Working to modernize the federal trade commission
Jobs and economic opportunities today are closely tied to innovation and technology. Utilizing big data, innovation, and hard work, we are able to create the jobs of the future, and the economic growth that comes with those jobs. Government should not be an obstacle in this effort. Outdated rules and an unpredictable regulatory regime are huge impediments to real, bottom-up growth. This is why the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which I chair, is set to vote on a package of five bipartisan bills this week that work to bring innovation-friendly reforms to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). It’s time to modernize the FTC for the 21st century realities facing our economy. During the past year, our Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade has held a series of hearings to help us understand how federal policies help and hinder the growth of emerging technologies. Our series examined dramatic innovation within various industrial sectors and helped shape many of the bills we will be considering. Taken together, our package of bills seek to reform the FTC to make it more transparent to consumers, businesses, and better address emerging issues related to cutting-edge technology. At the Energy and Commerce Committee, we have long been dedicated to working on common sense legislation to modernize the federal government for the innovation era, protect jobs and encourage economic growth, and defend consumers and investments in new technologies. The thoughtful solutions we will look to advance this week do just that and more. By modernizing the FTC for the 21st Century and putting innovation first, we will greatly benefits folks right here in Southwest Michigan and across the country. To learn more about this and other important legislative issues, please visit my website: upton.house.gov.
State Budget continues to limit government growth
Over the last five years, my colleagues and I in the state legislature have had to face many difficult decisions in seeking to rebuild Michigan into a state where all residents have the stability and opportunity they need to prosper. Central to achieving this goal is an efficient state government that responsibly handles
the trust granted to it by Michigan residents and remains accountable. Prior to 2011, Michigan faced an unsettling $60 billion in unfunded liabilities, a budget deficit of $1.5 billion, and all too frequent threats of government shutdown. The time had come for a state government that lived within its means, and protected the hardworking taxpayers of this state. This is why I am happy to report that for the sixth straight year, we have once again passed a balanced budget months ahead of schedule. The approved budget continues to help limit government growth and pay down debt. Just like families across the state, the government has to be frugal in its spending by living within its means and coming up with the most efficient and effective budget possible. At the same time, we are increasing funding for road and bridge repairs, education, and law enforcement so Michiganders have the best services and programs possible. Michigan ranks second in the nation in terms of limiting budget growth over the past 10 years, and we are a nationwide leader in paying down debt. We also have completed our budget four months ahead of the deadline for the sixth consecutive year, which takes the guesswork out of the formula as local governments and schools plan for the coming year. While proud of the strides our state has made, the work is not yet complete. In facing future issues, it is vital that we stay on course and continue to enact responsible reforms that will provide a better future for our children and grandchildren.
2017 state budget done
Budgets are about priorities, and the 2017 budget continues our efforts to improve government efficiency while providing vital services to residents. An education is critical to success, and I am proud to support another increase to our K-12 schools while also paying down more than $1 billion in legacy costs, allowing more dollars to go into the classroom. We are also enhancing our efforts in
STEM education and career training and increasing support for other key priorities important to Southwest Michigan, such as fighting Asian carp and extending the Secure Cities partnership to more communities, including Benton Harbor. Senate Bill 801 is the education budget that includes increases for community colleges and state universities and an additional $261 million for schools. House Bill 5294 contains budgets for state departments and the Judiciary and Legislative branches. It increases the Skilled Trades Training Fund to $30.9 million, puts more resources into local revenue sharing and public safety, and adds another $1 million to the Pure Michigan campaign. As chairman of the Senate Corrections budget subcommittee, I saved more than $20 million beyond the governor’s budget recommendation by eliminating half of the 3,000 empty beds we were paying for in our prisons and reinvesting nearly $10 million in criminal justice reform. I led the effort in the Senate on a bipartisan criminal justice reform package designed to help reduce recidivism and prison costs while keeping our communities safe. Many of our criminal justice reform goals are included in this budget. The 2017 budget improves the cost-effectiveness of state government while directing more resources to key priorities and living within our means. As always, I look forward to hearing your comments and feedback on the important issues facing Michigan. You can contact me at 517-373-6960.
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