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)

Podcasts from Senator Tom George

SENATOR GEORGE COMMENTS ON THE RECENT BUDGET TARGET AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE.

Michigan State Senator Tom George M.D. discusses the agreement in light of SCR21 which he sponsored to avoid letting the budget process take this long in future years. (Thursday, September 17, 2009)

SENATOR GEORGE DESCRIBES THE SUBSTANCE OF SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 21.

Michigan State Senator Tom George M.D. speaks on behalf of his Resolution that requires the legislature to complete its budget target process by June 1 and also requires both houses to identify revenue sources for all expenditures within the budget proposals. The object of the resolution is to remove partisan politics for the budget. (Wednesday, September 16, 2009)

SENATOR TOM GEORGE ON THE MICHIGAN TALK RADIO NETWORK'S "MPS IN THE MORNING" PROGRAM

Senator George joins the program to discuss both surgery and the state budget. (Monday, September 14, 2009)

SENATOR TOM GEORGE ON THE MICHIGAN TALK RADIO NETWORK'S "MPS IN THE MORNING" PROGRAM

An in depth look at state budget negotiations. (Wednesday, September 09, 2009)

SENATOR GEORGE DEFENDS SENATE REPUBLICAN LEGISLATION OPPOSING THE GOVERNOR'S EXECUTIVE ORDER TO ABOLISH THE MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY ARTS AND LIBRARIES (HAL).

Michigan State Senator Tom George M.D. explains that closing the of HAL will do very little to help right the state from its $1.2 billion budget deficit and will only damage the stewardship of our state's historic treasures. (Thursday, August 27, 2009)

SENATOR GEORGE SPEAKS AT A PRESS CONFERENCE AT MOTOR CITY BLIGHT BUSTERS IN DETROIT TO ANNOUNCE LEGISLATION THAT WILL AID THE CITY IN IMPROVING AND TRANSFORMING BLIGHTED PROPERTIES.

Michigan State Senator Tom George will soon introduce bills to create a Detroit/Wayne County Redevelopment Authority. The authority wold have broad powers to turn vacant property parcels within the city into productive useful property that improves local communities and helps local families. (Thursday, August 20, 2009)

SENATOR TOM GEORGE ON MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK'S "MPS IN THE MORNING"

Senator Tom George speaks with Michael Patrick Shiels on a wide range of topics. (Monday, July 20, 2009)

SENATOR TOM GEORGE ON MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK'S "MPS IN THE MORNING"

Senator George speaks with Michael Patrick Shiels on a wide range of topics. (Monday, June 29, 2009)

SENATOR GEORGE COMMENTS ON THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY HEALTH BUDGET.

Michigan State Senator Tom George M.D. explains the difficulty placed on Michigan by the multiple restraints the federal government attached to the stimulus funding. (Wednesday, June 24, 2009)

SENATOR TOM GEORGE ON MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK'S "MPS IN THE MORNING"

Senator George joins Michael Patrick Shiels for an update on his latest activities as he bicycles from his home to the Capitol. (Monday, June 22, 2009)

SENATOR GEORGE SPEAKS TO THE PRESS TO UNVEIL LEGISLATION TO GIVE PROPER OVERSIGHT TO EMBRYONIC STEM CELL RESEARCH.

Michigan State Senator Tom George M.D. wants to be sure now that embryonic stem cell research is legal in Michigan that all necessary protections and oversight are in place. (Thursday, June 18, 2009)

SENATORS TOM GEORGE, MICHAEL BISHOP AND MARK JANSEN UNVEIL LEGISLATION DESIGNED TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE FOR THOSE UNDER-SERVED IN MICHIGAN.

Michigan State Senator Tom George, Senate Majority leader Bishop and Senator Jansen speaking at a press conference held today at the Capitol. (Thursday, May 14, 2009)

SENATORS TOM GEORGE, CAMERON BROWN AND JASON ALLEN UNVEIL LEGISLATIVE PLANS TO TRANSFER THE MICHIGAN HISTORY ARTS AND LIBRARIES DEPARTMENT FUNCTIONS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE.

The legislation is designed to continue to keep the department's core services and historic collections available to the citizens of Michigan after the Governor closes the department as she has announced she would. (Wednesday, April 29, 2009)

SENATOR GEORGE MAKES ADDRESSES FDA REFORM ON THE SENATE FLOOR.

Michigan State Senator Tom George M.D. forwards the notion that of improving the federal prescription drug approval process in order to ensure safer and better medical care for Americans. (Friday, April 24, 2009)

SENATOR GEORGE TALKS ABOUT NEWT GINGRICH COMING TO MICHIGAN TO SPEAK TO STATE LAWMAKERS ON "MPS IN THE MORNING"

Michigan State Senator Tom George, MD talks about Newt Gingrich coming to Michigan to speak to state lawmakers regarding health care. (Tuesday, March 10, 2009)

SENATOR GEORGE DESCRIBES SENATE RESOLUTION 6 ON THE SENATE FLOOR.

Michigan State Senator Tom George authored SB6 which urges the Michigan congressional delegation to author the federal stimulus bills to include aid more proportionate to Michigan's need which greater than any state in the nation. (Wednesday, February 04, 2009)

SENATOR GEORGE COMMENTS ON THE STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS.

Senator George comments on the State of the State address. (Tuesday, February 03, 2009)

SENATOR GEORGE COMMENTS ON SENATE BILL 1433; A BILL HE SPONSORED THAT WILL BRING KALAMAZOO COUNTY IN LINE WITH THE OTHER COUNTIES IN MICHIGAN REGARDING THE WAY IT DEALS WITH DELINQUENT TAX PROPERTIES.

The bill also paves the way for the future creation of a county land bank to help bring those properties back on to the tax roles. (Thursday, November 13, 2008)

SENATOR GEORGE COMMENTS ON HIS SUBSTITUTES TO THE BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD INDIVIDUAL HEALTH CARE MARKET REFORM BILLS THAT CAME FROM THE HOUSE.

The bills now go back to the House for further for approval. (Thursday, May 01, 2008)

SENATOR GEORGE COMMENTS ON AN AMENDMENT HE IS PROPOSING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY HEALTH BUDGET.

Senator Tom George M.D. wants to provide funding in the budget to help reduce infant mortality in Michigan. (Thursday, March 13, 2008)

SENATOR GEORGE COMMENTS ON SMOKING MARIJUANA AS A LEGITIMATE MEDICAL TREATMENT.

Senator Tom George M.D. speaks from his experience as a hospice physician on how drugs derived from marijuana offer far more benefits and far fewer negative effects than smoking marijuana. (Thursday, March 06, 2008)

SENATOR GEORGE COMMENTS ON SENATE BILL 652: HIS CHARITABLE DONATION BILL.

Senator Tom George sponsored this bill to extend the time period in which a charitable donation can be made and still receive a tax credit for the previous year. (Tuesday, February 26, 2008)

SENATOR GEORGE COMMENTS ON THE GOVERNOR'S STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS.

Senator Tom George (R-Texas Township) comments from the Capitol at a press event sponsored by the Republican caucus. (Tuesday, January 29, 2008)

SENATOR GEORGE COMMENTS ON SENATE PASSAGE OF A NEW HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM: MI HEART - MICHIGAN HELPING ENSURE AFFORDABLE AND RELIABLE TREATMENT.

Senator Tom George (R-Texas Township) discusses a package of Senate bills that give greater flexibility and affordability to Michigan's younger adults in buying health insurance. (Thursday, October 04, 2007)

SENATOR TOM GEORGE ON LEGISLATION THAT WILL EXPEDITE NURSING LICENSURE FOR NURSES THAT HAVE TRAINED OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES

Senator Tom George on legislation that will expedite nursing licensure for nurses that have trained outside of the United States (Tuesday, June 05, 2007)

SENATOR TOM GEORGE, A PHYSICIAN, RESPONDS TO GOVERNOR GRANHOLM'S CLAIM THAT "PEOPLE WILL DIE" DUE TO BUDGET CUTS.

Senator Tom George, a physician, responds to Governor Granholm's claim that "people will die" due to budget cuts (Thursday, May 17, 2007)

SENATOR TOM GEORGE UNVEILS MI HEART

Senator Tom George M.D. (R-Texas Township) and Senate Majority Leader Michael Bishop (R-Rochester) unveiled at a press conference today a Senate Republican package of bills called MI Heart: Michigan - Helping Ensure Affordable and Reliable Treatment. The bills are designed to provide incentives for healthy behavior in Michigan that will in turn help bring the costs of health care down while making the citizens of Michigan healthier. The bills also help to introduce new approaches to health insurance that will make it affordable and available to everyone in the state. (Tuesday, February 20, 2007)

SENATOR TOM GEORGE WITH THE SENATE REPUBLICAN STATE OF THE STATE TELEVISED RESPONSE.

Senator Tom George, R-Texas Twp., gives the Senate Republican State of the State televised response. (Tuesday, February 06, 2007)

SENATOR TOM GEORGE, R-TEXAS TWP., OFFERS COMMENTS ON THE STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS.

Senator Tom George, R-Texas Twp., offers comments on the State of the State Address. (Tuesday, February 06, 2007)

SENATOR TOM GEORGE MEETS WITH HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SECRETARY MIKE LEAVITT

Senator Tom George meets with Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt (Tuesday, January 30, 2007)

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