Posted 5/6/2013
Michigan Senate Democrats
Senate Democrats Slam Republicans' Continued Failures to Invest in Michigan
Lansing – The Michigan Senate Democrats today slammed the budgets being passed by their Republican colleagues over the past week for continuing their ongoing trend of favoring corporations at the expense of investing in Michigan's schools, communities and working families.
The members each released the following statements:
“We've seen the damaging results of the Republican priorities over the last two years - they've raised taxes on Michigan families and seniors and devastated our public schools, yet the Republicans are continuing down this same misguided path once again this year,” said Senate Democratic Leader Gretchen Whitmer (D-East Lansing). “It's time for Republicans to rethink their bankrupt strategy of putting profits over people and invest in what will actually help get our state and our people back on their feet.”
“This is just the first step in finalizing this year's budget, and I hope that as the budget process moves forward, we are able to work together to balance the fiscal responsibilities of the state with the needs of the people,” said Senate Minority Leader Tupac A. Hunter (D-Detroit). “Now and in the months ahead, any healthy debate on this year's budget must address improving our schools, assisting our working families, supporting our vital local and public service organizations and protecting our seniors.”
“I've heard from countless families that are struggling to cope with the tax increases Republicans forced on them over the past year,” said Senator Virgil Smith (D-Detroit). “The budgets Republicans are passing this year will do nothing to alleviate that. My Democratic colleagues and I are fighting for working families and our schools so that we can all move forward and succeed again. It's time for Republicans to start listening.”
“The Senate Republicans' budget proposal this year was just a continuation of their ill-advised principles from the previous two years that take money away from our public schools and cut vital state services that our children and low income families depend on,” said Senator Vincent Gregory (D-Southfield). “Throughout the budget committee process and during the debate on the floor, I fought to secure additional funding for essential programs, and I will continue to do so as the conversation continues. It's up to my Republican colleagues to start listening and crafting a budget that helps the people, not their corporate interests.”
“Senate Republicans have passed such harmful budgets the past few years that they're hoping this year's budget won't seem so bad, but it unfortunately maintains many of the systemic problems that have become their constant theme-stealing School Aid Fund money for other budget priorities, obstinately turning away federal funding for important programs, and blindly pushing for the privatization of services,” said Senator Glenn S. Anderson (D-Westland). “I've fought these misguided proposals every step of the way, but I guarantee that as long as Republicans are in power, the state budgets are going to hinge on fuzzy math and faulty policies.”
“This budget fails to make the investments that our state needs to build a stronger economy. If we continue to underfund our schools and communities, Michigan won't be able to attract businesses or encourage their growth,” said Senator Steve Bieda (D-Warren). “It's time for us to start making smart investments that will lead to future growth. Unfortunately, the budgets passed by the senate fall short of meeting that goal.”
“This budget continues the trend of the Republican Majority to balance the budget on the backs of Michigan's most vulnerable and disadvantaged residents. We cannot continue to divert money from public education, cut programs designed to help children living in poverty and slash funding that cities use to provide public safety,” said Senator Bert Johnson (D-Detroit). “We need a budget that prioritizes the needs of people and creates opportunity for economic growth, not a budget that seeks to maximize corporate profits at the expense of our citizens.”
“This year's budgets represent a continued disinvestment in our students, our seniors, our middle class and the most vital services in our state,” said Senator Hoon-Yung Hopgood (D-Taylor). “My Senate Democratic colleagues and I have fought these changes at every turn, and will continue to do so on behalf of Michigan's middle class families.”
“Our focus should be providing our children with a good education, making our communities safe and providing a talented workforce that will attract business. This budget doesn't accomplish those things,” said Senator Morris Hood III (D-Detroit). “This budget does not do enough to invest in our schools or cities. It does not meet the obligation we have to the people of Michigan to make our state a better place to live, work and do business.”
“We have to make sure our number one priority is investment whether it be in jobs, our children, healthcare, transportation infrastructure, our environment and our future,” said Senator Coleman A. Young II (D-Detroit). “These budgets have failed to meet that fundamental test. This is not just about appropriations, it is about building a structure for the next generation to excel. Republicans have failed that test and Michigan citizens with this budget.”
“Our state budget is just like your home budget - it reflects our priorities and our goals for the future,” said Senator Rebekah Warren (D-Ann Arbor). “Unfortunately, this budget puts profits before public education, privatization before good-paying jobs, and emergency managers before healthy cities and townships. These are not the values of our citizens, and a budget that ignores the very essence of our state is one that I simply cannot support.”
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