Brater, Hansen discuss next term

With Jan. 1 fast approaching, Rep. Liz Brater (D-Ann Arbor) and Rep.-elect John Hansen (D-Ann Arbor) are preparing for the new congressional term.

Because the state House is under Republican control and many members being forced out by new term limit legislation, the pair face a challenging upcoming season.

But both members, Brater in her third term and Hansen just beginning his first, seem unswayed by the obstacles before them.

Brater said she will concentrate on the main issues she stressed during the campaign.

"I'm going to continue to work on issues such as the environment, mental health and education," she said.

Brater expressed concern that the Republican majority in the House might do away with important committees she would like to work on, such as a consumer protection committee.

"The Republicans will probably abolish the consumer protection committee," she said.

Hansen said his main focus will be on education, a field in which he has years of experience but he does not want to begin his first day in the House pretending he has nothing to learn.

"My whole life has been spent in K-12 public education," Hansen said. "I don't have a list of bills to introduce. It's not my inclination to say I'm going because I have all the answers ... I see myself as more of a team person."

Another step yet to be taken in preparation for the new term is the formation and placement of House members on committees. This will be decided by the minority and majority leaders of the respective parties. These people must make the best decisions they can regarding committees, Hansen said.

"It is up to the Speaker (of the House) and the party leader to work with the strengths of the people there," he said.

Brater said she is concerned with environmental issues and hopes to work on specific bills to improve the area's awareness of the issue.

Some of these bills would focus on changing the levels of toxic chemicals legally allowed in the environment to better protect women and children and establishing an environmental report card for the state of Michigan.

Because new term limit legislation has kept many long-standing members of Congress from returning for the upcoming term, Brater has gained a position of seniority in the House. This puts her in a position to assist the beginners, she said.

"I think there are only about 25-30 returning members in the Democratic Caucus," she said. "I will try to help the new members by sharing information I have on the issues."

11-25-98