Thank you for voting "NO" to an increase in the income tax and for voting "NO" to an expanded sales tax on services.

Here's a statement from Pappageorge's Senate website...

Following an eight-day around-the-clock session that resulted in a balanced budget, Sen. John Pappageorge, R-Troy, vice chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, offered the following statement:

"The Michigan Legislature presented a continuation budget to the governor which prevents the state government from shutting down. This was the prudent and responsible thing to do. I support the continuation budget. However, I cannot say I support the means by which it was attained. The budget was balanced on the backs of taxpayers across the state. I voted against the income tax increase and sales tax expansion forced upon Michigan's families.

"The silver-lining in this situation is the substantial reform package proposed by the Senate and approved by both chambers. The reforms will result in hundreds of millions of dollars in savings for the state. This is a step in the right direction, the first step in a long journey toward economic recovery and fiscal responsibility."