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Mich. Politicians React To Obama's Job Speech

LANSING (WWJ) - Michigan Democrats and Republicans reacted predictably to President Barack Obama's jobs creation proposals revealed to Congress Thursday night -- from a Republican saying it's "more of the same" to a Democrat saying it put the focus where it should be -- on jobs.

Obama pitched his $447 billion jobs program of tax cuts and new spending after bluntly telling Congress to "stop the political circus" and fix the economy.

In reaction to the president's speech, Republican Gov. Rick Snyder said in a written statement that he urges leaders in D.C. to follow Michigan's lead by balancing the budget, paying down long-term debt and saving for the future.

"The president proposed cutting payroll taxes for small businesses in half to encourage job growth; in Michigan, we already ended the double tax on small businesses. The president proposed ending loopholes for corporations. In Michigan, we already did that by switching to a flat, 6 percent corporate income tax that is simple, fair and efficient," Snyder said.

Democratic Representative John Dingell commended Obama's speech, saying "nothing should be more important than creating jobs in America."

"This must be policy makers' number one priority, and I call on all colleagues in the House to put aside hollow and cynical and ideology, work together and bring to the floor bipartisan legislative proposals that will put back Americans to work," Dingell said in a written statement.

Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow said in a statement she hopes "the president's speech focuses Congress' attention back where it should be, on creating jobs."

"It's time to come together and get something done. I'm going to keep urging Congress to pass measures particularly important to Michigan's economy, like growing jobs in advanced batteries, agriculture and small businesses," Stabenow said.

Democratic Congressman Sander Levin chided Republicans for what he called their "plan of complete inaction."

"The president tonight stepped up to the plate with an urgent plan of action on jobs. Now it is time for Republicans to move from their plan of complete inaction and begin working together with Democrats to jumpstart our recovery," Levin said in a written statement. "The people of Michigan and the nation need Congress to work together to create jobs. I hope our Republican colleagues will join us in doing so."

Republican Congressman Dave Camp said in a statement he agreed with the president that long pending, job creating trade agreements need to be passed. He was, however, let down that Obama left one topic out of his presentation.

"I was disappointed that the president did not discuss the one area that can truly spark sustained private-sector job creation in this country - comprehensive tax reform," Camp said.

Republican Rep. Mike Rogers said in a statement that he doesn't think Obama's speech will "change the Washington, D.C.-created burdens that are hampering job creation."

"Excessive new regulations, health care and energy costs initiated in the past three years are causing employers to think twice about hiring, growing or expanding. Until those policies change and until we stop threatening huge tax increases on people who create jobs, more of the same borrow and spend 'stimulus' policies out of Washington are sure to have the same impact they had in 2009 – a huge bill to our kids, lots of money wasted and not many new jobs," Rogers said.

Republican Congresswoman Candice Miller called the president's ideas "more of the same" and said she cannot support "additional spending that it not paid for or is paid for by increasing taxes on those who create jobs."

"It is unfortunate tonight that the President offered no real details of his plan at the same time he was urging Congress to pass it," Miller said in a written statement. "

The president's plan leans heavily on payroll tax cuts to put money into the economy and the president urged lawmakers to pass it quickly. He also pledged to campaign for its enactment across the nation, an effort he will start Friday in Richmond, Virginia.

Have a comment about the president's speech? Now's your chance to speak out, speak up, vent and share. Leave your comments below.

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