Strong Republican Leadership Leads to Early Agreement on Budget Cuts
by State Representatives Pete Lund and Kim Meltzer
We are cautiously optimistic as we update you on progress of the 2010 state budget crisis. Target agreements have been reached (a process normally completed in May or June) and House Speaker Andy Dillon, a Democrat, agreed with the leadership of House and Senate Republicans that raising taxes on Michigan families would be devastating.
This is setting up a showdown between the Legislature and governor. The governor has said publicly that she will not support an all-cuts solution, calling again for “revenue enhancements” – her fancy word for tax and fee increases.
These decisions will be tough, and as we get closer to the Oct. 1 showdown, negotiations are likely to stay heated and there will probably be a lot of confusion and partisan fighting in the media, so it is important to be clear where Republican lawmakers stand.
House Republicans absolutely do not support “revenue enhancements.”
Republicans are willing to work with Democrats to get this problem solved, but not create a bigger one in the meantime by raising taxes. Early on in negotiations, Republicans proposed a detailed plan to balance the budget without raising taxes. We stand by this plan, which may be viewed online at www.gophouse.com/plan.
Two years ago, the governor said raising taxes was a comprehensive solution that would put the state on a stable fiscal footing for the long term. It should be evident by now that that wasn’t true. Raising taxes wasn’t a comprehensive solution because lawmakers didn’t make any corresponding government reforms and the state continued to spend more than it could afford. Michigan’s unemployment rate has doubled since taxes were raised two years ago and we simply do not believe families or job providers can afford another tax hike.
By reforming state government, we are moving our government back in line with the needs of the people. This is a long-term approach that will help put Michigan in a better position to grow and be prosperous in the future.
It is an embarrassment to our state that we push this Oct. 1 deadline so close to the wire every year, and is yet another example of the governor’s lack of leadership. It only does more harm than good to Michigan’s already tarnished national image and credit rating.
We need to get the budget done so that lawmakers can focus attention where it should be – on fixing the economy. If, however, we get to a point where it is near midnight on Sept. 30 and there still isn’t a budget in place, Republicans absolutely do not support a government shutdown. Should we be forced to pass a continuation budget, funding for essential public services like police protection will still be provided.
We bring this news back home with cautious optimism, and will continue to work for a better Michigan.
State Rep. Pete Lund represents the 36th House District which covers Shelby, Washington and Bruce townships in Macomb County. Residents may contact Lund at his Lansing office by calling 1-888-MICHREP (1-888-642-4737) or by E-mailing him at petelund@house.mi.gov.
State Rep. Kim Meltzer represents the 33rd House District, which covers Ray and Macomb Townships, and a portion of Clinton Township in Macomb County. Residents may contact Meltzer at her Lansing office by calling (517) 373-0820 or by E-mailing her at kimmeltzer@house.mi.gov.
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