Policy Statements

Legislative Accomplishments

Here is some of the legislation I have worked on in my first term as State Representative for the 29th District.

Leading By Example

HCR 26 I voted to reduce my own pay and health care benefits to help balance the budget. I also voted to eliminate lifetime health care benefits for lawmakers.
HB 4472 and 4628 Sponsored bills to prohibit state officials from soliciting grants. using public funds for out of state travel and to reform campaign finance regulations.

Jobs & Economy

HB 5780-5791 I sponsored the "Hire Michigan First" package that gives preference to companies that hire Michigan workers.
Budget bill I voted for the "No Worker Left Behind" package that is designed to help workers who have lost their manufacturing jobs to be re-trained for jobs of the new economy.

Education

HB 5375 I sponsored and passed out of the House the "Promise Zone Act". This landmark legislation will ensure a college education for all students living in areas of high poverty.
HB 4592 Passed legislation to make sure taxpayer money is more efficeintly spent by local schooll districts.
Budget bill Successfully passed my "School equity" plan that brings additional funding to traditionally under-funded school districts.

Insurance Reform

HB 4412 Sponsored and passed a bill that would prohibit insurance companies from using your credit score to detertmine yuor insurance rates. This practice is inherently discriminatory and needs to be permanently banned.
HB 5480 Sponsored bill that would allow consumers to sue insurance companies that are guilty of charging excessive or discriminatory rates.
HB 4074 Supported bill to eliminate insurance companeies from using your zip code to determine your rates. This practice is also known as redlining.

Foreclosures

HB 5543-5547 Sponsored the "Save the Dream" bill package that helps people protect their homes during the foreclosure crisis.
HB 4436 Passed legislation into law that makes it easier for taxpayers to challenge their property tax bills when they have been unfairly assessed.

Predatory Lending

HB 5394-5310 Sponsored package of bills that stops the practice of predatory lending in a time when foreclosure rates continue to increase.

Protecting Seniors

HB 5730, 5731 and 5732 Sponsored the "Elder Abuse" legislation that helps protect elderly citizens from fradulant scams. This legislation will allow third parties to file complaints on behalf of victims of elderly abuse.
HB 4044, 4045 and 4046 Sponsored legislation that would eliminate drug company immunity. Michigan is the only state in the nation that doesn't hold drug companies accountable when they're at fault.

Policy Statements

Changing High School Dropout Age to 18

I do support changing the high school dropout age to 18 (unless they graduate younger). I can't believe we leave the option to kids at the mere age of 16 to decide without parental consent to make a decision that will alter their entire life. We do need to do a better job of keeping kids attention in school but letting them dropout is not the answer.

No Reason Absentee Voting

I do support the proposal to allow "no reason absentee voting". Currently, you have to file an affidavit with the local clerk that states you will be out of town. Some people who want to absentee vote but are going to be home, or working a polling location, or may be working late are forced to lie to get the absentee ballot. I think we should open that option up to as many people as possible.

Workplace Smoking Ban

This topic has been brewing in Lansing for quite some time and I support the ban with a couple of exceptions. I believe private clubs that collect a membership fee such as an American Legion Hall, VFW or even the Moose Lodge should be able to set their own rules. Smoking stores such as cigar stores should also have the ability to be exempt if they choose. If you want to share your opinion with me please call the office at 888-melton-4. I also included this question on my recent survey that got mailed out to the district and 67% of the respondents supported the ban.

School Equity Funding

The K-12 school funding formula in Michigan has created an inequitable system. Some districts receive much more than other districts. The Pontiac School district is one the lower funded districts in the state, especially in comparison to some of the other Oakland County school districts. During this last budget battle I negotiated a formula with the Senate and the Governor that would help the lower funded districts catch up over time. Going forward the lower funded districts will receive a higher per-pupil amount until the inequity has been eliminated. The inequity won't be ended over night but progress will be made annually until we get there. I believe this is only fair and long overdue. Education is the great equalizer and all kids in Michigan deserve an equal opportunity to a good education and it shouldn't matter which side of the district line you were born.


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Policy Statements Legislative Accomplishments Here is some of the legislation I have worked on in my first term as State Representative for the 29th District. *Leading By Example* HCR 26 I voted to reduce my own pay and health care benefits to help balance the budget. I also voted to eliminate lifetime health care benefits for lawmakers. HB 4472 and 4628 Sponsored bills to prohibit state officials from soliciting grants. using public funds for out of state travel and to reform campaign finance regulations. *Jobs & Economy* HB 5780-5791 I sponsored the "Hire Michigan First" package that gives preference to companies that hire Michigan workers. Budget bill I voted for the "No Worker Left Behind" package that is designed to help workers who have lost their manufacturing jobs to be re-trained for jobs of the new economy. Education HB 5375 I sponsored and passed out of the House the "Promise Zone Act". This landmark legislation will ensure a college education for all students living in areas of high poverty. HB 4592 Passed legislation to make sure taxpayer money is more efficeintly spent by local schooll districts. Budget bill Successfully passed my "School equity" plan that brings additional funding to traditionally under-funded school districts. *Insurance Reform* HB 4412 Sponsored and passed a bill that would prohibit insurance companies from using your credit score to detertmine yuor insurance rates. This practice is inherently discriminatory and needs to be permanently banned. HB 5480 Sponsored bill that would allow consumers to sue insurance companies that are guilty of charging excessive or discriminatory rates. HB 4074 Supported bill to eliminate insurance companeies from using your zip code to determine your rates. This practice is also known as redlining. *Foreclosures* HB 5543-5547 Sponsored the "Save the Dream" bill package that helps people protect their homes during the foreclosure crisis. HB 4436 Passed legislation into law that makes it easier for taxpayers to challenge their property tax bills when they have been unfairly assessed. Predatory Lending HB 5394-5310 Sponsored package of bills that stops the practice of predatory lending in a time when foreclosure rates continue to increase. *Protecting Seniors* HB 5730, 5731 and 5732 Sponsored the "Elder Abuse" legislation that helps protect elderly citizens from fradulant scams. This legislation will allow third parties to file complaints on behalf of victims of elderly abuse. HB 4044, 4045 and 4046 Sponsored legislation that would eliminate drug company immunity. Michigan is the only state in the nation that doesn't hold drug companies accountable when they're at fault. Policy Statements Policy Statements Changing High School Dropout Age to 18 I do support changing the high school dropout age to 18 (unless they graduate younger). I can't believe we leave the option to kids at the mere age of 16 to decide without parental consent to make a decision that will alter their entire life. We do need to do a better job of keeping kids attention in school but letting them dropout is not the answer. No Reason Absentee Voting I do support the proposal to allow "no reason absentee voting". Currently, you have to file an affidavit with the local clerk that states you will be out of town. Some people who want to absentee vote but are going to be home, or working a polling location, or may be working late are forced to lie to get the absentee ballot. I think we should open that option up to as many people as possible. Workplace Smoking Ban This topic has been brewing in Lansing for quite some time and I support the ban with a couple of exceptions. I believe private clubs that collect a membership fee such as an American Legion Hall, VFW or even the Moose Lodge should be able to set their own rules. Smoking stores such as cigar stores should also have the ability to be exempt if they choose. If you want to share your opinion with me please call the office at 888-melton-4. I also included this question on my recent survey that got mailed out to the district and 67% of the respondents supported the ban. School Equity Funding The K-12 school funding formula in Michigan has created an inequitable system. Some districts receive much more than other districts. The Pontiac School district is one the lower funded districts in the state, especially in comparison to some of the other Oakland County school districts. During this last budget battle I negotiated a formula with the Senate and the Governor that would help the lower funded districts catch up over time. Going forward the lower funded districts will receive a higher per-pupil amount until the inequity has been eliminated. The inequity won't be ended over night but progress will be made annually until we get there. I believe this is only fair and long overdue. Education is the great equalizer and all kids in Michigan deserve an equal opportunity to a good education and it shouldn't matter which side of the district line you were born.
Paid for by the Committee to Elect Tim Melton, 1604 N. Stirling Ave., Pontiac, MI 48340