November 2006 Field Report -
Southeast Michigan
By: Tony Daunt – Southeast Michigan Field Director
2006 & 2007: The Year in Review and a Look Ahead
Well, as hard as it may be to believe, another year is coming to a close. Now that the Thanksgiving turkeys have been carved, holiday appetites have been indulged, and Christmas shopping has begun in earnest, I thought it might be fun to reflect on some of the major political and policy stories of 2006 and look ahead to what to expect in 2007.
One can’t possibly talk about the political landscape in Michigan this past year without mentioning the 2006 race for governor. It was the most expensive race in the history of this state and seemed to reach an intensity level similar to years when voters are choosing their next president. Television advertising alone hitting the $50 million mark between the two camps and a combined total of $56.6 million was raised by the candidate committees of Dick DeVos and Jennifer Granholm, according to their pre-general election campaign finance reports. All of which doesn’t even include the money spent by the two state party apparatuses and other third party groups such as the Michigan Education Association (supporters of Gov. Granholm) and the Michigan Right to Life Committee (supporters of challenger Dick DeVos). Sometimes lost amidst the media coverage of this costly and bitter race was the fact that we also had an incumbent US Senator running for re-election along with the Michigan Secretary of State and Attorney General, 15 members of Congress, 38 State Senators, 110 State Representatives, two members each from the governing bodies of MSU, U of M, Wayne State, and the State Board of Education and countless other local races and proposals. As if that just wasn’t enough, we also had five statewide ballot initiatives to vote up or down on. To say the least, it was a busy year… and quite exciting for political junkies such as yours truly! For most other people, I’m sure you are thrilled that you won’t have any more dinners or Saturday afternoon football games interrupted by those %#@& phone calls and TV ads! Well, at least until the 2008 presidential season heats up.
The Michigan Association of REALTORS® has long been an important advocate in the state for private property rights, an equitable tax structure, less bureaucratic interference, more accountability in how the government spends YOUR money and a leading voice in the call for strong ethics from both our members and our elected officials. As such, we worked closely with all of our local associations to interview, debate and endorse candidates who best represented the ideals listed above and indicated a willingness to work with us once elected. Much like any competition, you win some and you lose some. We remain proud of the choices made by our members and look forward to working with all of the successful candidates in 2007.
One of the dominating issues – perhaps THE issue of the 2006 campaign and 2007 going forward – was and is the state’s dire economic situation. The economic crisis facing Michigan provides our state leaders with an opportunity for real and significant structural changes to the state’s economy and its government and the Michigan Association of REALTORS® has no intention of sitting on the sidelines during these important debates. Our involvement in the electoral process has put us in terrific shape to work with the leadership of both parties to ensure good government that protects the business interests of our membership and the entire state. The voters have spoken and it is clear that they expect our leaders to work with each other for the good of the state, not against each other for the good of the Democrat or Republican parties. The year ahead promises to be an exciting one and it is almost certain that we’ll need your help to get Michigan back on track.
I look forward to working with you again in the coming New Year. As always, please do not hesitate to contact me for questions about the topics discussed in this column or any other issue that may arise in the course of your business proceedings. My number is: 517-812-4134.
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November 2006
Field Report
• Year in Review
Tony represents:
• Ann Arbor Area
• Dearborn
• Detroit
• CBOR
• Down River
• Grosse Pointe
• Lenawee County
• Livingston County
• MCAR
• Monroe County
• North Oakland County
• Western Wayne Oakland County
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