LANSING — House Democrats unveiled their Building Opportunity agenda today at a press conference in the Capitol building, outlining their key priorities for the year. The Democrats’ Building Opportunity agenda calls for a new focus on working families, prioritizing legislation that would drive the state economy forward. The plan is set to give Michiganders freedom to build the life they want, including a good-paying job needed to support a family and retire in dignity.
“After seven years of missed opportunities and mismanagement in Lansing, Michigan families deserve the opportunity to build a better life for themselves,” said House Democratic Leader Sam Singh. “For nearly a decade, special interest groups have rigged the system against working Michiganders, and House Democrats are ready to fix that. We’re fighting for our shared common, universal needs: better roads, better schools, a better economy that works for us all. Michiganders know what is best for their individual families, and our plan gives them the freedom to build a life that allows them to thrive.”
House Democrats outlined four major focus areas:
Building an economy that works for everyone — increased training for workers to learn the 21st century skills they need for the good-paying jobs they want; putting Michigan workers and companies first; supporting the small, neighborhood businesses that fuel our local economies; and fighting for a better deal on taxes that ensures everyone pays their fair share.
Making healthcare affordable — supporting families by tackling prescription drug costs, protecting seniors by ensuring they are able to retire with dignity, and protecting the Healthy Michigan Program.
Supporting student success — providing a quality education through the support of great educators, reining in classroom sizes, and giving students the freedom to choose their path in life by offering a community college promise to all Michigan residents.
Building quality infrastructure — fixing our local roads while creating good-paying jobs, expanding and strengthening broadband access for families in every corner of the state, and holding corporations that pollute our natural resources accountable.
“The Snyder-Schuette administration has allowed Republican leadership in this state to continuously rob working families of the opportunity for success,” said state Rep. Christine Greig (D-Farmington Hills). “House Democrats know that together, we’re capable of building something different. That starts with prioritizing the needs of everyday Michiganders — not special interests and corporate donors. The things we’re fighting for won’t just help families today, they’ll strengthen Michigan tomorrow.”
“This plan speaks to things Michiganders truly care about,” said state Rep. Kevin Hertel (D-St. Clair Shores). “Too often people get caught up in the Lansing bubble when they should be making Lansing work for the people. This plan is a chance to show the legislature what really matters for our home communities and the things they stand for: better schools, better roads, better jobs. It’s a reaffirmation of what our party believes in and what every person, regardless of party, needs for a successful life in our state.”