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1) Re: 2009 Senate Resolution 13 [by crazycajun on February 13, 2009]yes, concessions were made.
we conceded to pay for services that weren't worth what we paid for them with our taxes. we want that concession to STOP.
we conceded to hire people unqualified for the job, and caved in to their demands to be paid more. we want that concession to stop.
we conceded to vote for you to look after OUR money while representing us in lansing. that concession WILL stop.
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Senator Whitmer’s statement is as follows:
District 23 actually represents the State Capitol and all the state employees who are so popular to dump on in times of tough economics here in Michigan. Every year, we ask for concessions from our state employees. They are overworked, and they are underappreciated. I ask the gentleman from Kalamazoo what concessions have you made over the last eight years? What concessions have you made? I know that my constituents have made concessions time and time again. I am tired of people in their comfortable, cushy offices saying, “You pay, you pay. We are going to balance this budget on your back.” It’s wrong. I ask you, I reiterate, what concessions have you made?
I’ve got some ideas on how we can work on the legislative budget, and I will be happy to share them with you. I think it is time that we have some concessions made here. I am eager to have those discussions.
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Senator George asked and was granted unanimous consent to make a
statement and moved that the statement be printed in the Journal.
The motion prevailed.
Senator George's statement is as follows:
Monday morning, the sun will come up and alarm clocks will sound and
Michiganders who are lucky enough to have jobs will rub the sleep from
their eyes and will celebrate President's Day by heading off to work.
Throughout Michigan, auto repair shops will open; so will restaurants,
retail shops, dry cleaners, and dental offices. In my district, the
public schools are open; teachers and students will report as usual. The
Kalamazoo Public Library will be open; so will both Kalamazoo and
Portage city halls. Most county offices will be open. Classes will be
held at Western Michigan University, Michigan State University, and the
University of Michigan. Across the boarder in Indiana, all state offices
are open for business.
However, here in Michigan, where state government faces another huge
budget shortfall; here in Michigan, where we don't have enough resources
to pave our roads; here in Michigan, where we can no longer afford to
keep our prisoners locked up; here in Michigan, where we can't find
enough money to fully fund our schools; here in Michigan, on Monday, we
are going to give state employees the day off with full pay.
When we lose people and jobs to the state of Indiana, we are sometimes
told that it is because of our tax structure-that people and businesses
pay more in Michigan. Now if that is so, shouldn't it follow that they
should be receiving better services from state government? One might
think that perhaps those higher taxes would result in faster services, a
quicker turnaround time, or a better response from government. But
sadly, on Monday that will not be the case. There will be no state
services on Monday, as state government will be on vacation.
I am heartened to see that Governor Granholm and her administration will
be meeting with state employee unions in the coming weeks to discuss
ways to help fix Michigan through concessions. Colleagues, concessions
are nothing new to workers in Michigan, as the Big Three continue to
negotiate contracts with their employees to find ways to keep the
companies viable and the employees employed.
My friends, if we are ever to truly turn Michigan around, we must stop
paying government more and get less in return. In order to fix Michigan,
state employees cannot be paid for being idle while the rest of Michigan
is yearning to go to work.
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