UNIVERSITY CITY – In the midst of Michigan's unprecedented fiscal crisis, State Representatives Andy Coulouris (D-Saginaw) and Jeff Mayes (D-Bay City) held a meeting that focused on the state's economy and presented details on the tough choices that have to be made to resolve the budget crisis and move Michigan forward. The lawmakers were joined by a host of representatives from public safety, health care, local governments, the educational community and the arts communities.
"Michigan is at a critical crossroads, and we have a number of difficult choices to make," Coulouris said. "We can keep the status quo and hope that our unprecedented fiscal crisis works itself out. Or we can choose to make Michigan a magnet for 21st century jobs by investing in education, health care, police and fire protection, emerging industries and job-creation programs."
The presentation detailed the ongoing billion-dollar structural deficit plaguing the state since 2000 and the resulting negative impact that decreasing revenue has had on staging an economic comeback and delivering essential state services to the people of Michigan. Since taking office in 2003, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm has cut nearly $3 billion in state spending to resolve more than $4 billion in budget shortfalls – more than any governor in Michigan's history.
"This is a historic time for our state, and we must all work together to overcome our fiscal challenges without gutting vital services," Mayes said. "We must protect health care, education, job creation and other important programs if we want to get Michigan back on track. These programs are vital to our survival and our ability to compete in today's economy."
Coulouris and Mayes also used the meeting to discuss with community leaders the proposals on how to resolve the budget crisis and make Michigan a powerhouse in the highly competitive 21st century global economy. The representatives are seeking input on plans, including the investment power of revenue generated by implementing a graduated income tax, raising the income tax by 1 percent, Granholm's Two-Penny Plan, a 6 percent luxury tax on amenities, and the negative impact that $1.8 billion in cuts alone would have on working families.