I voted no on the Executive Order because I do not believe it offered the right solutions.

A `yes' vote on this proposal is a `yes' vote on tax increases, gimmicks and a vote for the status quo.  This proposal is based on a 2 percent sales tax increases which digs into the pockets of hard working families and leaves government spending in tact.  Until we address the fundamental issues of our budget deficit, we will never solve the problem.

The governor's plan is a perception game, highlighting a number of issues that the governor is "cutting" in the proposal but reinstating with other budget tricks including:  a $7.25 million reduction in health information technology (replaced in the 2007 supplemental) and $1,226,200 reduction in foster care payments (restored in the 2007 supplemental).

This proposal only addresses $166 million of the $982 million deficit for this budget year.  How can the governor ask us to support something when the proposal doesn't even fulfill its basic requirements.  I chose to vote to protect the families.  I voted for reform in government spending and I voted against increased taxes and service fees on Michigan residents.  

Until we reform government, this crisis will never end.

There seem to be plenty of areas where Lansing can tighten it's belt.  Plenty of areas where the budget can be trimmed that would make a real difference.  Are there enough areas, enough fresh thinking, to solve this problem without a $3 billion tax hike?

The governor used revenue enhancement fees in the last few years to fix our budget problems -$2.7 billion in tax and fee increases. Most of the proposals made by the Governor have focused on one-time fixes, tax increases, or gimmicks.  These include the following:

    - Property Tax Shift (Shaft)
    - Temporary Casino Tax
    - One-time trailer plate fees
    - Michigan Driver's Responsibility Fees
    - Cigarette tax increase
    - Judicial fee increase
     - Michigan gaming and fishing license increases
But most of the governor's proposals do not include the essential structural reform needed to get Michigan back on track. Even with these temporary fixes, we still have a shortfall. We must not use one time fixes, gimmicks or tax increases to balance our state budget. Instead, we must re-invent state government or we will have the same structural problem year after year.

Are there any areas in particular you'd like to see addressed before letting Lansing reach for more taxpayer dollars?

Any and all areas of Michigan's government must be re-invented. Michigan families should not have to continue to bear the burden for Michigan's economic and financial problems.  How can the government ask taxpayers to pay more in taxes when there are still areas of government which can be reformed or areas where spending could be reduced?

The governor didn't like the Senate's vote, or yours, and came out in the press  accusing you of not having a backbone.  How do you respond to something like that?

This year the Governor has proposed a $43.2 billion budget- a $1 billion increase from last year.  In order to generate the new $1 billion in spending, the Governor wishes to increase or create new taxes. The "backbone" of the governor's plan is to expand the Michigan Sales Tax to 84 new services at a rate of 2%.  Some of these services would include:

-Sporting, Concert and Theater Tickets
-Personal Care Services
-Accounting Services
-Pedicures and Manicures
-Mini Storage
-Carpet Cleaning
-Massages and Spa Treatments
-Labor Charges on Vehicle Repairs
-Attorney and Consulting Fees
-Pet Grooming
-Laundry and Dry Cleaning Services
-General Construction and Carpentry Services
-Cable TV & Satellite TV services
-Hair Cuts
-Bowling, Mini-Golf and Driving Range Fees
-Landscaping and Lawn Care Services

Some of the other taxes and fees the Governor wishes to increase include:

¨   Michigan Gaming and Fishing Licenses
¨   Michigan Parks and Recreation Vehicle and Camping Fees
¨   Liquor License Fees
¨   Cigarette and Tobacco Taxes
¨   Estate Tax on selected estates
¨   Sales Tax on food sold through vending machines
¨   Sales Tax on all interstate truck, trailer, and part purchases
¨   Plumbing, Electrical and Mechanical License Fees
¨   Sales Tax on interstate and international telecommunication services
¨   Restoring the penalty for taxpayers that file their personal income taxes late
¨   Service Tax on insurance premiums

As a member of the House Appropriations Committee since January of 2003, I have seen firsthand the effects of a weak economy on our state's budget.  I am acutely aware that the recovery of those revenues is tied directly to the recovery of our state's economy.  Because of this fact, I have been working very hard to put in place policies that will restructure Michigan's government, reduce government regulations, and encourage job growth.

Michigan's economy is growing at a much slower rate than the rest of the United States.  As a State Representative, it is my duty to have the "backbone" to act on reforming government in a way that ensures Michigan becomes the best state in the nation in which to live, to do business, and to create jobs.