Michigan – A recent report prepared by two prominent Michigan financial experts revealed that the state of Michigan is getting poorer, and immediate actions are required if we want to see a shift from this worrying trend. While it’s not only the State of Michigan to blame for the current economic environment since there are financial struggles both nationally and globally, state leaders should focus on helping people and making Michigan a better place to live. And according to Republican Rep. Jaime Greene, things are not shining, and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Democratic leaders are to blame for this.
Greene calls for reducing cost of living, education improvements, repairing local roads
On Tuesday, State Rep. Jaime Greene spoke about her main goals for the state. These include reducing the cost of living, improving basic education, and repairing local roads. She often hears about these issues from her constituents. Greene hopes the governor will address these important issues in her State of the State speech on Wednesday.
“Last year, the governor and the Democrat majority in the Legislature prioritized policies that were pretty divisive,” Greene said in a release. “It’s time to shift focus and prioritize solutions that make life better for everyone in Michigan.”
Greene pointed out that living costs are high, and Michigan’s income tax rate went up this year. This means people have less money from their paychecks. She keeps pushing for changes in policies because people are struggling with higher prices for essentials like food, gas, and bills.
“We don’t have a lot of money in our pockets because we’re all paying more for groceries, gas, and bills. We all want to hear the governor’s ideas about how to make like more affordable,” Greene said.
Moreover, Michigan’s education system is falling behind. The state is one of the lowest in the nation for reading scores. For instance, 70% of fourth graders in Michigan can’t read at the expected level.
“We need to get back to the basics when it comes to education,” Greene said. “State leaders shouldn’t be spending time working on an ‘environmental justice curriculum’ when our kids are behind on the basics. Let’s focus on fundamental education principles like reading, writing and arithmetic. I envision young individuals seamlessly entering the workforce and securing employment in Michigan after high school, even if they decide not to pursue a college education.”
Greene says Gov. Whitmer focuses only on highways overlooking local roads
Greene also mentioned that local road repairs have been overlooked, with the governor focusing more on major highways. Last year’s budget, signed by Gov. Whitmer, didn’t include extra funds for local roadwork. Despite Republicans suggesting a $1 billion investment in local roads, the Democrats allocated funds mainly for state highways and projects benefiting their political friends. More than $2 billion was given to politically connected projects like pools, solar farms, zoos, and opera houses.
“Let’s finally fix the ‘bleeping’ roads, once and for all,” Greene said. “Instead of all the horse trading that goes on to make sure the governor’s political allies get their roads fixed, we need to listen to the experts and use a fair process that prioritizes the worst roads all throughout our state.”
Gov. Whitmer will deliver her State of the State address at 7 p.m. Wednesday.
GOP bill would drop Michigan income tax to lowest level since 2007
Michigan Representative David Martin has introduced House Bill 5399 to reduce the state’s income tax rate from 4.25% to 3.9%, aiming to offer relief to Michigan families and stimulate the state economy. This proposal follows a temporary decrease in the tax rate to 4.05% in 2023, which was deemed temporary by Attorney General Dana Nessel and the Court of Claims. Martin criticizes the return to the 4.25% rate as a tax increase by Democrats, while highlighting the potential economic growth from lowering taxes below 4%.
Despite Martin’s proposal, fiscal experts warn that such a flat rate tax cut primarily benefits higher-income earners. Rachel Richards from the Michigan League for Public Policy suggests that these cuts offer little to low and moderate-income families but significant gains for the wealthy.
Meanwhile, Democrats have enacted tax reliefs, including an expansion of the Earned Income Tax Credit and a phaseout of the pension tax. Martin contends that his plan fulfills a 2007 promise to lower the tax rate, a viewpoint shared by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. However, the bill’s advancement is uncertain, as it was recently reassigned to the House Health Policy Committee by House Speaker Joe Tate.