By Elizabeth Lowe
Staff writer

Ortonville – Rep. Dave Robertson -R Grand Blanc took time last week to answer questions when he visited the offices of The Citizen.
The son of Scottish immigrants, Robertson is a lifelong resident of Genesee County who’s been interested in government and politics as long as he can remember.
After completing a science history degree at the University of Michigan-Flint, the aspiring politician campaigned for the late Sen. Doug Carl. Robertson was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in 1990, serving the 83rd district, similar to the 51st district he serves today.
Currently in his third term, Robertson is eligible to serve a fourth term, as he was initially elected prior to the passage of term limits.
He’s Republican, conservative, and ‘happy to be so,? says Robertson, currently single. He hopes to someday marry and have children, he says.
Robertson recently initiated a bill requiring abortion providers, who operate under ultrasonic guidance, to offer the choice of seeing the fetus on the ultrasound screen prior to aborting .
‘I believe this bill is entirely consistent with the spirit of the current Informed Consent law? passed 13 years ago in Michigan, he said.
The bill is currently before the House, and has ‘overwhelming bi-partisan support in the Senate, although there’s indications of resistance from Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s office.
For those with pro-choice views , Robertson is adamant no one should take away the right to view the image from the woman, who won’t be forced to look if she opts not to.
On health care, Robertson advocates health savings accounts.
‘What we need is a better functioning health insurance. Einstein said compound interest is the most powerful force in the universe,? he said. ‘We need to re-engage the consumer in the purchase of health care.?
Tort reform’or limiting lawsuits’is also critical to reducing health care costs associated with health liability insurance, as are the ‘faith-based initiatives? proposed by President George W. Bush, said Robertson, allowing volunteers to ease government’s burden.
Since the cost of health insurance provided by MESSA for school employees accounts for a big chunk of school budgets, a bill is in the works to require MESSA’which operates through the Michigan Education Association’to provide a loss history, making insurance comparison shopping an option that could save school dollars. State lawmakers are concerned about the ‘cozy relationship? between MESSA and MEA, he admits, and want to look into whether money charged to school districts to provide MESSA actually goes to pay other aspects of union operations.
Also of local interest is an opinion issued in October 2004 by State Attorney General Mike Cox, specifying the mobile home commission is ‘not a licensing board?. Since constitutional issues no longer apply, it’s opening the door for the reintroduction of his bill ‘giving authority back to the locals?, since school and municipal representatives would have a say in allowing mobile home parks locally.
‘It doesn’t mean we’re going to be anti-industry,? said Robertson. ‘It does mean they won’t have a hammerlock .?
‘It’s an antiquated law that hasn’t been addressed in 50 years.?