Dear Neighbor:

Let's talk Jobs, Jobs, Jobs -- everyone agrees; Michigan needs jobs. But, there is a fundamental difference between what the governor and I believe to be proper government. Let me be clear, I will not stand here and tell you state government is going to deliver jobs to our communities. However, I believe proper governance will attract job providers.

It is not the job of government to pick winners and losers. The best thing government can do is get out of the way! Yes, the mass amount of money spent on incentives for select industries is working. Clearly, as you heard from the governor, a number of businesses have responded to these incentives and located in Michigan; but at what cost? In 2009 Michigan lost 285,000 jobs and a whole lot of our/taxpayers' money was spent to attract a small fraction of those jobs we lost. High business taxes are pushing out job providers in droves while the same taxes are reduced for a select few who are willing to relocate or stay here. It is so simple, instead of picking winners and losers, government should get out of the way!

The governor has tried to create a fake economy while ignoring a basic principle; government is wasteful - period. Our economy continues to decline under a false hope of more government programs funded by tax payers and job providers.

In fact, passing a streamlined budget which matches our economic situation and maximizing the efficiency of government services is the best way government can attract job providers. Fiscal conservatives from all parties are supporting this idea in droves because of a basic principle which is clearly not practiced in Lansing: less government. Instead of demanding more money to fund more government, serious reforms need to be passed and they needed to be passed yesterday. Only this will signal that Michigan is open for business.

The governor has begun to support some of the reforms we have been proposing. This is great! If these reforms are passed without the threat of higher taxes, Michigan will begin down the path of recovery. However, Wednesday night highlighted many more government programs without any prospect of who was going to pay for them.

Along with a number of House Republicans, I have been working on reforms to cut spending and right size government over the last five years. Compiled as my highest priorities 12 Ways to Cut State Spending and Right Size Government is what I believe is the first step to get Michigan working.

Jim Marleau
State Representative

Serving North Oakland

Dear Neighbor --

As a new year begins, please know I will continue working to bring jobs to our community, reform the decades of out of control government spending, and fight back tax increases to Michigan families and local job providers.

For your review, I have included my January Capitol E-News with updates on recent issues being decided in our State Capitol.

Please let me know what is important to you by replying to this email or call me at 248.724.2442.

Jim Marleau
State Representative

Serving North Oakland

Dear Neighbor --

No state in America has been hit harder by recession than Michigan, as we continue to lead the nation in unemployment. Michigan needs Jobs!

Fixing our state will not be easy. Not everyone in Lansing shares our priorities and it's clear most of the leadership prefers to increase taxes instead of cutting spending. This year citizens throughout our state are finally being heard.

Looking beyond the bitter partisan fighting in our state's Capitol, Michigan has a budget that reduces government spending for the first time in a decade. The tide is changing. Departure from unchecked government spending will protect families, while giving job providers the security to locate here and grow.

Our state's government was set in place to protect Michigan families, not burden them; and that is what I consider before every vote.

I am sending you my 2009 Michigan Review to let you know some of the important issues being decided in our Capitol.

It continues to be a great honor to serve as your state representative. Please let me know what is important to you through email or call me at 248.724.2442.

Jim Marleau
State Representative

Serving North Oakland

10/2009

State Budget Update

House Republican Leader Kevin Elsenheimer and state Rep. Jim Marleau today called on Governor Granholm to sign into law the Republican budgets sent to her by the Legislature.

Marleau noted that the Republican-delivered budgets reflect the priorities of Michigan families and they protect the state's economy from another job-killing tax increase.

"The House Republican's have proven we are not willing to raise taxes. Government shut down was avoided by cutting spending, not by picking the pocket of Michigan residents," said Marleau, R-Lake Orion. "The Republican agenda was successful in protecting Michigan's economy from higher taxes, and we will continue to work hard to protect taxpayers and essential services."

Marleau pointed to the votes on the House floor as examples of the Republican leadership and control of the process. The House Republican caucus delivered votes on the tough decisions to reduce spending and reform state government. On the six budgets with the tough cuts, the House GOP put up 253 YES votes to the Democrats 138 YES votes, despite a 67-43 Democrat majority.

Elsenheimer also noted that the tax increases of 2007 doubled the state's unemployment rate, and would be detrimental to our struggling economy.

"The difference is clear: Republicans led by example, offering plans to reform government and cut wasteful spending, while Democrats are relying on tax increases," Elsenheimer said.

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