Senate Republican Priorities
and Achievements

Budget: Right-sizing government and Growing Michigan's Economy

The first step to government's economic recovery is an honest acknowledgement of the crisis. Denial is no longer an option, and reliance on tired old solutions and political rhetoric will not change our fortunes. Staying the course is only going to make matters worse and prolong our journey to the road to recovery. (more)

Elimination of MBT Surcharge

Senate Republicans sent a message this year to Michigan job providers to let them know how important they are to re-energizing our state's economy. We encouraged them to keep their businesses here with our recent passage of a bill to eliminate the onerous Michigan Business Tax surcharge. Senate Bill 1 phases out the 21.99 percent MBT surcharge over a two-year period - cutting the surcharge by half to 11 percent in 2009 and eliminating it by 2010. (more)

Workforce Training and Jobs

With our state's unemployment rate nearly 50 percent higher than the rest of the country, we must do everything we can to help put people back to work and facilitate job creation. Michigan has been in a one-state recession for the past six years and our state's economy is undergoing a change that is fundamental and long lasting. As this process plays out, the need to have a trained and capable workforce will grow and remain a top consideration for employers and entrepreneurs deciding where they want to locate. (more)

Health Care Reforms

Currently, Michigan is home to an estimated 1.1 million residents who do not have health insurance, which is equal to 11.5 percent of the state's population. This number is likely to increase unless the economy improves.

Michigan Senate Republicans understand many residents are afraid that they may not be able to afford health insurance. In the last legislative session we tried to address these concerns before they became an issue for the people of Michigan, but unfortunately, the House did not agree. (more)

Eliminate Bureaucracy

Senate Republicans will continue to do everything to make our state a leader in the nation for job growth. One of the most important factors a business considers when deciding where to locate or expand its operations is the time, cost, and ease of compliance associated with a state's regulatory climate.

Senate Republicans will continue our fight to eliminate bureaucracy and make Michigan an inviting place to do business. We will work with job providers to reform the regulatory structure in Michigan and to put pressure on the administration when the actions of a department are costing us precious jobs. (more)

An Agenda for Strong Schools

Senate Republicans firmly believe that the success of our great state will depend almost entirely on whether Michigan has the kind of education system that provides our children and future generations with the skills to succeed in the fiercely competitive and ever-evolving global economy. Literally and figuratively, we simply cannot afford an education model that has grown out of a 20th century industrial and agrarian society. Just as we must diversify our economy, we must challenge ourselves to innovate and to create a diverse and comprehensive approach to educating our children. We are focused and committed to a long-range plan to build strong schools that reflect a dynamic, efficient and high-performance 21st century learning environment. (more)

Protecting Water and Natural Resources

Michigan's natural resources are one of the state's most valuable assets. It is imperative that they be preserved and protected. Senate Republicans will continue our strong leadership role in protecting our water and our environment.

Efforts to conserve Michigan's natural resources are not new for Senate Republicans. For more than five years, we have been leading the way to develop proactive legislation to protect the Great Lakes, promote alternative energy, and expand recycling in Michigan. (more)

Keeping People in Their Homes

Senate Republicans will take action to ensure families are not taxed out of their homes in these tough economic times.

Property values in Michigan have declined steadily over the past two years. Most homeowners have seen the values of their homes drop 15 percent to 25 percent. Property taxes, however, have actually increased over the same period.

We will lead the charge to fix the constitutional provision that allows property taxes to increase while the value of your home decreases. (more)

Making Neighborhoods Safe

Senate Republicans served on a bipartisan workgroup comprised of members of the governor's administration, the House, and the Council of State Governments (CSG) Justice Center to determine how the state might reduce corrections spending while reinvesting in measures that will make communities safer and stronger. The workgroup produced a bipartisan package of policy options that gives Michigan a real chance to achieve needed cost savings and prevents crime at the same time. (more)

From the Senate Floor

Michigan Senate Republicans Floor Statements

Senator Cropsey refutes false statements by the governor and other democrats that the Senate has not acted on revenue generating legislation for the K12 budget.

Recent Blogs from Senate Republicans

The leaves have all fallen from the trees, the temperatures are dropping and soon the snow will be flying it must be time for one of my favorite holidays: Thanksgiving. (read)

Senate Republican Caucus News

THE LEAVES HAVE ALL FALLEN FROM THE TREES, THE TEMPERATURES ARE DROPPING AND SOON THE SNOW WILL BE FLYING IT MUST BE TIME FOR ONE OF MY FAVORITE HOLIDAYS: THANKSGIVING.

Kahns Corner for the week of November 23, 2009 [more]

SEN. GEORGE TO LIGHT STATE CHRISTMAS TREE, HELP LAUNCH THE HOLIDAY SEASON

State Sen. Tom George, Senate chair of the Capitol Committee, has been selected to light the state Christmas tree in Lansing on Friday, Nov. 20 as part of the 25th annual Silver Bells in the City celebration. [more]

SEN. KAHN ANNOUNCES SAGINAW COUNTY OFFICE HOURS

State Sen. Roger Kahn, R-Saginaw Township, announced that office hours with Saginaw County residents will be held on Monday, Nov. 30 in Chesaning. [more]

GARCIA TO HOST HOMELAND SECURITY EVENT

State Sen. Valde Garcia today announced he will host the Michigan Homeland Security Consortium Roundtable next Monday. The November 23 event is open to all companies and organizations involved in the security and defense industry in Michigan, and is designed to help grow the business of homeland security in our state. [more]

SEN. BROWN INTRODUCES BILL TO PROHIBIT PAY TO PLAY POLITICS

A measure to help put an end to pay to play politics in Michigan was recently introduced in the state Senate, said sponsor Sen. Cameron S. Brown, R-Fawn River Township. [more]

RICHARDVILLE OPPOSES PLAN TO CLOSE SOS OFFICE IN TEMPERANCE

Consolidating the secretary of states office in Temperance with the Monroe branch will be a great disservice to thousands of area residents. It will result in longer lines and wait times at the surrounding secretary of state offices. [more]

SEN. KAHN: FRANKENMUTH SOS OFFICE SHOULD REMAIN OPEN

Closing the Frankenmuth office and consolidating it with a branch in Saginaw Township to offer enhanced services makes no sense when the people of Frankenmuth will have to drive more than 40 miles round trip every time they register to vote or renew their license plate tabs. This just doesnt make sense [more]

MILLIONS IN INVESTMENT AND 100 NEW JOBS HEADED TO BATTLE CREEK

Plans for two projects expected to generate more than $85 million in private investment and 100 new jobs to Battle Creek were approved Tuesday by the Michigan Economic Growth Authority Board, said state Sen. Mike Nofs. [more]

SEN. PAPPAGEORGE ANNOUNCES OFFICE HOURS

State Sen. John Pappageorge, R-Troy, announced that November office hours will be held in three locations in the 13th Senate District on Saturday, Nov. 21. [more]

SENATOR PATTERSONS OFFICE HOURS

District Representative to visit Fred C. Fischer Library [more]

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND JOB CREATION ARE MY TOP PRIORITIES. THATS WHY IM GLAD THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES RECENTLY APPROVED MY LEGISLATION DESIGNED TO AID MICHIGAN ON THE PATH TO ECONOMIC RECOVERY

Kahns Corner For the week of November 16, 2009 [more]

LEGISLATION WOULD GIVE TAX CREDIT FOR VETERANS HOME DONATIONS

Sen. Mike Nofs co-sponsored legislation this week that would make an individual who donates to a state veterans' home eligible to receive an income tax credit. [more]

PATTERSON SUPPORTS VETERANS PROTECTION LEGISLATION

The state Senate has unanimously approved legislation aimed at honoring military veterans by establishing and increasing current penalties for those who act dishonorably toward them, said state Sen. Bruce Patterson. [more]

CROPSEY VOTES FOR 'GOOD NEIGHBOR' MEASURE IN SENATE

State Sen. Alan Cropsey today commended the Michigan Senate for approving legislation that exempts individuals exhibiting a good neighbor policy from the states daycare regulations. [more]

VAN WOERKOM VOTES TO REJECT GOVERNORS EO, WARNS PLAN COULD HARM STATES AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY

Sen. Gerald Van Woerkom, chair of the Senate Agriculture and Bieconomy Committee, today voted to reject the governors Executive Order that minimizes the responsibilities of the nonpartisan Michigan Commission of Agriculture. [more]

RICHARDVILLE VOTES TO REJECT GOVERNORS PLAN THAT COULD HARM MICHIGAN AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY

Former agriculture commissioner from Monroe County also opposes EO [more]

KAHNS EXPANSION OF SMARTZONES APPROVED BY HOUSE

State Sen. Roger Kahns legislation designed to aid Michigan on the path to economic recovery was approved Thursday by the House of Representatives. [more]

MICHIGAN SENATE APPROVES RESOLUTIONS REJECTING GOVERNORS EXECUTIVE ORDER

Two concurrent resolutions rejecting the governors executive order that would allow her to appoint the director of agriculture rather than the Michigan Commission of Agriculture were approved Thursday by the Michigan Senate. [more]

AG SUBCOMMITTEE CHAIR OPPOSES CHANGES TO AG COMMISSION

Aiming to protect the states second largest industry, the Michigan Senate rejected the governors Executive Order that strips the Michigan Commission of Agriculture of its oversight of the MDA, said Sen. Cameron S. Brown. [more]

SENATE APPROVES STATE PARKS LEGISLATION TO CUT ANNUAL FEE BY 60 PERCENT AND PROVIDE LONG-TERM PARKS FUNDING SOURCE

The Senate today approved bipartisan legislation that would reduce the annual park entrance fee for Michigan residents from $24 to $10 and provide a long-term funding source for state parks and recreational areas, said Sen. Patty Birkholz, chair of the Senate Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee. [more]

SENATE LAWMAKERS APPROVE CASUAL BABY-SITTING BILL

Legislation that would allow neighbors and friends to occasionally baby-sit children at their homes without facing state consequences was overwhelmingly approved Thursday by the Michigan Senate, said Sen. Mark C. Jansen and Sen. Bill Hardiman. [more]

SENATE LAWMAKERS APPROVE CASUAL BABY-SITTING BILL

PAPPAGEORGE: SENATE ACTS TO PROTECT VETERANS

Sen. John Pappageorge, a retired Army colonel, was glad to see the state Senate approve legislation aimed at protecting the honor of veterans in Michigan and the symbols of their sacrifices as Veterans Day approaches on Wednesday. [more]

SENATE OKS BILL REQUIRING STATE PUBLICATIONS DEPICTING MICHIGAN TO INCLUDE BOTH UPPER & LOWER PENINSULAS

The Senate today approved legislation requiring any illustration, image, or depiction of Michigan on a publication produced by a state department or agency to include both the Upper Peninsula and the Lower Peninsula, said state Sen. Jason Allen, who voted for the measure. [more]

SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE REJECTS GOVERNOR'S ORDER AND APPROVES MCMANUS PLAN MERGING DNR AND DEQ

The Senate Appropriations Committee on Tuesday rejected Executive Order 45, the governor's proposal to combine the departments of Natural Resources and Environmental Quality and approved a comprehensive strategy put forth by Sen. Michelle McManus to merge the departments. [more]

KUIPERS SPONSORS TAX CREDIT BILL FOR VETERANS HOME DONATION

Sen. Wayne Kuipers introduced legislation Tuesday that would allow an individual who makes a donation to a state veterans home to receive an income tax credit. [more]

SENATE PANEL APPROVES KUIPERS RESOLUTION REJECTING GOVERNORS EXECUTIVE ORDER

The Senate Appropriations Committee approved today a concurrent resolution, sponsored by Sen. Wayne Kuipers, to reject the governors executive order that would allow her to appoint the director of agriculture rather than the Michigan Commission of Agriculture. [more]

HARDIMAN SUPPORTS VETERANS PROTECTION LEGISLATION

As Veterans Day approaches on Wednesday, the state Senate today approved legislation aimed at honoring veterans by establishing and increasing current penalties for those who act dishonorably toward them, said Sen. Bill Hardiman, co-sponsor of the measures. [more]

SENATE APPROVES RICHARDVILLES LEGISLATION TO PROTECT VETERANS

As Veterans Day approaches on Wednesday, the state Senate today unanimously approved legislation aimed at protecting the honor of veterans in Michigan. [more]

MIKE NOFS SWORN IN AS STATE SENATOR FOR 19TH DISTRICT

State Sen. Mike Nofs was sworn into office at the state Capitol today with Michigan Supreme Court Justice Robert P. Young administering the oath. [more]