So many questions . . . Like why did it take a 15.2 percent unemployment rate, one million lost jobs, substantial loss in personal income and fleeing college graduates for a discussion of substantive proposals within the legislature?

After 15 years working in the legislature I see three sorts of politicians. Those that clearly believe that they can save the world only if they had more of your tax dollars to grow government bureaucracy even bigger. Those that try to have it both ways by feeding the government bureaucracy slowly but doing just enough to make sure the citizens back home are content enough to win re-election. And those those are on the side of Michigan citizens, taxpayers, workers and employers and want to shrink government so individuals can enjoy the fruits of their labor.

Some in Lansing are starting to get it. The one who should get it, the Governor, continues to stick her head in the ground and pretend that we don't have an economic crisis in Michigan and when she does acknowledge it she always blames circumstances out of her control. Not exactly traits of a leader, let alone the Governor of one of the ten largest states.

Senate Republicans led by Senator Mike Bishop have passed substantive cuts. Democrat House Speaker Andy Dillion last week proposed employee insurance benefit changes that will result in up to $900 million a year in savings. And just this morning House Republicans under the leadership of Rep. Kevin Elsenheimer have put together a comprehensive proposal to make specific budget cuts, cut regulatory burdens that impede job growth, address our decaying infrastructure, brings transparency to state spending and does not raise taxes. For a copy of the plan go to www.gophouse.com/publications/Reinvigorate.pdf .

These steps are an encouraging first sign of Lansing getting real and doing right by the working people of this state. But they are only first steps. Michigan needs change proposals to improve the quality of life for every Michigander. Right to Work, income tax elimination, transparency, 2/3 legislative majority to raise taxes, and additional spending cuts are proposals that should all be on the table for discussion.

Two major impediments remain - the Democrats in the state House are under intense pressure from their number one support group - the unions - to reject their own House Speaker's insurance reforms and the Governor who yields a powerful tool in her veto pen.

The current budget crisis and Michigan’s economic collapse has forced politicians to make some hard decisions. Will they come down on the side of government bureaucracy and centralized control using your tax dollars or will they choose Michigan families and private sector jobs? It is government vs. the people.

Battle lines are being drawn. It is time to get in the game and let your legislator know of your opinion. If you don’t I can guarantee you that taxpayer funded lobbyists will be working overtime in Lansing to protect their interest at the expense of your families budget.