Rep. Haines offered the following concurrent resolution:

            House Concurrent Resolution No. 25.

            A concurrent resolution to memorialize Congress to correct the inequities that exist in federal spending among the states.

            Whereas, Michigan has historically received far less from the federal government than it sends each year to Washington, D.C. The scope of this negative return is greater than almost all of the other states, with Michigan ranked forty-fifth in the percentage of federal spending in our state when compared to the federal tax dollars returned to the other states through federal expenditures; and

            Whereas, According to data from the 2007 fiscal year, Michigan received $7,114 per capita, while the national per capita average was $8,339. If Michigan had received the national per capita figure, it would have received more than $13.7 billion more in federal funds for the year. While this amount fluctuates, the fact that Michigan receives far less than it contributes does not; and

            Whereas, With the erosion of the manufacturing sector that for many years was the driving engine of America, Michigan has been at the epicenter of the economic collapse. Our nation's worst unemployment level expresses the depth of the state's difficulties; and

            Whereas, As the border state with the busiest international crossings with Canada and as the state with the strongest stake in the quality and security of country's largest source of fresh water, Michigan will continue to play a pivotal role in shaping our nation's future; and

            Whereas, The enormous disparity between what this state receives compared to what it contributes to the federal treasury has always represented a crushing burden to the taxpayers of this state. At this difficult time in history, as we grapple with our lifetime's most pressing economic challenges, this inequity can no longer be ignored. Michigan cannot continue to underwrite, in effect, the economies of the states that receive more than they send to Washington; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That we memorialize Congress to correct the inequities that exist in federal spending among the states, especially as this impacts the state of Michigan; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the President of the United States Senate, and members of the Michigan congressional delegation.