State Representative Pam Byrnes is working every day to make Washtenaw County a great place to live, work and raise our families.
Pam is a wife, mother and grandmother who has lived in Washtenaw County for over thirty years. She understands that these are tough times for Michigan families. "We are losing jobs and businesses, causing talented young people to leave Michigan. Pam believes we must work to create a stronger business climate by cutting taxes, providing performance-based incentives, and supporting innovative health insurance programs."
That's why Pam Byrnes is focused on creating strong and vibrant communities by fighting for the common sense policies that create good-paying jobs and excellent schools, that protect our treasured natural resources and by standing up for us.
A Record of Leadership
Byrnes cherishes the right to vote and is proud of her perfect attendance record in the legislature and at home. In response to the Governor's initiative for corporate accountability, Byrnes is a lead sponsor of the Corporate Responsibility and Outsourcing Prevention package of bills that will protect the pensions of employees and the investment of shareholders.
Pam serves as Minority Vice-Chair of Higher Education and Career Preparation. In addition, she also sits on the Natural Resources, Great Lakes, Land Use & Environment and the Transportation Committees. Byrnes was also appointed as a legislative liaison to SEMCOG by House Democratic Leader Dianne Byrum.
Creating Jobs and Economic Development
Pam Byrnes promotes policies that will spur economic development and provide incentives for local businesses to stay in Washtenaw County. She voted to get rid of the Single Business Tax and supports using tobacco settlement funds to invest in technology-based industries and research in Michigan. Byrnes supports fully funding the MEDC (Michigan Economic Development Corporation) to build on success stories like Google's expanding in Ann Arbor and the location of a Tier 1 automotive supplier in Manchester. Both of these demonstrate the power of partnering state and local governments with the private sector.
Pam is endorsed by the Small Business Association of Michigan, the Michigan Townships Association, the Michigan Agri-Business Association and the Ann Arbor Area Board of Realtors.
Investing in Education
Byrnes believes education is the key to Michigan's come-back. She is working to create excellent public schools so every Michiganian will have access to a world-class education and Michigan will have the best-educated work force. Byrnes is fighting for interest-free college loans for college students who stay and work in Michigan. She is also working to make sure every child in Michigan can get the right start by having access to quality pre-school.
Pam is endorsed by the Michigan Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers, Michigan.
Protecting Our Treasured Natural Resources
Pam helped lead the fight to keep Great Lakes water from being bottled up, shipped off and sold for profit. She is against the dumping of out-of-state trash in Michigan and has promoted the development and use of alternative fuels.
Pam is endorsed by the Sierra Club, Clean Water Action and the MI League of Conservation Voters.
Getting Washtenaw County's Fair Share
Byrnes has secured over $15 million in district road projects including the replacement of the crumbling Dexter Main Street Bridge, upgrades to the I-94/Baker Road interchange, safety improvements at the M-52/Werkner Road intersection and a $500,000 study to find new solutions to the US-23 traffic congestion north of Ann Arbor. Byrnes' bill giving local municipalities more control over how they spend transportation funding was passed unanimously in the House. (HB 4853)
Fighting for Our Children's Future
Byrnes believes that early childhood education paves the way to a lifetime of learning and achievement. She sponsored legislation to expand the Michigan School Readiness Program and condemned attempts to raid the K-12 School Aid Fund which would have slashed per-pupil funding for public schools. Byrnes worked for passage of "Jessica's Law" to stiffen penalties for child sex predators.
Pam is endorsed by the Michigan Association of Police Organizations, Deputy Sheriffs' Association of Michigan, Fraternal Order of Police, and the Police Officers Association of Michigan.
Standing Up for Us
Byrnes introduced legislation to punish reckless construction zone driving regardless of whether or not a construction worker is involved. Pam is sponsoring a package of identity theft protection bills that would require notification to consumers of any breach that would put financial and personal information at risk and boost penalties for those convicted of identity theft or trafficking. Byrnes supported legislation to protect Michigan farms from encroaching suburban sprawl by keeping their land in agricultural use.
Pam is endorsed by the Michigan Farm Bureau and the Michigan Agri-Business Association.
