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HUCK'S POSITIONS:

These are questions that Mike "Huck" Huckleberry has been recently asked during his "three pairs of shoes" door-to-door campaign for the open 70th District Michigan State House seat.

NOT IN ORDER OF IMPORTANCE!!!
(Because the questions are never asked that way!!!)

What economic stimulus would you recommend for Michigan's economy?

- First of all, I'd start "branding" the state as a delightful, productive place to do business, live and visit. We need to tell people that our Great Lakes and forests, "cool" cities and many cultural attractions make our quality of life second to none, and our well-trained, work-ethical folks can build or do anything!

Do you support a part-time legislature? Term limits?

- While I understand that many people are angry at the Legislature for their partisan bickering, cutting their time in Lansing won't change that attitude. A part-time Legislature won't change that or save appreciable dollars. It WILL make it difficult/impossible for workers and small business-owners to serve. This will leave only the wealthy and retirees able to serve in the Legislature. Although I originally supported term limits, time has shown they don't work. These only have served to make Legislators less community-responsive in their last term.

Do you support Governor Granholm these past five years?

- Generally, yes. She showed her true stripes when she personally pulled out the stops to help us fight for jobs in Montcalm-Ionia. She was on the "front line" with us to dissuade Electrolux from slinking off the Mexico with 2,800 jobs. She's been here even recently to attract 21st Century jobs in alternative energy, organic agriculture and manufacturing. Yes, I applaud her for that.

What should Governor Granholm have done differently?

- Not run! Considering the state budget mess with which Gov. Granholm was left and the subsequent economic times caused principally by the exporting of our manufacturing jobs, why would she want her job? You have to give the Lady lots of credit for her desire to pitch in against the odds!

What would you do to fix State Budget issue? When?

- Right now I'd stop partisan bickering. I will never leave the job when the budget is hanging. Heck, I'll buy the sandwiches. I'm a small-business-owner who gets support from Labor too. Why? Because I know that we aren't natural enemies - we're altogether here. The "get along" attitude is missing in Lansing because so many Legislators decided to work for their parties… not for their people. WE WILL CHANGE THIS!

What should we do about the "energy" crisis?

- For the past five years, I've campaigned to support renewable/alternative energy and to bring environmental responsibility to the forefront. We have a unique opportunity in Michigan to tap wind, solar and biological (grassahol, ethanol) energy sources. I agree with Gov. Granholm's aggressive plan to "green up" our state's energy, but I've been quoted for standing up against (my) Democratic legislative leadership's decision to "bundle" action on disparate energy ideas.

What can the Legislature do to improve "education"?

- Every parent, every teacher, every school board and administration member should join me on this: NEVER AGAIN, will Lansing take back dollars from Michigan educational institutions/districts in the middle of the school year. I will introduce legislation immediately to fix this "give and take… flip/flop."

What can we do to help "agriculture"?

- Our state government has hurt agriculture - farms/orchards big and small - in two ways. First, we have not helped them promote and market like most states have. That's the easier fix. The second problem is that we have been inconsistent in our administration of programs - especially on environmental issues. We can aggressively make Michigan's second largest "industry" more successful and help promote a greener Michigan.

What would you do to protect Great Lakes water?

- You want our water? Come here and share it! Period. Pollute it? You pay quickly.

What have YOU ever done to help the environment?

- Never mind the solar systems we have at our house. I have stood for fixing our environment and for growing its benefit for the next generation. In 2004, I hosted the first "Blue-Green" rally to unite Labor and Environmentalists in their common cause: make our environment safe and encourage our manufacturing base. The NY TIMES quoted me: "It doesn't cost jobs to fix the environment; it creates them."

Should I be able to ride my motorcycle without a helmet?

- Yes.

Do you support a Michigan Presidential Primary where you must publicly declare party preference?

- No.

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