The Election is Finally Here
Posted by Amy Clickner on October 30, 2012
Tired of all the phone calls, mail and advertisements regarding the November elections? I know I am! Only eight more days and we will have our collective voices heard, making the final decisions to allow our community, our state and our nation move forward.
On top of the candidates, here in Michigan, we have six ballot proposals to consider. Five of those require amending the state constitution.
After significant research and discussion, the Lake Superior Community Partnership (LSCP) Government Relations task force developed a recommendation regarding these proposals which was ultimately approved by our board of directors at their September meeting.
The LSCP opposes the concept of amending Michigan’s constitution to address such initiatives. No matter the merits of each proposal, the LSCP believes the legislative process is the proper vehicle by which to deal with these specific issues, not amendments to the State’s constitution. The unintended consequences of changing the constitution cannot be fully understood, nor can those changes be revised in a timely and effective manner should the need arise. No “tweaks” allowed.
A constitution is defined as a set of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is governed. These rules together make up, i.e. constitute, what the entity is. Applying this definition, are we saying that the process of building a bridge is a “fundamental principle by which our state is governed?” Should the constitution be changed to require energy companies to generate 25% of their power from renewable sources by 2025? Shouldn’t these be debated by the legislative and regulatory committees that are already in place to tackle such issues?
Also, note the fact that the U.S. Constitution has only been amended 27 times in its 225 year history. In the first ten of those amendments we embrace our Nation’s Bill of Rights and the remaining 17 deal with “fundamental principles” by which our country is governed such as the abolishment of slavery and women’s right to vote. I urge you to think about the intent of our constitution when you head to the polls.
One of the proposals, regarding the new International Trade Crossing (bridge connecting Detroit and Canada), you have heard me discuss in the past. We recently received an update from our friend Roy Norton, the Canadian Consul General, when he visited Marquette County. From an economic development perspective, we have been extremely supportive of this project that will create 10,000-15,000 direct construction jobs in Michigan.
Trade between Michigan and Canada tops $70 billion annually and is responsible for 218,000 jobs in our state. Breaking that down even further, that is 12,800 jobs and $475 million dollars in congressional district 1 and 1,600 jobs in Marquette County.
Some ask why the Upper Peninsula should support or care about a bridge 600 miles away. Here are three very important reasons why:
All of these advantages and opportunities are at no cost to Michigan taxpayers! Did you know that the same type of arrangement was used 50 years ago to build the bridge in the U.P. to Canada? Only at that time, Michigan fronted the money and was paid back in full via the tolls. Sounds like it is an innovative solution that has already been proven successful.
No matter where you fall on the candidates or the proposals, please exercise your right to vote on November 6. Your voice matters and a single vote can make a difference.
For voters in the city if Marquette, please remember that you have an important additional item on the ballot, the revision of the city charter. For more information please go to www.mqtcty.org.
For more information about the Lake Superior Community Partnership visit www.marquette.org.
