Taxation

Sheen: Government Wins – People Loose

State Rep. Fulton Sheen today issued the following statement after the Legislature finally agreed to a resolution to the budget crisis through a series of tax increases and reforms:

Lansing and big government won, but the people lost in the budget resolution this week.  The budget was balanced on the backs of Michigan job providers, but mostly its citizens, with too few reforms and almost no significant spending reductions.”

“The result of this marathon legislative spectacle which has played out over the last 17 days has resulted in Lansing picking the pockets of it’s citizens by taking an additional 12 percent more income tax from peoples pay checks, and increasing the cost of many services with a new 6 percent tax on top of all the other existing  taxes.  Lansing continues its assault on Michigan job providers with the additional tax on consumers as well as business- to-business expenditures.  This will drive up the cost of doing business and drive out more employers, increasing unemployment and further exacerbating Michigan’s plight.

“The last 17 days have made a mockery out of our Legislative Institution.  Instead of working on good policy, this Legislature engaged in political rhetoric, gamesmanship and posturing to see which party can maintain or regain power.  They have become poster children for a part-time Legislature.  This is not what we were sent here to do, and it is no way to govern.”

What are the results of the last 17 days?  Big government wins and the people lose.  Last one out of Michigan turn out the lights.