New lawmaker joins lieutenant governor husband in Capitol

LANSING (AP) — There’s a Calley in the House — and in the lieutenant governor’s office in Michigan.

Julie Calley is joining her husband, Lt. Gov. Brian Calley, in the Michigan Capitol as a newly elected state lawmaker from Ionia County.

Julie Calley, also a Republican, becomes the fourth member of her family to serve in the House. Public service is in her genes: Her mother just retired as a township trustee.

“There will be times when we come to different conclusions on policy issues before the state,” Brian Calley told the Detroit Free Press. “But I’m not worried about that at all. We’ve got plenty of experience working out conflict.”

Brian Calley doesn’t think their paths will cross much. Besides being lieutenant governor, he also presides over the state Senate and doesn’t have much contact with House members. He was re-elected with Gov. Rick Snyder in 2014.

Julie Calley says she wants to boost opportunities for workers in skilled trades.

“Growing up, I didn’t see skilled trades as an option and we ended up with a shortage of welders,” she said. “We need to be making sure that Michigan’s labor force is diverse enough to fill all the needs.”