LANSING (WKZO) — Michigan’s House republicans have released their 18-page “Action Plan” for the up coming legislative session. It’s their list of priority legislation and it was released during an afternoon news conference on Thursday in Lansing.
House speaker Kevin Cotter calls it the “largest and most bold” plan yet.
First on the list is an issue that is sure to be opposed by the state’s unions, and that’s an end to a requirement that the state pay the prevailing wage to workers on state contracts.
Some of the other items include reforming the popular auto no fault, the Michigan religioius freedom restoration act, expanding school choice, reforming alcohol laws, addressing sentencing guidelines and parole and allowing energy companies to use out of state renewable energy to meet Michigan’s portfolio standards. They also want to replace the teacher’s pension plan with a mandatory 401-k program.
Other initiatives would include reinventing the Michigan Economic Developmet Corporation, reviewing the state’s transportation formula and reviewing savings accounts for family leave.
Oshtemo republican Bradt Iden is pretty pumped up about it, saying its exactly what the state needs to continue moving forward in the recovery.
Kalamazoo Democrat Jon Hoadley is concerned about a provision that would force local municipalities to eliminate sick time. It came on the very day that House Democrats were proposing legislation that would guarantee one day of sick time for every 30-days worked.
He says the timing was also interesting today with the Governor needing a sick day, or maybe a few.
Hoadley says things happen, people have accidents or get ill. You don’t want them coming to work if they are contagious, but they shouldn’t be penalized for the unavoidable.
House Republicans will be checking items off their action plan over the next year or two.
