2007 Senate Bill 229 (Appropriations: 2007-2008 General Government budget ) (House Roll Call 369)
Substitute offered by Rep. Steve Tobocman (D) on September 15, 2007, to replace the previous version of the bill with one that replicates in bill form the list prepared by Senate Fiscal Agency Gary Olson of $1.5 billion in cuts to various line items, assuming no efficiency-generating reforms or changes in how any government programs operate. The substitue is not a "proper" bill (because it proposes "cuts" in apppropriations that don't exist yet), and was offered as a political maneuver in the midst of an (unsuccessful) four-day attempt to get Republicans to vote for House Bill 5294, which would raise the state income tax from 3.9 percent to 4.6 percent. The substitute failed in the House (0 to 105) on September 15, 2007. [History, Amendments & Comments]
The vote was 0 in favor, 105 opposed, and 5 not voting
(House Roll Call 369 at House Journal 87)
[Comment on this vote | View others' comments]
|
|
|
Support
Oppose
Not Voting
Undecided
The following legislators supported the substitute:
The following legislators opposed the substitute:
The following legislators did not vote on the substitute:
| Agema (R) | Caul (R) | Garfield (R) | Green (R) | Palmer (R) |
Most Recent Comments
1) Rep. Sheen's "no vote explanation" [by Admin003 on October 31, 2007]Rep. Sheen, having reserved the right to explain his nay vote, made the following statement:
"Mr. Speaker and members of the House:
These budgets were based on income tax, sales tax and increased fees. I could not vote to increase taxes on Michigan's citizens or job providers at a time when so many have either lost jobs, faced failing businesses and otherwise tightened their belts and made cuts in their own budgets. Why should government be held at a different standard than everyone else in the state?
Holding government harmless is elitist, disingenuous, and wrong. You did not send me to Lansing to preserve government spending to the detriment of its citizens and its job providers. The income tax increase of 12% (from 3.9% to 4.35%) and spreading a 6 % sales tax on many services and business-to-business transactions on top of all the other taxes does not benefit the state's economy or its citizens in any way. However, it does take more money out of people's paychecks and increase the cost of living. It drives up the cost of doing business and drives out more employers, increasing unemployment and making Michigan's problems worse. We might as well put a red flashing light at the state line warning businesses not to come here."
Reply
The GOP had the chance to GO ON RECORD as supporting a "no new taxes" budget. They voted against it.
Reply
Rep. Stahl, having reserved the right to explain his protest against the passage of the bill, made the following statement:
"Mr. Speaker and members of the House:
Prior legislation was substituted with no explanation given of that which was being substituted. I could not vote yes for something I did not have knowledge of what was being voting on."
Reply
View Full Conversation
