Welcome to my Online Office. This Web site is designed to keep you up-to-date on current events in Michigan and inform you of the things that I’m working on as your state representative. You will find information on pending bills in the Legislature, news releases, free publications, pictures, audio clips, contact information and more. Be sure to check back often for the latest news and updates.

Sincerely,

Dave Hildenbrand
State Representative

On Tuesday, October 6, 2009, numerous bills were taken up on the House Floor to increase taxes on Michigan businesses and families. Below are Representative Hildenbrand's remarks in opposition to these tax increases.

"Thank you Madam Speaker. I rise in opposition to these bills that raise taxes on the residents of Michigan.

"The message from Michigan businesses and families is loud and clear, people across Michigan are calling on us to pass a balanced budget without raising taxes; to adopt meaningful reforms to avoid future annual budget crisis; and to reform and reduce Michigan's business tax to jump-start our struggling economy.

"With 15% unemployment it is obvious that our tax rates are not too low or that we don't have enough taxes in place: the problem is we don't have enough people paying taxes. People are moving out of state, are out of work, have lost wages and are not participating in our economy. The result: our tax revenues are down over 20%.

"The last thing we need to do is raise taxes in this time of economic crisis. We can not tax ourselves into prosperity. This Legislature and the Governor should have learned their lesson 2 years ago when they raised $1.4 billion in new tax revenue. The result - today we have $2.8 billion in less revenue for state government - almost twice the loss of revenue in just 2 short years.

"Let's not punish our businesses and families while they are down. But let's implement the agreement between the House and Senate to balance this budget with no new revenue and get serious about the reforms needed to make state government work.

"Let's focus on creating a strong and robust economy to put Michigan back to work instead of nickeling and diming the people of this state in order to feed state government."

Click here to see a map of where the 2009 Road Construction is happening around the state.

Click to see a video of Rep. Hildenbrand on WOOD-TV discussing the state's current budget process.