I've aggressively tried to get up to speed here in Lansing, which has allowed me opportunities to have an early role in shaping policies that I have an interest in pursuing.

Have you been able to take anything away from your time serving residents on the Oakland County Commission and translate that into this new job?  How do the issues translate?

The issues of open government, which I pursued on the county commission, translate easily as they are just as relevant as ever.  I am very interested in transparency and open government -letting citizens see how their money is spent and decisions are made.  

Now, you've been involved in public service for a lot of years.  What brings you to it?  Why put yourself out there this way?

I feel we need people who stand up for conservative values and I have found that I am able to take the hits for standing up for what I believe in and people have supported me for it.  

And now you're here in Lansing.  Its been an interesting couple of months to say the least.  The first, next and last thing on everyone's minds continues to be jobs so I won't even bother to ask what your priorities are this cycle.  Obviously you're working to get things turned around on that front.  What sort of legislation are you and the caucus targeting right now to help get moms and dads back to work?

Get government out of the way - sunset regulations, cut taxes and spending, stop government from competing with the private sector, make it hyper-transparent so everyone can see everything government is doing.

We hear constantly that this is an auto-related problem and that nothing we do at the state level can make any difference in the face of a recent but pretty potent national recession.  Now, thinking people, we look back over the last six years and understand that these conditions aren't new to Michigan and for the better part of a decade they were exclusive here.  Still, we hear that same old chorus.  Is there anything we can do at the state level to make a difference?

We've got one of the most beautiful states to live in the nation.  If we coupled that with one of the most business-friendly places, man, I know we'd have many businesses and business sectors flocking to Michigan.  Instead, for six years, we've had nothing but contempt for our job providers.

How frustrating is it that Speaker Dillon and the Democratic caucus refuse to even allow a vote on an overwhelmingly bipartisan issue like SB 1, the Senate's elimination of the MBT surcharge?

Its very frustrating.  We need more Republicans in the House.

Being a CPA by trade I'd imagine you've got a pretty good understanding about just how tough something like the MBT and the surcharge can be on Michigan businesses?

Try telling a business owner who lost $200,000 in 2008, that due to the large gross receipts portion of the MBT, that they're going to still owe $40,000 in state taxes.  Then tell them that they're getting hit with another $2,000 penalty for not paying the $40,000 throughout the year, even though the state didn't have the forms ready until December.  Yeah - this MBT is driving business out of the state.

Another issue that's near and dear to bloggers' hearts, and I want to commend you for taking the lead on this one, is government transparency.

Just a few weeks ago you introduced legislation to force government bodies to post contracts online.  What brought you to this issue and what are the practical implications?  Because this is about more than just creating another website...

My goal is to get thousands and tens of thousands of eyes watching everything government does in our state.  With the internet, we can accomplish this.  What a rush many would have by searching and finding frivolous government spending, exposing it and getting it eliminated.  We need to foster greater and greater access to government spending and activities.  We need bloggers and regular internet users to tell us what will get more and more eyes on government spending and activities.  How about making FOIA requests easier online and cheaper (and of course, eliminate the need to FOIA as many documents as possible via transparency).  How about more live streaming of government meetings?  I get passionate about this stuff - its about liberty, freedom and allowing citizens to see how and where their tax money is spent and giving them a greater ability to make an impact on how its spent.  Let's really push the envelope.

I know I'm crunching your here on time.  Is there anything else you'd like to cover before I let you go?

Its criminal to keep kids locked in chronically failing schools.  I think the Dems are starting to have a more difficult time sleeping at night, knowing they're the ones keeping so many kids chained in those failing schools.  They sound like they may be willing to look at some serious reforms, including more charter schools.  Let's all watch and see.