"Bernero to cities: Cut costs and I'd ease mandates" boasts the headline!

"If you give me more cooperation, more collaboration, I will promise you no unfunded mandates," such as environmental and paperwork requirements that are handed down, he said."

Unfunded mandates are a dirty secret used by democrats AND republicans in their efforts to balance Michigan's Budget.

In 2009 alone, Michigan Taxpayers have been LITERALLY double charged by the government to the excess of $2.2-billion!

Local politicians have been loathe to address this issue due to the fact that most of them are on the lower rungs of the political food chain, and do not want to rock the boat.

Even though Lansing has repeatedly lost when this issue has been contested in the Bolt, Durant and Fitzgerald Public Schools (Michigan Public Schools) cases, Lansing still insists on playing ignorant regarding what its duties actually are.

Virg Bernero is the latest politician to display his ignorance regarding this matter.

True believers, I give you Exhibit "A":

Michigan Constitution

Article 9 § 25

Voter approval of increased local taxes; prohibitions; emergency conditions; repayment of bonded indebtedness guaranteed; implementation of section.

Sec. 25. Property taxes and other local taxes and state taxation and spending may not be increased above the limitations specified herein without direct voter approval.

The state is prohibited from requiring any new or expanded activities by local governments without full state financing, from reducing the proportion of state spending in the form of aid to local governments, or from shifting the tax burden to local government.