LANSING – House Speaker Pro Tem Michael G. Sak (D-Grand Rapids) and State Rep. Robert Dean (D-Grand Rapids) today joined House Democrats in announcing 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.
"Michigan's citizens called for an end to the status quo Legislature that put special interests ahead of people," Sak said. "Now, we have a plan that will move Michigan forward. Issues like education, affordable and accessible health care, alternative energy and protecting our way of life are top priorities. This plan will bring real change to Michigan, and it's the right kind of change."
"For too long, the people of this great state were treated like second-class citizens, and it's time for that trend to end," Dean said. "Our new plan will focus on major reforms in key areas such as health care and education. By working together, we can build and Michigan with a bigger and brighter future."
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.
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.
Democrats have merged committees and formed the new New Economy Committee to strengthen schools and build the best-trained, best-educated workforce. 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.
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.
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.
Democrats will also place a moratorium on so-called mortgage tax pop-ups, which hit consumers – especially seniors – when they sell their 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.