Jobs
Creating an environment that promotes good-paying jobs and economic development is my #1 priority representing the U.P. as your State Senator in the Michigan Legislature. The Bush Administration and the Republican majorities in Congress have been asleep at the wheel as outsourcing and unfair trade agreements have sent good-paying manufacturing jobs to other countries. As Michigan has historically relied more on the manufacturing sector and the auto industry than any other state, we need a new direction.
I believe we should reward companies that do business here in Michigan, not the ones that export jobs overseas. I want to create tax incentives for companies that create jobs here. In the past 3 and a half years, I have fought to change, diversify, and strengthen our economy. I have also supported the Governor's successful proposal to cut personal property taxes for manufacturers by $600 million.
I support repealing the Single Business Tax (SBT), but not at the expense of our children, parents, grandparents, and public safety. The SBT represents 25% of our state budget. My Republican colleagues have irresponsibly voted to eliminate the SBT without proposing any sort of replacement whatsoever. While repealing the tax would reduce red tape and create a more attractive business climate here in Michigan, doing away with the SBT without a plan for replacement funds is the height of fiscal irresponsibility and puts vital programs like education, health care and police and fire protection at risk. Governor Granholm's proposal to reduce the overall SBT rate by 37% and by 40% for small businesses would have reduced the tax burden for 77% of businesses throughout the state. Not surprisingly, her reasonable proposal fell on deaf ears in the Republican-controlled Legislature.
Through securitizing tobacco settlement dollars, we have created the 21st Century Jobs Fund, establishing $2 billion of capital available to retain businesses and entice businesses from other states to relocate in Michigan. This Fund is already paying off, as inquiries to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) from out-of-state businesses seeking to relocate here have already nearly doubled. It seeks to diversify Michigan's economy and build a foundation to prepare it for the 21st century by concentrating on four high-growth sectors–life sciences, alternative energy, advanced manufacturing, and homeland security. The Fund will also give a long-needed boost to Michigan tourism by increasing our investment in telling the nation that Michigan is among the country’s premier vacation destinations.
We need to provide a high-quality transportation infrastructure to meet the needs of U.P. citizens and business seeking to expand throughout Michigan. I worked with the Michigan Department of Transportation to create the Local Jobs Today initiative, Senate Bill 1132, aimed at stimulating the economy by accelerating local transportation projects across the state. The Local Jobs Today initiative will provide $80 million in bond proceeds and grants to cities, counties, and local transit agencies, enabling them to take advantage of available federal transportation funding. By providing local municipalities the opportunity to accelerate critical local road, bridge, and transit projects, this initiative has the potential to create more than 7,100 jobs, and will make numerous improvements to Michigan roadways for all motorists.
It is also imperative that we address the proper stewardship of our forests and the value of our U.P. forest products industry. Forestry-related activities are the backbone of the U.P. economy. I have a solid record in support of forest products industry and timber-related issues during my prior service in the House of Representatives and during my current service in the State Senate. Since 2003, we have put Michigan on the path of ensuring our forests are managed to Sustainable Forestry Initiative criteria, reinvigorated the Forest Finance Authority, and begun work on incentives for private landowners to manage their lands in a sustainable manner.
