A short guide for Michigan State University students from foreign countries on how to appreciate the State Capitol

My assignment:
Tomorrow I will be sharing with a group of Michigan State students about the State Capitol which is almost right next door to the East Lansing campus. I've been told that the students will be mostly from China and South Korea and are highly-educated.

Some or many of them have expressed an interest in state government which is so close and face the challenge of making sense of how we govern ourselves on the state level. It's also an encouragement for them to make the trip downtown to see for themselves our state government in operation.

Background:
By living in Michigan, they have front row seats on a human drama of many acts that will affect the lives of millions in this state, around the country and the world. Much of the outcome will be determined by what happens in our state's government, including the legislative, executive and judicial branches. All three are right here in Lansing and are accessible to everybody.

 My goal:
Watching American government in action can be much like watching this country's brand of football.  Without some orientation, it can be confusing to the point of not making sense.  There are so many different players and groups with their own agendas that making sense of what's happening can seem impossible.  But, in the end the winner is declared by having at least one more vote than the other person, whether running in an election or trying to make laws.      

With this blog post, I want to share some links to help decipher what's going on in state government.  While in this country, you are invited to watch, listen, ask questions and take part in the debate which will culminate with the November election.

Here are some links to aid that effort:

• The State Constitution (download a PDF) which was drafted by elected delegates at a Constitutional Convention and approved by voters in 1963.  This is the basic governing document for all of state government.  It sets the rules for the establishment and operation of the three branches of state government.
• Your State Capitol booklet (download a PDF) which provides an online guided tour of the State Capitol Building. It provides important details including history of the building.
• Citizens Guide to State Government (download a PDF) which gives great details about the operation of state government along with a directory and bios of member of the U.S. Congress and the state legislature.
• The homepage for the Michigan Legislature's website--this site is linked to everything you want to know about both the House of Representatives and the State Senate.  You can find up-to-date state laws, bills or proposed state laws in the legislature and links to many other helpful resources.
• Schedules for committee meetings in the Michigan House and Senate--this is where the detailed consideration is given to bills and special interests.  It's the place where the heavy-lifting of governing is done.  These meetings are open.
• Daily e-mail newsletter from the Michigan Republican Party Chair Saul Anuzis; this is free and it comes every morning and it includes an archive of that day's news articles about Michigan and national issues.  The chairman usually provides a commentary.  Each article has a link to a full article. 
• Michigan Secretary of State's page to election information of all sorts, including campaign contributions for each candidate, how much lobbyists spend to influence legislators and vote totals from all areas of the state.
• Michigan Historical Museum website--this museum is worth seeing for both adults and children.  It's very hands-on with lots of video and real world artifacts that help understand the history of this state.
• Michigan House of Representatives online--sessions of the House and Senate can be watched online from gavel to gavel.  This is where you find the House of Representatives.
• Michigan Senate sessions online--this is where you can find online coverage of the state senate.
• General Motors as described by Wikipedia--GM was founded and prospered here in Michigan.  It brought our state to greatness and now threatens to diminish the quality of life in this state because of its drastic downsizing.
• Sugar beet info from Wikipedia--this is important because Michigan is prominent for its agricultural production including sugar beets.  In our state, agriculture creates lots of jobs.  Sugar beets are found around Bay City and in the Thumb.