Why we can not fold and increase taxes.

There are some that want us to vote to increase taxes and not make these painful cuts. I just can't do that.

The biggest problem in Michigan is not our deficit. It's our 15.2% unemployment rate.

Lansing must remember that the main focus has to be what we can do to increase jobs in this state and raising taxes is never the answer to that.

If we take more money from the people of Michigan and give it to bureaucrats, we will only hurt the economy and ultimately cause more job losses.

Two years ago the legislature followed the Governor's lead and raised taxes. Since then the unemployment rate has doubled. We must never let that happen again.

Let me make something perfectly clear, I want to increase the revenues by having our economy grow. When more citizens of Michigan are working more dollars will flow to Lansing. This is the only way we should talk about increasing revenues.

I know many of these cuts are tough. They are real. But the alternative is worse.

In the past the elected officials in Lansing have made serious mistakes that have put us in this trouble. Let's not repeat these mistakes. Let's create an economy that is growing and employing more people. The government check will never be better than a pay check.

I don't want a government shut down. I also don't want an economic shut down.

Pete