Mark Burnham, MSU vice president of governmental affairs
Interview conducted April 1, 2011 in the Hannah Administration Building

Q: (Paraphrased) What makes up higher education funding and why is it important? How do you lobby for these dollars?

February 26th I had the chance to interview Representative Joel Sheltrown, a Democrat from the 103rd legislative district in Michigan. Representative Sheltrown is the chairman of the Tourism, Outdoor Recreation, and Natural Resources committee in the Michigan House of Representatives, and was gracious enough to spend a few minutes on the phone with me, answering some questions. Below is the complete transcribed interview. His answer to the third question is particularly revealing:

State budget fellow Marc McKenna sat down with Marc Jordan and Helen Freeman for an interview on November 14, 2008. Ms. Freeman is chief of staff for Senator Valde Garcia (R-Howell); Mr. Jordan is special assistant to Senator Garcia. We discussed lobbying at the state and federal levels, earmarking at both levels, and budget deficits in Michigan.