State Representative Bill G. Schuette is spearheading a series of newly introduced, bipartisan reforms that roll back unnecessary regulations in Michigan and make life more affordable for residents and workers.

“These plans are a needed way forward,” said Schuette, of Midland. “Currently, if you want to raise a family, start a business or grow your career in Michigan, there are a lot of financial hurdles in the way. There are licensing fees, hidden costs, and other bureaucratic barriers that only seem to get worse year after year. It’s why our population has stagnated and we rank towards the bottom in new job creation. Our policies shape our potential. The goal of these new bills is clear: dial back the regulation, give workers and families in our state the chance to thrive, and make Michigan a more attractive place to live and work.”

Schuette, who chairs the House Rules Committee, unveiled the Red Tape Reduction Initiative earlier this year after the committee explored potential reforms, including to the state’s cumbersome occupational licensing and permitting processes. The introduction of over 50 bills this week is just the first wave of efforts to reduce regulatory burdens and lower costs.

The governor’s Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs has also made several recommendations to streamline the state’s licensing process while cutting out unnecessary barriers, and Schuette said the introduced proposals align with the department on many of these issues.

“I have consistently fought to lower costs for Michiganders, and these bills will do so in multiple ways,” Schuette said. “Over 40 legislators in the House introduced plans as part of this rollout and the governor also stated that lowering costs is a top priority at her State of the State address earlier this year, so there should be a ton of common ground here and a lot of support behind these bills. I am hopeful we can get them signed into law soon so people in Midland and Gladwin counties and across the state can start putting more money back in their pockets.”

The comprehensive legislative package will soon be formally read into the record.

PHOTO INFORMATION: “It takes a lot of white paper to cut red tape,” State Representative Bill G. Schuette said as he introduced new legislation that rolls back unnecessary regulations in Michigan and makes life more affordable for residents and workers.