LANSING – State Representative Joel Sheltrown (D-West Branch) and his colleagues in the House today announced a bold agenda to tackle Michigan's challenges head-on and move the state in a new, positive direction. The plan includes reducing high health care costs, expanding educational opportunities and new policies that will attract investments in 21st century jobs.
"The people of Michigan spoke loud and clear in November – they want change that will propel Michigan forward in a positive direction," Sheltrown said. "We will attack problems head-on by investing in our state, investing in our workers and standing up for the citizens of Michigan."
In addition to the House health and education committees working on major reforms to health care and education in Michigan, the six-point plan for the House will:
1. Fight the skyrocketing cost of health care.
Sheltrown is pursuing proposals to lower health care costs and looking at a statewide catastrophic health care pool, as well as programs to purchase prescription drugs in bulk and provide health care to more than 1 million uninsured Michigan workers.
2. Strengthen schools and open the doors of educational opportunities for all citizens.
The New Economy Committee will work to strengthen schools and build the best-trained, best-educated workforce. One plan also aims to expand the Michigan Promise Grant by introducing a proposal to provide student loans to all Michigan residents looking to go beyond high school.
"I know how important it is to prepare our children for the good-paying jobs of the future," said Sheltrown. "Our children will be competing for jobs with people from all over the world. We must give them the tools they need to succeed in the 21st century global economy."
3. Address Michigan's energy needs.
Sheltrown and his colleagues will tackle the state's looming energy shortage and promote alternative energy and conservation. Work groups will study ways to increase alternative energy in Michigan, and introduce proposals to address the groups' findings.
"Alternative energy will be a driving force as Michigan's economy gets back on track," Sheltrown said. "Increased wind power, ethanol, and clean coal energy production are just three examples of how northern Michigan is a leader in alternative energies. We can serve as an example to the rest of the state as we work to change the status quo."
4. Increase Use of Michigan's Natural Resources.
As chair of the House Tourism, Outdoor Recreation, and Natural Resources committee, Sheltrown will focus on marketing Michigan's outdoor attractions to out-of-state visitors and encouraging more Michigan residents to utilize the state's world-class recreational resources. Sheltrown's early priorities will include legislation regulating the use of ORVs on county road shoulders, restoring northern Michigan's deer herd and Great Lake trout and salmon fisheries, and expanding recreational access opportunities for seniors and the disabled.
5. Strengthen consumer protections.
Sheltrown supports plans to place a moratorium on so-called mortgage tax pop-ups, which hit consumers – especially seniors – when they sell their homes and to help residents avoid mortgage foreclosures, which will help increase property values across Michigan.
6. Restore integrity to the House.
Proposals include banning public officials from lobbying for a year after they leave office; prohibiting conflicts of interest; requiring personal financial disclosures; and banning lawmakers from getting state grants.