Rep. Collene Lamontes' Site Feed

Rep. Lamonte Bill Would Create State Office to Help Entrepreneurs

Tue, 21 May 2013 14:17:07 -0400

LANSING — Rep. Collene Lamonte (D-Montague) introduced a bill today that would establish the Office of Small Business Development and Entrepreneurship Services, which would be housed within the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.

“Small businesses are the backbone of the state’s economy comprising more than 70 percent of the jobs in Michigan, and anything we can do to strengthen them helps us all,” Lamonte said. “The Office of Small Business Development and Entrepreneurship Services would make it easier to start a business and assist business owners seeking to grow existing companies. When our small businesses thrive, they create more jobs, bringing economic security to more Michiganders.”

The office Lamonte’s bill creates would coordinate programs dealing with small businesses, set up a searchable database of business organizations and governmental entities governing business and offer practical how-to advice for entrepreneurs navigating the state’s start-up requirements. Currently, state programs helping entrepreneurs and regulating businesses are scattered among several state departments. In addition, colleges and universities in Michigan have vast amounts of business and entrepreneurial expertise that could be leveraged. Lamonte’s bill would create a one-stop shop where entrepreneurs could find answers to their questions and access invaluable resources.

“The global economy is changing making entrepreneurship more viable and important than ever,” Lamonte said. “It only makes sense to help the people who are trying to create new businesses, jobs, and opportunity in Michigan.”

House Dems' Education Task Force to Hold First Meeting

Fri, 17 May 2013 16:00:28 -0400

LANSING — The Michigan House Democrats’ Education Task Force will hold its first meeting from 2-4 p.m. on Monday, May 20, in Room 426 of the Capitol Building in Lansing. Rep. Ellen Cogen Lipton (D-Huntington Woods), who is the Democratic vice chairwoman of the House Education Committee, and Rep. Brandon Dillon (D-Grand Rapids), the Democratic vice chairman of the House School Aid subcommittee, will co-chair the task force. Other members are Reps. Theresa Abed (D-Grand Ledge), Terry Brown (D-Pigeon), Douglas A. Geiss (D-Taylor), John Kivela (D-Marquette), Collene Lamonte (D-Montague), Stacy Erwin Oakes (D-Saginaw), David Rutledge (D-Ypsilanti), Andy Schor (D-Lansing), Thomas F. Stallworth III (D-Detroit) and Adam Zemke (D-Ann Arbor).

The task was formed in response to House Republicans’ effort to expand the unproven Education Achievement Authority across the state, even though students in the 15 schools currently run by the EAA have reported conditions detrimental to learning in those schools. Task force members are seeking real solutions that will work for our state.

WHO: Reps. Ellen Cogen Lipton (D-Huntington Woods), Brandon Dillon (D-Grand Rapids), Theresa Abed (D-Grand Ledge), Terry Brown (D-Pigeon), Douglas A. Geiss (D-Taylor), John Kivela (D-Marquette), Collene Lamonte (D-Montague), Stacy Erwin Oakes (D-Saginaw), David Rutledge (D-Ypsilanti), Andy Schor (D-Lansing), Thomas F. Stallworth III (D-Detroit) and Adam Zemke (D-Ann Arbor).

WHERE: Michigan State Capitol, Room 426
Lansing

WHEN: Monday, May 20, from 2 to 4 p.m.

Rep. Collene Lamonte Introduces Bill to Help Veterans Find Jobs

Wed, 15 May 2013 17:06:14 -0400

LANSING — Rep. Collene Lamonte (D-Montague) today introduced a bill to cut red tape for veterans seeking to obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL) if they have prior experience driving commercial vehicles in the military. The bill would make it easier for men and women returning from military service to secure a job, lowering the state’s 7.9 percent unemployment rate among veterans.

“The unemployment rate for veterans is higher than the average unemployment rate,” said Lamonte. “We all need to do whatever we can to help our veterans find jobs. This bill would waive the current requirement for a driving skills test for experienced veterans when they apply for a commercial driver’s license.”

The test would be waived if a veteran can document that she or he was regularly employed for the two years immediately preceding the application for a CDL in a military occupational specialty that required the operation of a commercial vehicle. The CDL skills test is only administered by third-party companies, not the Secretary of State. It can cost more than $100, placing a financial hurdle in the way of an unemployed veteran seeking a good-paying job.

“I am thrilled to be able to streamline these government requirements for already trained veterans,” said Lamonte. “We know that our veterans give their all in defense of our country. We, in turn, need to have their backs when they are done serving.”

Legislation Improving Access to Women's Health Care Backed by Reps. Lamonte, Hovey-Wright

Mon, 13 May 2013 16:59:46 -0400

LANSING - State Representative Collene Lamonte (D-Montague) and Marcia Hovey-Wright (D-Muskegon) announced their support for a package of four bills and three resolutions that would improve access to women’s health care, educate women about health care options, support rape survivors and address health care inequities women face.

“When I worked as a high school teacher, it was startling and disheartening to see how many young women were becoming pregnant and having children,” Lamonte said. “Being a teen mother makes it difficult to finish high school, enter college and establish a career that can sustain a family. We need to do more to help our daughters protect their futures, and I’m proud to sponsor a measure to do that. All of these proposals give women a better shot at a good life.”

The package of legislation includes:

House Resolution 140, naming May 12-18 “National Women’s Health Week” in Michigan (introduced by Rep. Gretchen Driskell)
HR 138, urging the DCH to promote programs that identify and address inequities in the prevention, treatment and research of diseases threatening women (Rep. Winnie Brinks)
HR 139, recommending that the state intensify efforts to reduce the rate of teen pregnancies (Rep. Collene Lamonte)
HB 4067, requiring all health facilities and agencies to offer emergency contraception to rape survivors (Rep. Charles Smiley)
HB 4722, which directs the Department of Community Health (DCH) to develop and disseminate information about emergency contraception, including a description, explanation of use, safety efficacy and availability of emergency contraception (Rep. Marcia Hovey-Wright)
House Bill 4721, requiring age-appropriate, medically accurate and objective sexuality education to be taught in public schools (Rep. Jeff Irwin)
HB 4260, requiring doctors to give women information on breast density and encourage those who have dense breast tissue to consult with their doctors about other screening options (Rep. Brinks)

“Women’s health care doesn’t only just matter to women, but to their husbands, sons and brothers. Unfortunately, our Legislature has been making it harder for women to get the care they need to stay healthy and take charge of their well-being, and House Democrats are taking action to change that.”

Rep. Colleen Lamonte Supports Funding for Great Start Readiness Program

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Rep. Colleen Lamonte offers a budget amendment to fund Michigan’s Great Start Readiness Program. A successful early childhood education program.

Rep. Lamonte Denounces Republican Refusal to Support Early Education

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 18:31:00 -0400

LANSING — Rep. Collene Lamonte (D-Montague) condemned legislative Republicans today for their refusal to support pre-kindergarten education programs that have been shown to improve high school graduation rates and lifetime earning potential and to reduce the likelihood of incarceration. The amendments were offered as the Michigan House of Representatives considered next year’s School Aid Fund budget.

“I am appalled and disgusted that Republicans would turn their backs on our state’s youngest children,” Lamonte said. “As a mother of children who benefitted from pre-K programs, and as a former teacher who recognizes the importance of these programs, I am discouraged to see how little legislators value them.”

Lamonte’s amendment was offered as the school omnibus budget came up for its second reading. Her amendment would have met the governor’s recommendation to increase early childhood education program funding by $65 million. Instead, the House Republican plan decreases funding to the Great Start programs. When Lamonte asked for a record roll call vote on her amendment, Republicans loudly booed her request.

“The contempt Republican legislators showed for Michigan’s youngest children is startling,” Lamonte said. “I hope they have a change of heart and recognize the importance of setting up our children for success in school and in life. Funding for early education is an investment in children’s future, not a frivolous expense that needs to be cut.”

Brinks, Dillon and Lamonte Introduce Plan for Middle-Class Tax Relief

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 11:31:00 -0400

GRAND RAPIDS — State Representatives Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids), Brandon Dillon (D-Grand Rapids) and Collene Lamonte (D-Montague) today announced the House Democrats’ plan for middle-class tax relief. The bills, based on Michigan’s Middle Class Plan, are focused on restoring tax credits and deductions to middle-class families and repealing taxes on retirees. Legislation included in the plan will relieve the tax burden on Michigan families when next year’s tax season rolls around.

“Tax day is always stressful, but this year is more stressful than most. That’s because tax increases Republicans put in effect over the past two years are being noticed for the first time,” Brinks said. “Credits and deductions families relied upon, such as the Homestead Property Tax Credit and $600 per-child deduction, are reduced or gone completely. Seniors pay a new tax on retirement income. Many families and seniors who used to receive refunds now receive none, and many taxpayers are finding that they now owe taxes because of what Republicans did.”

Last session, the Republican-led Legislature made severe changes to the Michigan tax code punishing middle-class families and seniors, including imposing a tax on retirement income, eliminating the Homestead Property Tax Credit for many families, a drastic cut to the Earned Income Tax Credit and the elimination of the $600 per-child tax deduction and tax credits for charitable donations. These changes were made to fund nearly $2 billion in tax breaks for big corporations, effectively making Michigan’s low-income and middle-class families pay for a handout to big corporations. The new taxes took effect in 2012, and many taxpayers became aware of them for the first time as they filed their state income taxes this year.

“When I talk with citizens, they tell me they weren’t expecting to see taxes increase like they did this year,” Dillon said. “People feel betrayed. They’re paying more in taxes and getting little for it Ã¢?? school funding has been slashed by almost $2 billion, and funding for local police and fire departments has been devastated. People are clamoring for leaders to share their priorities, and we’ve heard them.”

Over the past two months, Democratic state representatives heard the concerns of struggling Michiganders during their Real State of Our State Listening Tour. After the tour’s completion, legislators used this feedback to construct Michigan’s Middle Class Plan, including the following tax initiatives:

Repeal the new tax on senior retirement income
Require employers to inform employees about the Earned Income Tax Credit
Restore the Earned Income Tax Credit to 11 percent in the first year
Restore the Homestead Property Tax Credit
Restore the child deduction

Along with these initiatives, the House Democrats pledge to continue fighting against tax increases on the middle class and seniors every time a new, harmful tax is introduced to the Legislature, and to keep Michigan taxpayers aware of the changes through a series of town halls held across the state.

“Constituents calling my office are outraged; real people are experiencing real financial problems,” Lamonte said. “Common sense tells you that it was just plain wrong for the Republicans in Lansing to raise taxes on the elderly and families the way they did. I have listened to my constituents. I will fight for them to end these irresponsible tax increases now.”