No “Shared Sacrifice” in Snyder’s Budget

by John Tramontana

LANSING – Gov. Rick Snyder’s proposed budget doesn’t include shared sacrifice and leaves plenty of people behind, breaking his campaign promises.

The budget represents a huge tax shift from big corporations and wealthy CEOs to students, senior citizens, the middle-class and low-wage workers, while at the same time cutting education and other vital government services like public safety.

“This budget violates the principles Gov. Snyder set forth of shared sacrifice and leaving no one behind,” Michigan Democratic Party Chair Mark Brewer said. “Balancing the budget on the backs of our kids, seniors, the middle-class and low-wage workers while wealthy corporations and CEOs get billions in tax breaks is unfair. We should be investing in our kids and our future, not slashing education budgets.”

“This budget also will take firefighters and police officers off the streets,” continued Brewer. “Cuts to revenue sharing will either force local municipalities to raise taxes or lay-off public safety officers. We can’t be cutting programs that keep Michigan safe.”

“While we need real reform, slashing schools hurts the economy and cutting public safety makes Michigan a less attractive place to live and invest,” said Brewer. “Big corporations and CEOs benefit from good schools and safe streets and they should help pay for them.”