(Brighton, Mich) – A message to the voters of Michigan’s 42^nd District from the Campaign to Elect James Lewis:

Thank you to everyone who cast their ballot for real change, who voted their conscience and not their party affiliation, and everyone who took some time to get to know the candidates and understand where they stand on the issues.

We would be lying if we said we weren’t disappointed with the final results, yet we know that what the results don’t reflect are the thousands of Michiganders who got the chance to see that the Libertarian Party has ‘grown up,’ and the million plus Americans who voted Libertarian this time around.

Strengthening our party hasn’t been easy, but it is happening. Several candidates throughout the state ran serious campaigns, much to the credit of their staff and (primarily) volunteers. We were told there is no seat at the table for third-party candidates; we didn’t take no for an answer. We fought back and found our voice, clarifying our message and gaining real strength along the way. We learned, and we know there’s work to be done to present our message of liberty. And we won’t be stopped.

We congratulate our opponent Shanda Willis for running a positive and energetic campaign, and working very hard to reach voters with her message. She was clearly engaged and proactive in reaching out to voters, listening to them and working to understand their issues. She was a worthy opponent, and we wish her the best in future endeavors.

We truly wish we could congratulate our other opponent, Bill Rogers, on a well-run campaign, but we can’t, because he really ran no campaign at all.

No website, no op-eds, no Facebook (beyond his own personal page), no Twitter and no campaign office. No campaign telephone (at least none we could find) no place where he published his platform or identified his proposed solutions. Several times through the campaign, voters in this district called and emailed our campaign staff to see if we knew how to reach Rogers. We were amused, but confused… if he’s serious about the people of this district, why is it so hard to reach him? We chuckled about his lack of access, but it’s really not very funny.

Congratulations on the results are in order, of course, as he won, very handily. So, congratulations on the win, Representative Rogers; we sure wish we knew how to win a campaign by doing nothing but being a member of the “right” party in the “right” district. That’s some serious political magic, Bill. If you can bottle that, we’ll buy some.

Livingston County voters, especially Libertarians but also Democrats and probably some Republicans as well, do not have very high expectations for our House representative this term, especially judging his performance the past two terms.

We’d like to say we are hopeful he will not support further tax increases, he will cease telling small business owners to “hire a lobbyist” when they seek help from their representative, and we urge Rep. Rogers to be more accessible to his constituents as he awaits his lifetime taxpayer-funded benefits and pension.

We’d also like to hope that Rep. Rogers will stand up for Michigan’s autonomous rights, for liberty and equality, and not for his special interest friends. He could, if he chose to, make this the term where he truly stands out in the field of indistinguishable red and green “yeas” and nays.” Since he will not be running again (due to term limits), he could, if he chose to, stand for the People of Livingston County, not his party and its well-heeled contributors. We wish him the courage to do what needs to be done.

Looking back at the election, we have no regrets. We did all the right things. We ran a fair campaign; we raised funds without taking the contributions offered by PACs and lobbyists. We stood firm on our principles. And only numerically we lost. This election had voters polarized in a way not seen in decades. The effect of the federal election was a hurdle most challengers seeking office at other levels of government simply could not overcome.

The enormous win here was for the Libertarian Party of Michigan. Here in the 42^nd District, we reached voters both inside the district and across the state. Our campaign was covered locally and even on the national stage. We received emails and calls of support from around the country yesterday as we awaited the final results. We expect great things for the Libertarian Party beginning in 2014. Ultimately Livingston County wasn’t ready to make a stand for liberty and individual rights. They chose the path of least resistance, and for that we are sad, but we don’t really blame them.

Our sincere thanks everyone who believed in the campaign: Our committed staff of volunteers, supporters, donors and the voters of District 42. It is their voice we listen to today.

A vote for James Lewis is a vote for your voice, for Michigan 

(Brighton, Mich.) – Summing up the difference between incumbent Bill Rogers and challenger James Lewis is simple, according to Lewis’ campaign manager: “Rogers plays for big money and special interest; our candidate [Lewis] is in it for the people. That’s the clearest way we can say it.”

“Our government has lost sight of the fact that we are the United States of America,” says Lewis campaign manager Steve Mace. “We are a union of autonomous states, not a central government in Washington. Our state legislature, under the so-called leadership of incumbents like Bill Rogers, has allowed Washington to slowly erode our rights and take power away from Michiganders over decisions about our state.”

Voting for Bill Rogers is tantamount to voting for continued erosion of our state’s ability to govern itself, and further disregard for our state’s Constitution, asserts the Lewis campaign. It is a vote for “pay to play” politics so big companies get special treatment under the law, and big politicians get to fatten their campaign coffers. These assertions are supported by legislation voted for by Rogers that shifted taxes to elderly state residents away from big business, and allows special interests in the insurance industry and others to influence legislation that limits choices for state residents.

“Voting for Bill Rogers is a vote to give away more of our autonomy. The incumbent is satisfied with the status quo, and quite happy to appease party interests over his constituents. Bill Rogers will not protect Michigan’s rights on the national stage, and will not protect your rights if they conflict with the money stream,” says Mace.

Lewis vows to represent the voice of the people of his district, disregarding party politics and special interests. He promises to introduce legislation that will eliminate the non-homestead property tax that makes investing in real estate more difficult in this state. He has already refused PAC and special interest money, and will continue to do so once elected. He will bring parents and taxpayers back into the discussion on education, instead of supporting the expanded P-20 education plan favored by his opponent. And he vows, above all else, to uphold the state’s Constitution and the rights of its citizens.

“I am fully prepared to tell special interests “no way,” says Lewis. “I will not be a part of the current pay-to-play legislation landscape. I will fight to lower property taxes, and I will go to the mat for small businesses.”

The Lewis campaign says now is the time to send a message to Lansing, and elect a candidate who will truly represent the voice of his constituents.  A vote for James Lewis is a vote for having your own voice in the House of Representatives, not just another representative who will put a party before the best interests of the District. A vote for Lewis means voting for a man who will call on the House of Representatives to fight for Michigan’s autonomy and fight to protect Michigan’s rights under the Tenth Amendment.

Incumbent Rogers’ ideas met with silence, contradicts himself on own voting record 

(Brighton, Mich.) – At Wednesday’s Candidate Panel Discussion, sponsored by the Home Builders Association of Livingston County , the only applause was for candidate James Lewis, running against incumbent Bill Rogers and challenger Shanda Willis for a seat in the state House. Representing the 42^nd district, Lewis advocates eliminating personal state income tax and cutting property taxes as a first step in recharging the home building and other local industries.

The Lewis plan calls for cutting the state budget by 11% across the board to afford the elimination of personal income taxes. He asserts this will make the state more attractive to businesses and the people they employ, and will help jumpstart new business growth.

Lewis received applause from the audience, which consisted mainly of builders and related tradespeople and affiliated industries. Rogers, whose building company is a member of the HBALC, found his ideas were met with decidedly less enthusiasm.

When asked specifically what could be done in the legislature to help spur home starts, Lewis was clear: Level the housing tax and eliminate the disadvantages to owning a second home or investment property by eliminating the “non-homestead” property tax that adds an average of 40% more to the property owner’s tax bill. Lewis claims that by eliminating this tax, buyers will be more likely to invest in fixer-upper properties, which in turn spurs local growth and related businesses.

Rogers, who up until this point in the campaign has been silent on the non-homestead tax issue, added, “I firmly believe in getting rid of the homestead exemption.” It was unclear whether Rogers meant that literally, as doing away with the exemption would effectively raise taxes on home owners. Lewis is aiming to repeal the non-homestead tax, not the exemption.

Rogers mentioned that work needed to be done in the financial industries regarding appraisals, and said that as a builder, he has had to lay off people who worked for him.

“I used to feed 20 families that I can no longer feed,” said Rogers, saying that if you wipe out employers, we won’t have any employees.

Lewis blames the special interests and lobbyists for a lot of the problems at the state level, and suggests that across the board cuts are the solution.

“Nobody wants to give up their favorite pet projects or axe any particular program,” Lewis said, in explaining the current system’s shell game of moving taxes from one group to another, depending on who is lobbying hardest. “We need mandatory cut across the board. Nobody gets to pick a project, nobody gets a say so. We cut across the board.

“It’s time that the individual gets a chance to be represented in the process,” Lewis continued. “The individual is bearing the brunt of this system. Judging by the applause after this statement, many in the room agreed.

Lewis has been campaigning on a platform of reducing government intrusion in the form of business regulations, a message which has been well-received by many in the local business community. And, at least last night, Rogers seemed to agree, stating that “there is way too much regulation in this [the home building] industry,” and claiming to be working on diminishing industry regulations.

Rogers’ voting record, however, says otherwise, with the incumbent voting to raise taxes on Michigan voters and add additional industry regulations, while voting against several measures designed to institute campaign finance reform.

Lewis campaign interested to hear incumbent’s platform, campaign manager sees similarity between Rogers and Obama strategy 

(Brighton, Mich.) – As Election Day draws near, more and more voters in Livingston County are asking “Where’s Bill?”

Meanwhile, candidate James Lewis, who is running for State Rep in the 42^nd District, continues to gain momentum and support throughout the area. Lewis has been highly visible in the community this fall, with public appearances several times a week, an active social media campaign, and a consistent string of press releases announcing his position on the issues.

As for incumbent Bill Rogers-R, his public appearances have been limited to candidate forums, including one in which he complained to the moderator about the questions; and high priced fundraisers where voters have to pony up $50 or more to gain access to the career politician.

Lewis campaign manager Steve Mace verifies that voters are asking about Rogers. “Just this week, at a public event we hosted in Brighton, I had a voter come up to me and ask what Rogers’ platform is, and where he could find more info,” said Mace. “I told him I don’t know, and that’s the truth.”

Mace continued that Rogers’ campaign has no published phone number to reach the candidate, and no campaign website or active social media presence where he engages with voters.

Citing Rogers’ voting record of the past few years, Mace points out that, while Rogers claims he is a fiscal conservative, he’s voted to raise taxes on seniors in his district, on the middle class, even on parents who have adopted children.

“Frankly, his record indicates that he is voting against the people of his own district. Instead of listening to what local voters wish and need, he seems to be taking whatever is handed to him by the party heads in Lansing, and regurgitating it as ‘good’ for his district,” says Mace.

“If he (Rogers) has some good ideas that will help the people of this district, I’m certain they would be happy to hear them,” continues Mace. “We just don’t know what his platform is because he hasn’t publicized anything.”

Mace noted that during the public forums, Rogers’ statements have focused on his extensive resume of committee appointments in Lansing. At a recent forum sponsored by the Pinckney-Hamburg-Whitmore Lake Chamber, Rogers was “clearly annoyed at the questions and the moderator, and made a public comment about it,” says Mace. “If he truly has some solutions to share, I would think he’d be happy to answer any question put to him, no matter the format, instead of simply listing all the committees his friends have appointed him to.”

The Campaign to Elect James Lewis would welcome a chance to hear from Rogers about his platform, his suggestions and ideas. Mace says the Lewis campaign is disappointed for voters that Rogers has remained so disengaged. He notes that while some people in this district will vote Republican no matter what, many more are looking for new ideas and real solutions to the gridlock and mismanagement they see in Lansing.

The Republican Party has been buying access in local media, taking out a several-page spread in a local advertising paper with a sample ballot, telling people to vote straight ticket Republican, without backing up their candidates with any specifics on platform, ideas or solutions. According to Mace, this is old-party politics and doesn’t sit well with today’s more informed and engaged voters.

“How can Rogers know how to represent his constituents if he doesn’t talk to them and hear from them outside of his state office hours? Bill is certainly leaving voters scratching their heads with his ‘vote for me just because’ platform. It reminds me of the current federal administration’s platform of ‘look who my friends are.’ Who knows, perhaps with a lifetime taxpayer funded pension and benefits on the line he doesn’t want people to realize he simply plans to continue the past four years of toeing the party-line, no matter what,” says Mace.

For more information on Lewis’ campaign, including his platform on the specific issues facing the voters of the 42^nd District, visit his website at www.electjameslewis.com.

Lewis campaign says incumbent fundraiser “par for the course” in two-party-money-soaked politics

(Brighton, Mich.)— Incumbent Bill Rogers-R is finally holding a (semi) public event, at the Lakeland Golf and Country Club in Brighton 18 days before the election. The evening reception is sponsored by the Rogers campaign and billed as an event “to honor Bill Rogers.”

“Hope to see you there in support of our man Bill” reads the message attached to an email invitation sent to a non-confidential list of about 50 select Brighton and area business owners and residents.

“Of course we have no quarrel with Bill holding a fundraiser at a country club,” says Steve Mace, manager of the Campaign to Elect James Lewis. “We just find it incredible that Rogers has been all but invisible to the general public. The only way to get to talk to him is to pay $50? That’s not right.”

Mace asserts that this is “par for the course” for Rogers, who has been accused of “pay to play” style politics. “With Rogers, money equals access, whether it relates to supporters along the campaign trail, or lobbyists and legislation in Lansing. This is old-style money-based politicking that serves special interests, not the people of this district or our state.”

Lewis, who is challenging Rogers as State Rep in the 42^nd District, has been widely available to the public, hosting “meet the candidate” events at local coffee shops, restaurants, bars and other venues regularly. While donations are of course welcome and greatly appreciated, there has never been a cover charge to these events or as a condition of access to Lewis.

“Our candidate is accessible to the voters,” continued Mace. “From the start he has been on Facebook with a public page, he has a strong website presence and YouTube channel, and he is out and about in the community talking to constituents every day; even posting his personal cell phone number.  He’s been open and transparent, and not limiting himself to the country club constituency, or any one constituency for that matter.”

“I don’t think Rogers even has a campaign website,” said Mace. “How can the average voter learn more about his platform without paying big bucks to ‘honor’ him?” Mace wonders what the Rogers campaign is doing with the several thousand dollars in their campaign war chest, beyond putting up a few signs around the Brighton area.

“They’re asking for money for access to their candidate, what kind of message does that send? We fail to see what they’ve done with the money given to his [Rogers] campaign from the all of the Lansing and Washington lobbyists,” says Mace, who is managing a grass-roots, bare bones style campaign for Lewis. “Sure, we’d love to have more money to work with, but we are getting our message out loud and clear. We won’t charge for access to our candidate, not during the campaign, and not when he gets into office.”

This Sunday, Lewis and his campaign staff will be at the Brighton Buffalo Wild Wings from noon to five, watching football and talking to voters. There is no cover, and the public is invited to come and learn more about Lewis’ ideas to bring the people’s voice back to the statehouse.

Lewis message of putting the People back in control of government appealing to district business owners and voters, Rogers’ message of maintaining status quo and party first policies falls short   

(Brighton, Mich.)—After being excluded from one local candidates’ forum, James H. Lewis (running for State Rep in Michigan’s 42^nd district) had a seat at the table during this week’s Candidate’s Forum sponsored by the Pinckney-Hamburg-Whitmore Lake Chamber of Commerce. And according to some attendees, Lewis clearly won the event.

“His [Lewis’] comments were insightful and spot on,” said Sandi Maki, a Brighton area business owner. “Unlike Rogers [incumbent Bill Rogers-R], James’ ideas made sense and went way beyond the usual party line rhetoric. He offered specific ideas that could work, and not the same old predictable policy bullet points.”

In his opening remarks, Chamber Vice President and event moderator Rick Beaudin made it clear that, in this forum, ALL candidates on the ballot in contested races were invited to participate, not just the candidates representing the Republicans and Democrats. Incumbent Bill Rogers had a few words of his own for Beaudin, stating that it was unusual for the moderator to also be the one holding the questions.

Lewis was happy to answer all questions posed, and his ideas centered on seeking answers from private sector best practices in overcoming current budget challenges. For example, when asked about the state’s tax code, Lewis referred to the current ineffective “shell game” of moving money from one place, in the form of tax cuts, to another place, in the form of new benefits.

James Lewis with wife Renee at PHWL candidate forum/debate — Incumbent Bill Rogers appears in background (on right)

“Simplify the tax code, for everybody,” said Lewis. “Not just for the middle class, or the business class, not just for the poorest or the richest. We need a simplified tax code, across the board.”

Regarding several bills pending in the house covering women’s health issues, Lewis was clear: “The mother needs to have the best choices available. If you restrict her choices to care, no matter no matter how that is, you are doing her a disservice.” Lewis continued, “The Constitution guarantees you the right to be safe in your person. Any law that impedes that right, that’s a law I have a problem with.”

The attendees seemed engaged and interested, and many approached Lewis after the event to learn more about his ideas. His sentiments echoed the concerns of many attendees, that the Republicans and Democrats go back and forth with tired old battles, and never solve the real issues of governmental over-reach.

“Third party candidates nationwide are struggling to be included in debates, and Lewis has faced huge challenges in the 42^nd District,” says Campaign to Elect James Lewis manager Steve Mace. “Not surprisingly, the parties in power (Republicans and Democrats) want to keep a lock on their self-imposed authority, and are afraid to expose voters to solutions that would shift the power back to the people of this state, where it rightfully belongs. The people are craving this kind of information, and we appreciate the opportunity to bring the people of Michigan, not the parties, back to the table.”

Lewis, who ran against Rogers previously in 2010, has been gaining exposure and momentum in this election cycle, as voters realize in increasing numbers that the old way of government is just not working.

“Government, the way our founding fathers created it, exists to protect our sovereignty as a nation and to protect the sovereign rights of its people,” explained Lewis after the event. “That’s it. We have given away those rights, bit by bit, every time we’ve allowed the government to control more and more aspects of our lives and businesses.”

Lewis has also been invited to the candidates’ forum sponsored by the Home Builders Association of Livingston County, to be held on October 24^th at Memories Lounge in Brighton.

Lewis receives big endorsement from long-time small business advocate and candidate for Lt. Governor of Indiana

(Brighton, Mich.)–James Lewis received the endorsement of a long-time advocate for small businesses in the State of Indiana.

Earlier today Brad Klopfenstein, the executive director of the Tavern League of Indiana endorsed Lewis’ campaign for state representative of District 42. Klopfenstien is also a candidate for Lt. Governor of Indiana this November.

Klopfenstein is the running mate of gubernatorial candidate Rupert Boneham-L.

Boneham, known nationally for his appearances on the Survivor television series, is best known in Indiana for his advocacy for children through his non-profit foundation, Rupert’s Kids.

Klopfenstein has been a long-time advocate for the rights of small business owners and finds much common ground in Lewis’ belief that state government must stop treating small businesses as limitless “money trees”.

Upon receiving the news of the endorsement Lewis released the following statement:

“I am honored to have received the endorsement of a man who has dedicated so much of his professional life to the protection of the rights of Indiana small businesses, business owners and workers. I would like to thank Mr. Klopfenstein for his endorsement. Brad will serve the People of the great State of Indiana well when he is elected Lt. Governor.”

Lewis campaign manager, Steve Mace, says Klopfenstein and Lewis share the common belief that government needs to get out of the way of small business.

“As with Michigan, many state governments have gotten into the very bad habit of trying to run small businesses. Government meddling and treating small businesses as endless money trees to be picked from whenever Lansing wants has to end; it hurts business. Sadly our neighbors in Indiana have been enduring the same type of state government mistreatment of small businesses. Government needs to get out of the way of entrepreneurs and small business,” Mace said.

Recently the Boneham/Klopfenstein ticket has been rising in the polls.

Trends Belies Local Media Assertions that Third Party Candidates Don’t Matter

(Brighton, Mich.)—According to a recent article in Yahoo News[i], voters who label themselves as “independents” have been increasing in far greater numbers since 2008 than those who choose to affiliate with either the Republicans or Democrats. In fact, gains by both major parties are trailing significantly behind gains in registered Independents in several key battleground states. Between 2008 and 2011, more than 2.5 million voters shed their traditional Red/Blue party affiliations,[ii] and the flight seems to be gaining momentum.

This trend pokes holes in a Livingston County media executive’s assertion that third-party candidates serve only to distract voters from the real issues and real choices, and should not be included in candidates’ debates. According to Livingston Press & Argus Executive Editor Rich Perlberg, “they (third party candidates) are interesting, but they are somewhat of a distraction. They just do not get that many votes.”[iii]

In light of recent data, this may be about to change, in a big way. USA Today reported that, as of December 2001, “… state voter registration statistics shows registered Democrats declined in 25 of the 28 states that register voters by party. Republicans dipped in 21 states, while Independents increased in 18 states.”

Steve Mace, manager of the Campaign to Elect James Lewis, is not at all surprised.  “We hear this every time we talk to voters in Livingston County,” says Mace. “All they hear from the other party candidates is how the other side is wrong, is misinformed, is stupid or lying. This is not going to solve any of our problems, and these voters are smart enough to know that.”

“We have both former Republicans and Democrats who are now fully committed to supporting Lewis’ campaign, and we all share the common belief that the two-party system is badly broken, even corrupt, and it is time for voters to come together, embrace a Constitutionally-backed policy, and reclaim this state.” Lewis is running for State Rep for the 42^nd District, facing incumbent Bill Rogers-R in November.

This rise in independent voters lends urgency to the voices demanding equal access to all candidates, regardless of affiliation.

“The old two-party bastions can’t help but see, with this many people leaving the fold, that their message no longer resonates with educated and informed voters,” says Mace. “Keeping new voices and independent views out of the election is tantamount to muzzling free speech, the worst kind of abuse of power.”

“The people of Michigan need solutions,” says Lewis. “They want common sense answers, and they know these answers aren’t easy. They are also smart enough to know that blaming the other party, or disregarding their view simply because it goes against party line, is wrong and does this state a huge disservice.”

James Lewis is running as a Libertarian in November, and has vowed to work for the people of this state, not for a particular party.

(Brighton, Mich) – Recent data suggests a disturbing trend regarding our nation’s youth and the political process. According to new polling from the Pew Research Center,[i] “young voters are significantly less engaged in this year’s election…the share of voters younger than 30 who are following campaign news very closely is roughly half of what it was at this point four years ago.”

The decline seems to be equal across red and blue lines, with the same drop seen among both Republican and Democratic candidates, according to the research. Not only is there a lack of interest in voting, but registration among younger voters is down as well.

“It’s no surprise to me,” says Steve Mace, manager for the Campaign to Elect James Lewis. “The young people we’ve talked to are, almost across the board, disgusted with politics as usual. They see through the rhetoric and the ‘we know best’ attitude and cronyism that our current so-called ‘leaders’ espouse.”

Whitmore Lake resident Brad Wheelock was in the same boat until recently.

“I refused to vote, indeed I threw away my most important duty as a citizen, because I was so turned off by the Republicans and Democrats. I spent much of my first year as a registered voter as a cynic,” said Wheelock, who is now not only planning to vote this November, but is actively working to get voters in his age bracket to the table.

To help combat the problem, The Insights Group, a Brighton-based business development coalition, is sponsoring “Young Voters of Livingston County: A Multi-Partisan Event” on Thursday, October 11 at the Remax Platinum Office auditorium, 6780 Grand River in Brighton, MI.  The public event begins at 6:30 pm and will feature young adult speakers from the Libertarian, Republican and Democratic parties, as well as candidates for local and state office.

“This is not a debate,” says Sandi Maki, co-founder of the Insights Group, “this is an attempt to bring back a generation of disenfranchised voters who will be steering this country very soon. We welcome participants from all party affiliations, and hope to help frustrated voters get past the overwhelming disconnect out there for our political process.”

Candidates running for any office are welcome to participate in this special meet and greet opportunity. For more information contact Sandi Maki at the Insights Group at 810-201-4847.

Candidate Lewis weighs in on public sector benefits ruling, calls Rogers “no exception to the status quo” 

Brighton, Mich.—Referencing a Livingston Daily article this morning [Benefits ruling tells Michigan to 'go bankrupt,' Rogers warns], James Lewis, candidate for the Michigan State House, says incumbent Bill Rogers is using partisan scare tactics in order to appear relevant, instead of finding real solutions.

Lewis is referring to a quote by state representative Bill Rogers-R, regarding a recent court ruling calling a 2011 Rogers’ sponsored piece of legislation “unconstitutional”. In the quote, Rogers warns that the court is telling Michigan to “go bankrupt” with their ruling.

“In regards to PA 264, it is clear what has happened. I would be hard pressed to verify the financial numbers they [Republicans] are claiming this contribution requirement would save. That aside, we have to respect law; contracts with the state’s employees are just that, legal contracts. What Rogers and his fellow Republicans have attempted does amount to an ‘end run’ around current law,” Lewis said.

Lewis says the state must be run effectively and that the Democrats and Republicans have made it common practice to circumvent the law. “The law has to be honored,” Lewis says.

“If costs are out of control, then something clearly needs to be done for the taxpayer. It is, after all, someone else’s money we are talking about here. It is not the state’s money; it is the taxpayers’ money,” Lewis said.

When asked what he would propose as state representative to seek a sound solution, Lewis made his point clear.

“I would propose a salary freeze. The logical solution is placing ‘raises’ towards the increased health care and pension costs. If we look at companies that offer employee sponsored pensions, this is exactly has been done. It is perfectly the norm in the private sector, which leads thinking voters to question why the public sector is not on par with private sector solutions,” said Lewis.

“This does, however, have to be settled through the channels that are already in place, by the rule of law, not via partisan rhetoric and anti- or pro-union platform,” Lewis said.

Lewis says collective bargaining, which is already protected under the law, must be respected; but so should those who pay state workers’ salaries, the taxpayers of Michigan.

“Look, we know one side is ‘pro-union’ and the other is ‘anti-union’. When does ‘pro-taxpayer’ enter the picture?” Lewis asked. “This back and forth game of shifting the burden, which the other parties have engaged in for more than 60 years, has gotten us no closer to finding solutions to issues like this. It has only driven us further apart. And the real beneficiary of all of this back and forth is the special interest groups, not the taxpayers of this state. This has to stop,” Lewis says.

Lewis says it is time to “talk like adults” and include everyone in the dialog on issues like this, and to stop allowing special interests, from both sides of the current aisle, to dictate policy that effect taxpayers.

“Enough is enough with the ‘sky is falling scare’ tactics. The court did not tell the state to go bankrupt; that’s fear mongering rhetoric. If Bill is content to snub his nose at the law and the courts, well, that speaks volumes toward his solution-less partisan ‘party-first, party-only’ principles,” Lewis said.

It is uncertain at this time if the Republicans plan to appeal the Judge’s ruling; a cost which would be paid for with state taxpayer money.

“It never ceases to amaze me that for so long we have had lawmakers who swear to uphold the Constitution, but have little to no idea what is written in it. Then again, they seldom actually read the legislation they vote on… business-as-usual in Lansing. Rogers is certainly no exception to the status quo that is bent on never solving a single issue,” Lewis said.