LANSING – State Representative Kathy Angerer (D-Dundee) hosted Tim Bortles as her guest for last week's State of the State address. Bortles, who lives in York Township, said a focus on diversifying Michigan's economy is key to accelerating the state's economic recovery.
"It was a special event for me to go to the Capitol and watch the State of the State address," said Bortles, who had a commanding view of the Michigan House chamber. "Kathy has a reputation of being both well-respected and extremely well-liked by lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, and that respect was apparent at the State of the State."
Governor Jennifer M. Granholm's address outlined programs that dovetail with the types of initiatives Angerer has long fought for – initiatives that include rebuilding Michigan by diversifying the state's economy, securing a stake in the renewable energy field, and creating jobs by offering tax incentives for emerging businesses.
"Kathy Angerer is doing an excellent job fighting on behalf of our community," Bortles said. "Kathy is one of the most dedicated and most effective state representatives I've had the pleasure of working with. I'm just very impressed with what she does to improve the state of Michigan and create jobs."
The House Energy and Technology Committee recently approved a bipartisan plan crafted by Angerer to decrease Michgian's reliance on foreign oil by promoting energy efficiency. The legislation is part of a House package to create thousands of new jobs by tapping into the rapidly growing field of renewable energy production.
Angerer, who has a proven track record of forging strong bipartisan relationships, played an important role during negotiations held last year as the Legislature worked to find a replacement for the state's outdated and inadequate Single Business Tax. The resulting Michigan Business Tax, which the governor signed into law last July, will create jobs by rewarding investment and protecting Michigan-based companies.
Recognizing that a highly trained workforce is crucial to creating jobs, Angerer also fights for better access to a quality education. Last year, legislation she crafted to expand the Michigan Promise Grant was signed into law. The law fixed a loophole with the grant's eligibility requirement that penalized students in border communities. The new law allows students who live in Michigan but attend out-of-state high schools – such as in Ohio – to be eligible for the scholarship program when they attend a Michigan institute of higher learning.
Angerer donates a portion of her legislative salary to a scholarhip fund for local students.