Dear Friends and Neighbors,

As we celebrate our nation’s independence, it is important to remember the values that have made America the greatest country on Earth. A great experiment in self-governance, the United States of America was founded with an unmatched love of liberty. Our government was built to preserve and protect that liberty which every individual has a right to enjoy. I will continue fighting for a state government that respects the life and liberty of each and every citizen in Michigan. There is much work to be done, but day after day I look forward to taking steps toward a more accountable, effective, and responsible state government.

Should you have any questions or concerns about the Legislature or state government, please do not hesitate to contact my office by calling 517-373-0793 or by going to SenatorAricNesbitt.com. You can also stay up to date with what I am doing in Lansing by following me on Facebook, or on Twitter. I look forward to listening and learning about your priorities and concerns for our state.

Blessings,

Aric Nesbitt
State Senator
District 20

Recently, the Michigan Retailers Association released a report on their May Retail Index survey. This is a 100-point index that outlines the status of the state’s retail industry. Unfortunately, the May index came in 10 points lower than April’s, illustrating a drop in sales and an overall negative turn for retail optimism for the summer season. The survey also indicated a drop in optimism for future sales from many retailers across our state. Previous predictions had Michigan retailers expressing optimism about sales and economic growth.

What’s changed? Over the past several months, legislative Democrats in Lansing have recklessly bulldozed anti-small business policies through the law-making process. Whereas our state had previously cut back on burdensome rules and regulations, we are now seeing an increase in overregulation and economic oppression through big government overreach and poor policy decisions. Further mandates that remove individual choice from workers and small businesses have seriously stifled the confidence of job creators across our state.

What do we get in return for these policies? More government handouts to union bosses; more political favors that promote the interests of fewer people who are favored by the governor’s administration; and more unaccountable, unelected bureaucrats taking power away from the citizens whom our government is supposed to serve. These ill-advised policies are taking our state in the wrong direction, but Senate Republicans have stood strong in doing everything they can to stop and slow these policies down. If the governor and majority party in Lansing were serious about growing our economy, we would be working together to protect taxpayers, encourage job creation, improve education, and make transformational investments in roads, bridges, and water infrastructure.

Senate Republicans are continuing to fight for commonsense policies to benefit all Michiganders. Over the past several months, we have worked hard to introduce and advocate for legislation that will set Michigan on a course toward becoming the best state for folks to start a career, raise a family, and enjoy retirement. Sen. Nesbitt and his colleagues are focused on prioritizing a strong economy and a government that works to protect our individual liberties.

Given the effects of inflation, we must continue to work toward decreasing the burden of big government policies for individuals and small businesses. This means working to prevent tax hikes, cutting burdensome rules and regulations, and creating an environment that rewards entrepreneurship and hard work. An important part of a strong economy is an educated, healthy workforce. Senate Republicans have fought for investments in a quality education for every student in Michigan. Parents and families play a major role in their children’s education and should be involved in the process, not shut out.

Fiscal responsibility is another key priority. Sen. Nesbitt has long been an advocate for passing balanced budgets that pay down debt and fund priorities. One such priority is wisely investing in our infrastructure. We have made major strides in fixing and improving the roads, bridges, and water infrastructure that everyone relies on, but there is still more work to be done. Instead of growing government for the sake of more government, we ought to continue these responsible investments that benefit all Michiganders.

Recently, the Senate passed Senate Bill 169 along party lines. The bill was introduced by Democrats who wish to compel public sector employees by law to turn over their private contact information to union bosses. Once again, this new Democratic majority is rushing to provide special public handouts to their big union backers — this time their gift is the privacy rights of public employees. Under this outrageous legislation, someone who wishes to live free of becoming entangled in the constrictive tentacles of a public sector union, would no longer be allowed such a privilege because their updated, personal contact information would be turned over every three months to a union leader.

Setting the potential for strong-arming and intimidation aside, there are many reasons why a public employee might wish to keep their private contact information private from union leaders. It could simply be because the person disagrees with the known funding of politicians and causes that don’t align with the employee’s values. Or maybe it’s because of well-documented cases of corruption or embezzlement like in 2018 when a local AFSCME union boss was charged with stealing $600,000 from the union. Perhaps more concerning, it could even be because of well-known and documented rumors of harassment and sexual assault by powerful, well-protected union bosses.

With no regard or respect for the U.S. Supreme Court’s previous ruling on this subject, Democrats are steamrolling ahead on their agenda to pay back their big union backers and creating a perilous work environment for public employees who are uninterested in union membership and wish not to be harassed on their private phones and at their private homes.