LANSING – Surrounded by family, friends and supporters, State Representatives Joan Bauer (D-Lansing) and Barb Byrum (D-Onondaga) today were sworn in to their first terms in the Michigan House of Representatives during a ceremony at the State Capitol. Today marks the first day of the 94th Legislature, in which Democrats control the House of Representatives for the first time since 1998.
"I can't wait to get down to business," Bauer said. "We have a lot of work to do in the House. It's time to enact positive change for all Michigan residents. My priorities are addressing challenges in economic development, health care and education."
After the swearing-in ceremony, House Democrats wasted no time getting to work, introducing one plan that will end drug industry immunity and another plan that will reduce the influx of Canadian and out-of-state trash flowing into Michigan.
House Democrats today introduced a plan to ban landfills from expanding until 2011. The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality said Michigan took in 6.2 million tons of Canadian and out-of-state trash in 2005, 100,000 tons more than in 2004.
"I plan to work hard for the people I represent, and I'm not going to waste any time," Byrum said. "We need to take action to move Michigan forward, and that's what I intend to do."