Cropsey, elected most recently in 2002, first began his years of service in the Michigan Legislature in 1979 after winning a seat in the House. An experienced lawmaker, he chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Before this four-year Senate term, Cropsey was a senator from 1983 to 1986 and a state representative from 1979 to 1982 and from 1993 to 1998. He also was vice chairman of the state Board of Canvassers from 1999 to 2001, and chairman in 2001.

RM: The Republicans have taken a beating here on Mackinac Island over the smoking ban legislation. What do you make of this issue?

AC: I think Senator Bishop was absolutely right. People can make their own choices - it's a legal substance. Why the state government is mandating that the state go smoke-free is beyond me, especially when some people of these same people out there saying medical marijuana, so to speak, should be allowed. It's kind of nuts.

What is very interesting is when Democrats in Detroit say casinos need to be smoke-free because they are competing with Indian casinos. What they aren't saying is what about the restaurants in cities with Indian casinos? Those restaurants will have to go smoke-free, but restaurants in Indian casinos will still allow smoking and all the smokers will be forced to go into restaurants not paying taxes.

RM: Do you agree that the smoking ban is only the first step towards more regulation and infringement into our personal choices and freedom?

AC: They will probably go and try and ban drinking next. They tried that a few decades ago and people got tired of that. I think Senator Bishop was right. It's apparent that a lot of people want to force this state to go smoke-free. I have never smoked - I don't like going into restaurants that allow smoking, but that's my choice. I don't like the state telling people they can't go into restaurants where smoking is allowed.

RM: There are very few Average Joe taxpayers attending the conference. Most of the attendees are non-profits who want taxpayer money to fix everything or big-money special interests. Who's representing the taxpayers here?

AC: It's interesting that a lot of times these conferences with legislative leaders focus on education. I keep thinking we have a lot of university presidents and school superintendents here and they get paid a lot more than legislators. They should be giving answers instead of always asking for more money.

We seem to hear government is the answer - government too often times is a road block. Government ought to be reforming its regulatory process to make it easier for people to start up a business and do business in this state.

RM: House Speaker Andy Dillon told the conference we should release convicted felons from prisons to relieve the increasing cost of corrections instead of addressing other key cuts. As chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, what do you make of the speaker's comments?

AC: We had the governor several months ago suggest 3,000 felons be released, but within four hours they had withdrawn that list. The people we have in prison have almost always committed a very serious crime. They should not be let out.

If the governor is really concerned with too many people in prison, the governor could tell the Parole Board to release 16,000 prisoners past their early release date. The governor can commute their sentences and pardon any person she wants to.

RM: So what's next for you?

AC: I'm the floor leader in the Michigan Senate. I like the position and enjoy serving. I look forward to serving the people of Clinton, Ionia, Montcalm and Isabella counties.