LANSING – Legislative Democrats continued their message of working with Gov. Rick Snyder to improve the state’s economic climate after his State of the State Address Wednesday, but are also pushing for more details as to his tax policy and budgetary plans.

“In recent history, the opposing party used their response to criticize and undermine the governor. That’s not why I am here tonight,” said Senate Minority Leader Gretchen Whitmer (D-East Lansing) in the Democrat’s formal response after the State of the State. “To make it clear, Democrats are ready to partner in problem solving to move all of Michigan forward – without stubbornly defending the tired old fights that have handcuffed our state Legislature in years past.”

Michigan Democratic Party Chair Mark Brewer praised Snyder’s address. “A Democrat could have given most of it,” he said, noting particularly the focus on improving health care and the expansion of education.

“His problem’s going to be his party,” Brewer said. “We’re willing to work with him.”

So long as he sticks to his pledge of being open and bipartisan.

Whitmer emphasized the need for legislative Republicans to follow Snyder’s lead in sharing in the sacrifices ahead and “leaving no one behind.”

Democrats were basking in Snyder’s pledged support for the Detroit River International Crossing, with House Minority Leader Richard Hammel (D-Mount Morris Twp.) saying Democrats will supply votes for DRIC. The project could generate 10,000 jobs.

Rep. Douglas Geiss (D-Taylor), the lead Democrat on the House Transportation Committee, said tying the Canadians’ $550 million offer for DRIC to the state’s 20 percent matching rate on federal highway projects “amplifies” the argument to proceed with the second crossing and eliminates the need to discuss raising the gas tax or other revenue to fund transportation infrastructure projects.

Both Hammel and Whitmer said Democrats want to see the tax structure revised, but want to include an analysis of tax expenditures to end those programs that aren’t working. That will be more critical in funding public services Mr. Snyder outlined, as well as making up for any gap instituting a flat 6 percent corporate income tax as a replacement to the Michigan Business Tax will have on the budget, Whitmer said.

“It’s hard to say what it’s going to look like,” she said.

Hammel said, “The specifics always come in the budget,” and expected the true to be same for Snyder’s budget on February 17.

Sen. Steve Bieda (D-Warren), who had a hand in creating the MBT, said while the surcharge has really been the problem with the tax, he is open to addressing other concerns. Like Whitmer, he said Snyder’s overall vision for taxes and services will have to be reviewed so that critical programs aren’t cut.

Snyder’s emphasis on economic development issues hit home with members of both parties and he received standing ovations several times throughout the speech. Sometimes Republicans started the standing ovation and sometimes Democrats got the ball rolling in that regard.

Rep. Fred Durhal Jr. (D-Detroit) said he liked what Snyder had to say about creating an Office of Urban Initiatives, as well as clarifying the law governing local emergency financial managers.

With dozens of municipalities and schools on the brink of bankruptcy, getting them help earlier on and having a clear role for those EFMs is crucial, Durhal said.

Hammel said Snyder showed his moderate political leaning in the speech by taking issues both parties have supported.

But one area where Snyder did not win over Democrats was in the call to eliminate the state’s item pricing law.

“People are working because of item pricing,” Hammel said.

But also, senior citizens and other residents get the information they need through the current law, he said.

This story was provided by Gongwer News Service. To subscribe, click on Gongwer.Com

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