To My Republican Senate Caucus;

In 1982 I was elected to the Michigan Senate in a seat that was marginally democrat and running against a popular Dem House member, Pat Harrington.

There was one central issue in that race - a 1/2 % increase in the state income tax - a temporary tax at that passed when Bill Milliken was Gov.

The setting was like now, no $ to run state govt. There was talk of releasing prisoners early, cutting funding for police, and cutting back in 'essential' social services.

The House was in session in the 'wee' hours of the morning. The Governor had a personal meeting with my opponent, as the House took a temporary recess. My opponent left the meeting with the Gov., the House was called back into session, and he changed his no vote to a yes vote, casting the deciding vote to raise the tax. He did not have to do it; but the pressure was just too much. That one vote was 98% on my campaign against him in 1982. It cost him the election even though he had the backing of labor and the MI Chamber of Commerce.

Because of my election and then the two recalls in 1983, over similar voting mistakes by the dems, the GOP has controlled the Senate since.

You are faced with a similar situation. The pressure is tremendous; the fate of the State seems to be in each of your hands. BUT, if no tax increase takes place, state government will continue to function, people will continue to pay and complain about taxes, and life will go on.

The question one must ask: who will have done the right thing?

The people of this state don't need more taxes to pay - the tax burden is already at a crisis level for a majority of Michigan's citizens.

I hope you withstand the pressure, as your collegues in the House seem to be doing at the moment, for tax increases and do what is right for the people...

Thanks for reading this and good luck.