LANSING – State Representative Joan Bauer (D-Lansing) today was sworn in to her second term in the Michigan House of Representatives during a ceremony at the State Capitol marking the beginning of the 95th Legislature.
"With our state's economy in a recession, lawmakers need to tighten their belts just like everyone else has," said Bauer, who represents the 68th district, covering most of Lansing and Lansing Township. "By cutting lawmakers' pay, we can begin cutting down on state spending and start resolving the budget problems that have plagued Michigan. I'm looking forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to get Michigan back on track and ready to be a leader in the 21st century economy."
After the ceremony, Bauer and her colleagues went to work immediately by introducing the Hire Michigan First plan, which will ensure that Michigan workers get the first chance at jobs created by companies that benefit from state economic development programs or tax breaks. The plan cracks down on companies that hire illegal workers by canceling their state contracts and tax incentives. It also requires those companies to pay back incentives already received and bars them from obtaining future contracts.
Also on the agenda is reducing lawmakers' pay, a plan that passed the House last year but was stalled in the Republican-controlled Senate.