Senator Wayne Kuipers :: 30th District

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

The Senate Republican response to the Governor's State of the State Address given by Senate Majority Leader Michael Bishop.

Recent Blogs from Senate Republicans

The Michigan Senate recently honored the life and memory of Richard Kryza, a Chesaning resident and state veterans coordinator for the Michigan Department of Labor, Energy and Economic Growth. (read)

Sen. Kuipers honors Zeeland man as mentor

Monday, May 07, 2007

Sen. Wayne Kuipers honored Dave Daugherty with the Senator's Award for Men in Mentoring today at Zeeland East High School. Daugherty, of Zeeland, was recognized for his outstanding efforts in youth mentoring through Zeeland High's New Kids on the Block mentoring program, which partners adult mentors with youth in need of a positive and caring role model in their lives.

"Many children in our schools lack direction and belief in themselves," said Sen. Kuipers, R-Holland. "The guidance and support that mentors like Dave Daugherty provide can profoundly influence the life of a child. His dependability, creativity, and respect to the students are all attributes important to making a life-changing connection. I encourage men throughout the state to follow his example, and be a part of a positive impact in a child's life."

Daugherty has been a mentor with the New Kids on the Block program for two years. During that time he has made a powerful impact on his community. Last year, while struggling to relate to a student, he discovered the student's interest in metal shop. As Daugherty runs the metal shop at Hope College, this was the key to making that critical connection. Since October, Daugherty has been paired with a boy named Darryl. Despite coming from different backgrounds they have found ways to build a relationship that is beneficial to both of them.

Daugherty is the third recipient of the honor, awarded monthly to male mentors who volunteer with one of the 14 programs in the Ottawa County Mentoring Collaborative (OCMC). Each award winner this year will receive a $50 gift certificate to the Boatwerks Restaurant in Holland, donated by the Kuiper-Gleason Group at R.W. Baird.

As a combined effort between Sen. Kuipers and the OCMC, the Senator's Award was created to honor male mentors and encourage other men to consider mentoring.

"Almost 500 young people are awaiting a mentor in Ottawa County and most are boys," said Susan Fenton, of the OCMC. "There is a great need for male mentors, and we hope Sen. Kuipers' award will shine light upon the wonderful impact mentoring has on mentors and children alike."

To learn more about a mentoring program or how to become a mentor, please call Fenton at 616-846-8250.