Delighted to have the opportunity to visit with you in the blogosphere.

If it's OK with you I'd like to start with an issue that a lot of readers at Right Michigan are keeping a close eye on and that's the discussion of the Michigan Fair Tax.  You've spoken out in favor of the Fair Tax.  Can you tell us first, what is it exactly and second, why is it important in 2008?

I co-sponsored this measure with Rep. Fulton Sheen because I sincerely believe tax reform is vital if Michigan's economy is to rebound.  The Michigan Fair Tax proposal eliminates the state income tax, Personal Property Tax and the Michigan Business Tax and replaces it with a 9.75% sales (consumption) tax.  What I like about the Fair Tax proposal is the simplification it brings to our tax code and that with one stroke we eliminate three different realms of taxation.  From a long term standpoint it will be all but impossible to ever bring these taxes back.

Just for the sake of clarity, why does the Fair Tax need to go before the voters... the petition drive is ongoing... in other words, why can't you just take care of this in the legislature?

Unfortunately, House and Senate Democrats oppose this measure and will not provide the votes necessary to obtain the 2/3 majority to place it on the November ballot.  The petition drive will allow us to do an end run around their obstructionism.

And it's not like there hasn't been plenty to do.  For every bill regulating movie start times the Democrats have introduced there's been important Republican legislation that either isn't getting a hearing or is being buried some other way.  Last year you cosponsored a series of bills that sought to create a "coercive abortion prevention act."  Can you tell us a little bit about these bills and why they're important?

This is a very important package of bills which address a serious issue surrounding abortion.  Women oftentimes find themselves being coerced in to having an abortion they wouldn't otherwise have.  These bills would prevent coercion from escalating into physical violence or even murder.

The bills would provide criminal and civil penalties for those found guilty of coercing a woman in to having an abortion.  It would also require abortionists to screen each woman for possible coercion.  I strongly support these bills because this domestic violence must be stopped.  I know these bills would receive strong bi-partisan, bi-cameral support.  I urge readers of this blog to contact their legislators urging that these bills be taken up in committee.

Where do these bills stand today?

The bills are in the House Judiciary Committee awaiting action.  The Chairman is Rep. Paul Condino.

It almost seems crass to transition from an important issue like that into politics but I guess I'm not going to let that stop me either.  You're a Flint area guy.  Grand Blanc.  Genesee County is not necessarily the most conservative in the State but over the last few years the level of local conservative activism has really jumped through the roof in your neck of the woods.  How nice a change has that been and what do you think is motivating so many new people to get so intimately involved for the first time?

I'm very pleased with the growth in conservatism in Genesee County.  As the Metro Detroit area has stretched up the I-75 and US-23 corridors many Oakland and Livingston County residents have moved in to southern Genesee County.  This accounts for some of the change.  However, perceptions of the Flint area are far different than the reality.  Though Genesee County is predominantly Democratic, it is so because of Flint proper, and the innermost suburban townships.  Southern Genesee County (Grand Blanc, Goodrich, Fenton, Linden) has always leaned to the GOP.  This Republicanism is growing.  I believe the entire outer ring of suburbs can be competitive for conservatives and Republicans.  

Are those folks going to be able to keep your seat in conservative hands this November what with you hitting that term-limit milestone?

I believe so.  We will have some excellent candidates running in the primary, and I intend to give my full support to the eventual nominee.  The Genesee GOP leadership recognizes the 51st District as its top priority.  

If you could accomplish one thing or pass one piece of legislation before your term's up what would it be?

I recently introduced HB 5650 which amends Michigan's Parental Consent law to prohibit "judge shopping" for a judicial waiver from parental consent.  Pro-abortion advocates are circumventing the intent of the Parental Consent statute by bouncing from court to court until they find a judge who will grant a waiver.  I believe that once a judge has rendered a decision not to approve a waiver that decision must be respected by all other judges.  My legislation also places in statute guidelines for judges to use in rendering their decision.  These guidelines recognize the traditional  role of parents and parental authority.

Representative Robertson, thanks again for the time!  All the best and congratulations.  I understand a wedding is imminent.

Yes, I'm very happy to confirm the truth of your understanding.  A June 27th wedding is planned.