Democratic candidates Dr. Eric Lester (State Rep., 79th district) and Bette Pierman (State Sen., 21st District) are committed to improving the lives of all Michigan residents. Unlike our current state legislators, they would not have voted for a huge increase in state income taxes that disproportionately affects middle and lower income individuals and families.

The income tax increases passed by the Republican-controlled legislature have done significant damage to the financial well-being of large numbers of middle and lower income Michigan individuals and families. These groups have experienced a much higher percentage increase in their taxes than those with greater wealth. For example, a detailed analysis by the non-partisan Michigan League for Human Services (www.milhs.org) demonstrated that the percentage increase for middle-income taxpayers is 700 times that for the highest income group.

State Representative Al Pscholka and State Senator John Proos betrayed the people of Southwest Michigan when they voted to pass these enormous ($1.4 billion) increases in the income taxes of Michigan residents.

Senior citizens have suffered, and will continue to suffer, from the Republicans’ tax on pensions. Many seniors living on a fixed income will be severely damaged by this unfair added tax burden.

Eric Lester and Bette Pierman will oppose regressive tax increases. They will put the needs of Michigan residents first, not those of wealthy special interests. These candidates deserve our vote in the November election.

 

Melissa Clapper

Benton Harbor