The challenges facing Michigan’s economy can be summed up in one word: jobs.

Too many Michigan residents are still struggling to find work, and those that are working have seen their hours cut and their wages reduced. That’s why Dan’s number one priority has been to work with businesses to create good-paying jobs for Michigan workers.

As our State Representative, Dan is focused every day on getting Michigan’s economy back on track and putting Michigan workers back to work. Dan’s record of results includes:

• Co-sponsored the Hire Michigan First plan to make sure that Michigan workers get first crack at the jobs their tax dollars helped create.
• Led efforts to ‘Buy Michigan First,’ including promoting a new website – www.BuyMichFirst.com – where local farmers and merchants can highlight ways for residents to support their local communities.
• Supports eliminating the Michigan Business Tax surcharge and making our business environment much more competitive and attract new job providers to Michigan.
• Fought for Michigan’s tourism industry and the thousands of jobs it supports by sponsoring legislation to create a permanent funding source for the ‘Pure Michigan’ campaign.
• Opposed cuts to Michigan’s 21st Century Jobs Fund that helps spur economic development.
• Led the charge to make Michigan a global center for renewable energy manufacturing and innovation, and supported efforts to position Michigan as a leader in advanced battery technology.
• Fought to preserve the bipartisan commitment to Michigan’s growing film industry, which has grown from $2 million in revenue in 2007 to $350 million last year – and created 8,000 jobs.
• Worked with investors, entrepreneurs and traditional lenders to increase access to capital for small businesses looking to grow and create jobs. Dan’s first bill was an effort to assist Angel investment funds in providing early stage financing for small business start-ups.
• Supported efforts to create public-private partnerships to create jobs in transportation and other sectors.
• Stood up to leaders in his own party to oppose cuts to MSU Extension, the Horticultural Research Station and the Michigan Department of Agriculture, and fought to preserve the independence of the state Agriculture Commission.
• Supported efforts to end Michigan’s status as a ‘donor state,’ where Michigan sends significantly more money to Washington than it receives in return.
• Fought to preserve investment in early childhood education and education in general, a key component of any long-term economic development strategy.

Dan knows that we need good-paying jobs for Michigan workers if we’re going to get our state moving again, and he’s working every day to make it happen!