In a story written for Bridge Magazine, I explore the continuing, heated opposition to the legalization of powerful fireworks in Michigan and how the author of the 2011 law, Harold Haugh, explains the justification for his legislation.

Here are a few excerpts:

“Harold Haugh sometimes feels as if he’s spent the past four years as the most hated man in Michigan. Especially around the Fourth of July.
“Haugh, a former state representative from Roseville, introduced the 2011 legislation that permits the sale of more powerful fireworks in Michigan, a law that has generated loud criticism across much of the state. As an online petition drive to repeal the law gains momentum, agitated residents from Mackinaw City to Monroe say they marked another Independence Day weekend in neighborhoods that sounded like a war zone.

“… In an interview with Bridge, Haugh said he has no regrets about his legislation, which legalized the sale in Michigan of high-powered, high-volume fireworks previously available for purchase only across the border, in states such as Ohio and Indiana. He noted that the law achieved its three stated goals: Creating jobs, generating new tax revenue, and putting vacant buildings back to use with fireworks vendors.

“… Revenue from the controversial law serves as a strong incentive for pro-business lawmakers to keep the statute in place. Haugh said he will play no role in any future public debates over fireworks but he suggests that local officials and legislators who call for repeal face an uphill climb.
“‘If they can get the votes, God bless ‘em,’ said Haugh, who is now a political consultant.  ‘Those that don’t like fireworks will always have their opinion. But the bottom line is that we’ve had those fireworks for years and years.'”

You can read more here.

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