There was a time not so long ago in Michigan government and politics that respect and civility were the norms. They needn’t be a thing of the distant past. Michigan citizens deserve something far better than the partisan divisiveness and rancor that they have recently endured. There are ways to go forward constructively and productively if enough legislative men and women of moral fiber and good will lead the way. Again, our citizens deserve nothing less.
I served in the Michigan Legislature from 1967 to 1979. In my last four years, I was Republican leader of the House. My Lansing roommate was the Democratic leader of the Senate (in those days we were in session five days a week, and most legislators stayed in Lansing for the whole work week). In today’s atmosphere, we would probably be stripped of our leadership and drummed out of our respective caucuses. Then, no one questioned our arrangement. We were each loyal to our caucus, we betrayed no secrets, we fought at all times for the best interests of our respective caucuses. And when I got married for the first and only time in my first term as House Republican leader, the ceremony was attended by legislators of both parties, including by my now ex-roommate, the Democratic leader of the Senate, and by my Republican governor as well. Our positive relationship allowed us to make strategic compromises that advanced the best interests of both our caucuses. Mutual trust led to mutual gains. Our constituents were the winners.
Contrast that to what played out in January 2023 when Democrats took control of both houses of the Michigan Legislature for the first time in 40 years. A number of freshmen Republican representatives made themselves legislatively irrelevant for the next two years (and maybe beyond) by gratuitously insulting both the incoming House speaker and the clerk of the House by voting against them even though they had no opponent. In some past years, the minority party would nominate their leader for speaker, more as an honor and tribute knowing that he/she would not prevail. That is fine and understandable. But when the minority party chooses not to do that, it is a gratuitous “slap in the face” to vote against the majority’s nominee and not FOR anyone. The real losers are, in addition to the minority legislators who have now made themselves irrelevant, the 90,000 constituents of every legislator voting against the new speaker. Worse political strategy and decision-making I cannot imagine. A greater disservice to their constituents I cannot imagine. So, did these legislators come to Lansing to be a “zero” or to accomplish something for themselves and their constituents?
If our goal is to create anew a functioning, productive legislature how can this be done? A newly elected legislator should try, hard as it may be, to do the following:
- Develop expertise in two or three subject areas so that when he/she speaks other legislators listen because that person “knows what he/she is talking about.”
- Set forth (and put into legislation when possible) positive ideas and programs; do not merely “oppose.”
- Suggest strategies to your caucus for enacting those ideas, programs, and bills; show your creative side.
- Freely offer serious amendments to opposition bills, both to “improve” them but to establish a record of what you are “for,” thus better justifying a “no” vote on the bill as a whole if need be.
- When you lead, make sure that a significant number are following; if not, pull back and consolidate.
- Be a team player working in harmony with your caucus whenever possible.
- Help your fellow caucus members: campaign for them if you have the luxury of taking time off from your own campaign; help them raise money; help their staff; give them prudent advice based on your own legislative experiences.
- Get to know each and every member of the opposition caucus; seriously reach out to them, find common interests, listen to them, show them you are open, caring, and reasonable; identify where and how you can help them and where they can help you. You will be surprised by the dividends that pays.
The citizens of Michigan deserve the very best. Do not let petty partisan divisions stand in the way of good government. YOU can lead our state to a new era of constructive, productive government.