I recently read a report that was unveiled as part of a PBS special on January 18, 2010. The 15-page report contains the viewpoints of Michigan residents on a wealth of different topics and issues facing the State of Michigan.

The report was created by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and the Center for Deliberative Democracy. The findings from the report were part of a PBS special that can be viewed here, or read the report here.

Website for the W.K. Kellogg Foundation:
http://www.wkkf.org/

Last night, in President Obama’s State of the Union address, he spoke clearly of and emphasized the need to start using more “common sense” when crafting policy in Washington. He said: “It is time to put in place tough, new common-sense rules of the road so that our financial market rewards drive and innovation, and punishes short-cuts and abuse.”

It seems like that philosophy could hold true here in Michigan for ALL areas of public policy. This sentiment is precisely why we have chosen the campaign tagline: “Common Man. Common Sense. Uncommon Possibilities.” We need more creative-driven common sense solutions. Keep checking back for more blog updates.

In recent days, the State has announced that it may be cutting upwards of 200 state road and infrastructure projects. These projects were planned over a four to five year span and the cuts may be required because of the dire budget situation. The fear for many leaders in the state is that transportation infrastructure cuts may be further exacerbated by losing federal matching dollars if we do not step up our own project contributions. All these lost state and federally funded projects would be essential to maintaining and creating jobs.

The state funding for projects would be cut by over a half in the next four years. The estimates put the decreased from $1.4 Billion in spending to $600 million.

I think most residents of Michigan and many within the 60th district would agree that there are many areas of transportation infrastructure in dire need of repair or replacement. All it takes is blowing a tire or ruining your car’s alignment because of a pothole to realize the costs of vehicle repair are far more expensive than any slim increase in the state’s gasoline tax. Tax increases are tough for anyone to digest. However, with as much as gas prices have fluctuated from $2 to $3+ per gallon in recent years, we’ve seen similar price adjustments from mere market adjustments. This gas tax adjustment would actually show for something and serve as an investment for the long-term. I generally oppose tax increases that lack the forethought to provide some form of eventual investment or payoff. In this instance, I feel there is a definite payoff in the long-run.

The project repairs, may save us money in the long-term if we are able to pick up more matched federal dollars that we would otherwise have to cover on our own. Additionally, it may prevent more serious and expensive repairs down the road. Imagine if current project repairs could prevent another Battle Creek I-94 overpass fiasco. And lastly, the projects will create the jobs that we need so badly in this rough economic climate. (more…)

In papers across the state in recent months, we have been hearing more and more about the prospects for installing wind turbines to produce carbon-free emission energy off the coastline of Lake Michigan. I have been closely following state publications, such as the Ludington Daily News.

These off-shore “wind farms” are a collection of hundreds of turbines that stand 300 feet tall. A proposal by a firm called Scandia Wind and Havgul Clean Energy requested the construction of nearly 100+ wind turbines that would cover a parcel of Lake Michigan extending nearly 100 square-miles off-shore. Other energy firms, such as CMS and Consumers Energy are considering similar coastal energy projects.

It is a complicated and highly divisive issue sure to plague the policy track of the Michigan Legislature for some time. Proponents of the coastline “wind farms” tout the benefits, such as: less dependence on fossil fuels, energy security that comes from domestic production of energy, improved environmental quality, and the great potential for green business development within the state. For these reasons, it is my firm belief that we need to stay the course with implementing such alternative energy sources in a safe and less visually disruptive manner.

However, many opponents of the proposed off-shore energy projects are largely concerned with the obtrusive nature of the 300-foot wind turbines destroying the natural beauty and scenic coastline of one of our state’s most beautiful attributes—Lake Michigan. Town hall meetings on the issue have drawn upwards of 800 locals to discuss the issue in recent months. (more…)

Getting out into the community is a priority for me. If you have an organization in the community that would like to learn more about me or just share your concerns about the state, I’d love to meet you. We are currently scheduling meetings throughout the 60th district. Please email chrisforkzoo@gmail.com with your request.

Better yet, if you just have a question you would like for me to answer, write them in the comment section of this post, tweet @ChrisForKzoo, or email chrisforkzoo@gmail.com. I will collect your questions and post my response in a youtube video.

This is just the beginning of my commitment to you, to stay connected, and hear what you have to say. What’s on your mind? Let me know.

This weekend there is a lot going on in Kalamazoo. I hope to see you at the Downtown Chili Cook-off from 11:30 am to 2:30. There will be 21 vendors participating this year and should be a great time. I also hope to attend the Historic Homes event at the fairgrounds.

Yesterday, I joined a crew of dozens of students and local residents to march from the Wesley Foundation on the campus of Western Michigan University to MLK Park in downtown Kalamazoo. We departed campus at 3:30 and arrived about 45 minutes later. Upon arrival, we heard from some local political leaders and sang prior to the release of balloons.

The Kalamazoo community gathered in MLK Park in tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (Official Chris for Kzoo Photo)

It was truly inspiring to see so many march along the streets of our community for an uplifting and reflective purpose on such a cold January afternoon.  The crew that marched together as one unified force for progress truly represents the best of humanity and the great potential for our community. In the crowd, I saw so many young persons walking amongst community members. This realization provides me so much hope for the progress of our future. (more…)

Happy Tuesday! In the next two weeks, hundreds of window clings will be rolling out on the streets of the district. Check ‘em out! If you’ve had a sighting, let us know…so we know they’re working.

If you are interested in one, email us at chrisforkzoo@gmail.com.

Ask for a window cling for your car window today. (Official Chris for Kzoo Photo)

I’d really like to encourage people to read the report that was largely the inspiration for a portion of my announcement speech.

Here is a good source for information on it from Governor Granholm’s blog

More information in the report here.

As an educator of two years now, I have seen first hand the wave of data driven instruction that has primarily been implemented in large cities and dangerously low-performing schools across the country. Whether educators love it or hate it, its on its way nation-wide. It is no longer an issue of “if” its coming, but rather “when” its coming.

As a state, we need to assure that we are ahead of the data driven tsunami that is about to land across the nation. Our newest Secretary of Education (Arne Duncan) was the CEO of Chicago Public Schools (CPS) prior to joining the Obama Administration. He proved to be very aggressive regarding the integration of data-driven instruction within all his schools in Chicago. And his predecessor, is even more of staunch “numbers man.” Nonetheless, nearly across the board, schools that properly implemented data driven strategies saw substantive results. According to Duncan’s official department biography, “during his tenure as CEO, an all-time high of 66.7 percent of the district’s elementary school students met or exceeded state reading standards, and their math scores also reached a record high, with 70.6 percent meeting or exceeding the state’s standards.”

The idea behind this form of instruction is that students are continuously assessed to gauge mastery. More than just the mastery or overall score of a test, it breaks a test or assessment down by State Standards or individual questions. If on a test, 80% of my students correctly responded to a question—- I know I can move on. As an educator, I can be more purposeful and strategic about my lessons and approaches. If most of my students do poorly on an assessment, it enables me to strategically target the students and sorts of questions that caused the low scores. It has served other useful purposes. It is a phenominal route to show kids and thier parents progress or lack thereof in the numbers. (more…)