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House Speaker Andy Dillon (D-Redford), left, and Rep. Mike Simpson (D-Brooklyn) announce six top priority areas that will allow Michigan to tackle its most pressing challenges head-on in Jackson Monday. Aimed at helping working families and creating jobs in Michigan, the Democratic priorities are: reducing the high cost of health care, strengthening education, addressing Michigan's energy needs, protecting the Great Lakes and reducing imported trash, protecting consumers, and restoring integrity to the House.

LANSING – Following a day full of ceremony and celebration, Democrats in the Michigan House of Representatives wasted no time getting down to business on the first day of the 94^th Legislative Session. Democrats, who regained the majority in the House for the first time since 1998, today introduced a pair of plans that aim to end drug industry immunity and reduce the influx of Canadian and out-of-state trash flowing into Michigan.

"The people of Michigan spoke loud and clear in November – they want change, and we're going to give it to them," House Speaker Andy Dillon (D-Redford Township) said. "House Democrats are rolling up their sleeves and getting to work. We're going to create a Legislature that works FOR the people of Michigan. Today is just the first day."

House Democrats proposed a plan to repeal a 1996 law that gives big drug companies immunity when their products harm or kill our residents; the repeal would be retroactive to 1996. Michigan is the only state in the nation that has such a law. The plan also adds drug companies to the Consumer Protection Act, from which they currently are exempt.

"The big drug companies have been enjoying a free ride in Michigan for the past 10 years, and we're not going to let it continue," said State Representative Mike Simpson (D-Liberty Township). "When a company sells a product that harms or kills, it must be held accountable – it's just that simple."

House Democrats today also introduced a proposal to ban landfills from expanding until 2011. Inaction in the Republican-controlled House in 2005 allowed a moratorium on landfill expansion to expire on Dec. 31, 2005. Since then, six landfill operations in Michigan have expanded or requested permission to expand. Michigan has an estimated 17 years of landfill space left.

"Michigan is a beautiful place to hunt, fish and enjoy the great outdoors – it shouldn't be a dumping ground for Canadian and out-of-state trash," said State Representative Kate Ebli (D-Monroe). "Banning landfills from expanding their operations will help preserve the landfill space we have left and force Canada and other states to take their garbage elsewhere."