Empower Local Authority, Stop State Overreach
The people closest to the problem should make the decisions. Patrick will fight to keep power with local communities, townships, and counties — not unelected bureaucrats in Lansing.
Lansing Is Overriding Local Authority
State agencies are increasingly making decisions that should belong to local elected officials. From zoning to agriculture to education, Lansing is centralizing power at the expense of the communities that know their own needs best.
Top-down mandates ignore the unique needs of West Michigan communities. What works in Detroit or Ann Arbor does not always work in Ottawa County — and local leaders should not be forced to comply with one-size-fits-all directives from the capital.
Farmers face regulations written by people who have never worked the land. Policy that affects livelihoods should be informed by the people whose livelihoods are on the line.
PA 233 is just one example — it lets developers bypass local zoning decisions on energy projects, taking the final say away from the communities that would be most affected.
What's at Stake
Local governance is being eroded across multiple areas. These are the decisions that should stay with the people closest to the impact.
- Zoning Authority
- Agricultural Regulation
- Education Policy
- Energy Siting
- Property Rights
Each of these areas represents a place where local voices should carry the most weight — not bureaucratic mandates from Lansing.
Your Community, Your Rules
Defend Local Decision-Making
Township boards and county commissioners are elected by the people they serve. Their decisions should not be overridden by state agencies or unelected commissions.
Stand with Farmers
Patrick was raised on a farm. He knows that agricultural policy should be shaped by the people who work the land — not by Lansing bureaucrats who have never set foot on a tractor.
Push Back on State Mandates
When Lansing imposes one-size-fits-all mandates, it is the small communities that suffer most. Patrick will fight to ensure local voices are heard before state policy is imposed.
State Overreach in Action
PA 233 lets developers bypass local decisions on energy projects. When a township says no to a large-scale wind or solar installation, developers can appeal to the Michigan Public Service Commission and get that decision overturned. It is one of the clearest examples of Lansing taking power away from the people.
Read More About PA 233Common Questions
What is Patrick Kapenga's position on local control?
Patrick Kapenga believes decisions about zoning, land use, and community policy should be made by local elected officials — not overridden by state agencies or unelected commissions in Lansing.
How does PA 233 affect local control in District 89?
PA 233 allows energy developers to bypass local zoning decisions by appealing to the Michigan Public Service Commission. If a township says no, Lansing can say yes anyway — undermining local authority.
How will Patrick Kapenga defend farmer's rights in Michigan?
Patrick was raised on a farm — he understands what it means when Lansing writes regulations without consulting the people who actually work the land. He opposes top-down agricultural mandates and will push to ensure that rural communities have a seat at the table before policy is finalized, not after.
Help Protect Your Community
The best way to defend local control is to elect a representative who will stand up for your community in Lansing. Join Patrick's campaign today.