Comment: Snyder's school choice plan
grossly unfair to Grosse Pointe residents

As you may have heard, Gov. Rick Snyder has proposed some major education policy, tax and budget changes for the state of Michigan. Last week, the House passed the Governor's tax plan and this week the House will take up most if not all appropriations budgets. Notably, these budgets will feature significant cuts to Grosse Pointe and Harper Woods Schools. read more...

Bledsoe lays out legislative plans
for new year, with new leadership

As we look ahead to the new year, I am focused on reforms that Michigan desperately needs. First and foremost, we must reform Michigan's tax structure and government to enable our economy to flourish. We must also make essential improvements to create a stable and reasoned political environment. This kind of environment will make Michigan attractive to businesses and help spur the kind of recovery we have all been waiting for.

I look forward to working with Gov. Rick Snyder and his administration to eliminate the onerous Michigan Business Tax. I support eliminating this tax and replacing it with a simple and fair flat tax on corporate profits.

The previous administration and legislature relied too heavily on tax incentive programs that found limited success. I support a more hands-off approach to economic development, ending the temptation of elected officials to work with well-connected corporations, lobbyists and bureaucrats to pick winners and losers in the marketplace. read more...

Comment: Hands off School Aid Fund,
worrisome pipeline issues upstream

The Michigan House of Representatives voted on August 25 to move $208.4 million from the School Aid Fund to cover a deficit in the General Fund Budget. Proponents argued that the money would be targeted at the Community Colleges budget, effectively freeing up funds for the remainder of the General Fund budget.

The School Aid Fund contains a surplus, partly because of new federal monies directed at public education that were voted out of Congress on August 11. read more...

Comment: Legislative package fixes
Grosse Pointe Shores muni court quirk

I am pleased to report that Grosse Pointe Shores residents will gain the right to vote for municipal judge as part of my three-bill package that unanimously passed the Michigan House of Representatives in early June. Currently, Shores residents are the only voters in Michigan ineligible to vote for judge of either a municipal or district court.

These bills cover four important elements for Grosse Pointe Shores' municipal court: read more...

Bledsoe to host a forum Monday
on Canadian wind farm on Lake St. Clair

State Rep. Tim Bledsoe invites the public to a community forum Monday (May 3) starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial to discuss a proposed wind farm set for the Canadian waters of Lake St. Clair, as well as its possible effects on the Grosse Pointes. read more...

Bledsoe sets March coffee hours

State Representative Tim Bledsoe (D-Grosse Pointe) is inviting residents to join him for upcoming coffee hours to discuss state and community issues.

The lawmaker's upcoming coffee hours will be held on: read more...

Comment: All can agree on this:
Asian carp not welcome in Michigan

On Monday, Gov. Jennifer Granholm, along with Govs. Jim Doyle of Wisconsin and Pat Quinn of Illinois, met with White House officials to discuss the problem of the invasive Asian carp and the potentially devastating effects they might have on the Great Lakes.

This meeting may or may not produce results to Michigan's liking. However, it is a good example of how states and political forces can work toward a common purpose: to protect our Great Lakes from destructive forces and preserve the ecosystem many of us depend on for our livelihood. read more...

Bledsoe explains fine points
of Race to the Top legislation

In December of 2009, the Legislature completed the most comprehensive set of education reforms the state of Michigan has ever seen in the Race to the Top (RTTT) legislation. I supported these reforms both in the House Education Committee and on the floor of the House. While there is considerable apprehension about these reforms in some quarters, I am convinced the following information will dispel many concerns. read more...

It's time for a workplace smoking ban–with no exceptions and no butts

On May 26, I voted against a partial workplace smoking ban that exempted casinos, cigar bars, and tobacco specialty stores.

The passage of this bill takes us down the same failed path that the previous House took on this issue last year. We shouldn't be fooled into thinking we can send the Senate anything less than a comprehensive smoking ban, which is what that chamber passed last year. read more...

Legislative update:
Mid-year budget cuts announced

On May 5, Gov. Jennifer Granholm announced a series of mid-year cuts to the 2009-2010 budget to help fill a $1.3 billion revenue shortfall. The shortfall was brought on by the current economic crisis, which has hit Michigan particularly hard.

The mid-year budget cuts include $41 million in revenue sharing to cities, townships, and counties. The cities I represent will see the following cuts in their revenue-sharing payments: Grosse Pointe City, $21,245; Grosse Pointe Farms, $35,831; Grosse Pointe Park, $46,871; Grosse Pointe Woods, $65,867; Grosse Pointe Shores, $9,952; Harper Woods, $69,206; and Detroit, $7,373,545.

According to the governor, this action moves up some cuts already proposed for the 2010-2011 budget, as well as closing tax loopholes that will bring in an additional $230 million in revenue. The budget will affect nearly every Michigan department, including mandatory unpaid furloughs for state employees, layoffs of state troopers, and cuts to legislative and judicial budgets. It is critical that my House colleagues and I share in the sacrifice we are asking everyone else to make. However I believe that with a bipartisan demeanor and willingness to work together between the chambers, we can find a solution to this recurring problem.

"No reason" absentee voting

I have joined my colleagues in the House to pass a plan to allow any Michigan resident to vote by absentee ballot. Under the plan, any Michigan resident will be allowed to vote by absentee ballot without giving a reason. Voters will also be able to request an absentee ballot in person, or by mail, fax or e-mail. Similar legislation passed the House in 2007, but failed in the Senate. read more...