By Tim Martin
Associated Press
LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- Gov. Rick Snyder isn't the only new leader at the state Capitol who will be drawing on a business background to try to help reinvigorate Michigan.
The incoming Republican leaders of the state Legislature, Randy Richardville and Jase Bolger, each plan to tap their own business experiences as they seek to reshape government and spark job creation.
Richardville, the new Senate majority leader, had finance-related jobs with La-Z-Boy Inc., Herman Miller Inc. and other companies before he was elected to the state House in 1998. He was the city of Monroe's economic development director before being elected to the Senate in 2006.
Bolger's initial run for the state House in 2008 was shaped in part by his frustration with Lansing while running a small business. The new speaker of the House says the "tipping point" came in 2007, when the state Legislature -- struggling to raise money for a deficit-ridden state budget -- approved a new business tax with a 22 percent surcharge and increased the state's income tax rate.
"As a small business owner, I felt Lansing just didn't get it," said Bolger, whose company, Summit Credit Services Inc., updates customer contact information and other data for companies. "I thought I might be able to offer a different perspective, a different insight."
Republicans will hold a 26-12 advantage in the Senate and a 63-47 edge in the House when the 2011-12 Legislature convenes for the first time Wednesday. Together with Snyder, a former Gateway computer executive and venture capitalist, Republican legislative leaders say they will focus on job creation and fixing the state budget.
Democratic leaders Gretchen Whitmer in the Senate and Richard Hammel of the House differ with Republicans on some ideas to fix the state budget, but appear to have developed a solid working relationship with the majority party. All four leaders appeared together on Michigan public television's "Off the Record" program recently and posed for a group photo afterward.
Michigan had a 12.4 percent unemployment rate in November, tied for second-highest in the nation, and a projected budget shortfall of roughly $1.8 billion for the fiscal year that starts next October. Michigan was the only state in the nation to lose population in the past decade, according to recently released census numbers, a reflection on the state's lingering economic problems.
Republicans envision turning that around with a state government that's easier for job providers to deal with through reduced bureaucracy. They seek a simpler, restructured business tax system that could leave companies with more money to invest in workers and equipment.
"We've gone through some tough times, but we have some great people in this state," Richardville said. "Once we empower them with a decent environment, I think you'll see people want to invest and grow -- and then we will start to eliminate some of the unemployment issues and some of the 'brain drain' issues."
Richardville, 51, starts his second, four-year Senate term this month in a district covering all of Monroe County and parts of Washtenaw and Jackson counties. He takes over as leader for Republican Sen. Mike Bishop, who made his mark holding the line on most tax increases and insisting on deep cuts in state spending. Bishop couldn't seek re-election to the Senate because of Michigan's term limits law.
Richardville is regarded by colleagues as personable and a good listener. Business groups like his background.
"I think it is important for the Legislature to be made up of men and women from both parties and different walks of life," Michigan Chamber of Commerce President Rich Studley said. "But I think especially, given the economic challenges we face right now, it is beneficial to have legislative leaders like Randy Richardville and Jase Bolger who have practical, hands-on experience in the private sector."
Bolger, 39, lives in Marshall. His district covers parts of Calhoun and Kalamazoo counties. He worked for First of America Bank before founding his own business in 1996. He remains a co-owner at Summit, and says the experience gives him a "common sense, problem resolution approach" that carries over to his job as a lawmaker.
"Running a small business, you have to face challenges every day," Bolger said. "How you keep the doors open, how you face those challenges -- that determination it takes to operate a small business, the creativity and innovation it takes to keep up with a small business."
His father, Jim Bolger, held high-level positions in the Michigan State Police under both Democratic Gov. James Blanchard and Republican Gov. John Engler. One of Bolger's brothers is in the state police and another is in the U.S. Army.
"He loves the state," Jim Bolger said of his son and the new leader of the 110-member House. "With his business, he could have moved elsewhere. But he thinks Michigan is wonderful and he wants to help turn it around. That's why he got involved the way he did."
Published: Tue, Jan 11, 2011
