LANSING – House Democrats today announced a bold agenda to tackle Michigan's challenges head-on and move the state in a new, positive direction. The plan includes reducing high health care costs, expanding educational opportunities and new policies that will attract investments in 21st-Century jobs.
"Last November, Michigan citizens sent a clear message: They want business-as-usual to end and they want a Michigan that will deal with its challenges head-on," House Speaker Andy Dillon (D-Redford) said. "Gone are the days of treating the symptoms. We need real change, we need to invest in our people and we need bold solutions to move Michigan forward."
In announcements across the state, Democrats said their health and education committees will be working on major reforms to health care and education in Michigan. They also laid out their vision for a six-point plan for the House, which Democrats control 58-52. House Democrats will:
1. Fight the skyrocketing cost of health care.
"High health care costs are breaking the
backs of businesses and draining the wallets of our families," Rep. Kate Ebli (D-Monroe) said. "Lower health care costs will ease the burden
on businesses, attract jobs to Michigan, and help families get the health care they deserve."
Democrats are pursuing proposals to lower health care costs and are looking at a statewide catastrophic health care pool, as well as programs to bulk purchase prescription drugs and provide health care to more than 1 million uninsured Michigan workers.
2. Strengthen schools and open the doors of educational opportunities for all citizens.
"Our children are competing not only with other states, but with the world, and we must give them the
tools they need to succeed in a high-tech, 21st-Century economy," Rep. Marc Corriveau (D-Northville) said. "Our plan will help Michigan build a
highly skilled workforce that is second to none. We must keep our best and brightest in
Michigan, because this will attract the good-paying jobs of the future."
Democrats have merged the education committees and formed the new New Economy Committee to strengthen schools, build the best-trained, best-educated workforce and keep Michigan's best and brightest in the state. Democrats are also looking to expand the Michigan Promise scholarship program by introducing a plan to provide student loans to all Michigan residents looking to go beyond high school.
3. Address Michigan's energy needs.
"New electric power generators and alternative energy will generate jobs, reduce costs for consumers and
power Michigan into the future," Dillon said. "Michigan must change the status quo and be a leader in energy policy to
compete in a 21st-Century economy."
House Democrats will tackle the state's looming energy shortage and promote alternative energy and conservation. House Democrats are convening work groups to study ways to increase alternative energy in Michigan, and introduce proposals to address the groups' findings. Democrats are already spearheading efforts to increase the use of bio-fuels such as ethanol and bio-diesel.
4. Protect Michigan's Great Lakes, and fight Canadian and out-of-state trash.
"Our
Great Lakes define our culture and play a big role in our economy," Rep. Mary Valentine (D-Norton Shores) said. "We must do everything in our power
to protect our way of life from Canadian trash haulers and other companies who profit by putting our natural resources
at risk."
Democrats want to stop big water bottling companies from shipping out Great Lakes and other sources of freshwater out of the state. House Democrats have introduced a plan to curb Canadian and out-of-state trash. Democrats are also pursuing a range of proposals to attack the economics of the trash trade.
5. Strengthen consumer protections.
Democrats have introduced plans to repeal
Michigan's unfair and one-of-a-kind 1996 law that gives big drug companies total immunity when they sell drugs that harm
or kill people, like Vioxx; and to protect consumers from identity theft, by informing consumers of security breaches
and increasing penalties against violators. Democrats will also tackle the practice of redlining by insurance
companies.
"For too long, Michigan is the only state in the nation that gives big drug companies a free ride while their products harm and kill our citizens," Rep. Mike Simpson (D-Liberty Township) said. "Our plan holds the big drug companies and other industries accountable to consumers."
Democrats will also place a moratorium on so-called mortgage tax pop-ups, which hit consumers and make it hard for seniors and families to buy homes. Democrats will also introduce legislation to help residents avoid mortgage foreclosures, which will help increase property values across Michigan.
6. Restore integrity to the House.
The proposals include banning public officials from
lobbying for a year after they have left office; prohibiting conflicts of interest; requiring personal financial
disclosures; and banning lawmakers from getting state grants.
"The Government belongs to the people, not the special interests," Majority Floor Leader Steve Tobocman (D-Detroit) said. "Citizens spoke loud and clear: Regardless of party, Democrats, Republicans and independents want an end to the culture of corruption in Washington and in Lansing."