Political News and Commentary with the Right Perspective. NAVIGATION
  • Front Page
  • News
  • Multimedia
  • Tags
  • RSS Feed


  • Your New Scoop Site

    Welcome to Scoop!

    To help you figure things out, there is a Scoop Admin Guide which can hopefully answer most of your questions.

    Some tips:

    • Most of the layout is changed in "Blocks", found in the admin tools menu
    • Features can be turned on and off, and configured, in "Site Controls" in the admin tools menu
    • Stories have an "edit" link right beside the "Full Story" link on an index page, and right beside the "Post a Comment" link on the full story page. They can also be edited by clicking the story title in the "Story List" admin tool
    • Boxes are what allow you to write new features for Scoop; they require a knowledge of the perl programming language to work with effectively, although you can often make small changes without knowing much perl. If you would like a feature added but cannot program it yourself, ScoopHost does custom Scoop programming as one of its services.
    • If you aren't sure where to look for a particular feature or piece of display, try the "Search Admin Tools" link in the admin tools menu.

    For support, questions, and general help with Scoop, email support@scoophost.com

    ScoopHost.com is currently running Scoop version Undeterminable from .

    Tag: Bonds

    VOTE


    By JGillman, Section News
    Posted on Tue Aug 06, 2013 at 08:21:39 AM EST
    Tags: Michigan, Special Elections, Abuse, Property Owners, Taxpayers, Millages, Bonds, Section 6, MI Constitution, Ad Valorem (all tags)

    Today is the day that the looters hope you will forget.

    Special elections are happening all over Michigan in order to pass higher taxes, continue others and begin new programs.  One increase is for a Headlee override in Grand Traverse County.  The local college which has no financial crisis, has 10 years of surplus if nothing is done, and says that "the law prevents us from telling you what we want to do with the money" is putting its hand out on this special day:

    "SURPRISE!!  NMC is NOT broke.

    In fact, the college has a 38% fund balance remaining. the annual budget is $42.6 million and it has a $16.1 million general fund balance.  The projected deficit for 2014 is just over $400,000, which if carried through for 40 years MIGHT run the balance out.  Even if the projected annual deficit of $1.8 million happens on schedule, it is 10 years of shortages that the college can endure before its ABSOLUTE cutting time.  And that is under the assumption that property values are remaining flat.

    And by having the election today, NMC is saving costing taxpayers an additional $70-80K.

    It helps them avoid the fire sale on Millages in November, where two school bonds, and a road millage (another stick in the craw) as well as TWP measures will be on the ballot.  In fact so many things are on the ballot, Its a wonder anyone can avoid a tax sale at least ONCE in their life.  Because of people who SHOULD NOT be voting.

    Get out and do your thing.

    (16 comments) Comments >>

    Election Results Subject To Constitutional Challenge


    By JGillman, Section News
    Posted on Sun Jul 14, 2013 at 01:13:58 PM EST
    Tags: Michigan, Constitution, Bonds, Millages, DIA, Property Owners, Ad Valorem, Taxes, Redistribution (all tags)

    Better check those election results.  - Reposted from GROW.TC

    It seems the state has been overlooking a fundamental restriction already in place when certifying election results for 5+ year millages and Bond requests.  Has there been a validation for electors established to determine if the right to vote on certain issues?

    Typically, those who show up for an election for a millage are unchallenged as to their ability to vote on such issues.  There are no instructions that stipulate the law, as established by the constitution REQUIRES a real stake in such issues printed on the election forms (ballots), and there are no alternate means to prevent abrogation of constitutional statute.  The Michigan Constitution is very clear:

    ARTICLE II
    Elections

    § 6 Voters on tax limit increases or bond issues.

    Sec. 6. Whenever any question is required to be submitted by a political subdivision to the electors for the increase of the ad valorem tax rate limitation imposed by Section 6 of Article IXfor a period of more than five years, or for the issue of bonds,  only electors in, and who have property assessed for any ad valorem taxes in, any part of the district or territory to be affected by the result of such election or electors who are the lawful husbands or wives of such persons shall be entitled to vote thereon. All electors in the district or territory affected may vote on all other questions.

    History: Const. 1963, Art. II, §6, Eff. Jan. 1, 1964.
    Former Constitution: See Const. 1908, Art. III, §4.


    Uh oh.

    A question we should be asking might be: "Is a passed millage request subject to legal challenge based on the inability to verify the legal status of the electors voting on such issues?" In other words, if you don't own property you cannot vote on a bond issue, so is your ballot restricted, or not?

    Stay tuned.

    (11 comments, 534 words in story) Full Story

    A Message To Our Legislators - Beware False Choices

    Off Cycle Vote Alert - Midland


    By JGillman, Section News
    Posted on Fri May 03, 2013 at 05:19:42 PM EST
    Tags: Midland, MI, Public Schools, Bonds, Off Cycle Elections, Taxes, IB, Common Core, Parent Concerns (all tags)

    There are two Midland school requests up on May 7, 2013

    The school superintendent wants all you Midland conservatives to make sure you get out and VOTE!

    "two ballot proposals for your consideration if you are residents of the Midland Public Schools district. One, is a Sinking Fund proposal requesting 2.0 mills (millage) to be used for facility upgrades, renovations, construction and improvements. The second, a proposal for a .9 mills (millage) for the sale of Bonds totaling $20,880,000 to purchase equipment, security technology, infrastructure, etc., to support the district's technology plan"
    The Plan Boss! The PLAN!

    OK get the midget imagery out of your head Tutu.

    Grab an adult stylized beverage, fire up the wi-fidelity, and spend the weekend acquainting yourself with some of the issues surrounding such requests, and go to the polls a happy informed citizen on Tuesday.

    More below

    (1 comment, 827 words in story) Full Story

    Vote no on school bond proposal


    By JGillman, Section News
    Posted on Wed Apr 28, 2010 at 03:39:31 PM EST
    Tags: Schools, Bonds, Michigan, Inland lakes, Special Elections, Unions (all tags)

    GrannyNanny felt this needed a little more exposure than the Straitsland Resorter editorial page.  Though not the traditional format, It is reproduced in its entirety as it appeared.  (Somewhat like a reposting) Indeed, it has meaning to many who are continually besieged with requests for additional bond approvals.

    by L. Scott Swanson, Editor
    Straitsland Resorter

    It's almost as if schools follow a script when trying to get a tax increase passed.

    First, they try to persuade people there's some kind of crisis, an urgent crisis.

    Next the board puts a tax proposal on the ballot.

    Any board members expressing reservations are told that putting the proposal on the ballot is just "letting the people decide."

    Supporters push the millage using standard arguments. It's for the kids. Or they minimize the increase. Rather than calling it a $2 million tax, they equate it to cups of coffee, cans of pop, doughnuts whatever - a pittance. If they can find any possible way to characterize the tax proposal as a "renewal" or an "extension," anything, but an "increase" they do that.

    Then there's a spring election with nothing but school issues on the ballot. This normally means a small voter turnout. With a small turnout, a few hundred people can pass a tax increase that thousands will pay.

    Before voting on May 4, Inland Lakes voters should analyze that process and think about whether they really want things to play out that way.

    Continued below the fold.

    (4 comments, 1295 words in story) Full Story

    Advertise on RightMichigan.com

    Login

    Make a new account

    Username:
    Password:
    Tweet along with RightMichigan by
    following us on Twitter HERE!

    External Feeds

    Metro/State News RSS from The Detroit News
    + Craig: Cushingberry tried twice to elude police, was given preferential treatment
    + Detroit police arrest man suspected of burning women with blowtorch
    + Fouts rips video as 'scurrilous,' defends Chicago trip with secretary
    + Wind, winter weather hammer state from Mackinac Bridge to southeast Mich.
    + Detroit Cass Tech QB Campbell expected to be released from custody Friday
    + New water rates range from -16% to +14%; see change by community
    + Detroit's bankruptcy gets controversial turn in new Honda ad
    + Royal Oak Twp., Highland Park in financial emergency, review panels find
    + Grosse Ile Twp. leads list of Michigan's 10 safest cities
    + Wayne Co. sex crimes backlog grows after funding feud idles Internet Crime Unit
    + Judge upholds 41-60 year sentence of man guilty in Detroit firefighter's death
    + Detroit man robbed, shot in alley on west side
    + Fire at Detroit motel forces evacuation of guests
    + Survivors recount Syrian war toll at Bloomfield Hills event
    + Blacks slain in Michigan at 3rd-highest rate in US

    Politics RSS from The Detroit News
    + Apologetic Agema admits errors but won't resign
    + Snyder: Reform 'dumb' rules to allow more immigrants to work in Detroit
    + GOP leaders shorten presidential nominating season
    + Dems: Another 12,600 Michiganians lose extended jobless benefits
    + Mike Huckabee's comments on birth control gift for Dems
    + Granholm to co-chair pro-Clinton PAC for president
    + Republican panel approves tougher penalties for unauthorized early primary states
    + Michigan seeks visas to lure immigrants to Detroit
    + Peters raises $1M-plus for third straight quarter in Senate bid
    + Bill would let lawyers opt out of Michigan state bar
    + Michigan lawmakers launch more bills against sex trade
    + Balanced budget amendment initiative gets a jumpstart
    + Feds subpoena Christie's campaign, GOP
    + Poll: At Obama's 5-year point, few see a turnaround
    + Obama to release 2015 budget March 4

    create account | faq | search