Jansen: Budget right-sizes state spending, puts Michigan on road to recovery

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

LANSING―State Sen. Mark C. Jansen, R-Gaines Township, issued the following statement Wednesday after the Michigan Senate approved a state budget plan:

“We continue to face very serious economic challenges in Michigan, but I am confident we have made the right decisions in this budget. The plan is historic; it solves our state’s $1.6 billion budget deficit by right-sizing state spending and refusing to use one-time fixes or federal bailouts to mask our fiscal reality.

“The plan is founded on sound budget principles and improved efficiency in state spending. By holding every program and tax dollar accountable we get the greatest ‘value for the money.’ This has enabled us to address Michigan’s true structural deficit while still providing basic services like public safety and protecting our natural resources.

“We made K-12 education a priority by limiting the school reduction to less than 4 percent, compared to cuts of 15 percent in other budget areas. In May we will learn if state revenues are better than expected.

“In the meantime, I am working to pass cost-saving reforms that will help our schools absorb the reduction without affecting the students in the classroom. One of my reforms is Senate Bill 7, a measure that asks all public employees to pay 20 percent of their health care, enabling that savings to be used in classrooms.

“Fostering a business environment that will help create jobs for our communities and our families is critical to Michigan’s future. That is why I continue to focus my efforts on improving our state’s economic climate; and this budget plan is a step forward in that process.”