Hardiman comments on budgets approved by Senate without increasing taxes on families and businesses
Saturday, October 03, 2009
LANSING – After the Michigan Senate approved departmental budgets Wednesday and Thursday morning that avoided tax increases on Michigan residents and businesses, state Sen. Bill Hardiman, R-Kentwood, issued the following statement:
“Michigan has the highest unemployment rate in the nation, and people who still have jobs are taking pay cuts and facing challenges in their personal finances. Businesses are struggling as well, shedding jobs and in some cases, closing their doors. I cannot in good conscience vote to raise taxes or fees when people are already suffering.
“There is tremendous pressure to raise taxes to support very important programs, however, the money needed to fund them will come directly from the pockets of taxpayers. That is something I cannot support at this time. It was not easy to make these cuts, but it was necessary. Michigan cannot continue to spend money it does not have, and residents cannot afford to hand more of their hard earned money over to the state.
“As chair of three critical budgets, Department of Human Services, Department of Transportation, and Community Colleges, I tried to do more with less. In the DHS budget, for example, we have restructured the day care assistance system to make it easier to administer, and to provide incentives for care providers to get more training. The budget also calls for more on-line services and partnerships with efforts like the 2-1-1 phone system to deliver services more efficiently and with lower cost to taxpayers.
“The administration’s tax increases from two years ago failed to solve our problems. Michigan must instead create a more effective and efficient state government.”
Print friendly version
Email this page
Share this page via social bookmarking
