Whitmer Donates to Grand Rapids Foreclosure Program to Highlight Need for Reforms

Senator calls for cuts to lawmaker perks, more transparency in Lansing

LANSING, MI – January 18, 2010 – (RealEstateRama) — State Senator Gretchen Whitmer (D-East Lansing), originally of Cascade, announced that her entire December legislative expense account was donated to a Grand Rapids foreclosure assistance program to highlight the need for government reform and more transparency in state spending.

“Home Repair Services is providing critical support to Grand Rapidians unfortunately victimized by foreclosure and unemployment,” said Sen. Whitmer. “While this donation won’t fulfill the entire need, it’s important to recognize an important organization trying to help people and do what we can to continue their mission.”

With this donation, Gretchen Whitmer continues her push for a wide-ranging government reform plan that includes cutting legislative perks and pay, ending automatic lifetime health benefits for lawmakers, closing the ‘bonuses for politicians’ loophole, and demanding that candidates and lawmakers disclose their income and assets.

“It’s about time lawmakers share in the sacrifice and hopefully actions like mine will help people hang on to their homes and make other politicians take notice,” Whitmer said. “It’s a shame that Lansing isn’t moving faster to help real people.”

Last February, Gretchen Whitmer was the first to demand that the current Attorney General redirect a $500,000 legal settlement from going to a park and instead distribute it to West Michigan community organizations that would actually support those families victimized by fraudulent mortgage practices. The Attorney General eventually heeded Whitmer’s demand and redirected funding to the Heart of West Michigan United Way.

You can find more information about Gretchen Whitmer’s reform efforts and details of her past donations in the reform section of her website at www.senate.mi.gov/whitmer/govtreform.php.

Home Repair Services provides post-purchase home ownership services to lower income homeowners. Their specializations include wheelchair ramps for the elderly and disabled, practical energy efficiency improvements, financial counseling and home repair training. You can learn more about Home Repair Services at www.HomeRepairServices.org

Contact:
Sen Gretchen Whitmer
(517) 373-1734