Monday afternoon in Alpena former state Rep. John Moolenaar, R-Midland, announced his intentions of returning to politics by declaring for Michigan's 36th State Senate seat. The stop was one of several he is making during a two-day tour of the district.
Moolenaar was forced out of the State House in 2008 because he was term limited, but he shared with those in attendance that he thinks there is still a great deal of work to be done in Lansing and he wants to be a part of the change.
"I am running for state senator, because I feel Michigan is worth fighting for," Moolenaar said. "It is going to take more than just me. It is going to take Republicans and Democrats. It is going to take all of us to make a new, better Michigan."
Moolenaar is touring 10 counties over a two-day period to outline jos reasons for running for office and to get input from the people about what needs to be done to make Michigan better.
Moolenaar said his number one priority is to develop jobs in Michigan and especially northern Michigan. He said projects such as the Wolverine Power plant in Rogers City are essential to helping ease the state's unemployment woes. He said the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment could take the lead at creating new jobs with one signature.
"The bottom line is that permit needs to be approved. The DNRE must act swiftly and approve that plan. This delay is delaying and preventing jobs. I am for the building of clean coal burning plants. Right now the state is over regulating and holding up and denying plans that would help put our people back to work."
As the deadline for the state to pass a budget creeps closer, Moolenaar said the state needs to do a better job of how it spends its money. As an example he told of how the state laid off 100 state troopers, but at the same time contracted for a new state police administration building that will cost tax payers $4 million more a year to operate than the former building.
"We need to stop spending money on projects we don't need. We're drowning in debt and deficit and I think they need to manage their money more the way the families are having to. We have to be more prudent and responsible."
Moolenaar said there are measures that can be taken in order to help Michigan become more financially secure.
"We need to benchmark our spending. We have to be more efficient and cost effective," he said. "We can't continue to do things the way we always have. Another problem is we have more government than we can afford."
Moolenaar said his experience and love of Michigan is the main reason he is trying to return to Lansing. He hopes the voters will give him a chance to serve them once again.
"I just have an attitude that is about serving and I enjoy helping people," Moolenaar said. "Helping people was the major reason I got into government to begin with. It is going to be my job. If the people hire me, I am going to go to work every day for them and with their best interests in mind."
Steve Schulwitz can be reached via e-mail at sschulwitz@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5689.
