Detroit Free Press Questionnaire


OFFICE YOU ARE SEEKING: State Representative for the 109th District.

NAME: Richard Hendricksen

DATE OF BIRTH: 4/7/49

PARTY: Democratic Party

ADDRESS: 325 High Street
Marquette, MI 49855

PHONES: 906-228-5257 (all phone numbers)

E-MAIL: rchendricksen@charter.net, Campaign Website: rchendricksen.com

FAMILY INFO: Wife, Jean Schultz; Stepdaughter, Erica

HIGH SCHOOL: Big Rapids High School, Big Rapids, Michigan, Class of ‘67

COLLEGE – POST-GRAD: n/a

CURRENT OR PREVIOUS PUBLIC OFFICES: None

EXPERIENCE RELATED TO OFFICE YOU ARE SEEKING: As a 30 year resident of Marquette county, I believe I have gained a reasonable understanding of the key issues facing the Upper Peninsula. Specifically, my extensive work in Upper Peninsula real estate has allowed me the opportunity to become acquainted with a diverse body of citizens and their concerns. Additionally, through continual involvement in environmental issues, I have become quite familiar with the land management issues of our resource-rich peninsula. Also, having been born in the Lower Peninsula and consequently spending time in its western half as a youth (boy scouts, fisherman, hunter, canoeist, camper, outdoorsman), my awareness of our state’s total natural resources is given a broader perspective.









STATE LEGISTLATURE

1. What are the three most important issues facing the State of Michigan

A) I believe the most pressing issue facing the State of Michigan is the lack of communication between legislators in Lansing. Unprecedented feuding between the two parties in Lansing has led to disconnection from the concerns of the citizens of our state—significantly lowering the effectiveness of economic, educational, and environmental policy. One strength others have remarked upon in me is my ability to communicate one-on-one, face-to-face. I always prefer to discuss issues and not run from them.

B) The economy is also an area of strong concern. Through the combination of inadequate educational funding, a lack of incentives for companies to develop in our state, and outsourcing of jobs, the economics of our state have become a key issue for many citizens. I strongly believe that through strong leadership in Lansing and the willingness to search for creative legislative answers our state be able to rebound.

C) Though it might be an easy answer to remedy our state’s economy to lessen legal environmental protection, we must remain steadfast in our protection of the natural resources found in Michigan, and look to them as a source of economic growth. Of key concern in this area to Upper Peninsula citizens is sulfide mining—an environmentally unsafe type of mining that is currently being proposed in the Upper Peninsula. I have been at the forefront of the anti-sulfide mining movement from its outset, and have proposed that our state protect natural resources for the future by the development of further park areas, which would both stimulate the economy and effectively manage our Great Lakes water. As a lifelong advocate for the environment, and a former recipient of the Earthchiever designation of the Detroit Free Press (Earth Day 1990), I feel that I have the credibility in this area to lead the path to progress.

2. In your view, are any changes needed in the K-12 school finance system or is Proposal A doing an adequate job?

While Proposal A had many good short-term effects on Michigan education, such as decreasing the gap between wealthy and low-revenue districts, its flaws have been accentuated with time. For instance, it lacked the dynamics to provide continual funding in times of economic downturn, and hence our state’s current educational expenses are not were they should be. To change this situation, Michigan’s government should not neglect adequately funding public education—our state’s economic future, which is in the hands of highly-educated and motivated youths, cannot be sacrificed in the form of inadequate and “quick-fix” education funding. There is always the bottom line of finding funds for education.




3. What, if anything, should be done about the Single Business Tax, now due to expire in 2009?

Due to the complexity of determining the S.B.T. tax for each business, perspective companies may be influenced negatively when deciding whether or not to establish a business in Michigan. However, the state needs the revenue currently generated by the S.B.T. Until reforms of this tax can be made, the state simply cannot do without the revenue generated by the S.B.T. tax. Therefore, I propose that consideration be given to establishing a simpler and more equitable business tax that would generate adequate state funds and establish a positive economic atmosphere.

4. About 30 years ago, state support accounted for nearly three-fourths of the cost of a college education in Michigan. Today, the state covers only about a third of the cost and tuitions are rising even as more emphasis is placed on advanced learning. Is state support for colleges and universities about where it should be? Is there a better way?

Unfortunately, state support for colleges and universities is currently sorely lacking. Fortunately, the problem is growing in the consciousness of Michigan citizens, and I strongly believe legislative change is both possible and on the way in the immediate future. To change this situation, the State of Michigan must offer more economic support for its students of higher education. Such funding reform, by creating an atmosphere of learning, creativity, and hard work, will do much to soothe our state’s economy in the long-term—helping to transform our state into a hub for high-paying, skills-driven, sustainable jobs.

5. What, if anything, should the state do about rising gasoline prices?

In accordance with a renewed emphasis on higher education in the state, Michigan should take the lead in the country in the research of alternative energies and viable energy conservation. As someone with extensive experience dealing with solar energy, including personal installation of solar power units and attending the Wisconsin MREA energy fair, I know first-hand that the goals of an increased emphasis on alternative energies and the freeing of our economy from fossil fuel dependence are possible. Supporting alternative energy could take the form of increased tax breaks for citizens who invest in such systems of power, as well as more grants to state universities that show a willingness to support research in this area. Additionally, I support the funding of public education programs that promote energy conservation where possible.

6. Will you vote in favor of the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative ballot proposal?

I am currently seriously considering the issue of the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative ballot proposal. Unfortunately, much tension continues to exist between races and the genders at this time. Without these tensions and prejudices being wholly eradicated, I view it as premature to repeal measures protecting the rights of minorities and promoting their economic stability. I suspect that the approval of this ballot proposal will not mean the end of discriminatory practices, but will rather allow them to increase without the still-necessary protections being in place.

7. On the issue of abortion, would you describe yourself as generally

( ) Pro-Life (x) Pro-Choice

8. Should the State of Michigan be assembling tax incentive packages to attract or retain employers?

Packages such as this currently exist in our state—however, they are designed in such a way as to make it very difficult for the small business owner to take advantage of its benefits. Specifically, these incentive packages are currently too complex and require too many legal hoops to jump through. While larger corporations may have the resources to meet such requirements, small business owners are all too often unable to meet the standards of these laws. Therefore, I would like to see the State of Michigan develop simpler tax incentive packages that would attract and benefit small businesses in addition to larger ones.

9. Gov. Jennifer Granholm has outlined a plan to provide health care coverage for up to a million uninsured people in Michigan, in party by creating a pool of funds from Medicaid savings. Are you familiar with this plan? If you are opposed to it, do you have an alternative for the uninsured?

I am familiar with this plan and I support it. Lack of health care for low-income citizens of our state is a pressing issue, and especially affects many of my fellow citizens of the Upper Peninsula. Under Governor Granholm’s plan, coverage would be boosted for many of the currently uninsured citizens of our state—a measure that I wholeheartedly support. That funding for this plan is provided from the federal government, with little further burden on the people of Michigan, is also a strong point. In sum, I believe it is our state’s responsibility to be compassionate and provide for these uninsured people, many of whom are children, and this plan is a great step in living up to our responsibility.

10. What in your view is the source of the brightest spot on Michigan’s economic horizon?

In my view, the brightest spot on Michigan’s economic horizon is our willingness to be progressive and lead the way into the future. As I mentioned earlier, I wholly support the development of alternative energy and its related industries in our state—this is an opportunity for our state to lead the way for our country in a time of great concern over energy issues. In addition, I believe that Michigan must look to its greatest assets in order to build a strong economy—its natural resources. One of the mainstays of my campaign is to create a Four Parks system in the Upper Peninsula, in which resources are protected and jobs are created by the tremendous economic power of tourism. It is progressive ideas such as these that will create a positive long-term effect on the Michigan economy, as well as protect the natural treasures of our state. The greatness of our state has always been in its ability to innovate and lead the way into the future with our creativity—let us not have sulfide mining and its tragic consequences cloud our future, but continue an innovative path for our future economic ventures.







News release Declaration of Candidacy April 17, 2006

Richard Hendricksen of Marquette has declared his candidacy for Representative of the 109th District of Michigan. Hendricksen, a local businessman, is running as a Democrat on issues related to our forests and waters, including the tourism industry and camp traditions, sulfide mining, park formation, honest and fair communication, unresponsive government, and sustainable logging.

Hendricksen believes business as usual no longer applies: because of sulfide mining, the Upper Peninsula faces a crisis of economic and social change. “The sulfide mining emergency is at the heart of my decision to run, yet I will listen to all concerns,” says the new candidate. “Listening has been an integral part of my profession, and I value it. Senior citizens, students, young families—all parts of society have a voice to be
heard so that a balance can be found,” he states.

Hendricksen has successfully run his own U.P. real estate business for nearly 30 years, and concentrated his efforts in remote land sales. Over the years he has sold everything from forested square miles to entire lakes to five-acre parcels. He has worked closely with the timber industry, and in doing so gained a good perspective on its policies, practices and corporate mentality; and further he recognizes its relationship to tourism.

From 1984-86 Hendricksen disassembled and preserved the five historic McCormick Grand Camp log cabins, which were located in the heart of the McCormick Tract Wilderness. He completed this project when most said he would fail.

Hendricksen and his wife have their log cabin camp in Powell Township, in the affected area of the proposed Yellow Dog Plains sulfide mine. Regarding the sulfide mining issue, Hendricksen explains, “There are serious concerns about this new kind of mining, one of which is that it cannot and will not be done safely enough to protect our water.”

He attended all thirteen full-day sulfide mining rules meetings, and submitted 100 pages of commentary to the Department of Environmental Quality. Hendricksen says that sulfide mining is a very complex business that is being forced on the U.P. with haste. “The Yellow Dog mine permit application is over 6,000 pages. It is full of charts, numbers, maps, and technical terms that the average person has no idea how to interpret,” he states.

Tourism is a much better choice for the U.P. economy. “Tourism has become our major industry and sulfide mining will definitely affect it,“ Hendricksen says. “Job alternatives to sulfide mining exist and can be developed, which will support and enhance our current economy and way of life,” he declares.

The new candidate says one way to develop tourism is through the creation of huge new parks. “Many more tourists will come to large parks versus fragmented acres. This will provide increased, stable jobs in multi-faceted ways,” Hendricksen states.