Walberg Op-Ed in Jackson Citizen Patriot: "Tax Relief - Not New Taxes"

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WALBERG OP-ED IN JACKSON CITIZEN PATRIOT: "Tax relief - not new taxes"

In its storied history, Michigan arguably has rarely faced challenges as great as the ones the Great Lakes State faces today.

Consider that...

- At the end of 2006 Michigan had the second highest unemployment rate in the nation.
- While many states have grown economically in recent years, Michigan's unemployment rate has hovered around 7% since 2004
- Since January of 2001, Michigan has lost over 205,000 jobs
- Between 2000 and 2005, Michigan ranked 49th out of 50 states in retaining young men and women to stay in-state.

These statistics are unacceptable.

I understand what it's like to struggle, live on a meager income and have limited or no health care. One of my first jobs was as a furnace worker at a steel mill in Chicago. And later when our three children were born, my wife Sue worked a part-time job cleaning medical offices so our family could receive some health coverage needed for our family.

While things were tough, we knew that things would get better.

That's why I am confident Michigan has brighter days ahead if its leaders are willing to make educated and fiscally responsible decisions for our state's future. I know its citizens are up to the challenge if given half a chance!

In Michigan, we take pride in working together to ensure needs in our communities are met. Right now, the families and businesses of Michigan need help and I am working to enact policies at the federal level to get our economy moving again.

To create more jobs and leave more money in the pockets of taxpayers, I am supporting an expansion of the tax relief programs that were enacted in 2001 and 2003.

And I have co-sponsored several bills that expand American energy exploration and develop alternative sources of energy. This legislation will not only create opportunity here in Michigan, it will help lessen America's dependence on Middle Eastern oil.

But to be successful, the state of Michigan also must do its part to bring more jobs and opportunity to our great state. Unfortunately the Governor's new tax proposals will do just the opposite.

Imagine what prospective businesses considering moving here think when they hear Michigan has a $1.5 billion tax increase on the table. Michigan will be far less attractive to working families and individuals.

A Cato Institute study comparing ten tax-cutting states to ten tax-raising states between 1990 and 1996 found tax-cutting states generated 1.84 million more new jobs, state economies grew 20% faster and state governments averaged four times the budget reserves. Tax hikes are the last thing Michigan needs.

Everyday, taxpayers in Jackson County make difficult decisions to ensure their family budgets are balanced. They do it by cutting spending and having fiscal discipline. The state of Michigan must begin to operate in the same manner.

By revitalizing Michigan's economy, Michigan young people will choose to use their talents here, Michigan individuals and businesses will develop and build the products of tomorrow here and our Michigan communities will be stronger and renewed.

We can build a better, brighter future for Michigan. We just need the courage and determination to cut waste and instill fiscal discipline.

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