James "Jase" Bolger (born February 2, 1971) served as the 71st Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives from January 12, 2011 to the end of 2014 session. Bolger is a member of the Republican Party, and represented Michigan's 63rd house district from 2009 to 2014. After being term limited out, he founded a consulting firm, Tusker Strategies."Jase Bolger forms consulting firm, will work with West Michigan Policy Forum", mlive.com, January 7, 2015. Bolger was also appointed by former Governor Rick Snyder on December 29, 2016 to the Michigan Civil Service Commission and was elected chair on April 27, 2023 and served until December 31, 2024. Bolger was named President and CEO of the West Michigan Policy Forum on May 19, 2025.
Personal life, education and career James "Jase" Bolger was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the son of James and Eileen Bolger.Davis, Paula M. (January 9, 2011). "Michigan House Speaker Bolger says GOP has 'no excuses', must deliver results". Kalamazoo Gazette. Due to his father's job as a Michigan State Police trooper, the family moved around the state often, before settling in Charlotte, Michigan when Jase entered first grade. He graduated Western Michigan University with a Bachelor of Business Administration with a dual major in Finance and Political Science.Speaker James Bolger bio , Republican State Leadership Committee; accessed December 20, 2014.
Prior to entering politics, Bolger founded (and continues to help operate) a small collections/skip tracing business that updates phone records for Fortune 100 companies. An Eagle Scout, he has also been associated with AYSO Soccer, the Rotary Club, United Way, the KAAAP mentor program, Oaklawn Hospital, the Knights of Columbus and several Chambers of Commerce. He is married and has two children. Bolger and his family are Roman Catholic.
Political career Bolger was first elected to public office in 2004 as a Calhoun County Commissioner, he was later reelected for the same post in 2006.Western Michigan University GOP (May 21, 2008). Jase Bolger for State Representative. WMUGOP Blogspot. One of his stated priorities as a Commissioner was to minimize the county's spending which he believed was necessary to secure the county's future. During his time as county commissioner Bolger worked with the Democratic majority to achieve consolidation for three 911 Calhoun County dispatchers.Calhoun County Board of Commissioners (February 7, 2008)Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes Calhouncountymi.gov The consolidation of the Battle Creek, Albion and Marshall centers into a single center, located in Marshall, resulted in improved service and a net saving of $1.5 million for local taxpayers.VoIP Channel (June 6, 2008)."MPSC Approves 60 cent Charge on all 911 calls", Cisconary.com; accessed August 25, 2016.
Bolger was first elected as a State Representative in November 2008, when he defeated Democratic nominee Phyllis Smith by a 13-point margin. He was subsequently reelected in 2010 and 2012 and served as Speaker until 2014. In 2012, Democrats campaigned heavily trying to defeat Bolger, spending nearly $1 million on mail, television and radio attack ads; however, Bolger won re-election to his third and final term.Klug, Fritz (November 7, 2012). House Speaker Jase Bolger claims victory in re-election bid against Bill Farmer, Kalamazoo Gazette; accessed August 25, 2016.
Under Bolger's leadership, Republicans retained their majority in the Michigan House while President Barack Obama was re-elected by a 9.5 point margin in Michigan, and U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow was re-elected by a 20-point margin.ELECTION 2012: NATION: President Obama wins second term; Stabenow, Dingell, Conyers win , PressandGuide.com; November 7, 2012.
He represented Michigan's 63rd legislative District, which included the eastern Kalamazoo County city of Galesburg and the townships of Brady, Charleston, Climax, Comstock, Kalamazoo, Pavilion, Richland, Ross and Wakeshma; as well as the central/southern Calhoun County city of Marshall, village of Athens, Burlington, Homer, Tekonsha and the townships of Athens, Burlington, Clarendon, Eckford, Emmett, Fredonia, Homer, Leroy, Marengo, Marshall, Newton and Tekonsha.State of Michigan Map of Michigan's 63rd District, Michigan.gov; accessed August 25, 2016.
After completing his term Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives, Bolger founded a consulting firm, Tusker Strategies. In addition to his private sector work, Bolger was appointed in 2016 to serve on the Michigan Civil Service Commission for a term ending December 31, 2024. The Commission is a bipartisan, four-member body, appointed by the governor of the state to regulate all conditions of employment for state employees. On April 27, 2023 Bolger was elected to serve as Chair of the Michigan Civil Service Commission.
Political positions and initiatives Bolger was elected as House leader in 2011, during his time as Speaker numerous legislative packages that aided Michigan's recovery passed. Specifically, the Michigan House has passed legislation to cut duplicative regulation, as well as reforming the tax structure and pension systems. In addition to those initiatives, the Speaker has worked with Republicans statewide to pass right-to-work legislation and education reform measures. The Michigan House has also passed a balanced budget ahead of schedule all four years Bolger served as Speaker.State of Michigan (June 13, 2013). Michigan's 2014 budget balanced and on time, Michigan.gov; accessed December 20, 2014.
Education reform During Bolger's term as Speaker he achieved bipartisan support for education reform.House Roll Call, Tenure Reform (June 30, 2011). 2011 House Bill 4625: Make it easier to fire ineffective teachers (House Roll Call 294) Roll Call Votes.House Roll Call, Tenure Reform (June 30, 2011). 2011 House Bill 4627: Ban laying off more effective but less senior teachers first ("LIFO") (House Roll Call 296) Roll Call Votes. Since 2011, the Michigan House of Representatives have passed numerous education reforms including tenure reform, expansion of cyber and charter school choices, teacher benefit reforms and early childhood development investment. During Bolger's first year as Speaker, the House passed tenure reform.Mack, Julie (July 15, 2011). Michigan tenure reform: The real ways in which it could help and hurt teachers (with video), Kalamazoo Gazette. Tenure reform in Michigan guaranteed students would not be left with an underperforming teacher or lose a teacher who is exceeding. Tenure reform made it easier for a school district to fire ineffective teachers, and banned the last in first out approach previously utilized.
In addition to tenure reform, Bolger and the House passed legislation that expanded school choice options, guaranteeing more students access to cyber and charter schools; the legislation passed with bipartisan support.Murray, Dave (May 20, 2012). Jase Bolger: There's no Republican conspiracy to eliminate public schools, we agree with Obama, MLive.com; accessed August 25, 2016. The school choice legislation gradually lifts the cap on charter schools authorized by universities and allows for more cyber school options.
During the Speaker's term, teacher benefit reforms were also accomplished.Eggert, Dave (June 14, 2012). Tentative deal reached on big changes in Michigan's teacher retirement system MLive.com. The legislation, which is described as the biggest change in the state's teacher retirement system in a generation, allows school districts to allocate less towards retirement pensions and more towards students. School district leaders have noted the change to retirement pension requirements have been a blessing, saying the separation allows school districts to spend more on school operations.Dickson, James and Darren Littell (February 6, 2014). "Clearing the air on Gov. Snyder's education spending", The Detroit News. The reform also created the option for teachers to commit more towards their own retirement, or have the option for a smaller pension.
The Republican-led House under Bolger increased funding for early childhood development by $65 million in 2013 and again in 2014.Melot, Derek (January 9, 2013). "Bolger backs bigger dollars for early childhood" , Bridge Magazine; accessed December 20, 2014. The changes to funding for early childhood development have resulted in at least 16,000 more students being able to attend pre-k schooling.Dwyer, Dustin (May 28, 2013). $65 million increase for early ed expected to pass; creates 16,000 new preschool slots in Michigan, Michigan Public Radio; accessed December 20, 2014.Brownfield, Mike (June 19, 2013). Investing in Education, Michigan.gov; accessed August 25, 2016. Regarding increased early childhood development funding Speaker Bolger said,
The Speaker's comments on early childhood funding were applauded by the Children's Leadership Council of Michigan.
Job growth Michigan saw a sharp decline in the labor force starting in 2008 and lasting until 2011, which resulted in 800,000 jobs lost.Bureau of Labor Statistics Data, tables and calculators by subject Bureau of Labor Statistics;' accessed December 20, 2014. In 2009, Michigan's unemployment rate hit a record-high 14.2 percent.Oosting, Jonathan (March 5, 2014). Michigan unemployment rate plummets to 7.8 percent in January, lowest point since 2008 MLive.com. During that same period Michigan saw its population base shrink.Witsil, Frank (January 9, 2014). Based on moves, Michigan population loss tapers off, indicating improving economy Detroit Free Press. In 2011, Bolger worked with Republicans in the house to pass tax, education and pension reform measures, and employers have responded positively to the changes. Since the reforms were passed in 2011, more than 300,000 jobs returned to the state. During Bolger's time as Speaker from 2011 through 2014, Michigan had the fifth highest job growth in the nation, and the state's unemployment rate decreased to 6.7 percent.Gantert, Tom (January 3, 2014). "Michigan Among the Leaders in Job Growth", Michigan Capitol Confidential; accessed December 20, 2014.
Poverty decline From 2008 until the end of 2010 under a Democrat controlled Michigan House of Representatives and Democratic Governor Jennifer Granholm, Michigan's poverty rate rose from 14.4% in 2008 up to 17.5% in 2011.Mackinac Center for Public Policy (December 5, 2015). "Poverty Rate Soaring?", Michigan Capitol Confidential; accessed December 6, 2015. When elected Speaker, Bolger stated it was the goal of Republican leaders to address our state's increasing poverty rate by creating more jobs. Specifically, Bolger stated "it has to be all about job creation.
After four years of Republican reforms led by Bolger, Governor Rick Snyder and former Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville, Michigan saw significant economic improvement with more than 300,000 jobs added to state's economy, which aided the state's poverty rate decrease. While Bolger was Speaker, Michigan's poverty rate declined each year since 2011, from a high of 17.5% down to 16.2% in 2014.
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