State Senator Aric Nesbitt has unveiled what he calls the Make it in Michigan Economic Agenda as part of his campaign for governor, outlining a series of tax cuts and policy changes aimed at boosting the state’s economy.
Nesbitt, the Senate Minority Leader, tells us people are struggling and it’s time for change.
“It’s tough for families, job creators, and our kids to make it in Michigan right now. Michigan’s become unaffordable with the highest cost of energy and insurance bills,” Nesbitt said. “Michigan ranks third in national unemployment and one of the fastest rising rates of unemployment.”
Nesbitt’s plan calls for eliminating Michigan’s income tax. He says that can be accomplished with simple reforms.
“First thing, last year we saw House Republicans find $5 billion of waste, fraud, and abuse in the system, eliminating ghost employees. There’s another $3 billion — $3 to $4 billion — in savings when we pay off our long-term liability. And so we can get three-quarters of the way there by really getting through savings in government and paying down our long-term debt.”
Nesbitt’s calling for Michigan to become a right to work state again. He’s also proposing a Michigan Financial Accountability and Fiscal Oversight Office to target what he describes as waste, fraud, and abuse in state government.
Additional proposals include expanding investment in skilled trades by offering scholarships for apprenticeships and opting in to school choice scholarships proposed by President Donald Trump. Nesbitt tells us he’s also seeking welfare reform.
“If you’re going to eat Cheetos and play PS5 in your mom’s basement, you’re not going to do it at our dime.”
And Nesbitt says red tape should be eliminated from permit applications while a permit tracking system is implemented to make business development easier in the state.
“If you could track your pizza on a Domino’s app and before it’s in the oven or where it’s at in the driveway, you sure as hell should be able to track your permit in the system on the same kind of app. This is about accountability, customer service and taxpayer friendliness here in Michigan. We’ve gotta get back to a pro-growth perspective.”
Nesbitt announced his economic platform Friday. He also noted he’s going to be giving the Republican response to Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s State of the State address on Wednesday.