LANSING — Despite Gov. Rick Snyder’s assurances to the contrary in tonight’s State of the State address, middle-class families have struggled under five years of leadership from Gov. Rick Snyder and the Republican-led Legislature, Wayne County Democratic representatives said Tuesday night. Rather than doubling down on Snyder’s failed agenda, the representatives said it’s time to create a Michigan that works for school kids, college students, families, seniors and small-business owners who are being left behind by the Republican agenda.
“One of Gov. Snyder’s first actions in office was enacting a massive tax cut for big corporations, and he paid for it by raising taxes on families and seniors,” said state Rep. George T. Darany (D-Dearborn). “Ever since then, the hardworking men and women of Michigan have struggled to make do with less. We need a different approach.”
The lawmakers said Michiganians are struggling because of the decisions and priorities of Gov. Snyder and the Republican Legislature.
“Since taking full control of state government in 2011, Republicans in Lansing have underinvested in education, leaving local schools in distress and pricing many students out of a college education,” said state Rep. Frank Liberati (D-Allen Park). “We need to give our kids every chance to succeed, and that starts with adequately supporting education at every level.”
“Bills that would guarantee equal pay for women and earned sick leave for workers have languished in committee for nearly a year — legislative Republicans have refused to even grant them a hearing,” said state Rep. Kristy Pagan (D-Canton). “We need to focus on what matters most to our recovery as a state: supporting the men and women who work hard every day to provide for their families.”
Rather than continuing a legislative agenda that prioritizes big corporations over working families and small businesses, House Democrats prioritize legislation that would make college more affordable, improve education for all Michigan children and reduce taxes on families and seniors.
“When middle-class families don’t have to pick up the tab for corporate tax cuts, they can spend more at local businesses, help their kids pay for college and invest in their retirement,” said state Rep. Julie Plawecki (D-Dearborn Heights) “This is the way our economy will truly thrive — rebuilding from the middle class out will help everyone, not just the wealthy and well-connected. The path to a better Michigan is paved through focusing on policies that benefit all of our state’s residents — not just a select few.”