This document is from the collections at the Dole Archives, University of Kansas http://dolearchives.ku.edu MICHIGAN "THUMB'' EVENT BRIEF THE AREA: Almost entirely agricultural. The chief products in the area are navy beans (USED IN SENATE BEAN SOUP) sugar beets and corn. Sanilac County has a higher degree of dairy farming than Tuscola or Huron. THE ISSUES: The chief issue in the "thumb" is the farm crisis. The price of land is down. Farmers are receiving low prices for farm products. Production costs are high. Farm implement dealers are also in an economic crisis. A recent survey of agricultural bankers showed that the dollar values of ''good" farmland in Michigan's Lower Peninsula, which includes the Thumb, showed a 3 percent drop in the first quarter of 1986. The survey also indicated that the 3 percent decline in the first quarter compares to a 10 percent decline for the past year from April '85 to April '86. The survey confirms that the rate of decline in farmland values has slowed. The survey of 500 agricultural bankers was conducted by the Federal Reserve Bank's Chicago-based Seventh district. The district includes Michigan, Indiana, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Illinois. THE POLITICS: About 500 precinct delegate candidates from Huron, Tuscola, and Sanilac counties will attend tonight's fundraiser. About 350 precinct delegates will be elected from the Thumb area. Many delegate candidates have not made up their minds as to which presidential candidate they prefer. Many, since this is a heavy agricultural area, are waiting to hear you before they make a decision. Lloyd Buhl, who serves as Sanilac County Republican chairman, believes that you could do well here. Buhl told me that he serves on the local steering committee of the Fund For America's Future. He also stated that many of his county activists are talking about 1986 not 1988. 1 Richard Trohill, chairman of the Huron County Republicans, is most interested in the state race for governor. The Thumb area is solid Republican. Almost all local offices are in Republican hands. However, Thumb Republicans are dismayed that the Democrats control the congressional seat. Rep. Bob Traxler was elected as a "Watergate Baby" in 1974. He has a strong base in the Bay City area which is mostly industrial and Democratic. He specializes in agri- cultural issues and thus gets high marks from many in the Thumb. Still, Republicans want "one of their own'' in Congress. The Republicans are putting up three candidates for Traxler's seat. Gary Majesic is county executive of Bay County. John Levi is a local businessman, and Pat Ankne is a teacher. MISC. ITEMS: Do refer to the area as the "Thumb". Do concentrate on farm issues. Do stress the 1 86 election and the need to keep Republican control in the state senate and obtain a majority in the House. THIS DISTRICT IS THE AREA THAT MIKE BUSCH REPRESENTS. He is retiring this year so you should mention him. He's not expected to attend tonight. Page 1 of 19 This document is from the collections at the Dole Archives, University of Kansas http://dolearchives.ku.edu SPEECH SUMMARY GOOD TO BE HERE: SOMEWHERE (MAKE BED, ETC.) ARE GOOD THINGS: SUCCESSFUL PRESIDENT AND SUPPORTIVE SENATE. NOT THROUGH: TELL HOW I SEE FUTURE. BEGAN WITH REAGAN'S LOWER TAXES, LESS REGULATION, FISCAL DIET -- NOT VOODOO. WORKED. NOW NEED CONTROL SPENDING, NOT TAXES: TO BUILD SOLVENCY -- CAN CUT: HARD CHOICES DID IN WH/SENATE BUDGET: NOT DRACONIAN. CURRENT ISSUES (CHOOSE) AG, FINANCE, GUNS, NEED: BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT: LINE ITEM VETO, GRACE COMM, PRIVATIZE, A REPUBLICAN MAJORITY ELSE WE LEAVE OUR PROBLEMS TO OUR CHILDREN CROSSROADS: REAGAN PROSPERITY OR PRE-1980? LIMIT TO WHAT CAN SPEND: CAN'T WISH GROWTH TIME TO TAKE CARE OF REAGAN AMERICA: ENDURING AMERICA FROM VALLEY FORGE TO GRENADA -- AND TO FREEDOM FIGHTERS TODAY: CONTRAS, AFGHANS, UNITA THAT AMERICA IS NOT SPECIAL INTERESTS; BUT FREE COMMUNITIES WHICH CARE AND SACRIFICE. FASHIONABLE TO SAY FREEDOM WITHOUT COST. NOT SO. MY VISION: POISED FOR GREATNESS IF CARE, IF DEVELOP FREEDOM, AND BUILD ON WHAT HAS BEGUN. (BOB DOYLE STORY) I DID GO INTO POLITICS; SPENT LAST TWO DECADES TRYING TO CARE FOR AMERICA AND ITS IDEAL OF FREEDOM WHICH MADE IT GREAT -- AND WILL IN FUTURE. I MAY HAVE BANGED MY HEAD A COUPLE OF TIMES; NOT PERFECT BUT I'VE USED COMMON SENSE TO GET JOB DONE. LET'S GO FORWARD TOGETHER AND CONTINUE THE JOB RONALD REAGAN STARTED: OF CARING FOR AND BUILDING A FREE AMERICA. Page 2 of 19 This document is from the collections at the Dole Archives, University of Kansas http://dolearchives.ku.edu ~-.z--~·---...-....----- ~--- ~---- -.. -.r- ~- •x Friday, May 23, 1986/THE OdRUI I 1~tvv .); 11A Hade bill called boon to state industrx farms By Susan Benkelman markets and a level playing field," of forest products, iron ore, copper .News Washington Bureau Schuette said. and steel, a spokeswoman said. Davis Schuette backed several amend- doesn't think the administration has WASHINGTON - Trade legisla- ments designed to help American been tough enough on foreigq com- tion approved by the House Thursday farmers, including a requirement that petitors, she said. would affect virtually every Michigan duty-free etha- THE BILL requires Washington industry now hurt by foreign compe- nol coming from to take steps to reduce trade imbal,. tition - from automakers to back C a r i b b e a n ances when they become exceasivQ.; yard beekeepers, Michigan congress- countries must Rep. Sander Levin, D-Southfield, men said. be substantially. said that would affect auto parts, for While the legislation generally produced there. example, because the U.S. industf¥. does not refer to specific industries, The bill would exports only $150 million companl('I its provisions would force negotia- help American to about $15 billion in imports. tions, and ultimately, action against com farmers by Michigan would also receive cat foreign industries when the trade preventing Bra- least $17.6 million under a $500 IQ.il- balance with those countries becomes zil from routing lion proposal for education an'1 train- excessive. That, said Michigan law- ethanol through ing of displaced'workera, accor.4iag to makers, could specifically help the Bill Schuette the Caribbean an aide to Rep. Dale Kildee, a House U.S. auto industry. nations, from which the United Education and Labor Committee The Democratic-backed bill States accepts methanol duty-free. member. passed the House with support from The legislation also requires the The Flint Democrat sponsored 59 Republicans, including three.from administration to oppose levies and proposals to provide local schoo18. Michigan - Reps. Paul Henry of restrictions on prod~ced soybeans funding for training of workers who.. Grand Rapids, Robert Davis of Gay- shipped to Portugal and Spain; much are in danger of being dispiaced bY lord and Bill Schuette of Sanford. All of the domestic crop is produced in foreign competition. of Michigan's Democrats voted for it. Michigan. The bill would fund labor-~ "I THINK it's important that we Davis voted for the measure be- ment committees pattei:ned after one send a strong message to the adminis- cause his northern Michigan district used by Buick City in Flint for busi-. tration and to foreign countries that has experienced 16 percent unem- nesses that are modernizing or chang- we need fair trade and free access to ployment, mostly related to imports ing their manufacturing technique,J. Page 3 of 19 This document is from the collections at the Dole Archives, University of Kansas http://dolearchives.ku.edu SIGN IN SHEET NAME (please print) ADDRESS PHONE Page 4 of 19 This document is from the collections at the Dole Archives, University of Kansas http://dolearchives.ku.edu .t. Charting a Point Nearly everybody agrees that Michigan is expe- month, the chart below, based on data published riencing an economic "comeback," but just how by the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, tells an strong a comeback is it? Gov. James Blanchard interesting story. In the most recent 12-month and his supporters, citing a sharp decline in period, Michigan has been growing more slowly unemployment since the trough of the recession in than many of its key competitors. It's no reason for · 1983, have been touting it as a near-miracle. But if panic, but it makes clear that Michigan's come- we look at employment, a somewhat different .back still has a long way to go. And it's a warning to picture emerges. our legislators that they need to keep pruning back the taxes, regulations, laws, and other impedi- While statistics can vary sharply from month to ments to growth in our state. l)Q..1~:+ ~t !-~?~ Employment growth April-April 1985-86 6 ..c....... 3: 0 (5 4 Q) O> ......co c ~2!..... Q) a.. 0 U.S. Mich. Ohio Penn; Calif. Fla. Ill. N.Y. N.C. N.J. States Source: U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics Page 5 of 19 This document is from the collections at the Dole Archives, University of Kansas http://dolearchives.ku.edu : 'd r u d r <J; l j q 11 r J q "l f dhsf df gssgdf hdsfdfhsdy Page 6 of 19 This document is from the collections at the Dole Archives, University of Kansas http://dolearchives.ku.edu s "<) I 'V\ 'I '4\J N--'-<>J c ·Survey: .r-~i-g6 Farmland values fall 3% A survey of agricultural bankers shows the dollar values of "good" farmland in the southeastern half of Michigan's Lower Peninsula - including the Saginaw Valley and Thumb - fell by 3 percent in the first quarter of 1986.