The five candidates running in the August 2 primary for the new 38th Michigan House District squared off in a forum Thursday night. There are three Republicans and two Democrats running. Among the local issues the five were asked about was that of short-term rentals. Do they support a House bill limiting the authority of local governments to regulate short term rentals? Republican George Lucas was clear.
“Short term rentals are a key component of the tourist economy,” Lucas said. “I support House Bill 4722. What is does is it prevents local municipalities from simply banning the activity of short term rentals.”
Democrat Joey Andrews opposes state efforts to limit local control of short-term rentals.
“The local municipalities already struggle enough with fighting the short term rental issue without having to deal with the caps being completely blown off of them,” Andrews said.
Democrat Annie Brown feels the same. Republican Troy Rolling said he supports property rights, but opposes the state bill to limit local control. Republican Kevin Whiteford said he doesn’t have an answer. The five are all seeking to occupy the only state House seat in the region that doesn’t have an incumbent in this year’s elections. The 38th District was created by the state’s redistricting commission. It hugs the Lake Michigan shoreline from New Buffalo to Saugatuck.
In the coming days, we’ll be taking more looks at what the candidates said at Thursday’s forum.
