On his way back to his hotel after the 2012 State of the State Address, Genetski was pulled over by an MSU police officer during the early hours of Jan. 19 on Michigan Avenue near Beal Street for speeding and having an expired license plate. The officer performed a sobriety test after he suspected Genetski had been drinking, and after failing the test and denying a Breathalyzer test, the officer arrested the politician. Blood tests indicated Genetski held a blood alcohol content, or BAC, of .088, which is above Michigan’s legal limit of .08 for operating a vehicle.

Now, after being convicted of operating while intoxicated, or OWI, Genetski could face a penalty of up to 93 days in jail, although first-time offenders in East Lansing usually are sentenced to probation. The politician also could have his license suspended because he chose to deny a Breathalyzer test.

Politician or not, driving while intoxicated is an inexcusable offense. As a man who writes and supports laws in Michigan’s Legislature, Genetski should be doing all he can to be a law abiding citizen and a role model for his community. His district voted him into office to be its representative and speak on its behalf. It reflects poorly on his district, and the entire state of Michigan, if one of the state’s representatives is caught driving while intoxicated.

Not to mention, instead of admitting his mistake, Genetski denied the allegations and charges, taking the matter to court in an effort to convince a jury he was not at fault. This all was a waste of tax payer dollars and time, and as a politician who often deals with monetary issues in Michigan’s budget, he should not have allowed such wasteful spending of tax payer money for his trial.

As chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Higher Education, this is a man who helps decide every year how much funding is granted to MSU from the state. He’s proven himself to be fiscally conservative, slashing the budget for funding of higher education, yet he allows tax payer money to be wasted on a trial for an offense of which he clearly is guilty.

And as a conservative lawmaker, Genetski is a man who supports legislation that often limits the rights of others. He is pro-life and often legislates against the interests of his gay constituents. As a man who clearly judges others, and whose legislative agenda holds others to such high standards, it is shameful that he experienced such a lapse of judgment.

Of course, everyone makes mistakes, but drunken driving is a major one. If Genetski wants to rebound from this trial, he’ll need to make some major changes, starting with admitting his wrongdoings and accepting the consequences of his sentencing.