LANSING – State Representative Scott Dianda (D-Calumet) said today that Republican policies have hurt Michigan’s middle-class families and haven’t kick-started an economic recovery in the state, despite what Gov. Rick Snyder claimed in his annual State of the State address.
“The people can read between the lines of the Governor’s speech – he hasn’t changed his priorities at all. He’s going to keep making our middle class families pay for handouts to corporations. Two years ago they said these corporate giveaways would create jobs – well Governor, we’re still waiting. Next, if he gets his way, he will pawn our children’s education off to the highest bidder with the Education Achievement Authority,” Dianda said.”
Gov. Snyder proposed more ideas that would hurt the middle-class families, students and seniors of Michigan. He continued his support of the Education Achievement Authority, which paves the way for school vouchers and makes it possible to allow for-profit corporations to take over public schools. Michigan drivers would also pay more in what the governor referred to as “user fees.” Snyder also called for reforms to Michigan’s No-Fault Insurance law. Last year, Republican’s proposed so-called reforms that would have imposed lifetime caps on auto injury benefits. In his nearly one-hour speech, Snyder did not mention middle-class tax cuts, relief for seniors who now pay taxes on retirement income or restoring $2 billion in education funding.
“I worked for the Michigan Department of Transportation and traveled across our state. I know that our roads need fixing. But people in Michigan are hurting and have a hard time paying for registration as it is. How are they going to afford an even bigger fee if they can’t find a job? Dianda said. “I hope to be allowed a seat at the table in discussions on road maintenance funding to come up with legislation that will fix our highways while still being affordable for Michigan families.”