Welcome once again to my e-newsletter. I want to update you on the work I am doing in Lansing on behalf of the 49th District.
House Passes Governor's Executive Order
Last week the Appropriations Committee was forced to make some tough decisions in order to address the $1.3 billion budget shortfall and balance the budget as required by the Michigan Constitution.
This economic crisis in Michigan has been brought on in large part by the global recession that is being felt far and wide. Here at home, we know that Michigan has been hit the hardest. As we work to resolve the budget, my colleagues in the House and I are going to meet the challenges head on as we all share in the sacrifice and work to get Michigan back on track.
Plans we've passed so far to jumpstart our economy and spur job creation include:
- Advanced battery production
- In March, we passed a plan to expand state tax credits for the production of advanced batteries for autos.
- This plan has already led to $1.7 billion in direct economic investment and will create 6,600 jobs.
- The credits can be used for battery pack assembly; research and engineering to support battery use in vehicles; engineering of advanced battery technologies; and capital investment for construction of battery manufacturing facilities.
- Under the most conservative estimates, the battery tax credits will create more than 40,000 jobs and more than $9 billion in economic activity by the year 2020, according to the Center for Economic Analysis at Michigan State University.
- Consolidating the auto suppliers base in Michigan
- As auto suppliers feel the pinch from the automakers' financial problems, they will be looking for a location to consolidate their operations.
- Our plan will encourage auto suppliers to consolidate right here in Michigan.
- We've proposed tax incentives that will attract auto suppliers to Michigan, which will protect the auto supply jobs we have and help create more.
- Foreclosure prevention
- Our plan gives homeowners at risk of losing their homes to foreclosure a 90-day lifeline if they commit to working out a solution with their lender and a mortgage counselor.
- This plan helps protect middle-class families and their most important investment – their homes.
- Reforming Michigan's government
- Michigan is at a crossroads and it is clear that business-as-usual won't cut it anymore.
- Our residents are demanding a more streamlined and less costly government that is more responsive to our residents' needs.
- Earlier this year, we took action to cut state spending by voting to slash elected officials' salaries – including our own – by 10 percent.
- Last week, we also cut our own budget in order to share the sacrifices being made by families across Michigan.
- We voted to dock lawmakers' pay when they miss session in the House or the Senate.
- Our reforms will end the revolving door between lawmakers and lobbyists by banning legislators from lobbying for two years after leaving office.
- We are also working to bring more transparency to state government and hold our elected officials more accountable to the people of Michigan.
Gonzales Votes to Create Jobs with New Market Tax Credits
I voted for a series of bills that will create a state-level New Market Tax Credit (NMTC) program to help boost Michigan's economy by encouraging new investment in low-income and underserved communities across the state. These incentives will work in conjunction with the federal NMTC program to encourage investments in local communities to help those who have been hit hardest in this economy.
This legislation will:
- Create $20 million in tax credits for individuals or businesses who invest in low-income communities or low-income residents.
- Starting in 2011, organizations who qualify for the tax credit will receive a credit of 5 percent for the first three years of the award, 6 percent for the fourth and fifth years, and 12 percent in the final year
Free Publications
With summer quickly approaching, I want to provide you and your family with free Michigan guides and publications. Please use one of the three ways below to request FREE information:
- Email me at leegonzales@house.mi.gov and indicate which publication you would like to receive, please include your name, address, city & ZIP code;
- Contact us by phone at (517) 373-7515 or toll-free at (800) FLINT-49 (354-6849);
- Cut out the coupon below and mail it to Rep. Lee Gonzales, P.O. Box 30014, Lansing, MI 48909-7514