Bishop on bipartisanship: why crossing the aisle to hold constructive conversations will assist in rebuilding Michigan's economy.

By easting a ballot in 2006, voters in Michigan indicated their desire to see Republicans and Democrats in Lansing reach across the partisan divide and work together to find meaningful solutions. With Democrats controlling the state House and Republicans controlling the state Senate, productive, civil conversations would now be a pre-requisite for passing legislation.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

As the legislative leader of the Republican party and the Michigan Senate, I have a keen appreciation for how heightened partisanship is destructive to deliberation and threatens the integrity of our institution. That is why, with the election results serving as a catalyst for cooperation, I have worked from the beginning to cement a good working relationship with the Democratic Speaker of the House, Andy Dillon.

It is clear that the problems facing our state are issues that do not wear a party label. We all are part of the Michigan family, and regardless of income level, gender or zip code, none of us are immune from what ails our economy. In seeking to return the state to fiscal health, we must tackle each challenge by committing to clearly defined goals. We must possess the determination to succeed, and we must believe that we will attain our goals.

In order to identify those goals and inspire the determination, it is necessary that elected leaders hold constructive conversations. Desirable solutions can be achieved far more frequently when the dialogue is absent partisan rhetoric and encourages the cooperative spirit. When that formula for success is embraced, what may at first seem to be adversarial positions can eventually be worked out so that the opposing parties become allies in achieving a mutual goal.

It is with that spirit in mind that Speaker Dillon and I have had open, productive discussions about finding meaningful answers to the questions responsible for our economic misfortune. As the debate over how to best solve Michigan's budget crisis continues, it is important to remember that no one goes into a negotiation completely blind. Each participant brings their unique set of beliefs to the table and already holds a fairly strong idea of how they expect the conversation to go.

Yet, despite the strength of individual beliefs, the hallmark of a productive conversation is that it allows for success on some fronts, while simultaneously continuing the discussion in other areas. To date, Speaker Dillon and I continue to find common ground, as it pertains to reducing the state deficit, while maintaining constructive conversations in those areas in which we have our differences.

While true leadership is about creating a climate where the truth is heard and the brutal facts are confronted, it is also about structuring the kind of dialogue that allows for progress, both in terms of solutions as well as in terms of continued discussion. In making the choices that they did, the voters of Michigan expressed their desire for the Legislature to work collaboratively on solutions that appeal to people of all political persuasions. Through our continued negotiations and open discussions, that is exactly what Speaker Dillon and I are doing.

By Senate Majority Leaders, Michael D. Bishop