For Immediate Release Contact: Matt Marsden 248-802-8718, or Feb. 3, 2010 Kendall Wingrove 517-927-6062 Remarks by Sen. Mike Bishop in response to the State of the State Address Below is the transcript of the Senate Republican response to Gov. Granholm's final State of the State address. Good evening. My name is Mike Bishop and as the Michigan Senate majority leader, it is my great honor to offer the response to the governor's State of the State address. When evaluating the state of our state in 2010, all of us are rightfully filled with concern. Tod ay, ourresiliency is being severely tested. We face enormous challenges that threaten our jobs, our h omes, and ourfamilies. Yet, if we meet these challenges head on, I am convinced, I am more confident than ever Michigan's best days are still ahead. Senate Republicans have a vision and a plan. This is the time to be strong, bold and courageous. That's exactly the attitude of the residents of Michigan as they make tough decisions every day when handling their family budgets or managing their businesses. Our residents have stepped up. They continue to sacrifice. Now they rightfully expect government to do the very same. After all, the state budget is not the government's money, it's the people's money. Senate Republicans are listening to the residents of Michigan. And like the citizens of Massachusetts, New Jersey and other states, we hear your message loud and clear -- government spending is out of control and enough is enough. It's not rocket science, folks -- government simply spends more than it has, period. And the tired, predictable policies of the past don't resonate in this new century. The people seek essential services, but they also are rightfully demanding a more responsive, more efficient state government. The public instinct for change is rooted in fact. Michigan's government is based upon income that no longerexists. Adjusted for inflation, revenue for Michigan's general fund has fallen 43 percent since 2000. Michigan now faces an astronomical $1.8 billion budget deficit. We simply CANNOT afford the government we have. Page 1 of 3
