LANSING – House Speaker Andy Dillon (D-Redford Twp.) said today that while House Democrats are prepared to move a budget with deep cuts in order to balance the state budget, they will fight to protect programs essential to jumpstarting Michigan's economy, moving the state into the future and protecting our most vulnerable citizens. These priorities include K-12 education, scholarships including the Michigan Promise, local police and fire protection, and health care for kids and seniors.
"We must continue to make government more efficient, and House Democrats are ready to make those tough cuts," Dillon said. "But we cannot endanger our residents and destroy any chance of transforming Michigan into a competitive force in the 21st century economy. No business is going to come to a state that has made its communities unsafe, betrayed its promises to students pursuing the skills they need to compete, failed to educate its children and turned its back on those who lack basic medical care."
Dillon said the agreement on deep cuts that came today was a necessary first step in moving the budget process forward, but was in no way enough to position Michigan for the future and revitalize its economy. Dillon said he looks forward to continuing to work with the Senate and the Governor to protect key investments that will help Michigan prosper in the 21st Century.
"Keeping police and firefighters on the street and providing access to a quality education are keys to supporting Michigan's middle class and opening the door to prosperity for residents," Dillon said. "While we're making deep cuts to ensure that we're using every tax dollar efficiently, we must also invest in the priorities that are essential to turning Michigan around and truly making progress as a state."