Most other newly elected Michigan lawmakers never have the same opportunity as Democratic Rep. Mark Meadows: A head start.
"It was very cool to cast my first vote," he said. "I pushed the little green button for 'Yes,' and I thought, 'Yep, I'm really here.'"
Shortly after being elected in November, Meadows filled a Michigan House seat — representing the 69th District, which includes East Lansing and Okemos — left vacant since mid-March, and has voted on bills and attended committee meetings. Although he's not a member of any committees and hasn't produced legislation, Meadows said he's "having a great time."
"The process here is challenging for everyone," Meadows said. "This is an awesome responsibility given to people. You want to do the right thing, and I think that's true for both sides."
As the legislative session comes to a close next week, Meadows and his staff are looking forward to the next two years.
Meadows defeated his Republican opponent John Knowles with 68 percent of the votes during the midterm elections and started right away in the position left vacant in March by current Democratic Sen. Gretchen Whitmer.
Whitmer was elected to the position after current Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero left the Legislature. Although a special election was called to elect a new senator, there was no special election for the House seat representing East Lansing.
The end result left residents and students in East Lansing without representation on nearly 1,000 bills and amendments that passed through the House, including the elimination of the Single Business Tax and the increase of the state's minimum wage.
According to Meadows' voting record on MichiganVotes.org, the former East Lansing mayor has voted on more than 80 bills since being sworn in Nov. 16. The lawmaker mostly has voted in favor of bills, some of which deal with environment regulations, health care and social policies.
Come January, Meadows will need to be sworn in again and will be appointed to committees. Although the leaders of the Michigan House and Senate appoint committees, Meadows submitted his request for environmental or finance committees, he said.
He also has in mind legislation to work on for next session, such as annexation reform.
A local ballot initiative that would allow East Lansing to annex part of Meridian Township — about 200 acres — passed during the Nov. 7 midterm elections. The township will lose about $40,000 a year in property taxes.
Linda Pivarnik, one of Meadows' legislative assistants, said the early move to the Capitol has been beneficial.
"It's very exciting, and I think we're coming into the House at a very good time," she said. "It gives us a little extra time to know the system."
But there's still work to be done to make a smoother transition into next session, including "fine-tuning the flow of how everything works," said Susan Schmidt, his other legislative assistant.
Pivarnik and Schmidt, who worked with Meadows when he was East Lansing mayor, primarily will be responsible for researching existing bills and possible legislation as well as responding to constituents' concerns, Schmidt said.
"We're trying to bring our strength and our skills to different areas," she said. "There's a lot going on, but it takes everyone together as a team to serve the 69th."
