Jim Runestad

Well voters, the Democrat priorities were illustrated in last year‘s budget. Billions upon billions were given to giant corporations which create low paid jobs. But these huge give-aways create huge funding opportunities for the Democrat campaign coffers! The democrats also… https://t.co/Y96rQe6FsO

 Well, our national debt is at historic peak. It has doubled over the last decade, exceeding over $34 trillion, or 93,500 U.S. dollars for every single American in 2024. But, according to the CBO this deficit is now on target to explode by trillions annually in the next… https://t.co/wolUvUT8pD https://t.co/LTiUVPDKZu

For businesses, large and small in Oakland County. If you want to learn what<U+2019>s coming down the pike legislatively, that can impact your business. Don<U+2019>t miss this business Townhall. https://t.co/ygZoyuRNWF

I enjoyed participating in the Detroit Channel 2 Pulse Show. However, it wasn’t without its challenges. I found myself in a mini-debate with a former colleague who specializes in interruptions and insults. We disagreed over whether Kamala Harris was filibustering, and she dismissed my analysis as “lying” with her usual snark. Unfortunately, that’s just her style. She had more speaking time than I did, yet, whenever I started to make a point, the interruptions came right on cue—that’s just how she operates. As for the interview with Kamala Harris, anyone watching could see what was really going on. Harris arrived late for what was already a very brief interview, then rambled aimlessly in multiple directions, barely addressing any of the questions asked—just as she’s been trained to do. P.S.-Sherry ended her interview thrilled that Biden had wiped out over $100,000 of her student loans. Meanwhile, my family and I—my kids included—either already paid off our loans or are just finishing. Who in the future would bother doing that again? Why struggle to pay your loans when the government will eventually pick up the tab—especially if you work for the government? Sherry’s career is a perfect example: she’s been a legislative aide in Lansing, worked for the city of Detroit, spent time as a schoolteacher and state representative, and now serves on the school board. Biden’s administration allocated $4.5 billion in forgiveness for government employees and has already canceled $175 billion in total—paid for with taxpayers’ hard-earned money. Now, if you’re a young person taking a huge risk to start a small business—maybe a construction company or a repair shop—and take out a loan for a van, tools, or equipment, you’re screwed! There’s no bailout for you. Nothing but a kick in the groin as you’re forced to pay off the Woke U. grad’s debts. But if you enroll in Woke U. the taxpayers will be forced by the Democrat’s to buy votes with your taxpayer dollars!

Well taxpayers, today, again you’re getting looted and fleeced! Today we will be here in the capital burning the midnight oil as the Democrats are burning through your tax dollars, handing it off to these gigantic corporations sucking your money down a big vortex into their highly paid CEO friends gigantic multimillion dollar bonus plans and golden parachutes. With all the crying needs we have in the state with horrible roads, and crushing prescription cost, and people who can’t afford their own fuel, and food, and gas. the Democrats are confiscating your hard earn tax dollars, but not to solve any of these pressing problems, but hand over your hard earned money over to their big-corporate-crony buddies in exchange for the big corporate cash piled into their campaign accounts.

As I predicted, the democrats plan to raise your taxes on the things you have to have! The Democrats have been gorging exquisitely on federal funds like there’s no tomorrow. Special interest porkbarrel projects that would make porky pig jealous, big no-bid contracts on everything under the sun. I haven’t seen as much lard, as I saw in last year‘s $9 billion wastrel, since I walked behind a liposuction clinic and looked in the garbage bin. The Democrats blew all $9 billion federal surplus utilizing photo ops holding gigantic posterboard checks praising their local bacon-their local pork barrel Projects. They now want to hit you in the pocketbook with across-the-board tax and rate increases for new spending. As I predicted, after the Democrats blew through the entire $9 billion-plus- surplus last year on boat docks and Pickleball courts and swimming pools and piles and piles of crap no one needed, they would then pivot and start raising your taxes on host of vital services people have to have. Sure enough the Governor’s appointed Public Service Commission just announced another gigantic increase of 92 million to hit energy ratepayers like a 2 x 4 to the forehead. They also plan to slap a new tax on you whenever you sell your home to fund subsidized housing in communities all over the state. Next they’re slapping on huge water rate increases on the backs of those who pay their water bills, to give freewater to those who do not pay their bills. And lastly, they’re increasing your income taxes from 4.5% back up to 4.25%. The Democrats policy positions never seem to change, take from those who work and produce, and and spend on buying votes with providing unlimited public dollars.

Today is the day you have finally paid your Michigan yearly taxes on National Tax Freedom Day. But just hold on! The Democrats are piling more tax and fee increases on you so that next year this date is gonna be much further into the year and then you’ll have to work ever longer into the year as they keep spending and taxing relentlessly. April 18, 2024 LANSING, Mich. — State Sen. Jim Runestad paid tribute to National Tax Freedom Day on Thursday by calling on Michigan Democrats to stop raising taxes on hardworking Michiganders. “Today is a day when we should be celebrating tax relief to help Michiganders keep more of their own money,” said Runestad, R-White Lake. “Instead, taxes and fees are being raised higher and higher on struggling Michigan families. We have seen Senate Democrats vote against tax relief over 20 times in the last year, taking even more money out of taxpayers’ paychecks.” Since taking control of the Legislature in January 2023, Michigan Democrats have raised the state’s income tax, voted against tax relief for seniors and working families, and voted to raise taxes or fees over 20 times. These include votes against a child tax credit and against a broad-based senior tax deduction, as well as voting for higher taxes on hotels, utensils and napkins, medical equipment, environmental fees, license and registration fees, and more. “The worst part is, they’re not done yet,” Runestad said. “The governor’s next budget has called for over $101 million in new fee increases, including a 1,288% trash fee hike, not to mention new bills in the Legislature to raise water rates all across the state, making life even more expensive. “Lansing Democrats have raised your taxes to pay for their pet projects like swimming pools, pickleball courts, and give away crony corporate handouts. Be assured that I will be offering amendments when the next budget comes to the floor to cut wasteful spending and protect taxpayer dollars from being squandered.” Michigan’s Senate Democratic Caucus has voted to raise taxes, or voted to oppose tax cuts, over 20 times since 2023, including: •Senate Bill 1, Amendment 5, Roll Call 10 •SB 1, Amendment 6, Roll Call 11 •SB 1, Amendment 7, Roll Call 12 •SB 1, Amendment 8, Roll Call 13 •House Bill 4001, Roll Call 22 •SB 81, Amendment 1, Roll Call 86 •SB 189, Amendment 6, Roll Call 213 •HB 4988, Roll Call 458 •HB 4993, Roll Call 459 •SB 506, Roll Call 466 •HB 4377, Roll Call 477 •HB 4378, Roll Call 478 •HB 4990, Roll Call 481 •HB 4991, Roll Call 482 •HB 5004, Roll Call 483 •HB 5007, Roll Call 485 •HB 4994, Roll Call 460 •HB 4995, Roll Call 461 •HB 4996, Roll Call 462 •HB 4997, Roll Call 463 •HB 5003, Roll Call 465 •HB 5048, Roll Call 696 “With inflation so high, we should be working to help Michiganders better afford the cost of living — not making it harder for them. Even on National Tax Freedom Day, Democrats still haven’t figured that out,” Runestad said. “A family’s life, liberty, and property are never safe when a Democrat-controlled Legislature is in session.” ###

The Democrats and Biden say we can simply spend our way out of our existing problems. That<U+2019>s all you do is just spend, and, spend, and spend! https://t.co/cNTGdufXwq