Michigan's Senate Republicans

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

Royal Oak Superintendent Dr. Thomas Moline hit the nail on the head when recently testifying before the Senate Appropriations Committee in support of my resolution urging an override of the governors veto of 20j funding. (read)

Senate Republicans announce Green Michigan Initiative plan to protect Great Lakes, expand recycling, reduce importation of waste and grow green energy alternatives

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

LANSING-Senate Republicans today launched the Green Michigan Initiative that will focus on Great Lakes and water protection, expansion of recycling in Michigan, development of green energy alternatives, and reduction of waste in Michigan landfills.

"Michigan's natural resources are one of the state's most valuable assets," said Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop, R-Rochester. "For more than five years, we have been leading the way to develop proactive legislation that conserves our natural resources. This proposal will provide additional protection for Michigan waters and land."

The comprehensive plan was unveiled at a news conference held at the Michigan Library and Historical Center.

In early October, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson discussed Southwest U.S. water shortages.

"I believe the western states and eastern states have not been talking to each other when it comes to proper use of our water resources," Richardson said. "We need a dialogue between states to deal with issues like water conservation, water reuse technology, water delivery and water production. States like Wisconsin are awash in water."

His comments raised questions about water protection issues, especially in the Great Lakes Basin.

"With recent remarks like Gov. Richardson's, and as parts of the nation continue to face severe droughts, it is important to advance legislation that will protect the Great Lakes and Michigan waters," said Patty Birkholz, R-Saugatuck Township, sponsor of the water legislation. "With the adoption of these unique measures, Michigan will continue to be a leader in water conservation and protection."

The legislative package will:
* Adopt the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact;
* Adopt a new water withdrawal assessment tool developed by the Groundwater Conservation Advisory Council;
* Establish a Recycling Advisory Council to develop a statewide recycling program and monitor its progress;
* Implement a recycling plan and landfill ban for consumer computer electronics;
* Enact a new inspection program for out-of-state waste sorting facilities; and
* Promote the use of renewable energies in Michigan through a Renewable Portfolio Standard that offers incentives rather than mandates.

Senate Republicans spent years working to develop legislation within the package.

In 2003, Sen. Cameron S. Brown chaired a year-long task force with Sens. Birkholz, Bishop, Wayne Kuipers, R-Holland, Alan Cropsey, R-DeWitt, and Judson Gilbert, R-Algonac, that made 44 recommendations to improve recycling in Michigan.

"Our goal is to increase statewide recycling as a stewardship priority that will outlast term limited legislatures. We will strive to expand recycling and place Michigan at the top of those states who have achieved pre-eminence in recycling," said Brown, R-Fawn River Township. "The recycling task force report laid the ground work for a new vision for statewide recycling. I look forward to the Green Michigan Initiative receiving the bipartisan support it deserves. I trust the governor will join us in this environmental renaissance."

Michigan is a significant importer of waste from Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Wisconsin and Canada. Nearly one-third of all waste disposed of in Michigan landfills comes from out of state, and this amount increases each year.

"This proposal will help reduce the amount of waste entering Michigan by ensuring the wise use of Michigan landfill space," said Sen. Randy Richardville, R-Monroe. If we recycle current banned items, such as consumer computer electronics, and keep inappropriate items out of the waste stream through increased inspections, our efforts to increase recycling and reduce waste will be more successful."

Measures within the Green Michigan Initiative will be introduced and taken up throughout the fall, starting with the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact and water withdrawal legislation in the Senate Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee in the coming weeks. Birkholz is chair of the committee.