Uncategorized

PAUL GIELEGHEM ANNOUNCES ‘A.C.T.’ PLAN TO REFORM LANSING

Clinton Township, MI – Senate candidate Paul Gieleghem today announced his ‘A.C.T.’ plan to fix Lansing through proposals to hold legislators accountable for their expense accounts, cut legislators’ pay and end lifetime health benefits, and eliminate wasteful spending and post all government budgets and spending online. Gieleghem is running for the 10th District State Senate seat covering the Macomb County communities of Sterling Heights, Clinton and Utica.

“Families have had to make sacrifices and cut their spending, and our local governments have also had to learn to live within their means, so it is time that state government share in these sacrifices and spend taxpayer dollars more carefully,” said Gieleghem. “Michigan workers have taken pay cuts and legislators need to cut their pay as well. We need to make the citizens our priority and funnel the money we save by cutting legislative pay and ending lifetime health benefits into programs that Michigan families need and rely on.”

The ‘A.C.T.’ Reform Plan would:

  • Cut legislators’ pay by 25 percent and slash their lavish perks and benefits, including eliminating taxpayer-funded lifetime health care for legislators and undocumented expense accounts.
  • Audit all state contracts top to bottom to eliminate wasteful spending.
  • Post all state government spending and budgets online.
  • Close the revolving door of legislators becoming lobbyists by instituting a ten-year ban on former lawmakers being employed as lobbyists.
  • Require all candidates for state office to disclose their income and assets.
  • Dock legislators’ pay for unexcused absences and for not balancing the budget on time.

“Businesses have struggled mightily in our current economy and part of the answer to our economic problems is government reform that leads to wiser spending of our hard-earned tax dollars,” said Mike Lotito, a Macomb County CPA and small business owner.

“Paul Gieleghem has a proven record when it comes to fighting for reform,” said Angele Smith, a retired teacher from Clinton Twp. “I support Paul for the State Senate because I’ve watched what he’s done to change the way Macomb County does business.”
Paul Gieleghem is a lifelong resident of Clinton Township. He has served as a State Representative for the 31st House District, and currently serves as the chair of the Macomb County Board of Commissioners. As a county commissioner, Paul has balanced the budget so that the county lives within its means and makes wise use of taxpayers’ dollars. Paul will fight to make state government more efficient, make Michigan and Macomb County more attractive to new businesses and jobs, and protect the middle class so that hard-working families can enjoy a good quality of life. He and his wife, Sara, are the parents of two daughters.

For more information on Paul visit his campaign website at http://www.PaulGieleghem.net/

Paul In The News

Carmella Sabaugh, the Most Visionary County Clerk in Michigan, Gives Rare Endorsement to Paul Gieleghem for State Senate

“As you know, I rarely make endorsements…But I know a good leader when I see one…I endorse you because you have a proven track record. You are a young, energetic, visionary leader, who our state needs in times like these.”

Read the whole letter here [PDF]

Uncategorized

ENDORSED BY THE DETROIT FREE PRESS

Partisan but pragmatic, Gieleghem knows how to get things done. As chairman of the County Commission, Gieleghem produced a balanced budget and helped wipe out an $18-million deficit. A tenacious negotiator, he helped get concessions from labor unions — a big part of his political base — and kept a sometimes contentious board working together.

Macomb County can continue to count on PAUL GIELEGHEM.

Read more: Macomb Co. state Senate seats | freep.com | Detroit Free Press http://www.freep.com/article/20100923/OPINION01/9230418/1322/Macomb-Co.-state-Senate-seats#ixzz10Mckot73

Paul In The News

Endorsed by the Detroit Free Press

Paul was endorsed by the Detroit Free Press. Here is the story:

District 10

(Clinton Township, Roseville, Sterling Heights and Utica)

State Sen. Michael Switalski, D-Roseville, is term-limited, and the Democratic primary features two of Macomb County’s best-known and most talented politicians: Carl Marlinga, Macomb County prosecutor for 20 years, and Paul Gieleghem , the chairman of the Macomb County Board of Commissioners and the county’s top elected official.

read more…

Paul In The News

Things looking up for Macomb County

Sure, there’s the bad news: Macomb County’s tax base is evaporating. Services are shrinking. And there are fewer assistant prosecutors and deputies tracking down criminals.

But that’s not the whole story, county Board of Commissioners Chairman Paul Gieleghem said Tuesday in an interview with the Free Press.

read more…

Paul In The News

Macomb County secures top financial ranking

After years of record budget deficits and a sinking economy, Macomb County has received some good news from Wall Street, where it was awarded one of the top financial rankings in the nation.

Standard & Poor’s has maintained the top bond rating of AAA for Macomb, a decision which will have an immediate impact on the cost of financing a huge sewer repair project. The ratings agency said it was impressed with the county’s fiscal turnaround, including a projected budget surplus of $5 million to $7 million for 2009.

read more…

Paul In The News

Sterling Heights and Macomb County Chambers of Commerce endorse mass-transit plan

The heads of two major chambers of commerce voiced support this week for a proposed rapid transit plan that would link Detroit with Macomb and Oakland counties.

“We believe regional transportation to be a key to the economic vitality of the region,” said Grace Shore, chief executive officer of the Macomb County Chamber of Commerce.

read more…