[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 14 (Friday, February 11, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: February 11, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                           ONE PARTY CONTROL

  (Mr. SMITH of Michigan asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, some people say that 40 years is 
long enough. Long enough for this body to be controlled by one 
political party.
  Some people say, ``How will it be different under GOP control?'' My 
home State of Michigan provides an example of what changes might take 
place.
  When I was elected to the Michigan Senate in 1981, the House, Senate, 
and Governor were all Democrat. During the 1980's, Republicans took a 
majority in the Senate and in 1990, a Republican Governor, John Engler, 
was elected. Last year, the Michigan House, which had been under 
Democrat control for 24 years, became evenly balanced between the 
parties and things began to change. Taxpayers benefited from the change 
in party control. Audits of the appropriations committee and other 
financial books revealed mismanagement, even leading to indictments. 
One party in power, too long, without oversight led to abuse.
  With the turnover in Michigan, major policy changes followed as well, 
The unfair inheritance tax was abolished. Property taxes were reduced 
by 60 percent. The size of State government has been reduced 
significantly.
  AFDC grants have begun to shrink because almost one quarter of those 
on welfare are now working compared to only 16 percent a little over 1 
year ago. We have expanded the number of prisons and passed tough crime 
legislation.
  Unemployment has dropped below the national average for the first 
time in 24 years. Education is restructured with emphasis placed on the 
student, families, and greater choice through charter schools.
  Through medical liability reform, health care costs have been 
reduced.
  A shift of party control has improved Michigan by putting power and 
tax dollars back into the hands of individuals. It is time that we 
bring a lower tax, less spending, more jobs philosophy to Washington to 
do the same.

                          ____________________