With a third of Michigan's Senate Democrats joining twenty Republicans, the state's senior chamber today approved Senate Bill 1, only two days after three Democrat extremists, Senators Gretchen Whitmer, Deb Cherry and Gilda Jacobs tried unsuccessfully to scuttle the legislation in committee.

The bipartisan legislation phases out the 21.99 percent MBT surcharge over a two-year period. The measure would cut the surcharge by half to 11 percent in 2009 and eliminate it by 2010.  Over the next two-plus fiscal years the move is expected to provide a desperately needed $1.235 billion stimulus directly into Michigan's economy.

"December unemployment data put Michigan at 10.6 percent unemployment, which is fully 47 percent above the national average of 7.2 percent and the worst rate in the nation, by far," said Republican Senator Jud Gilbert.

"We must heed the warning of the job providers across Michigan: maintaining the surcharge will lead to even higher levels of unemployment and a further decline in the state's economy."

For the record, when the surcharge was created in October 2007 Michigan's unemployment rate was a then-staggering 7.5 percent. While I doubt anyone would suggest the surcharge is individually responsible for a 3.1 percent jump in unemployment, it certainly didn't help.

"The time for action is now," Senator Mark Jansen said. "We want to keep Michigan job providers here in this state, and to do so, we must provide this desperately needed tax relief. I urge my colleagues in the House of Representatives to take immediate action on this crucial piece of legislation, and quickly pass it."

And that's the trick.  Will Speaker Andy Dillon do the right thing, listen to Michigan moms and dads and move this bipartisan and uniquely Michigan stimulus package through the House or will he side with the extremists in his party who prefer to protect the bureaucrats and the status quo?

Cameron Brown taking special personal action on unemployment backlog

Sen. Cameron S. Brown announced today that constituents can
visit his Web site or call his office if they are having difficulty
reaching the state unemployment agency.

"I have heard from numerous residents of the 16th Senate District who
are encountering numerous problems trying to get through to the
unemployment office," said Brown, R-Fawn River Township. "I want
them to know that they can contact my office for assistance navigating
the process."

For help, residents should go to www.senatorcameronbrown.com to enter
their contact and unemployment information, which will be submitted to
the unemployment office through a legislative channel.

To determine why the Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth
was not prepared for the increase in unemployment claims, Brown has
requested that the Senate look into the matter through a committee
hearing.

Friend of the Court streamlining on the move

Senator Mark Jansen also spearheaded today through committee bipartisan legislation, Senate Bills 99 through 107, to streamline the Friend of the Court.  The bills were composed after extensive consultation with Michigan Supreme Court Justice Maura Corrigan, the Michigan Department of Human Services, the FOC Association, and the State Court Administrative Office and were approved unanimously.

Measures in the legislative package will:

● Simplify payment plan requirements for past due child support to afford judicial discretion on a case-by-case basis;

● Permit law enforcement agencies to "boot" vehicles of individuals behind on child support;

● Allow the court to order a jail alternative program for non-payment of child support. Alternative examples include participation in a parenting program, drug or alcohol counseling, continuing compliance with a current support or parenting time order, or complying with a payment plan;

● Eliminate the automatic application of surcharge assessments on arrearages; and

● Streamline the license suspension process if past due child support is owed.