Mark Tisdel

Mark Tisdel was born in Port Huron, Michigan, and lives in Rochester Hills, Michigan.[1] Tisdel earned a bachelor's degree from Drake University in 1978.[2] His career experience includes working as a medical liability insurance agent and a principal at Backus Payne & Associates.[2][3] Tisdel has volunteered with the Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce, Small Business Association of Michigan, and the Better Business Bureau.[2]

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Born and raised in Port Huron in a hard-working professional family. I've lived in Rochester Hills for 31 years, have been a Cantor at St Andrew Catholic for 27 years, have raised six-figures in charitable donations over the last 26 years (benefit concerts), small business owner for 20 years, City Council Member At Large for 8 years--4 years as Council President. I'm a husband of 43 years, father of two, grandfather of five and have been blessed with long-term friendships and close family relations.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Vision: I've spent the last 45 years reading books on American history, free-market economics and social sciences. I am a "Liberty First" advocate and apply that principle as a starting point. Voice: I'm blessed with the apply to use my voice to help other; both musically and politically. Rochester Hills has 30 resident-driven committees, boards and commissions with 130 appointed members. I've learned to listen, understand and voice their input.Proven Leadership: After 8 years as a citywide Council Member and 4 years as Council President, learned the meaning of servant leadership. It has been a privilege to work with dedicated city employees, Department Directors, our great Mayor, and to watch the good work performed by Homeowner Associations--often thanklessly--across our city. Leadership is action, not a position.    Featured local question

How would you close the talent gap in this state?

Michigan needs to be the most accommodating and welcoming state for entrepreneurs. Money and talent flow to the path of least resistance. We do not have a favorable average January temperature. We must allow business-builders the ability to create, innovate and experiment within a liberty-first economy that rewards success. Unreasonable or redundant licensing, regulations and taxes will only add to our climate realities that can make locating a business in Michigan a challenge.

Featured local question

In a time of strained resources, what should be the state’s spending priorities?

Government's primary role has always been preserving constitutional rights and protecting the public's health, safety and welfare. Adequately fund the departments and programs that fulfill those objectives and see how much of the budget remains for other initiatives. I'm not worried about "right-sizing" government. I'm more interested in funding universally agreed upon functions of government: public safety, public health, clean water and waste management, transportation and education.

Featured local question

Michigan has among the weakest ethics and transparency laws. How would you improve them?

My first elective office experience was subject to FOIA and Open Meetings Act regulation. I believe the Governor and State Legislature live under the same requirements as municipalities. I'm willing to listen to arguments for exceptions, but I've experienced the benefits of having local government work open for the public's review. It's a good thing.

Featured local question

Michigan’s budget has been severely impacted by the COVID-19 virus shutdown. How would you address the deficit? Do you prefer spending cuts or tax hikes?

The anticipated billions in budget shortfall, from a government imposed shutdown, cannot be paid for out of the pockets of the workers and businesses that are trying to get back on their feet. Governor Whitmer was able to identify one billion dollars in savings, via line item vetoes, in a matter of days last fall. Further, you only need to go back to fiscal year 2017 to find a total budget number that reflects the kind of savings will need to see in 2021. This will require reductions in all departments subject to adjustments and current priorities of the Administration and legislature. Adding new costs to workers and businesses as they emerge from months of losses seems cruel and economically irrational.

Featured local question

What’s the best approach for meeting Michigan’s roads and other infrastructure needs?

Michigan has a seen a steady and growing commitment to spending on roads that resulted in record appropriations for this fiscal year. What's needed is a commitment to follow the template put in place during the Snyder administration. Acquiring new debt, while we are still paying off hundreds of millions in road "maintenance" debt from the Engler and Granholm years seems reckless. Michigan has been at the bottom of per capita spending on roads for more than fifty years. Dramatically increasing funding (demand) for road construction--by issuing new debt overnight--will simply increase the cost per mile of road creation as demand races past road-building supply. NOTE: Road construction companies have not been sitting on excess building capacity for decades waiting for Michigan to spend more money. If new demand dwarfs current construction supply, we'll only be paying more for the same number of miles improved. Some will proudly proclaimed the increased spending as proof of their commitment to fix the roads. The needed metric will be how many more lane miles of roadway were reconstructed.

For other infrastructure needs, legislation enabling municipalities and counties to create local tax authorities as sources of revenue for local roads, water lines and sewer improvements creates local control and oversight.

Featured local question

What’s your one big idea for improving public schools?

Making a greater commitment to public funding for education rather than funding for public education. It's a subtle but needed adjustment. The COVID-19 shutdown showed us we've done an excellent job of creating education "systems" at the expense of creating education "services." Allowing parents greater input on the application of public funds for education will increase demand for new services that can be met but public and private sources. Again, the idea that a central authority has the "right" answer(s) for diverse statewide education needs--K through 12, skills and higher education--is very unlikely. Decentralize authority; consolidate administration (Michigan has 587 school districts and 57 intermediate school districts) and expand parental choice. Markets create information. Results will drive parental choices and identify unmet student needs.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Infrastructure: Road quality has been an issue for years but there are less visible needs like storm sewers and, now, we understand the need for the inspection of enhancement of our state's dams. We have under-spent, relative to our neighboring states, for years. It will take a sustained commitment to increased annual spending to work our way out.

Energy: Energy density and efficiency are the critical considerations for new generating capacity. Building energy-diffuse and intermittent infrastructure requires too much land, too many resources plus 100% back-up (almost always fossil fuel) generating capacity.

Health: The oldest baby boomers are 74. They have yet to enter assisted living or skilled nursing care facilities. This huge pending demand will require a doubling of capacity and caregiver labor. We need to address this issue today. Health insurance, health care spending, and the shortage of primary care physicians are all concerns that require attention.

Transparency: The Governor and state legislators should be subject to the same FOIA and Open Meetings Act requirements that apply to municipalities. Tax "transparency" is also critical. Taxes need to be out in the open--not buried in the price of goods sold and stagnant wages and benefits--for all to easily see. Broaden, Lower, Simplify is my overriding tax objective.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I've read more about Abraham Lincoln than any other American. His persistence after repeated losses and failures proved to be a vital asset during his wartime presidency. Lincoln had the ability to achieve great things, using a soft touch, but was a shrewd and unrelenting force when needed. His ability to endure family tragedy and never waiver in his commitment to preserving the union was remarkable. I carried an exceptionally heavy weight, for us, and we have photographed evidence of the cost.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Thomas Sowell's, Ethnic America, examines the paths of multiple immigrant groups as they enter the US. Success is achieved by following the application of a relatively simple formula: work, family and faith. The similarities between the very different groups--Chinese, Jews, Germans, Irish, West Indians--and how each climbed into the US mainstream is striking. Though published in 1981, the message is needed even more today.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Patience, open-minded and experienced. All of these are required to build agreement within a divided government, e.g., Democratic Administration, Republican Legislature.

What legacy would you like to leave?

A history of honesty, integrity and legislative expertise.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

The first big historical event I can remember is the assassination of President Kennedy. I was eight years old. I remember watching the televised events with my siblings and parents for hours. There was a quiet sadness within my parents that filled all of us. That was my first experience of feeling a collective sense of loss.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

"Very first" summer job was groundskeeper at Port Huron Hospital. I was fifteen. It involved mowing, watering, weeding and planting dozens of bushes and small trees. My first job, after college, was waiting tables at an all-you-can-eat spaghetti restaurant in Des Moines IA. My wife, Susan, and I worked together at the restaurant for nearly two years. We had the opportunity to open another location in Lincoln Nebraska but decided to come back to Michigan.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Freedom by William Safire. It is an historical novel that follows President Lincoln from inauguration to the Emancipation Proclamation. Witnessing his frustrations, losses, personal and political challenges and his eventual success was incredibly uplifting. It illustrated that even history's greatest individuals experience very low "lows" before they climb to prominence. It also demonstrated that greatest is not always recognized or appreciated by one's contemporaries. Seeking external approval is not the means to great ends.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Good question! I would have to choose George Bailey in It's a Wonderful Life. George possessed the virtues and persistence that seem to endure.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Blessings by Laura Story

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

For a long time, I compared myself with the achievements of others. This left me with the inability to appreciate what I had accomplished, what I possess in the moment, and robbed me of the ability to be satisfied. I was impatient, envious, self-righteous and angry. I paid a price for all of those faults and, fortunately, learned and became a better person.

Every state besides Nebraska has two legislative chambers. What do you consider the most important differences between the legislative chambers in your state?

The House of Representatives, with its smaller districts and shorter service terms, should be more reflective of the current constituent needs and interests. The State Senate, with its larger districts and longer service terms, should be more deliberate in its consideration of legislative changes and new initiatives. Those differing and, perhaps, competing interests provide an opportunity to both react quickly to change constituent needs while preserving traditions that reduced past challenges.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

Previous experience in any serious endeavor is valuable. It's important to understand that every current legislative budget represents hundreds of different, and often competing, interests. Having endured the process of committee, staff and legal reviews--before legislative deliberation even begins--provides needed insight that nothing "just happens." German politician Max Weber called politics the "strong, slow boring of hard boards." Patience, persistence, the willingness to listen and adjust are all required in pursuit of improving the state's condition.

What do you perceive to be your state’s greatest challenges over the next decade?

First, bringing the post-COVID economy back to life will be challenging. Support needs to be driven down to those who were dispossessed--told by the government that their jobs were "non-essential"--without creating an incentive to remain idle or dependency. Increased liberty for entrepreneurs to initiate creative services and products and a review of occupational licensing--especially in the healthcare industry--to ensure private talent and capital can be efficiently applied as quickly as possible.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and the state legislature?

The Governor and Legislature should be respectful competitors that jealously protect their disparate spheres of influence and authority. Their competing interests should act as a check on each branches desire to overreach. Respectful competition, a recognition of shared interests and values, and a willingness to find common ground while aggressively pursuing competing interests is healthy.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

It is imperative to have strong relationships between members of each legislative branch. My good friend has a saying, "I reserve the right to get smarter." Getting smarter requires contact of others, listening and acquiring new information, and applying that to your personal philosophy and abilities. Being "right" on any particular complex question is a very narrow place to stand. Information, facts and needs change frequently. Clinging to a perceived "right" answer can thwart needed nimbleness. You need trusted friends, trusted voices, and differing visions to help you see clearly.

If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

Energy, Health Policy and Tax Policy: Affordable, reliable and efficient energy sources are imperative to Michigan's manufacturing, agriculture and tourism industries. The ability to move products, produce clean drinking water and manage storm and sanitary sewage, and reliability deliver cost-competitive electrical energy are paramount to our future success.

Health care costs must be controlled. Consumers, with increased deductibles and co-pays, must become informed buyers of professional services and must have an incentive to economize.

Taxes must be transparent, not hidden in the purchase price of retail goods and services. Broadening the tax base, lowering the per-transaction tax burden and simplifying tax compliance must be the overriding objectives.

If you are a current legislator, what appealed to you about your current committees?

N/A

If you are not currently a member of your party’s leadership in the legislature, would you be interested in joining the leadership? If so, in what role?

My father used to say, "it's a give and take world." NOTE: You have to "give" first. As a freshman legislature, I'll understand that established party members have knowledge, experience and authority from which I can benefit. My strengths and talents will become known by my deeds. i'm confident my leadership rolls will be earned and my contributions appreciated.

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

I've had the pleasure of building friendships with Rep Mike Weber, former Senate Senator Marty Knollenberg and former Congressman Mike Bishop. These gentlemen have served their constituents with respect and honor. None of them were bomb-throwers or zealots with solutions in search of problems. Both Congressman Bishop and Senator Knollenberg lost their seats in what can only be described as a unique election cycle: huge mid-term turnout with ballots initiatives that appealed to some non-traditional voters. These losses are informative: honorable and respectful work are not enough. Creative, broad-reaching political messaging is needed in this era of social media information gathering.

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

I'll be 65 years old when elected to the State House of Representatives. I'm not running to build a political career. I'm running because I am the best positioned candidate, after eight years of citywide governance leadership, to serve the 45th District. I'm not saying wouldn't consider another position but I know my time with with my wife, children and grandchildren is finite. My intention is to serve as long as the voters will have me, give it my best, and go home.

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

A local business owner of Asian-Indian descent, recently told me that, in his 30-years in the US, he and his family have experienced nothing in the way of oppressive / obstructive racism. This individual has worked for a large automotive manufacturing and now owns multiple fast food retail stores. Hearing that the "American" dream is still available--and achievable--is heartening. Our country, states, counties and cities all have room for improvement. Still, it's great to hear that talented individuals, from around the world, still see the US as an opportunity to improve their lives.