In the Democratic contest for the 18th District in the Michigan Senate, all voters need to do is look back on the record to find out which candidate is dedicated to reforming the way Lansing operates and will be the leader Washtenaw County and Michigan needs. When they do, they will discover it is Pam Byrnes.

Byrnes voted to end the perk of taxpayer-funded lifetime health care for state legislators, which ensures that lawmakers are sharing in the sacrifices being made by families all across Michigan during these tough times. She has supported several other cost saving reforms including cutting legislators' pay including her own by 10 percent, strengthening financial disclosure requirements for legislators, and preventing lawmakers from becoming lobbyists for two years after leaving office.

Byrnes sponsored comprehensive reforms to restore transparency and accountability to Michigan elections and ensure that the voice of the people is not drowned out by a flood of special interest money. The reforms fight back against a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that opened the floodgates for Wall Street corporations, foreign companies and federal bailout recipients to anonymously spend unlimited amounts of money to influence Michigan elections.

On several other key issues, Byrnes has supported reform but her opponent has not. Byrnes supported a plan to save $3.6 million in taxpayer dollars by consolidating administrative services in the Michigan House and Senate and modifying House employee benefit plans.

Amid the most difficult economic times in decades, she believes that our residents deserve a streamlined government that spends tax dollars efficiently. Families across Michigan have been forced to make do with less for years, and state government must share in that sacrifice. Rebekah Warren voted no. Byrnes voted to cut the pay of legislators who are absent. Warren voted no. Byrnes voted to support the Race to the Top reforms; a comprehensive education reform plan that will help prepare Michigan students for 21st century jobs while giving Michigan an edge in qualifying for federal funding. The reforms would better position the state to receive a share of more than $4 billion in education funding available through the federal "Race to the Top" program. Warren voted no.

As a former road commissioner, Byrnes is keenly aware of how transportation needs affect the quality of life for residents and is a key to the state’s economic recovery. She helped secure tens of millions of dollars for Washtenaw County to repair roads and bridges, creating much-needed jobs.

In its endorsement of Byrnes, the AnnArbor.com editorial board wrote, “Over more than three decades, she’s been broadly engaged in the local community, and we think that deep familiarity with Washtenaw County and its residents would be an advantage as she serves in the Senate. We also think these incredibly challenging times call for a willingness to break with the status quo, and make tough, politically difficult decisions.” On Aug. 3, the choice is clear for voters: casting their ballot for Pam Byrnes is a vote for Michigan’s future.

Rich Robinson Formerly of Chelsea