LANSING, Mich. - Today Senate Democrats fought to pass a package of bills called ‘Hire Michigan First’ that would reward companies that employ Michigan workers with state economic development incentives. Democrats pointed out that as the state allocates federal recovery funds to create jobs, Michigan workers should be the first in line to benefit.

LANSING- Senate Democrats today fought for crucial jobs training, worker safety programs, and resources for unemployed families as the budget for the Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth (Senate Bill 243) was up for consideration on the Senate floor. Democrats also fought the creation of spending on a new program created by Republicans when plummeting revenues will require additional budget reductions.

LANSING - Today Detroit area Senators voted with their colleagues and approved a $635 million investment in the state’s economy. The federal funds will come through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and will be used to put people back to work repairing and upgrading Detroit area roads, bridges, and highways.

LANSING - Today Senate Democrats voted to cut legislators’ salary 10 percent and challenged Republicans to reduce Majority Senate office budgets by the same level. Democrats pointed out that by reducing the Majority office budgets down to the same amount that is allotted for their Democratic counterparts, the Senate Republicans could save nearly twice as much as the legislator pay cut, it could occur immediately for instant savings, and it would not need any further approval by other chambers, the Governor, or commissions.

LANSING-Today Senate Democrats fought against Senate Republicans’ efforts to gut the foreclosure protection legislation that was approved with bipartisan support two weeks ago. Democrats sought to restore true protections to House Bills 4453, 4454 and 4455 that would safeguard homeowners from Michigan’s growing foreclosure crisis.

LANSING-Senate Republicans pushed for a resolution today that would devastate local public safety and education resources.

LANSING, Mich. - Michigan Senate Democrats called for action on legislation passed this week by the House of Representatives to ensure taxpayer resources are being used to benefit Michigan workers first and support initiatives to create jobs in Michigan. Senate Democrats created a Facebook cause page, which already has more than 450 supporters, to gather support, feature up-to-date information on the legislation, and offer opportunities for people to share their experiences of dealing with this economic crisis.

LANSING - Today Senate Democrats continued their fight for struggling families in Michigan by opposing tax breaks for wealthy CEOs and making foreclosure prevention a priority. Sen. Gilda Z. Jacobs (D-Huntington Woods) tried to remove a Republican proposal to give new tax breaks to CEOs making more than $200,000 per year. Sen. Buzz Thomas (D-Detroit) also forced a vote on Democrats’ initiative to help struggling homeowners stay in their homes and have more time to get back on their feet.

LANSING – Today Senate Democrats urged swift action on using federal stimulus funding coming into Michigan to create jobs and get people back to work. Senate Republicans, who oppose the federal legislation providing the funds, have recently proposed another layer of red tape by creating a new government subcommittee to study the process and slow down decisions on how or if the funds will be used.

LANSING -Senate Democrats’ efforts to pass legislation that would allow any registered voter to vote by absentee ballot to increase voter access and participation were again blocked today by Senate Republicans on a party line vote. Senator Liz Brater (D-Ann Arbor), sponsor of Senate Bill 97, sought to include her legislation in a vote on a series of bills (SB 21-24) that would amend the Michigan Election Law as it pertains to certain judicial races.