Dear Friend,

This week in Lansing, the Republican-led Michigan Senate once again passed a balanced budget, without tax increases, further demonstrating our strong belief that government must control spending and live within its means.

We passed the budget weeks ahead of schedule, and now await action by the House of Representatives. This budget funds a smaller, more focused state government, capable of providing essential services in a more streamlined and efficient manner. The goal is to not only balance the budget, but create a competitive business environment for those businesses that currently call Michigan home, and for those who are looking for a home to grow and prosper.

It should be noted that Senate Republicans conducted the entire budget process in the light of day, no after hours or weekend meetings behind closed doors. Everything was publicly debated and votes were cast after all had been given the opportunity to participate. Moreover, all budgets, briefings and committee reports are available for review online. In short, we have nothing to hide and we're prepared to stand behind our proposal.

Below are some talking points from the Senate Republican Caucus. I hope you will take a minute to review them, as well as share this e-mail with friends.

Sincerely,

Mike Bishop
Senate Majority Leader and
Candidate for Attorney General

Senate Republicans once again approved an entire state budget ahead of schedule and without raising taxes.

• Senate Republicans are weeks ahead of schedule with approval today of the last Senate-passed budget bills and are now waiting on the House to act.
• Unlike the House Democrats’ and governor’s plans, Senate Republicans balanced the state’s $1.3 billion deficit without increasing taxes.
• Senate Republicans blocked Democrat attempts to increase spending by more than $250 million.
• The Senate Republican budget plan is $300 million below the governor’s recommendations.
  • $77.3 million was cut to pay for the Democrat-supported 3-percent pay raise for union state employees that Senate Republicans tried to stop.
• Without raising the gas tax, Senate Republicans secured $475 million in federal transportation funds to help fix our roads – this is money the state would have lost under the governor's recommended budget.

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P.O. Box 13292
Lansing, MI 48901