|
As a vice chair of the House Insurance Committee, I publicly opposed a legislative insurance plan this week that could cost jobs, discourage insurance coverage and stop new investment in the state.
The new plan, announced by state Democrats, would create a new layer of government bureaucracy by allowing the state insurance commissioner to set insurance rates.
This represents an attack on our state's struggling job providers, which could result in more residents on the unemployment line. Creating what is essentially a state-run insurance industry is the absolute wrong direction for Michigan.
The bills have already been approved by the insurance committee, but unfortunately the panel did not work in a bipartisan manner. When the bills were considered, I offered two amendments that were immediately shot down, even though they were suggestions the committee chair had requested. A Republican colleague also offered an amendment to a bill that used the exact wording of a bill authored and co-sponsored by several committee members, but they voted against it.
My non-controversial amendments would have helped improve the proposed legislation. Instead, the bills were rushed through with all the amendments turned down. I also am disappointed that information heard during testimony of these bills was not considered in making changes to improve the measures.
* * *
I co-sponsored legislation this week to allow the bipartisan Michigan Agricultural Commission to continue appointing the state Department of Agriculture director.
The legislation overturns the governor's executive order in October that eliminated the commission's authority to hire the agriculture director. The governor now has the authority to make the hire.
The Michigan Agricultural Commission has done an excellent job chosing agriculture directors, and there is no reason for a change. By allowing the incumbent governor to make the decision, it has the potential to become a political appointment, instead of hiring the most capable person. This could ultimately hurt agriculture in Michigan.
The agriculture industry now generates more than $71 billion annually for the state of Michigan, according to a Michigan State University study.
* * *
With the issue of state education funding in the news lately, I wanted to pass along some interesting information regarding the Lottery. Many people may have misconceptions about lottery money, especially when it comes to education spending.
For instance, did you know that more than 95 cents of every dollar spent on Lottery tickets is returned to the state in the form of contributions to the state School Aid Fund, prizes to players and comissions to retailers.
In fiscal year 2009, the contribution to schools was more than $715 million. The cost of K-12 funding this year alone was more than $13 billion.
Since its inception in 1972, the Lottery has contributed more than $15 billion to education in Michigan. If it weren't for Lottery money, our schools would face much tougher obstacles during these tight budgetary times.
* * *
If you have any questions or need assistance with any state issues, please contact me toll free at 1-866-828-4863 or via e-mail at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
.
|