We've been talking for months about the important opportunity presented this fall with the turnover of more than one-third of the Michigan House of Representatives. Now comes veteran Detroit News political correspondent Charlie Cain with analysis showing that the outgoing 44 House members include the chairs of 10 key committees.

That's why the outreach coordinators from the Center for Michigan are hitting the streets this summer, meeting with candidates almost daily, focusing particularly on toss-up seats and those 44 open seats in which an incumbent cannot run. The goal is not to lobby for specific legislation but instead to educate candidates on the bigger picture issues so many citizens want addressed. Every candidate leaves the meetings with a fresh copy of "Michigan's Defining Moment: A Common Ground Agenda for Michigan's Transformation," the report detailing the in-depth deliberation and agenda-setting performed over the past year by 1,800 participants in some 180 statewide Community Conversations.

So far, every candidate we've met with has also agreed to an in-depth meeting after the August primary with Community Conversation participants.

Now is the time to let us know if you'd like to join these candidate meetings, have your voice heard, and begin to educate Lansing's fresh blood on the tough challenges and policy choices awaiting them once they get there. Just call us at 734-769-4625 or email us at info@thecenterformichigan.net if you'd like to participate in candidate meetings.

"One of the most encouraging things that we are finding as we hold our initial round of candidate conversations is their excitement about Michigan's Defining Moment," says west Michigan outreach coordinator Annette Guilfoyle. "We are receiving comments such as 'If I am elected, I will be looking for the Center for Michigan to introduce me to my like-minded colleagues; if I am not elected I will be coming back to help move the overall initiative forward.' Each of the candidates seems to be running on a 'Lansing needs to change the way it does business' platform."