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House Speaker Kevin Cotter and the House Republican caucus unveils its 2015-16 action plan.

(Jonathan Oosting | MLive.com)

LANSING, MI -- Michigan House Republicans on Thursday unveiled a 78-point action plan for the 2015-16 session that calls for repeal of the state's prevailing wage law, income tax cuts and criminal sentencing reform.

"This is the most bold agenda we've put forward yet," House Speaker Kevin Cotter, R-Mt. Pleasant, said during a afternoon press conference at the Michigan Capitol, where he was joined by fellow Republicans who make up the 63-member majority caucus.

"There's a lot of work to do. We can't possibly work ourselves out of a job," Cotter continued.

The GOP action plan includes a number of priorities that complement goals outlined by Republican Gov. Rick Snyder in his recent State of the State address, including expanded opportunities for skilled-trades training and an emphasis on early reading literacy.

But Cotter, borrowing the governor's own mantra of "relentless positive action," acknowledged that they will not always see eye to eye.

Snyder has already made clear he is not interested in repealing the state's long-running prevailing wage law, for instance. The law guarantees union wage rates and benefits on certain government-funded projects.

"I think we need to make a decision as to whether or not this is the right policy or not," said Cotter. "Should government be mandating the price of construction? If the answer to that is no, then I think repeal is the appropriate road."

Katie Carey, a spokesperson for House Democrats, said she was still working her way through the 20-page House GOP plan but was disappointed that prevailing wage repeal was the very first action item that was mentioned.

"I think what we're seeing with this action plan is very similar to what we've seen in the past," said Carey. "Their first shot out of the gate is going to mean lower wages for many hardworking Michiganders."

The action plan also calls for reduction in Michigan's 4.25 percent personal income tax rate, which had been scheduled to drop to 3.9 percent by 2015 before the Legislature froze the rate in 2011.

With the state facing a current year budget shortfall, Snyder has shied away from the tax cut talk. Cotter agreed that resolving the fiscal crunch is important but indicated that he'd like tax cut talks to begin after work on the next budget is complete.

"A reduction of the state personal income tax that is properly budgeted and accounted for remains the House Republicans' single most important tax-relief measure," according to the action plan, which was published online for public review.

This marks the third straight session that House Republicans have released an action plan. The caucus announced last month that it had accomplished 80 percent of the goals it laid out two years ago.

State Rep. Dan Lauwers, who chaired the policy development workgroup, said the 2015-16 agenda was culled from more than 400 recommendations from all 63 members.

"I expect we're going to accomplish more than 80 percent of this plan," he said. "It's really about not letting our foot off the gas. We want to accelerate the recovery of Michigan."

Other notable provisions in the extensive plan:

* Prohibiting local "sick pay ordinances" that govern wages and benefits, an effort that proved controversial last year. "Many job providers are fearful such local actions hinder job creation," according to the GOP agenda.

* Embracing new transportation services like Uber and Lyft through legislation that will "welcome entrepreneurial opportunities" in Michigan.

* Criminal sentencing guidelines and parole reforms. Efforts on this front stalled last year, but "now is the time to advance cost-saving reforms," according to the agenda.

* Reform civil asset forfeiture law that allows law enforcement officials to seize personal property, even in cases when there is not a resulting criminal conviction.

* Charter school accreditation. House Republicans want to create "uniform, robust accreditation system" for charter school authorizers, according to the agenda.

* "Reinvent the MEDC." Spending by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation is "highly discretionary and not as transparent as it should be in terms of return on investment," according to House Republicans.

Also Thursday, a group of Democrats from the state House and Senate announced pending "paid sick leave" legislation that would require employers to allow workers to accrue one hour of sick leave for every 30 hours they work.

Jonathan Oosting is a Capitol reporter for MLive Media Group. Email him, find him on Facebook or follow him on Twitter.