fix that problem with a tax increase.  

Social programs are some of the biggest cost drivers in the state budget and there is much work to do in those areas.  The first steps should be: meaningful implementation of the 1996 federal welfare reform and limitation of access to state supported services to only those who hold legal residence in Michigan.  Just these areas alone could save hundreds of millions.

Still, the main focus must be on the economy.  Over the last year, all the attention was directed toward the government and its needs.  That was a grave mistake.  Every bill taken up should be measured against its effect on the economy.  The analysis is simple:  Will this bill help or hurt the economy?  Application of that simple test would have saved a lot of grief this year.

We're now less than a month from the primary election.  Have you picked a horse in the GOP race?

Yes, I am supporting John McCain.  

And why him?

Mainly it is because of his relevant experience and boldness.  

I believe that the problems that lead to the defeat of many Republicans in 2006 ran much deeper than just the Iraq War.  Out of control spending is one major area of concern.  I love to hear the candidates talk about lower taxes, but John McCain has made a real cause out of restraint on the spending side.  I appreciate the way he addresses government inefficiency and waste along with lower taxes.  In my book, to be a fiscal conservative, you have to be strong on both lower taxes AND lower spending.

Additionally, he has been very clear on how to implement a successful Iraq strategy.  He has been steadfast and specific about how he would have conducted foreign policies.  I do not agree on all of his domestic policy initiatives, but I respect a man who has the boldness to take tough policy positions ahead of political considerations.

Anything else you'd like to discuss or address with the bloggers at Right Michigan?

Open government is good government.  Perhaps the biggest weakness in state government today is that much of the decision making process is not open to public scrutiny.  Take the budget debate for example.  Many of the details on line item spending are kept secret, even from the legislature who is charged with approval of the budgets.  I'll bet the budget would be balanced without tax increases if every single line item of state government spending was published on www.michigan.gov.  

I bet you're right... something to shoot for.  Representative Calley, thanks again for your time and Merry Christmas!