Bill Huizenga
Encyclopedia
William P. Huizenga is the member of Congress
for . He is a member of the Republican Party
. He previously served in the Michigan House of Representatives.
. He has been affiliated with it for most of his life.
In the early 1990s, Huizenga obtained his Michigan Real Estate sales license, and he quickly became one of the most successful realtors in southwest Michigan. He left real estate in 1996 when he was recruited by U.S. Congressman Peter Hoekstra to be his Director of Public Policy. For six years, from 1996 through 2002, Huizenga traveled up and down western Michigan becoming familiar with the various towns and cities, and eventually decided to run for political office.
and includes the cities of Holland
, Zeeland, Hudonsville
, and the four townships of Blendon Township
, Jamestown Township, Holland Township
, and Zeeland Township.
Bill Huizenga voted for the initial version of the Michigan Business Tax, but opposed the MBT when an additional 22% surcharge and a sales and services tax were tacked on later in the process. This has already been the subject of debate in the 2nd district race. When it came time to spend these tax hikes, Huizenga approved spending increases of more than $442 million above the previous year's allocation. For comparison: A half-dozen GOP lawmakers kept their spending increases well under $100 million for that year, despite the projected large influx of new revenue following the tax increase.
Huizenga voted to allow Kent County to enact a 2% hotel tax, while a majority of other Republicans in the House voted against granting such permission. Huizenga voted in favor of creating Michigan's now-embattled film producer subsidy program. In addition, Huizenga was a strong supporter and sponsor of the legislation to create this policy and remains a supporter of the subsidy.
Huizenga voted against the majority of his party when he supported a 59.9 percent general fund spending hike to support a worker retraining program known as No Worker Left Behind. The program has thus far had sketchy results according to the libertarian think tank, the Mackinac Institute. The program's government website touts its successes, pointing out that 59% of core participants found a new job, whereas the national average was 21% during the same period.
since 1964.
After serving 18 years, Republican incumbent Peter Hoekstra retired to run for Governor. Huizenga defeated Jay Riemersma
, State Senator
Wayne Kuipers, Businessman Bill Cooper, and three others in the party primary election on August 3, 2010.
for the last 9 years.
Huizenga has been endorsed for the 2010 general election by a number of groups including the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce, Michigan Chamber of Commerce, The NRA, NFIB, Right to Life, FRC, The National Association of Realtors, The Young Guns Vanguard and the Michigan Farm Bureau.
Huizenga was the recipient of the West Michigan chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association’s 2000 Advocate of the Year Award, the Michigan Manufacturers Association 2003 Advocate of the Year award, the Michigan Manufacturers Association 2005 Legislator of the Year Award, the Michigan Hotel and Motel Association 2007 Tourism Legislator of the Year award, the DADS and MOMS of Michigan 2007 Legislator of the Year Award, and the Michigan Aggregates Association 2007 Legislator of the Year Award. In 2007, he was the only political leader chosen by the Holland Sentinel newspaper for their "40 under 40″ feature.
Articles
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
for . He is a member of the Republican Party
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
. He previously served in the Michigan House of Representatives.
Early life, education, and career
Huizenga is the current co-owner and operator of Huizenga Gravel Company, a third generation business located in Jenison, MichiganJenison, Michigan
Jenison is an unincorporated community in Ottawa County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is a census-designated place for statistical purposes, but has no legal status as an incorporated municipality. The community is governed by Georgetown Charter Township. The population of the CDP was 17,211...
. He has been affiliated with it for most of his life.
In the early 1990s, Huizenga obtained his Michigan Real Estate sales license, and he quickly became one of the most successful realtors in southwest Michigan. He left real estate in 1996 when he was recruited by U.S. Congressman Peter Hoekstra to be his Director of Public Policy. For six years, from 1996 through 2002, Huizenga traveled up and down western Michigan becoming familiar with the various towns and cities, and eventually decided to run for political office.
Michigan legislature
Starting with his first election in 2002, Huizenga represented the 90th district for three terms, by winning re-election in 2004 and 2006. After the 2006 election he was term limited. The district is located in Ottawa CountyOttawa County, Michigan
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 238,314 people, 81,662 households, and 61,328 families residing in the county. The population density was 421 people per square mile . There were 86,856 housing units at an average density of 154 per square mile...
and includes the cities of Holland
Holland, Michigan
Holland is a city in the western region of the Lower Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is situated near the eastern shore of Lake Michigan on Lake Macatawa, which is fed by the Macatawa River ....
, Zeeland, Hudonsville
Hudsonville, Michigan
Hudsonville is a city in Ottawa County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 7,160.-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 7,160 people, 2,514 households, and 1,920 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,729.1 per square mile...
, and the four townships of Blendon Township
Blendon Township, Michigan
Blendon Township is a civil township of Ottawa County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the township population was 5,721.There are no incorporated municipalities within the township...
, Jamestown Township, Holland Township
Holland Township, Michigan
Holland Township is the name of some places in the U.S. state of Michigan:*Holland Township, Missaukee County, Michigan*Holland Charter Township, Michigan in Ottawa County, Michigan...
, and Zeeland Township.
Bill Huizenga voted for the initial version of the Michigan Business Tax, but opposed the MBT when an additional 22% surcharge and a sales and services tax were tacked on later in the process. This has already been the subject of debate in the 2nd district race. When it came time to spend these tax hikes, Huizenga approved spending increases of more than $442 million above the previous year's allocation. For comparison: A half-dozen GOP lawmakers kept their spending increases well under $100 million for that year, despite the projected large influx of new revenue following the tax increase.
Huizenga voted to allow Kent County to enact a 2% hotel tax, while a majority of other Republicans in the House voted against granting such permission. Huizenga voted in favor of creating Michigan's now-embattled film producer subsidy program. In addition, Huizenga was a strong supporter and sponsor of the legislation to create this policy and remains a supporter of the subsidy.
Huizenga voted against the majority of his party when he supported a 59.9 percent general fund spending hike to support a worker retraining program known as No Worker Left Behind. The program has thus far had sketchy results according to the libertarian think tank, the Mackinac Institute. The program's government website touts its successes, pointing out that 59% of core participants found a new job, whereas the national average was 21% during the same period.
2010 election
Huizenga is the U.S. Representative for Michigan's 2nd congressional district, defeating Democratic nominee Fred Johnson in the general election. 64% of the ballots were cast for Huizenga, and 32% were cast for Johnson. The district is rated "Solid Republican" by The New York Times, and simply marked as an "Open Seat" according to The Washington Post, though it hasn't elected a DemocratDemocratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
since 1964.
After serving 18 years, Republican incumbent Peter Hoekstra retired to run for Governor. Huizenga defeated Jay Riemersma
Jay Riemersma
Allen Jay Riemersma is a former American football tight end. He played for the University of Michigan from 1994 to 1995. He next played nine seasons in the NFL for the Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers . In 2007, he accepted a position as the regional director of the Family Research...
, State Senator
Michigan Senate
The Michigan Senate is the upper house of the Michigan Legislature. The Senate consists of 38 members, who are elected from constituencies having approximately 212,400 to 263,500 residents....
Wayne Kuipers, Businessman Bill Cooper, and three others in the party primary election on August 3, 2010.
Committee assignments
- Committee on Financial ServicesUnited States House Committee on Financial ServicesThe United States House Committee on Financial Services is the committee of the United States House of Representatives that oversees the entire financial services industry, including the securities, insurance, banking, and housing industries...
- Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer CreditUnited States House Financial Services Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer CreditThe U.S. House Financial Services Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit is a subcommittee of the House Committee on Financial Services.-Jurisdiction:...
- Subcommittee on Domestic Monetary Policy and TechnologyUnited States House Financial Services Subcommittee on Domestic Monetary Policy and TechnologyThe U.S. House Financial Services Subcommittee on Domestic Monetary Policy and Technology is a subcommittee of the House Committee on Financial Services...
- Subcommittee on International Monetary Policy and TradeUnited States House Financial Services Subcommittee on International Monetary Policy and TradeThe United States House Financial Services Subcommittee on International Monetary Policy and Trade is a subcommittee of the House Committee on Financial Services...
- Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit
Political positions and votes
Huizenga has served as his church's representative to Michigan Right to LifeRight to life
Right to life is a phrase that describes the belief that a human being has an essential right to live, particularly that a human being has the right not to be killed by another human being...
for the last 9 years.
Huizenga has been endorsed for the 2010 general election by a number of groups including the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce, Michigan Chamber of Commerce, The NRA, NFIB, Right to Life, FRC, The National Association of Realtors, The Young Guns Vanguard and the Michigan Farm Bureau.
Personal life
Huizenga and his wife have five children, Garrett, Adrian, Alexandra, William, and Sieger. All live in Zeeland.Huizenga was the recipient of the West Michigan chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association’s 2000 Advocate of the Year Award, the Michigan Manufacturers Association 2003 Advocate of the Year award, the Michigan Manufacturers Association 2005 Legislator of the Year Award, the Michigan Hotel and Motel Association 2007 Tourism Legislator of the Year award, the DADS and MOMS of Michigan 2007 Legislator of the Year Award, and the Michigan Aggregates Association 2007 Legislator of the Year Award. In 2007, he was the only political leader chosen by the Holland Sentinel newspaper for their "40 under 40″ feature.
External links
- Congressman Bill Huizenga official U.S. House site
- Bill Huizenga for Congress official campaign site
- Bill Huizenga at MichiganVotes.org
Articles
- Tourism Taxes Approved, MI Cap-Con, Mackinac Center for Public Policy, April 1, 2008
- Jay Riemersma criticizes Bill Huizenga's 2007 Vote, Jim Harger, Grand Rapids Press, October 12, 2009
- No Worker Left Behind After Three Years: Successes and Challenges, Andrew S. Levin, Michigan.gov, June 29, 2010
- MichCapCon Profile: The 2nd Congressional District Primary, Ken Braun, Mackinac Center for Public Policy, July 7, 2010