For Immediate Release

June 11, 2006

Re: Official Response to Thursday June 8, 2006 The Rockford Squire article: “Chamber luncheon features candidate debate”, article.

Statement from 28^th Senate District candidate, Albert S. Abbasse regarding the June, 2006 Rockford Area Chamber of Commerce meeting as reported by The Rockford Squire and Grand Rapids Press on June 8, 2006.

Op-Ed
As your Democratic candidate for the 28^th district State Senate seat in the upcoming election, I was looking forward to participating on the debate panel of senate candidates at the June 5^th Rockford Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon; which, at one time I was invited to attend.  My team scheduled the event and I was looking forward to a spirited and productive debate with my opponents.  However, I received a call from the Chamber, uninviting me to attend.  I was removed from the panel “since there were already four” Republican candidates, and the forum changed from a Senate candidate debate panel to a Republican Senate candidate panel. 

I have always been led to believe that one should hear all sides of an issue, research the data, and then make an informed decision.  There are other ideas to be heard, other opinions to be waged, and other candidates to consider in the upcoming election. Simply voting for a candidate based upon their political affiliation, as opposed to their ability to lead, is greatly responsible for our current economic woes.  It takes more than to abjectly acknowledge that things need to change.  Leadership mandates that we pro-offer sound solutions regarding, how to accomplish change; how to implement change, and most importantly, how to fund those changes or re-capture scarce economic resources that will return a value that will work for the public good.  After all, everyone agrees that many of the issues Michigan’s citizens are facing exist on many levels.  Yet I have not heard viable solutions regarding how these woes will be turned to positive initiatives that will help grow Michigan, bring new jobs or raise Michigan’s Standard of Living.

After reading the excerpt of the luncheon debate in The Rockford Squire and the GR Press which demonstrates that there aren’t any NEW ideas coming from these candidates; each Republican candidate parroting the same answers to panel questions. It must have been quite disheartening to those in attendance to hear four different versions of the same ‘stay the course’ rhetoric. 

For those interested in fresh ideas to improve our economy, environment, and well-being of our state; for those looking for real leadership, with solutions rather than, pandering; I offer MY response to the questions posed at the June 5th luncheon.  As an Economist and Political Scientist, I offer the following as alternative viewpoints to those presented by my opponents.

What would be your first priority if elected to the Senate?
I would introduce the Abbasse comprehensive ESTREP (Economic Stimulus, Tax Relief, & Education Program) legislation which not only removes the stifling burden of the Single Business Tax (SBT) from Michigan commerce, but it also replaces it with a cost-saving, revenue building, job creating, business expense reducing, and intelligent tax relief plan.  As an economist, I assure you that any politician or candidate who simply repeals the SBT is irresponsible, financially inept and reckless.  The SBT generates approximately $1.9 billion in revenue (even in our weakened state condition), 25% of our annual budget. Michigan taxation ranks 49^th of 50 in America.  We must resolve this problem through sound, just and fair taxation. ESTREP exceeds in accomplishing each of these goals.

Do you see a solution to Michigan’s economic difficulties?
I see several economic difficulties that Michigan faces which can be addressed and corrected immediately.  As I mentioned earlier, tax relief is a big step in opening new commercial doors for Michigan.  We must also lower associated costs with doing business in Michigan. We must secure our environment to rebuild Michigan Tourism.  We must continue to strengthen Michigan through our diversity and lastly we must provide sound legislation to Michigan citizens regarding Statewide Health Care Programs.

What is your replacement plan for the Single Business Tax?
The Abbasse “Economic Stimulus, Tax Relief and Education Program”, (ESTREP) offers:

Reduction to the current SBT tax burden of 2.74% - 3.1% to a flat rate of 1% of revenue generated annually for all business.  Currently 39% of Michigan businesses pay 93% of the SBT.  ESTREP will reduce filing fees and monthly tax preparation fees, which are associated with the complicated, cumbersome and difficult SBT tax.  It would eliminate taxation of corporate assets, the taxation of health benefits, and eliminate taxes based on number of employees or newly hired employees.  By lowering the costs associated with doing business in Michigan, existing and new businesses will have more to reinvest into their companies.  They will be able to tax-plan, invest in Research and Development, GROW their operations and not worry about potential taxation of assets or wealth retention. When they purchase equipment to grow their operations they will not be penalized for improving theirs or Michigan’s economy.

How do you feel about the minimum wage increase?
The cost of living has increased continually since the last Federal minimum wage increase to $5.15 in 1998.  The average gas price in 1998 was $1.20/gal. – The avg. for home heating fuel was $4.72 per thousand cubic feet and is now at $7.50.  Food, housing, healthcare and clothing costs have also increased; these are the basic needs of life.  We cannot expect a family to be able to survive on a minimum wage salary. I believe in an honest wage for an honest days work.  There is nothing honest about $5.15/hr. when it takes an entire day’s work, just to fill your gas tank, leaving nothing else for the other essentials.  As an economist, this idea of maintaining an artificially lower minimum wage is fluff.  When legislation is brought forward to artificially lower income standards; the economy, most importantly the local economy suffers. In order to GROW, Michigan we MUST do whatever we can to assure those who work, earn a fair wage. Lowering Michigander’s income, will retard community growth, reduce economic activity and strangle any opportunity to maintain a middle class. Lower income means lower standards of living, less community reinvestment and citizens that require more State Assistance.

Remember, without a “middle class”, there is NO Democracy!

How do you feel about the loss of control of schools to the state, specifically the new high school requirements?
This is not an issue of control.  This is an issue of standards.  Michigan needs tougher educational standards to compete in a global economy.  The end result of these new requirements will be students who are better prepared for higher education and the global workforce.  Local School Boards are mandated by our state constitution and have the ability to alter the curriculum to an even higher standard.  The requirements imposed by Lansing are merely basic requirements.  I believe a great deal has been gained for our students and our economy.

What will you do to protect the Great Lakes basin?
Michigan is the heart of a very fragile environmental ecosystem.  It is time for Michiganders to stand up and lead in the protection of OUR Great lakes. Michigan is the only member of the Great Lakes that is affected by everything surrounding and including the Great Lakes. We must hold harmless Michigan taxpayers and hold chronic polluters accountable for violating Michigan’s water pollution laws.

Not only are tax revenues being squandered on these so-called efforts, they are slowly costing us their farms, homes, and natural resources in the name of corporate greed.  I will draft legislation that places environmental impact fees on the polluters, not on the citizens.

How do you feel about immigration?
Our current immigration laws need to be reformed: we need a better solution to the question of illegal immigration, which recognizes the conflict between the need to enforce the law, and the reality that too many employers are using undocumented workers today.  Although this is a National issue, it has a direct impact on Michigan.

The statement I hear most is: Employers are at fault because they did not do background checks to verify that the individuals they hired were Legal Aliens. However, is this their fault?  Are employers responsible to accept the financial burden of performing duties for the INS? I feel we have fundamentally flawed rules and regulations. We have the ability to repair our problems. What we need are those with viable solutions that are not afraid to offer them.

I am offering new, innovative ideas. The ideas may be good or OK, however, through constructive dialogue (that is conversation between two or more people, maybe with opposing views).  We have the opportunity to make them the greatest ideas.  I believe our state has a great opportunity before us.  We must stand and face those challenges, not shirk responsibility or continue to play partisan politics.  We have dangerous problems before us.  We need those with ideas of growth, not cutting back or waiting for the Federal Government to mandate or extract more of our states revenue.

Fresh leadership Starts NOW!

I am Al Abbasse, I want to be your Senator for the 28^th District.

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