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House Democratic Leader Tim Greimel (D-Auburn Hills) and state Representatives Rashida Tlaib (D-Detroit), Democratic vice chairwoman of the Appropriations Committee, and Brandon Dillon (D-Grand Rapids), Democratic vice chairman of the Appropriations School Aid Subcommittee, voted against House Bill 4228, the budget dealing with community colleges, higher education and K-12 funding.

"The recent closure of several Michigan schools should have been enough to prove that K-12 education is in desperate need of funding restoration," said Dillon. "While there are minimal increases in the budget, they do nothing to make up for the money that was stolen from our schools over the last two years. The budget is disappointing, but it is not the end. I will continue to fight for education and the futures of Michigan students."

The Michigan House Democrats introduced a resolution today calling for an investigation into Michigan's high gasoline prices, which were recently named the highest in the continental U.S. House Democratic Leader Tim Greimel (D-Auburn Hills), joined by Reps. Collene Lamonte (D-Montague) and Brandon Dillon (D-Grand Rapids) urged state Attorney General Bill Schuette to open an investigation into recent high gas prices and prosecute any producer, wholesaler or retailer suspected of price fixing.

"Michigan drivers deserve to know why they're paying more for a gallon of gasoline here than any other place in the continental U.S.," Greimel said. "High gas prices are hurting Michigan's drivers and scaring away visitors at the height of our tourist season. If the cost for gasoline is being unfairly set by unscrupulous producers, wholesalers or retailers, those vendors need to be prosecuted."

A recent survey by AAA of Michigan found that Michigan's average price of gasoline stood at $4.22 per gallon, compared to a national average of $3.64 per gallon, making Michigan the state with the highest gas prices in the continental U.S. Michigan's high gasoline prices have been blamed on refinery problems in Illinois and Indiana that have caused a shortage of gasoline, but reporters looking into the issue have said that details about the refinery problems are hard to come by.

"State Attorney General Bill Schuette needs to investigate these claims of gasoline shortages and determine whether big oil companies are being honest with Michiganders or whether they are colluding to unfairly increase gas prices," Lamonte, sponsor of House Resolution 170, said. "Middle-class families shouldn't have to pay as much as $90 to fill up the family car. There must be a consequence for taking advantage of Michigan's drivers."

The legislators urged citizens to join the effort to open a gas price investigation. Voters can sign a petition at LowerMIGasPrices.com to join the call for an investigation.

"Everyone who feels pain at the pump should tell the attorney general that he must take action," Dillon said. "People are busting their budgets just to drive to work, go to the grocery store and get their kids to the doctor. We need relief now."

Rep. Brandon Dillon talks about the passage of Medicaid Expansion in Michigan.

Rep. Brandon Dillon (D-Grand Rapids) slammed the Senate Republicans today for caving in to Tea Party pressure to kill a Medicaid expansion bill. The failure of Republicans keeps health care out of reach of 400,000 Michigan residents, while easing Republican legislators' fears of facing a primary challenge from Tea Party supporters.

"This is the latest example of the Tea Party running our state government," Greimel said. "Rather than heed the recommendation of their Republican governor and pro-business organizations such as the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, Republicans in the Senate cravenly capitulated to a small group of extremists who would rather see their neighbors suffer from untreated disease than accept federal funds to expand Medicaid. They did nothing to help out small businesses who begged them to pass this bill because it would bring them relief. Voters should hold them accountable at the ballot box."

House Bill 4714, which would have expanded Medicaid in Michigan through the use of federal funds, passed in the House last week. Republican senators refused to vote on the measure today, effectively letting the bill die in the chamber on the last day before the legislators' summer work period. Republican Gov. Rick Snyder and Lt. Gov. Brian Calley cut short trips to Israel and the Upper Peninsula, respectively, to return to Lansing and lobby for passage of the bill, but Republicans in the Senate wouldn't budge.

"What happened today was the betrayal of 400,000 hard-working Michganders who simply wanted to be able to see a doctor and maintain their health," Dillon said. "Republicans decided that a few Tea Party extremists were more important than hundreds of thousands of people. The republicans have been effective at raising taxes and cutting education but when it comes to helping hundreds of thousands of people they failed. Those people who were looking to us to make it possible to finally access health care and save taxpayer money should be furious," Dillon said. "It is a dark day for Michigan's working families."