Bolger was elected as House leader in 2011, during his time as Speaker numerous legislative packages that aided Michigan's recovery passed. Specifically, the Michigan House has passed legislation to cut duplicative regulation, as well as reforming the tax structure and pension systems. In addition to those initiatives, the Speaker has worked with Republicans statewide to pass right-to-work legislation and education reform measures.
Education reform During Bolger's term as Speaker he achieved bipartisan support for education reform. Since 2011, the Michigan House of Representatives have passed numerous education reforms including tenure reform, expansion of cyber and charter school choices, teacher benefit reforms and early childhood development investment. Tenure reform in Michigan guaranteed students would not be left with an underperforming teacher or lose a teacher who is exceeding. Tenure reform made it easier for a school district to fire ineffective teachers, and banned the
last in first out approach previously utilized. The school choice legislation gradually lifts the cap on charter schools authorized by universities and allows for more cyber school options. The legislation, which is described as the biggest change in the state's teacher retirement system in a generation, allows school districts to allocate less towards retirement pensions and more towards students. The reform also created the option for teachers to commit more towards their own retirement, or have the option for a smaller pension. The changes to funding for early childhood development have resulted in at least 16,000 more students being able to attend pre-k schooling. Regarding increased early childhood development funding Speaker Bolger said, The Speaker's comments on early childhood funding were applauded by the Children's Leadership Council of Michigan. In 2009, Michigan's unemployment rate hit a record-high 14.2 percent. During that same period Michigan saw its population base shrink. In 2011, Bolger worked with Republicans in the house to pass tax, education and pension reform measures, and employers have responded positively to the changes.
Poverty decline From 2008 until the end of 2010 under a Democrat controlled Michigan House of Representatives and Democratic Governor
Jennifer Granholm, Michigan's poverty rate rose from 14.4% in 2008 up to 17.5% in 2011. When elected Speaker, Bolger stated it was the goal of Republican leaders to address our state's increasing poverty rate by creating more jobs. Specifically, Bolger stated "it has to be all about job creation. After four years of Republican reforms led by Bolger, Governor
Rick Snyder and former Senate Majority Leader
Randy Richardville, Michigan saw significant economic improvement with more than 300,000 jobs added to state's economy, which aided the state's poverty rate decrease. Prior to passage, Speaker Bolger was the sole legislative leader who supported right-to-work when other Michigan Republicans were lukewarm on the idea. The day Bolger was elected Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives he stated that fellow Republicans should join him in reviewing the potential for right-to-work legislation. The legislation was eventually signed by Governor
Rick Snyder on December 11, 2012.
Tax reform and venture capital growth Bolger worked with Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville and Governor Snyder to pass tax reform in the state. The tax overhaul was the largest in 17 years, and included eliminating the Michigan Business Tax, reforming the personal income and pension tax systems. The changes in corporate tax structure have resulted in Michigan improving its corporate tax business environment from an all-time low ranking of 49th up to seventh-best in the country. Under the new tax changes, Michigan has become a top state for venture capital projects with 312 new projects in 2013. The state ranks fifth in new project development, and 10th for projects per capita. The personal property tax legislation, which was championed by the Lieutenant Governor
Brian Calley, allows for 100 percent reimbursement to municipalities and an 80 percent reduction in business taxes based on the previous system. In his first year as Speaker, Bolger, Senate Majority Leader
Randy Richardville and Governor
Rick Snyder worked to pass a budget which resulted in Michigan seeing a more than $450 million surplus. In each subsequent year the Michigan legislature has passed, and the governor has signed a balanced budget.
Detroit revitalization Speaker Bolger has stated that he plans to work with legislators on both sides of the aisle to assist Detroit in its
revitalization. In October 2013, the Speaker visited Detroit with state Representative
Harvey Santana, a Democrat from Michigan's 9th house district, and pledged to explore ways to fight crime, lower auto insurance rates and clean up the city. Recently, the Speaker proposed a change to Michigan's auto insurance laws, which would help reduce cost for Detroit's drivers; after promoting his proposal the Speaker met with Representatives
John Olumba and Santana in an effort to create bi-partisan reform.
Detroit's bankruptcy and recovery In May 2014, Bolger announced the formation of a special committee, House Committee on Detroit's Recovery and Michigan's Future, to help Detroit settle the largest municipal
bankruptcy in history while protecting Michigan taxpayers statewide. Bolger was quoted as saying "we are putting a strong team in place to resolve this difficult issue today with a vision for a bright future." Bolger requested unions to make a material contribution that is reflective of other parties involved in the settlement. The
Detroit News editorialized that the union contribution demand was too much, and the likelihood of unions contributing would be slim. Other critics wrote that Bolger's demand would imperil the settlement. Bolger did receive support from conservative columnists and was urged to continue his demand. Bolger held firm to his request, and unions - the first was The Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council - did agree to make material contributions towards health care costs to help with the Detroit bankruptcy settlement. After unions agreed to contribution money towards the settlement, the Michigan House passed legislation with major bipartisan support. Governor Snyder called the legislative package an opportunity to change the direction of Detroit. ==Political controversies==