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1) Bad move [by Anonymous Citizen on October 4, 2008]
How the heck do you think we are going to remain an democrat stronghold by passing tax cut legislation that will creat jobs. Before you know it we'll be a red state. Raise taxes on business you dummys.
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2) "journal statement" [by Admin003 on October 3, 2008]
Senator Bishops’ statement is as follows:

Again, I don’t want to belabor this point; once again, I think it is straightforward. I think those who are on the floor today know where they are going to fall on this vote, but I just want to make a record of the fact that we are in a very challenging time in our state’s history. It is our responsibility to step up and make sure that we address the issues that we can. This is an opportunity for us to do exactly that.

We lead in all those statistics that we don’t want to lead in. We are last in those statistics that we have always strived to be first in. I am not going to be the first to tell you that. I know that you know the challenges that face this state. But the point has got to be made that the present system is not working, and we cannot continue to go day after day doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different outcome. The future of this state hangs in the balance, and our constituents are waiting for leaders.

Now our constituents are both Republicans and Democrats, and I can assure you that despite our obsession with the partisanship, they could really care less, especially on a subject like this on the future of our state.

Today really is our opportunity to come together and do something very positive to send a clear message—really, two messages: First and foremost is to the businesses that are in this state who have invested, who have been with us, who have stuck through the hard times, we want you to know that we appreciate you, and we want you to stay and prosper. To those businesses that are considering a new home, we understand the issues that you will consider in making the business decision as to where you will set up your shop and where you want to call home. We are determined to create that environment here in Michigan so that we can compete globally. Your vote today will send those messages.

Now I understand your reservations. No questions about it, we have budgetary issues going into the future. This is a bold move, but it is an opportunity for us to come together to address the issue. If you are not satisfied with tax policy across the board, I understand that. I think you won’t get much of a rejection on this side of the aisle. If that is the case, let’s use this as a catalyst to open tax policy as a whole and figure out where we need to be in the 21st century. We need some vision in this state. We need some vision in this chamber. We have to decide how we want to leave this state when our terms end. This is yet another day that we are discussing solutions, and I think this is a great time for us to show bipartisanship on behalf of our state, move in the right direction, and do the right thing. Your state needs your leadership today. We really can’t afford to wait.

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3) "journal statement" [by Admin003 on October 3, 2008]
Senator Pappageorge’s statement is as follows:

Earlier, the speaker from the 19th District talked about recklessness. Let’s remember how we got into this mess. A year ago today, we were facing close to a $1.8 billion shortfall in the things we promised in our budget. Why? Because $900 million was never there to begin with; $150 million was pay raises which we should not have offered, and some $700 million was new programs.

If we do not stop budgeting on money we want to have instead of money we do have, this will continue and it has to stop. We have to start being honest with the citizens of Michigan. Honestly, this is all the money we have and at the last minute, as we did a year ago today, we are not going to shut down the government if we don’t get the money we want.

The idea that this is costing Michigan misses the point. The point is we are costing our citizens and our businesses too much and we have to stop.

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