Michigan House Dems Achieve Significant Successes « Thread Started on May 31, 2007, 1:21pm » --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Michigan House Dems Achieve Significant Successes in ‘07 to Move State ForwardHouse action focuses on jumpstarting economy, putting peopleread at source> http://www.housedems.com/?p=269first– May 30, 2007 LANSING – As House Democrats move to address the state’s unprecedented fiscal crisis, the new majority has passed significant measures to jumpstart Michigan’s economy and put Michigan residents’ best interests ahead of the wealthy special interests."Our residents spoke loud and clear in November that they wanted change, and House Democrats have been working to bring about positive change since Day One," said House Speaker Andy Dillon (D-Redford Twp.). "So far this year, we have passed a number of measures designed to increase consumer protections, bring relief to our businesses and our working families, and jumpstart Michigan’s economy. We are fighting to move Michigan forward and making our state a great place to live, work, do business and raise our families."The highlights of House Democrats’ successes include:Developing and passing the new Michigan Business Tax. This comprehensive solution to replacing the Single Business Tax rewards businesses that invest in Michigan and create jobs for our workers. Repealing the total immunity that drug companies enjoy in Michigan, even when their products harm or kill our residents. Repealing this one-of-a-kind law will allow Michigan residents to hold drug companies accountable when their lives have been destroyed by dangerous drugs. Passing a package of bills that will end the trashing of Michigan by slashing the amount of trash from Canada and other states that is dumped in our landfills. The plan attacks the economics of the trash trade by increasing the state’s dumping charge and bans landfill expansion until 2012. Passing a five-part ethics package that holds lawmakers to the highest ethical standards, curtails the influence of special interests and cracks down on conflicts of interest. Reining in state spending by cutting the State House budget by 5 percent, ending free lifetime health care for lawmakers once they leave office and cutting lawmakers’ pay by 5 percent. Eliminating the so-called "pop-up" tax on home sales to help stimulate Michigan’s real estate market and help more residents realize the dream of owning their own homes. Easing the barriers to local government, combining and sharing public services. Ending "double-dipping" for retired state and public education employees by requiring them to freeze their pensions if they come back to work for the state or local schools. Developing a 2007 budget solution that prevents deep cuts to local schools, health care for the most vulnerable, and police and fire protection while working toward a bipartisan solution to the 2008 budget crisis. All of these measures have passed the House and are awaiting action in the Senate.House Democrats also are working on a series of fundamental reforms to resolve Michigan’s budget crisis. They are examining ways to streamline government spending by, among other things, reforming pension and benefits packages for state employees; easing the consolidation of local school districts; initiating a wage and benefit study to cut government and ensure state and public employees’ benefits plans are in line with the private sector; and initiating performance audits to make sure Michigan is working as efficiently as possible."House Democrats are dedicated to making Michigan a magnet for the good-paying jobs of the future and emerging industries, and that means getting our fiscal house in order," Dillon said. "Michigan is at a crossroads, and it will take bold initiatives to get our state back on track. My colleagues in the House and I are focused on investing in our future to ensure