Rep. David Rutledges' Site Feed

House Dems' Education Task Force to Hold First Meeting

Fri, 17 May 2013 16:00:28 -0400

LANSING — The Michigan House Democrats’ Education Task Force will hold its first meeting from 2-4 p.m. on Monday, May 20, in Room 426 of the Capitol Building in Lansing. Rep. Ellen Cogen Lipton (D-Huntington Woods), who is the Democratic vice chairwoman of the House Education Committee, and Rep. Brandon Dillon (D-Grand Rapids), the Democratic vice chairman of the House School Aid subcommittee, will co-chair the task force. Other members are Reps. Theresa Abed (D-Grand Ledge), Terry Brown (D-Pigeon), Douglas A. Geiss (D-Taylor), John Kivela (D-Marquette), Collene Lamonte (D-Montague), Stacy Erwin Oakes (D-Saginaw), David Rutledge (D-Ypsilanti), Andy Schor (D-Lansing), Thomas F. Stallworth III (D-Detroit) and Adam Zemke (D-Ann Arbor).

The task was formed in response to House Republicans’ effort to expand the unproven Education Achievement Authority across the state, even though students in the 15 schools currently run by the EAA have reported conditions detrimental to learning in those schools. Task force members are seeking real solutions that will work for our state.

WHO: Reps. Ellen Cogen Lipton (D-Huntington Woods), Brandon Dillon (D-Grand Rapids), Theresa Abed (D-Grand Ledge), Terry Brown (D-Pigeon), Douglas A. Geiss (D-Taylor), John Kivela (D-Marquette), Collene Lamonte (D-Montague), Stacy Erwin Oakes (D-Saginaw), David Rutledge (D-Ypsilanti), Andy Schor (D-Lansing), Thomas F. Stallworth III (D-Detroit) and Adam Zemke (D-Ann Arbor).

WHERE: Michigan State Capitol, Room 426
Lansing

WHEN: Monday, May 20, from 2 to 4 p.m.

Statement from State Representative David Rutledge (D-Ypsilanti) in Response to the Passage of the Omnibus Budget:

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

“I was deeply disappointed today to vote against a state budget that represents the wrong priorities for Michigan’s future. The education budget continues painful cuts to public schools, and the general budget makes unnecessary cuts to critical programs. For instance, the House-passed budget does not include a critical program that would ensure that hundreds of thousands of Michigan residents can access much-needed health services. Expanding Medicaid was recommended by the governor and makes good economic sense. It would allow Michigan to access millions through a federal program to keep uninsured families out of emergency rooms as their only source for health care, providing access to preventive medicine. With a plan in place to cover all costs when the full federal subsidy is reduced to 90 percent, there is no reasonable argument against expansion. Frankly, this budget defies logic, slashing valuable areas that offer critical programs and services to all Michiganders.”

Washtenaw Dems Try To Expand Healthy Kids Dental

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

LANSING — State Representatives Gretchen Driskell (D-Saline), Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor), David Rutledge (D-Ypsilanti) and Adam F. Zemke (D-Ann Arbor) supported an amendment to the proposed budget taken up by the House today, House Bill 4328, that would have expanded the Healthy Kids Dental into Ingham, Ottawa and Washtenaw counties.

“Healthy Kids Dental is a program that’s a proven success, and that’s why the governor recommended expanding it in his budget proposal,” said Driskell, who offered the amendment on the floor. “I’m extremely disappointed that members of the governor’s own party voted down this amendment.”

Healthy Kids Dental is a partnership program between the Michigan Department of Community Health and Delta Dental that has been recognized by the American Dental Association as one of the five national models for improving access to dental care to low-income children. It currently operates in 75 of Michigan’s 83 counties.

“This is a basic quality-of-life issue for low-income children across the state,” Irwin said. “Programs like Healthy Kids Dental should not be restricted to certain counties in Michigan. All children should be able to access basic dental care.”

Studies show that tooth decay is the most chronic childhood disease. It affects 25 percent of children between the ages of 2 and 5, and 50 percent of children ages 12 to 15. Children with oral health problems can have difficulty eating, sleeping and concentrating in school.

“This is an entirely preventable problem. We have the means to take care of these children,” Rutledge said. “It’s disheartening that my colleagues on the other side of the aisle are unwilling to fund such a worthy cause.”

If Healthy Kids Dental were expanded to Ingham, Ottawa and Washtenaw counties, more than 70,000 children would be eligible for the program. In Washtenaw County alone, estimates show that more than 21,000 children would be able to participate.

“Giving children preventive dental care can stop more serious problems down the road, which could result in costly visits to the emergency room,” said Zemke, who offered the same amendment during the committee process. “Funding this program would prevent an even bigger taxpayer burden that results from kids not getting the care they need.”

Rep. Driskell, Washtenaw Dems Introduce Plan for Middle-Class Tax Relief

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

ANN ARBOR — State Representatives Gretchen Driskell (D-Saline), Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor), David Rutledge (D-Ypsilanti) and Adam F. Zemke (D-Ann Arbor) today announced the House Democrats’ plan for middle-class tax relief. The bills, based on Michigan’s Middle Class Plan, are focused on restoring tax credits and deductions to middle-class families and repealing taxes on retirees. Legislation included in the plan will relieve the tax burden on Michigan families when next year’s tax season rolls around.

“When filing their 2012 taxes, many families and seniors are seeing a significant increase in their tax burden. This means many residents have to make do with less,” Driskell said. “The legislation we’re introducing would address this inequity.”

Last session, the Legislature made severe changes to the Michigan tax code punishing middle-class families and seniors, including imposing a tax on retirement income, eliminating the Homestead Property Tax Credit for many families, a drastic cut to the Earned Income Tax Credit and the elimination of the $600 per-child tax deduction and tax credits for charitable donations. These changes were made to fund nearly $2 billion in tax breaks for big corporations, effectively making Michigan’s low-income and middle-class families pay for a handout to big corporations. The new taxes took effect in 2012, and many taxpayers became aware of them for the first time as they filed their state income taxes this year.

“People across Michigan are seeing reduced refunds or actually have to submit a payment, while corporations are paying much less than they used to,” Irwin said. “This tax shift hasn’t helped create jobs, so we need to reverse it and put that money back where it’ll do the most good â�� into the pockets of middle-class families.”

Over the past two months, Democratic state representatives heard the concerns of struggling Michiganders during their Real State of Our State Listening Tour. After the tour’s completion, legislators used this feedback to construct Michigan’s Middle Class Plan, including the following tax initiatives:

Repeal the new tax on senior retirement income
Require employers to inform employees about the Earned Income Tax Credit
Restore the Earned Income Tax Credit to 11 percent in the first year
Restore the Homestead Property Tax Credit
Restore the child deduction

Along with these initiatives, the House Democrats pledge to continue fighting against tax increases on the middle class and seniors every time a new, harmful tax is introduced to the Legislature, and to keep Michigan taxpayers aware of the changes through a series of town halls held across the state.

“The economy is starting to turn around, but we can’t afford to derail that recovery by putting a bigger tax burden onto families and seniors,” Rutledge said. “We will work to protect hard-working Michiganders from arbitrary increases in taxes that do nothing to invest in the programs and systems that could make their lives better.”

Zemke added, “Putting money back into the pockets of middle-class families means that more can be spent at local businesses â��the real drivers of economic growth. Our plan will help Michigan families thrive, and they, in turn, will support small businesses. It’s a win-win situation.”

Reps. Rutledge and Zemke Appointed to Education Task Force

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

LANSING — State Representatives David Rutledge (D-Superior Township) and Adam F. Zemke (D-Ann Arbor) announced their recent appointments to a board tasked with finding real solutions to Michigan’s struggling schools. Created by the Michigan House Democrats, the task force is a response to Republicans’ efforts to expand the unproven Education Achievement Authority (EAA) statewide, compromising local control and imposing untested learning techniques on struggling schools.

“I truly believe that there is no issue more pressing to future generations, or more vital to economic development, than education,” said Zemke. “Districts throughout the state are struggling, and this issue needs deliberative discussion by state leaders and experts, so for that reason I’m very happy to be able to serve with my colleagues on this task force.”

Both Rutledge and Zemke voted against the EAA legislation when it was considered by the House last month, but House Bill 4369 passed on a 57-53 vote. The bill expands a program that has yet to complete a full year, and data is inconclusive and insufficient as to whether the new approach can be successful for student learning.Ã¯Â¿Â½The task force will explore data-driven approaches to supporting Michigan’s struggling schools.

“I am so honored by the opportunity to serve on this important board,” Rutledge said. “After years of disinvesting in public education, some state leaders claim to be surprised when schools and districts are struggling. As state and community leaders, we should be coming together to find solutions and work toward education quality for all of our students.”

The 10-member task force will investigate education reform measures undertaken in other states, evaluate their success and determine whether those solutions could be implemented in Michigan.

House Democrats' Task Force Seeks Education Reforms that Work

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 16:29:29 -0400

LANSING — House Democratic Leader Tim Greimel (D-Auburn Hills) announced today that the Michigan House Democrats have formed a task force that will find real solutions for Michigan’s struggling schools. The task force is a response to House Republicans’ effort to expand the unproven Education Achievement Authority across the state, even though students in the 15 schools currently run by the EAA have reported conditions detrimental to learning in those schools.

“The Education Achievement Authority has been in place in Detroit since the start of the school year, and the results so far have been dismal: overcrowded classrooms, a lack of textbooks and high rates of teacher turnover that disrupt education,” Greimel said. “Rather than recklessly spreading the EAA across the state — as Republicans plan to do — we need real solutions for schools in crisis, solutions that have actually worked in other places.”

The task force will investigate education reform measures undertaken in other states, evaluate their success and determine whether those solutions could be implemented in Michigan. Task force members include Rep. Ellen Cogen Lipton (D-Huntington Woods), who is the Democratic vice chairwoman of the House Education Committee, and Education Committee member Rep. Thomas F. Stallworth III (D-Detroit). Other members include Reps. Terry Brown (D-Pigeon), Brandon Dillon (D-Grand Rapids), John Kivela (D-Marquette), Sarah Roberts (D-St. Clair Shores), David Rutledge (D-Ypsilanti), Andy Schor (D-Lansing) and Adam Zemke (D-Ann Arbor). Legislation based on their findings will be introduced in the state Legislature. Representatives Lipton and Dillon will co-chair the task force.

“All of the state representatives who are members of this task force have a great deal of applicable expertise, and I look forward to their recommendations to improve schools,” Greimel said. “We need to learn what’s already worked in other places and bring those lessons home. Our kids are too important to be turned into school reform guinea pigs.”

Statement from State Representative David Rutledge (D-Ypsilanti) in Response to the Passage of Legislation to Expand the Education Achievement Authority:

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400

“This bill would endanger Michigan’s students, teachers, and our public education system as a whole. The legislation puts into state law the Education Achievement Authority, an experimental program that has been in existence since just last fall. I voted against House Bill 4369 for many reasons, not the least of which is that the data simply does not warrant opening this experiment to potentially apply to any school district in the state. Sound public policy is data-driven; it is irresponsible and reckless to make such sweeping, structural changes without understanding what works, and what does not work. This legislation strips local control from elected leaders and parents, creating a huge, statewide school district managed by an unelected board that is unaccountable to the students, parents, teachers and community members whose decisions impact them most. Struggling schools need support from state government, not to be treated as if their situation is an opportunity for profit-motivated companies seeking to privatize our school system. The quality, and the future, of our public education system are too critical to the people of Michigan for this kind of premature expansion.”

Citizens Air Their Concerns at Ann Arbor Listening Tour Stop

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 10:14:01 -0500

ANN ARBOR — State Representative Gretchen Driskell (D-Saline) was in her district Monday to listen to how middle-class families have been impacted by Republican tax increases and education cuts in Michigan. The event, held at Washtenaw ISD in Ann Arbor, is one of the House Democrats’ Listening Tour stops, in a series across the state. Joining Driskell at the event were state Reps. Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor), David Rutledge (D-Ypsilanti) and Adam Zemke (D-Ann Arbor).

“As representatives, we were sent to Lansing to advocate for our constituents: the hard-working men and women of Michigan,” Driskell said. “We share the priorities of middle-class families, and we will continue to work for them.”

Gov. Rick Snyder claimed Michigan is on the right track when he gave his State of the State address. House Republicans also offered an “Action Plan” that tries to convince citizens of their intention to work for the people. However, said Rutledge, “The average Michigander is still struggling. The policies of the last two years just aren’t helping. We need to focus on legislation that benefits everyone, not special interests and corporations.”

In response, House Democrats announced they would be conducting town hall-style events where average working Michiganders could express how two years of misguided policies have hurt them. Residents can also go to www.RealStateOfOurState.com for information and to speak out. Taxes on seniors and families have increased, school funding has seen a massive disinvestment, unemployment remains stubbornly high and women are being denied access to legal health care.

“Republicans are determined to push their agenda, even if it means larger class sizes, higher taxes on families and preventing women from making their own health care choices,” Irwin said. “I’ve had enough, many of you have had enough, and my fellow Democrats and I will fight to roll back these policies.”

For the last two years, Gov. Rick Snyder and legislative Republicans have ignored the will of Michiganders. In the last legislative session, the majority enacted laws that are out of touch with what middle-class families want. Even after the 2012 election, when voters soundly rejected those policies, more divisive and harmful bills were passed during the lame duck session: personal property tax reform, which shifts the tax burden from corporations to local communities; a reprise of the emergency financial manager law, which voters repealed at the polls; and a so-called “right-to-work” package, which attacks collective bargaining rights and will lower wages across the state. When people came to Lansing to express their outrage, they were forcibly removed from the Capitol and shut out of the legislative process.

“If Michigan is truly going to be the great state that the governor says it’s on the path to becoming, we have to respect democracy and let all voices be heard,” Zemke said. “That’s the only way that we can create policies that truly benefit people and make our state a great place to live and work.”

House Democratic Leader Greimel Announces New Leadership Positions

Fri, 08 Feb 2013 16:12:00 -0500

LANSING - House Democratic Leader Tim Greimel (Auburn Hills) today announced that new appointments have been made to the House Democrats’ leadership team. The positions filled include strategic advisor to the Democratic Leader, and assistant floor leaders and assistant whips.

“I’m confident that these additions to our leadership team will put the House Democratic Caucus in an even stronger position to fight for middle-class families, seniors and students,” Greimel said. “From bringing fairness back to Michigan’s tax structure to restoring funding to our schools, there is a lot of work to be done. The House Democratic leadership team is ready for the challenge.”

The new appointments are:

Strategic Advisor to the Democratic Leader: Representative Harold L. Haugh (Roseville)
House Democratic Caucus Assistant Floor Leaders: Representatives Vicki Barnett (Farmington Hills), David Knezek (Dearborn Heights) and Andy Schor (Lansing)
House Democratic Caucus Assistant Whips: Representatives Robert L. Kosowski (Westland), David Rutledge (Ypsilanti) and Dian Slavens (Canton)

Statement from State Representative David Rutledge (D-Ypsilanti) in response to the governor's support for expanding Medicaid:

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0500

“Yesterday, Gov. Rick Snyder made the logical decision to recommend expanding Medicaid, which will help hundreds of thousands of Michigan residents access much-needed health services. Particularly given the current state of polarized politics in Lansing, I appreciate that the governor came to this logical conclusion even though it may go against the wishes of some very powerful Republicans. This expansion simply makes good economic sense; it will take a huge burden off of Michigan taxpayers, since people who had before relied on emergency rooms as their only source for health care will now be able to access preventive medicine. And with a plan in place to cover all costs when the full federal subsidy is reduced to 90 percent, there is no reasonable argument against expansion. A fundamental purpose and goal of government should be assisting those who most need help, and this expansion will empower state government to do just that.”