Sen. Patrick Colbeck (R-Canton) issued a challenge on the Senate floor two weeks ago -- Will an elected member of the Legislature debate him in a public forum on why a tax increase is needed to generate additional money for roads? Sen. Curtis Hertel, Jr., (D-East Lansing) accepted the challenge as part of a public debate organized by MIRS.
The following is an hour-long debate held at the Senate Appropriations Committee Room inside the Capitol with MIRS Editor Kyle Melinn moderating. The room of roughly 50 individuals was full with an additional 50 people standing in the hall watching on a TV monitor and in a separate Capitol room watching though a video feed.