Who is Roy Schmidt?
Roy is completing his first term as your State Representative. He came to the job in January of 2009 with sixteen years of experience as your City Commissioner. What he faced those first few months at the state level was unlike anything he dealt with on the City level. But Roy knew that building relationships was the first thing he had to do.
Within months Roy had begun to build a great reputation for himself. The Speaker of the House, with advice from others, was so impressed with Roy he asked him to be part of the Leadership Team, something very rare for Freshman Representatives. Since then, Roy has established an outstanding record of achievement whether for his own agendas or those of his colleagues.
Roy has been trusted by the Speaker to serve on key committees. He is presently the Majority Vice Chair of the Banking Committee; member of the Health Policy Committee, Commerce Committee, Transportation Committee and the Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security Committee. In addition to that, Roy is a Whip and uses his relationships to build essential vote counts on the most crucial issues we face. When he is working his own bills Roy goes into overdrive gaining support within the committee structure and on the floor. Roy recently got a bill passed unanimously in the committee and on the floor!
Some of the bills Roy has led have been a great benefit to Grand Rapids taxpayers. When Rep. Bert Johnson from Highland Park had a bill up to extend tax credits that remained valid after the renovation of Tiger Stadium fell through, Roy grabbed the opportunity to include the renovation of the old Federal Building in downtown for use by Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University. Getting that provision in saves the taxpayers of Grand Rapids approximately $180,000 a year and also gave Kendall the ability to build a $30 million facility. As a result, Kendall announced the development of student housing near the soon to be renovated facility. Roy sponsored a bill to change the number of unpaid parking tickets allowed before renewal of a drivers license from 6 to 3. That simple change will mean about $400,000 the first year and $250,000 per year after that for the City to use for Police and Fire operations. Most recently Roy shepherded a bill to make being tested for HIV much easier and paving the way for more people to be tested to bring an end to that horrible disease. That bill sailed through the house with a 109 to 0 approval!
There are serious problems that face our State that need serious people dealing with them. Roy’s experience and his personal demeanor are needed more now than ever before. His ability to bring people together is the only way we’ll get passed the partisan bickering and deadlock style government we’ve been struggling through. Roy is so serious about building bi-partisan relationships that he led the way to create the Kent County Caucus which includes all of the Representatives from Kent County. The group has been working together to bring greater awareness to the issues of the Kent County Department of Human Services unique private/public child welfare system. They are using their group influence to build support for equitable funding for Grand Valley State University. They have been strong proponents for each other’s bills in committees and on the floor. All of them are convinced that there is common ground on key issues and are dedicated to working toward the very best solutions for the people of this state and our county. We can thank Roy for using his contagious enthusiasm for establishing a model for all Legislators to work from.
Roy spends most of his time with his family when not working in Lansing or making visits in his district. He and his wife Donna have three sons; Eric and wife Kim, Ryan and wife Lisa and their son Ryan Jr. (Roy’s pride and joy!) and Tyler who is awaiting entry into the Air Force. The Schmidt’s are active members of St. James Parish.
