Jim Haadsma says he’s running for state House because he’s concerned that Michigan isn’t the state he knew as a child or as a young man.
Haadsma is running for the 62nd state House district which includes Battle Creek and Albion as well as several townships in Calhoun County. The seat is currently held by Republican John Bizon. Haadsma has practiced law for 32 years, and has served on the Calhoun County Board of Commissioners for the past eight years. He spoke with WMUK’s Gordon Evans.
Priorities
Haadsma says he’s concerned that one party rule hasn’t worked in Michigan for nearly six years. He says failed leadership helped create the Flint water crisis, a financial emergency for Detroit Public Schools and problems reported at the Grand Rapids home for veterans.
Tax Credits
Haadsma says several tax credits should be restored, including ones for homestead, per child, and child care. He says the state should also provide some tax relief for seniors. Haadsma says he would pay for bringing those credits back by closing some corporate loopholes.
Energy
As the state Legislature considers an energy overhaul, Haadsma says it should have a greater emphasis on renewable energy by next decade. He says it’s also important to ensure reliability.
Marijuana
Asked about the possible legalization of marijuana, Haadsma says public safety is the primary concern. He says the state should seek input from public safety agencies. Haadsma says before any move to legalize marijuana in Michigan there should be a study of what legalization has meant in Washington and Colorado.
Auto Insurance
Haadsma does not want to make reforms to Michigan’s current auto insurance law. He says changes to reform workers’ compensation have made it difficult to collect those benefits. Haadsma says a change in no-fault insurance would represent abandonment of consumers. He says the system is intended to compensate victims who suffer serious injuries in auto accidents and need long term care. Haadsma says if the system is changed, the cost of catastrophic injuries would likely fall on taxpayers through the Medicaid system. Haadsma says there should be more investigation of how insurance companies are spending the premiums that are being charged.
Campaign Finance
The 62nd district is near the top of list of districts where the most money has been contributed so far. Haadsma says that’s because the path to a Democratic majority goes through the district. He says Democrats are trying to equalize what has been spent by the DeVos family for Republican John Bizon. Haadsma says raising the amount that individual donors can contribute to a campaign allows wealthy people to have more influence over the political system.
Control of State House
Although he is trying to help Democrats take a majority of seats in the state House, Haadsma says he can work across party lines. He says for most of his time on the county board Republicans have held a majority. Haadsma says his experience in a lower level of government is important reason he can be a successful legislator.
Discussion of other issues can be heard in the extended version of the interview.
Funding Local Governments
Haadsma says revenue sharing has been diminished significantly since Governor Rick Snyder took office. He says that has diminished the opportunity for better roads, better law enforcement and other services.
Flint
Haadsma says providing revenue sharing for cities would help prevent another crisis like the one in Flint. He says the state needs to provide incentives for education, transportation. Haadsma says infrastructure should be more of a priority in the state budget.
Discrimination
Although LGBTQ protections have been proposed, Haadsma says he thinks they haven’t moved because it’s not a priority of the Republicans in Lansing. He says if the Democrats get a majority in the state House it could pass, but he’s not sure about the Senate.
Ballot Questions
There will not be any proposals on this year’s statewide ballot. Haadsma that shows that it’s remarkably difficult to get a question before voters. He says it requires considerable sums of money in a short duration of time. But Haadsma says the Constitution is designed to make it difficult to get something done by referendum, he says the state shouldn’t do anything to change that.
Straight Ticket Voting
A federal judge put a state law that would have eliminated straight ticket voting on hold. Haadsma says it’s appropriate to have a straight ticket option. He says it keeps from clogging up polling stations. Haadsma says he would like the state to add any cause absentee voter opportunity, which he says would give people more time to examine their ballots before voting.
