"Most Liberal" State Legislator Finds Way to Work With Republicans

State Rep. Carl Williams Aids Agriculture, Business on Appropriations Panel

May 30, 2004
By: Dave Rogers

      State Rep. Carl Williams, D-Saginaw, found that moving to the "money" committees of the State Legislature has allowed him to "get things done."

      That revelation came to the area legislator after spending his first two year term on committees dealing with health, a subject for which he admits a certain "passion." Rep. Williams spoke recently to the Tri-County Economics Club at Saginaw Valley State University.


      Now, as a member of the Appropriations Committee, he is helping negotiate a $22 million loan from the state treasury department for the producer-owned Michigan Sugar Company. Also, he was able to garner a $200,000 appropriation to place a psychologist in the Saginaw County Jail to hopefully reduce recidivism (repeat offenses) and save money for the county.

      About Michigan's future, Rep. Williams says there is "no silver bullet" and we will undoubtedly face more job losses. Outsourcing is probably a fact of life, he says.

      Although the Gongwer News Service that covers the Lansing scene calls Rep. Williams the "most liberal" legislator, he points out that he has been able to get legislation passed in a Republican-dominated environment.

      "I went to the Legislature to helppeople less fortunate than me, those who have fallen through the cracks," said Williams. "If what I do is a nasty word, then I wear the cloak proudly no matter how the word has been twisted."

      "It's very hard to move any legislation if you're not Republican," he said. "The game is: can you count?" However, his amendment allowing dying patients with intractable pain to "say goodbye with dignity" was adopted as part of an existing act. "I really appreciated being able to do that."

      Williams said he has "done whatever I needed to do" to serve the 95th State House seat. The district includes agricultural areas, and Williams has received the Golden Tractor Award from a farmers' group.

      Admitting that "business was nota priority" with him when he first arrived in the Legislature, Williams said his viewpoint changed when he was assigned to Appropriations.

      "All budgets come through us and this forced me to do my homework and look at the business infrastructure," Williams said. "Business gives the world 'legs' and without 'legs' the world is not going to go around."

      Noting that "Michigan trails the rest of the nation economically due to manufacturing job losses," Williams said the only way asolution can be reached is through bipartisan cooperation.

      "We have to look at the reality and come together on a viable strategy," the state representative said. "We've got to stem the tide of job losses."

      Education and thearts are Williams' new "passions," in addition to health care, he said, adding: "We also need an efficiently run government that is business friendly and has a 'one stop shopping' process."

      He praised the efforts of the Saginaw Future economic development agency and the Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce and noted that racial harmony and a "trained and ready" job force are necessary for growth. "The only way this will work is if we do it together," Williams concluded.###