LANSING – State Representatives Dian Slavens (D-Canton) and Deb Kennedy (D-Brownstown) today praised the Governor's pledge to revive Michigan's struggling economy, saying the focus must be on creating good-paying jobs in high-growth fields such as renewable energy, increasing consumer protections to protect homeowners at risk of foreclosure, and establishing a more streamlined and less costly state government.
"With Michigan facing another budget crisis it's clear that we need significant change to break out of the cycle of deficit that has plagued our state year after year," Slavens said. "Our state simply cannot continue spending the way that it has in the past. Just like our household budgets must adjust and get smaller when times are tough, so must our state budget. We need to get state government's house in order so we can focus the top priority of creating good-paying jobs for our workers."
In her State of the State address, Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm outlined her plans to rejuvenate Michigan's economy, reform state government, and use Michigan's strengths to capitalize on fast-growing fields such as renewable energy to create jobs and spur economic development.
Slavens and Kennedy already are focused on finding solutions to the challenges facing Michigan. One plan that has been introduced will reward companies that hire Michigan workers and crack down on those who hire illegal immigrants. Another plan aims to cut state spending by slashing lawmakers' salaries. Other priorities include attracting businesses in emerging fields such as renewable energy to create good-paying jobs for Michigan workers and working to restore residents' confidence in our state by protecting working families from foreclosure.
"The foreclosure epidemic is stealing the American Dream away from too many of our working families," Kennedy said. "With the state's unemployment rate the highest that it's been in over 20 years, we need to put protections in place that will help our working families weather this storm. As we work to create more jobs that can't be outsourced and get our economy back on track, we must fight to ensure that more families don't go through the devastation of losing their homes to foreclosure."