TOXIC BILLS CONSIDERED WHILE MICHIGAN LOSES 1 WORKING FAMILY EVERY 12 MINUTES

State Rep. Ken Horn today expressed frustration that the House moved to create another layer of government bureaucracy while the state suffers with a $1.3 billion deficit. This comes at a time when Michigan families continue to lose jobs and struggle with a massive economic crisis. It also comes days after a number of programs to protect children were cut.

The Michigan House of Representatives today considered redundant and costly bills that place undue regulations on children's toys. The bills are not necessary because the federal government already oversees toy safety. In the meantime, Michigan loses 1,000 jobs each day, and 100 state troopers with each executive order. It is estimated that these programs could initially cost taxpayers up to a half million dollars.

"Listen, there's some pretty bright folks down in Lansing; they can chew gum and walk at the same time, but this isn't just wasting time, this is toxic to our job market," said Horn, R-Frankenmuth. "We're hearing that unemployment may reach 20 percent by year's end, and they want to create another reason for businesses to leave the state?"

Horn said the House must be more centered on creating jobs and improving the economy, especially since the state was forced to make massive budgetary cuts last week. Horn noted that $2.2 million has been cut for water pollution control, and millions of dollars more for food stamps, adoption services and guardianship programs for children, not to mention the Healthy Michigan Fund.

"As a father of two, it seems obvious to me that government is more concerned about simply appearing sympathetic to children's issues than actually working to make kids safer," Horn said. "We can best help Michigan's children by creating jobs for their moms and dads while we keep government spending down, especially when we already have federal regulation.

"In the governor's State of the State, she proposed shifting wetland regulation back to the federal government where it belongs. This is another case where Lansing outsmarted itself, only to see jobs go to other states."