It's great to be back, thanks for having me.

Your district covers a lot of territory up north and it's not the sort of district that the pundits typically consider a bastion of Republican thought.  In fact, it breaks pretty solidly Democratic if I remember right.  Can you tell our reader's downstate a little bit about the area you're from and the area you represent?

It's a rural but very beautiful district.  It covers Clare, Gladwin, Arenac and Northern Bay Counties.  It's full of good, honest, hard working people.  We also have some of the best natural resources anywhere in the state so if you are looking for a place to catch some nice walleye this summer come to the 97th District!

And how exactly does a Republican get elected in a district like the 97th?

A lot of hard work and an agenda for the state and the district that people can buy in to.

I know one big issue in the area is school funding equity.  First, can you define the problem and second, can you explain how you'd like to address it?

Yes, it's been one of my number one issues since joining the legislature in 2005. Following Proposal A in the early 1990s, which set guaranteed per pupil state aid funding amounts, some school districts were approved to receive larger foundation amounts resulting in thousands of dollars difference.  I am trying to make the point that students in my district are worth just as much as any other student around the state.  I will fight everyday that I am in the legislature to close this funding gap.

Another one of the issues that's universally important is the effort to help job makers here in Michigan.  That's something that's sort of come in fits and starts and stops these last couple of years between the Democrats' tax hikes and increased government spending.  But you've worked personally on some tax BREAK legislation and helped move some incentives for Hemlock Semi-Conductor, right?

Absolutely.  I believe this legislation, HB 5977, will be a big boost to our region and create many good paying jobs.

I've visited your website and I've got to ask... What's the "Great American Woodstove Changeout?"

Great question. The Great Michigan Woodstove Change-out Campaign" is a partnership between MUCC, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, and the Hearth, Patio and Barbeque Association. It provides up to $500 rebate and discount incentives toward the replacement of a conventional wood-burning stove with a more efficient, cleaner wood, pellet, corn, gas, or electric stove or fireplace insert certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

As someone who heats his home with corn, it's an important campaign for me.

I'll ask the question that I've asked each of your colleagues thus far... you've got a magic legislative wand and you can move one bill or package of legislation right now.  Something that's never going to see the light of day without that magic wand what with House leadership sliding roadblocks in front of every piece of Republican legislation.  What is it and why?

There are several items that I can think of.  School equity, tax cuts, property tax relief.  One thing that is near and dear to me is a constitutional amendment that I am currently gathering co-sponsorships for.  It would return the rule-making authority for state departments back into the hands of the legislature.  I believe that this will help to stop unnecessary regulation and can help spur economic growth.  I also believe that this will make all of state government more responsive to the needs of the citizens of this state.

The big issue more immediately in the legislature, at least in my mind, this week was the fact that Andy Dillon finally allowed the overwhelmingly pro-life House to vote on a ban on partial birth abortion.  But then he and Steve Tobocman blocked the companion legislation and Right to Life is talking about "shutting down" the legislature and threatening to pull endorsements.

I guess it's not fair to ask about internal caucus strategy but that won't stop me from trying... Let me go around it this way... if RTL wanted to shut down the chamber, could they?  And how disappointed were you with the way the supposedly pro-life Democrats have been behaving on this issue?

I cannot speak for anyone else.  However, this was a piece of legislation that was very important to me.  I believe that partial birth abortion is a brutal practice and needs to be stopped.

What are the big issues in the 97th this year?  What are you hearing from your constituents?

Obviously people are feeling squeezed.  The legislature raised their taxes last year. Now we have soaring gas prices, soaring energy costs and even grocery prices are rising.  Lansing is broken and we need to change the way that we do business.

Is there anything else you'd like to cover before I let you go?

Yes.  I would like to invite any readers from my district to attend my office hours coming up.

Friday, June 13 in Bay County at the Pinconning Township Hall (1751 E. Cody Estey Road in Pinconning, from 10 to 11 a.m.

Monday, June 16 in Arenac County at The Coffee Break (130 E. Cedar St.) in Standish, from 1 to 2 p.m.

And Friday, June 20 in Clare County at The Surrey House (125 E. Beech St.) in Harrison, from 9 to 10 a.m.

Representative, thank you very much and best of luck!

Thanks again.