Rep. Douglas A. Geisss' 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.

Geiss Condemns Republican Attack on Michigan Farmers' Right to Grow

Wed, 15 May 2013 15:18:00 -0400

LANSING -State Representative Douglas A. Geiss (D-Taylor) criticized the passage of HB 4546 in the House Committee on Agriculture, a bill that includes a tax increase of up to and in some cases more than 57% on Michigan’s Potato Growers. Currently, an assessment of one cent per hundredweight of potatoes grown in Michigan is levied on each particular lot or quantity of potatoes and is imposed upon each grower and shipper in the state. HB 4546, introduced by Representative Rick Outman (R-Six Lakes), significantly increases the assessment levied by the state.

“Forcing our hardworking farmers - the men and women who give us our food and help care for our planet - to pay fees just for the privilege of earning an honest living is an affront to their Right to Grow as American citizens”, said Geiss. “This taxation on a farmer’s livelihood violates every grower’s right to determine what is in their best interests as a small business person, and likewise restricts their right to choose what they do on their own private property.”

In committee, Geiss introduced an amendment to the bill that would allow small farmers to opt-out if they do not want to participate in the state program or disagree with the assessment. Alternately, Geiss offered a second amendment to the bill that would tie its passage to a repeal of so-called “Right to Work” legislation signed into law at the close of 2012. In doing so, he demanded that the legislature adopt a consistent position regarding mandated fees and fair work practices.

“I am disappointed that House Republicans have once again failed to stand up for Michigan’s hardest working citizens, choosing instead the path of hypocrisy. Time after time, House Republican leadership has pursued political ideology while ignoring both logic and morality,” said Geiss. “It would appear that expecting consistency in action and morals from a legislature that is led by a Speaker under Grand Jury investigation is akin to the expectation to grow a crop of citrus fruit during a Michigan winter - both are nice ideas that will never come to fruition. Nonetheless, the convergence of morality and agriculture policy has taught me that, in the end, we truly do each reap what we sow.”

Representative Geiss, Senator Hopgood Host Student Athletic Champions

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 16:01:00 -0400

LANSING - Today, State Representative Douglas A. Geiss (D-Taylor) and State Senator Hoon-Yung Hopgood (D-Taylor) welcomed members of the Romulus High School Boys Basketball Team and the Romulus Community High School Basketball Team as they visited the Capitol to be recognized by the Michigan Legislature for their recent state championship victories.

“Congratulations to the Romulus High School Eagles and the Romulus Community High School Lions for their outstanding accomplishments, which culminated with state championship titles this basketball season,” said Senator Hopgood. “The hard work, dedication and continued success of these student-athletes and their coaches are certainly deserving of the recognition and honor they received in the Michigan Legislature today.” Â�

The Romulus Eagles defeated Detroit Southeastern by a score of 61-49 on March 23 in the Class A state boys basketball final. In the 2012 semifinals, Romulus narrowly lost to Rockford, 62-61. After last year’s loss, and three other disappointing trips to the Breslin Center, this 2013 victory has given Romulus its first state title since 1986. The Romulus Community High School Lions brought a second title home to Romulus by winning the 2013 Michigan Alternative Athletic Association Class B State Championship.

After arriving in Lansing, members of both teams toured the historic Michigan State Capitol Building, received recognition from the Michigan Senate and Michigan House of Representatives, and were treated to a lunch arranged by Geiss and Hopgood.

“What you’ve all achieved is simply tremendous,” Geiss told the team members. “You have made your community, your schools, your coaches and indeed all of us very proud, and you will carry this achievement with you throughout your lives as a source of pride.”

Rep. Geiss Reminds Motorists About Ramp Reconstruction Beginning April 22

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 15:27:45 -0400

Fast Facts:

- Crews will rebuild the ramps at the I-75/Eureka Road interchange.

- Each ramp will be closed and detoured for 45 days.

- Single-lane closures on I-75 will be limited to off-peak hours.

Ramp reconstruction at I-75/Eureka Road interchange begins April 22 in Wayne County. Access to and from I-75 at Eureka Road in the city of Taylor will be improved following a project to reconstruct the ramps at the interchange. Work on this $1.8 million investment is scheduled to begin Monday, April 22, and be completed by Labor Day.

MDOT says full ramp closures are necessary because there simply is not enough space to accommodate traffic at the same time the pavement is being rebuilt. Tentatively, the ramps will be closed in the following order, each for a maximum of 45 days:

Eureka Road entrance to southbound I-75
Northbound I-75 exit to Eureka Road
Eureka Road entrance to northbound I-75

The southbound I-75 exit ramp to Eureka Road will not be rebuilt, just patched, and will be closed for only one weekend. Impacts on I-75 will be minimal with only single-lane closures between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on weekdays, and at all times on weekends when necessary.

Residents are urged to utilize the Northline and Telegraph ramps to access I-75 during the construction phase.

Reps. Geiss, LaVoy Introduce Plan for Middle-Class Tax Relief

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

TAYLOR — State Representatives Douglas A. Geiss (D-Taylor) and Bill LaVoy (D-Monroe) announced today 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.

“The tax shift from corporations to average Michiganders took effect last year, and now, the bill is coming due,” Geiss said. “We should not be asking families and seniors to get by on even less. What they need is tax relief.”

Last session, the Republican-led 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.

“Because of these changes, the refunds that many families depend on are reduced or even eliminated,” LaVoy said. “It’s not fair to ask hard-working Michigan residents to pay more when the biggest corporations are getting a break.”

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.

Representative Geiss Supports the Arts

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 16:37:00 -0400

LANSING - On March 12, State Representative Douglas A. Geiss (D-Taylor) introduced House Bill 4407 - a bill that would create a fundraising license plate to provide support to the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA). The bill received bipartisan co-sponsorship, with support from Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor), Ed McBroom (R-Vulcan), Wayne Schmidt (R-Traverse City), Bill LaVoy (D-Monroe), Phil Potvin (R-Cadillac), Rudy Hobbs (D-Southfield), and Rose Mary Robinson (D-Detroit).

Grants from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs support artistic, cultural, and educational programs in every corner of the state of Michigan and help to strengthen communities, foster creativity, and generally improve quality of life for Michigan residents. During the 2001-2002 fiscal year, state funding for the arts was nearly $28.8 million, however, after more than a decade of budget cuts, per-capita funding for the arts in Michigan is now among the lowest in the U.S.

“From Detroit to the Upper Peninsula, Michigan is home to some of the world’s greatest institutions of music, art, history and culture,” said Geiss. “While difficult economic circumstances have required that equally difficult funding decisions be made at the state level, it is truly unfortunate that Michigan - historically known for its creative edge - has become so disinvested in its artistic and cultural heritage. An arts fundraising license plate will give citizens in Michigan the choice to purchase a visible symbol of their support for the arts, while at the same time helping guarantee access to art and cultural programming to communities across our great state.”

Creative State Michigan estimates that there are around 2,000 arts, cultural and historical not-for-profit organizations in Michigan, revealing a rich tapestry of the role the arts play in Michigan. Several states already offer fundraising license plates that support the arts, including California, Indiana, Texas, Florida, Tennessee, and Nevada. HB 4407 now awaits action in the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

“Art is for everyone,” said Geiss, “and support for the arts is yet another way we can make Michigan a better place to live, work and play.”

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Rep. Geiss Encourages Residents to Attend MDOT I-275/Ford Road Public Meeting.

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 11:57:29 -0400

BACKGROUND: The Michigan Department of Transportation and its consulting team are studying existing traffic patterns and roadway features while recognizing the needs of the local municipalities and commercial businesses in the area.

WHAT: The third open-house style public meeting to discuss the ongoing I-275/Ford Road Area Traffic and Environmental Study and Evaluation Project in Canton Township. MDOT will be recapping previous meetings, sharing new data and presenting practical alternatives to gauge public opinion.

WHO: MDOT project staff, engineering consultants, residents, business owners, interested stakeholders

WHEN: Wednesday, March 27, 4-7 p.m.

WHERE: Summit on the Park, 46000 Summit Parkway, Canton Township

For special accommodations call 734-394-5460

Citizens Air Their Concerns at Monroe Listening Tour Stop

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0500

MONROE — State Representative Bill LaVoy (D-Monroe) was in his district Monday night to listen to how middle-class families have been impacted by tax increases and education cuts in Michigan. The event, held at Monroe County Community College in Monroe, is one of the House Democrats’ Listening Tour stops, in a series across the state. Joining LaVoy at the event were state Reps. Douglas A. Geiss (D-Taylor), David Knezek (D-Dearborn Heights) and Dian Slavens (D-Canton).

“It’s my firm belief that government exists to help people, and that starts with hearing their priorities,” LaVoy said. “My colleagues and I are here to work for the children, families and seniors of Michigan.”

Gov. Rick Snyder claimed Michigan is on the right track when he gave his State of the State address earlier this year. Following that, House Republicans offered an “Action Plan” that tries to convince citizens that Republicans are addressing the challenges facing middle-class families. However, said Geiss, “Special interests are the ones reaping the benefits of Republican policies. Corporate tax cuts were paid for by hikes on the middle class, and many families are struggling as a result.”

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. 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.

“These policies aren’t the way to improve Michigan’s quality of life or its economy,” Knezek said. “We need to start investing in people – giving kids a quality education and helping them find and keep good jobs.”

For the last two years, Gov. Rick Snyder and the House Republicans have ignored the priorities of Michiganders while enacting laws that are out of touch with middle-class families.

“The people of Michigan deserve better than having their voices ignored,” Slavens said. “My fellow Democrats and I are here to work for the people we represent, and we’re proud to take their issues and concerns back to Lansing.”

Following is a commentary by State Rep. Doug Geiss on the New International Trade Crossing

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 17:18:13 -0500

To say that 2012 was politically tumultuous would be an understatement. No sooner had last year’s particularly heated election concluded than we Americans were confronted anew with the looming spectre of a fiscal cliff. At the same time, a multitude of contentious bills were rammed forward during Michigan’s lame duck legislative session. As many of these spirited debates continue, I fear the din of controversy has muffled the conversation regarding other critical public issues, such as the New International Trade Crossing (NITC). The need for a new bridge connecting Southeast Michigan to Ontario has been discussed for years -decades even -predating nearly every official serving in Lansing at this time. Though significant amounts of data have been compiled demonstrating this need, questions naturally persist. To be sure, recent confusion over the NITC can be attributed to ads funded by the owner of the Ambassador Bridge Co. that attack the new bridge. Of course, these ads were criticized by fact-checkers across the political spectrum and made international headlines for being profoundly inaccurate and misleading. Let me therefore explain my support for the NITC, a plan that I find practical, common-sense, and above all, non-partisan.

First, as I’ve mentioned, data strongly demonstrates that a new bridge is needed. Canada is a vital trade partner for the United States and for Michigan. In 2012, Michigan led all other states in two-way surface trade with Canada, and yet virtually all trucks -more than 8,000 daily -must currently cross an 83-year-old bridge that has no direct freeway access on the Canadian side. These current obstacles to traffic flow take time, and therefore cost money. Because traffic volumes are projected to increase, it is critical that a new bridge be constructed to facilitate flow of traffic from freeway to freeway across the US-Canadian border. Furthermore, if the numbers weren’t convincing enough on their own, the Canadian government believes that the bridge is so critical for growth of trade that Canada has agreed to cover the costs of the US portion of the projectÃ¢??up to $550 million.

This brings me to my second reason for supporting the NITC: it will be built at no cost to Michigan tax payers. This is perhaps the part of the proposal most often met with skepticism, and yet the agreement is publically available for anyone who cares to review it. Canada will front the costs of construction and the State of Michigan will bear no responsibility for repayment of the Canadian funding. A public-private partnership will be utilized in the construction of the new bridge, ensuring a competitive bidding process and engaging all sectors of the economy. As an added benefit to Michigan, the Federal Highway Administration will allow Canada’s expenditure of up to $550 million for the NITC project to be used to secure federal matching funds that will help complete critical road and bridge work across our state.

Third, the economic benefits of this project are enormous. Canada’s government is willing to incur the costs of the NITC project because they can do so with the certainty that the long-term economic benefits for their country will far outweigh the costs. So too will the US and Michigan economies benefit from this new and improved infrastructure. The project is expected to demand approximately 10,000 jobs related to its execution and up to 750 full-time NITC employees in Michigan by 2035. Furthermore, the benefits of the expanded border crossing will both generate and retain tens of thousands of jobs in Michigan and nationally. Frequent traffic delays at the border crossing are a significant barrier to economic expansion for manufacturers -like our domestic auto industry -that rely on the ability to move materials between Canada and the US.

Finally, the aforementioned benefits of the NITC will help aid in the development of another project of importance to me, to the legislative district that I represent and to the Detroit area and State of Michigan as a whole: the Detroit Region Aerotropolis. The Aerotropolis refers to the corridor along Interstate 94 from Taylor to Ypsilanti, connecting Detroit Metropolitan Airport to Willow Run Airport and the surrounding communities. The Detroit Region Aerotropolis has been designated as a Next Michigan Development Act Corporation and is a public-private economic development agency that works to utilize vital airport access, existing infrastructure and development-ready space to attract new business to the region. Improved trade potential between the US and Canada as facilitated by a new border crossing will further make the case for economic development. As these projects move forward, I am certain they will help facilitate Michigan’s reemergence as an economic powerhouse. For my part, I plan to continue to spread the word that Michigan is indeed open for business.

Geiss Votes Against Bolger as House Speaker

Wed, 09 Jan 2013 00:00:00 -0500

I cast a â��noâ�� vote for Representative [Jase] Bolger for the position of speaker today because I do not believe he is the correct person to lead the Michigan House of Representatives. I could have cast a â��yesâ�� vote for any other member of the majority party, other than Rep. Bolger. This is my first and only opportunity to weigh in on the actions taken by Rep. Bolger during the 96th Legislature. Based on past actions, I cannot see improved working relations or practices taking place under the leadership of Rep. Bolger.

First and foremost, the lack of ethics exhibited by Rep. Bolger during the last legislature reflects poorly on the institution of the Michigan House of Representatives. While it was political to orchestrate the party switch of Rep. Roy Schmidt, it was abhorrent that the then-Speaker also worked to have a false Democratic candidate file to run in the same election, in an attempt to keep a real Democrat from filing to run. This political gamesmanship is unprecedented in Michigan history. Not only did Rep. Bolger coordinate this abomination of the electoral process, but he lied about his involvement in the process. This cannot be condoned.

Next, Rep. Bolger orchestrated cuts to Michigan’s public schools and [increased] taxes on Michigan’s seniors, in order to pay for a $1.8 billion tax cut for Michigan’s businesses. While talking about making Michigan more competitive for businesses, Rep. Bolger failed to discuss the negative impact of the cuts in school funding on our children and the inability of those living on a fixed income from affording these new taxes. I did not support those actions and am fearful of similar additional burdens on Michigan’s families in the 97th Legislature.

Finally, Rep. Bolger rammed through legislation in the lame duck session, which concluded the 96th session. In particular, the Freedom-to-Freeload legislation was introduced and passed through our chamber in less than two session days of the House of Representatives. There were no committee hearings for this legislation. There was plenty of time to have them. I personally attended numerous meetings of the House Education Committee and the Insurance Committee during November and December, while many of my colleagues were hunting or on break. If this process was correct for deliberation of the EAA legislation and the Blue Cross Blue Shield legislation, then why was it not proper for the most onerous changes affecting labor in Michigan’s history? The reason is that Rep. Bolger knew that a majority of Michigan’s residents did not support the Freedom-to-Freeload legislation and that it would not stand the light of day. This is contrary to the true nature of our legislative process: to talk, discuss and ultimately vote on vital issues to the people of the state of Michigan.

If, in the spirit of bipartisanship, my colleagues and I are being asked to forgive and forget these transgressions, then so, too, should my historic â��noâ�� vote for the election of Speaker Bolger be forgiven. This is the cathartic process of stating your opinion for the record, then moving on to new challenges and issues facing the people of the state of Michigan. I look forward to serving the people of Romulus, Taylor and Van Buren Township, and all of Michigan, for the next two years.