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    Tag: Taxpayers (page 2)

    Time to Call the Realtor?


    By Corinthian Scales, Section News
    Posted on Mon Sep 10, 2012 at 11:07:51 AM EST
    Tags: Mary Beth Kelly, Supreme Court, POJ, Unions, Utopia, Protect Union Boss Jobs Initiative, Taxpayers, Cement Shoes, One Term Nerd (all tags)

    via MCC

    The union-backed proposal known as "Protect Our Jobs" has mostly been sold as enshrining collective bargaining privileges into the Michigan Constitution and fending off a right-to-work law that could be passed at some point in the future.

    These points are being debated by both sides, but the main effect of the POJA initiative being passed by voters in November is far less known and would do far more damage than either of the typically discussed positions.

    Tucked into the middle, part of the union petition reads, "No existing or future law of the state or its political subdivisions shall abridge, impair or limit" unions' ability to "negotiate in good faith regarding wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment. ... "

    In short: Aside from a couple exceptions, no state law past, present or future could limit what government union officials could win in labor contracts.

    Rest here

    If this goes through, it'd be wise to bail from Michigan before the rubes figure out what this is going to do to folks taxes.

    Comments >>

    What A BARGAIN!


    By JGillman, Section News
    Posted on Fri Aug 31, 2012 at 03:13:54 PM EST
    Tags: Michigan, Snyder, Suckers, Taxpayers, Grants, Cement Shoes, Boondoggles, Subsidized, Choo Choos (all tags)

    Norfolk Southern just got a sweet deal.

    Unloading a rail line between Chicago and Detroit onto the taxpayers of Michigan, the freight concern just eliminated the high cost of maintenance, liability, and dispatching responsibility, and as a bonus probably got paid for it. According to PFA:

    "Thanks to $140 million in federal money, the State of Michigan will reportedly soon be the owner of the Norfolk Southern Railroad line connecting Chicago to Detroit. This is all part of the State's plan to have high speed rail connecting the two cities."
    Because we all know how important it will be to transport those 20 or so people daily between the two cities as fast as possible.

    Norfolk keeps the rights to freight travel, which is ALWAYS the most lucrative part of a rail operation, and gets US to pay the weight of the rest. AND the lose all the negatives.

    Sweet.

    Thank you, 140 million in federal money!  Without your presence our kids wouldn't have ANY legacy costs to pick up.

    (1 comment) Comments >>

    A Message To Our Legislators - Beware False Choices

    The Camel's Back


    By JGillman, Section News
    Posted on Wed Aug 22, 2012 at 09:54:05 PM EST
    Tags: Stephen Cousins, Kelly Hall, Michigan, Traverse City, Schools, Performing Arts Center, Millage, Luxury, Disconnect, Tax Sales, Beasts of Burden, Taxpayers (all tags)

    "The straw that broke that camel's back" perhaps.

    That could be the headline when the Traverse City Area Public Schools see their most recent request for millage fall flat on its fat face.

    TCAPS is looking for support to continue its Capital Infrastructure Improvement Program through authorization of bond sales that will generate $100 million over the next 10 years. According to TCAPS, the millage rate necessary to repay these bonds will remain below 4 mills.  Given the current rate of 3.1 mills, where did the other 29% increase come from?  The purpose of these requests must be physical asset based only, and this level of increase must surely be based on some specific need, right?

    Of course.  The need for a particular feel good wear around the neck kind of thing that says "look at me!"

    Luxury.

    Continued below the fold

    (1 comment, 1318 words in story) Full Story

    Smart Zones And Stupid Vehicles


    By JGillman, Section News
    Posted on Thu Mar 22, 2012 at 12:46:06 PM EST
    Tags: HIB 5477, HIB 5246, Commerce Committee, Taxpayers, Michigan, MEDC, 21st Century Jobs Fund, Grants, Energy, Republicans, Central Planning (all tags)

    Wayne Schmidt didn't get the memo.

    We don't need anymore of that, thank you.  In fact, Republicans are supposed to be for SMALLER government.  Further, one might think Northern Michigan Republicans ought to be even a little more conservative on matters of property rights, exclusionary areas, and doling out cash or favors to specific and targeted groups.

    Its called "central planning," and its the kind of thing that can be repeatedly demonstrated as inefficient, and costly to land owners, taxpayers, and entire economies.

    Representative Schmidt needs to get a little sleep and ask himself what he will do when he is no longer able to call himself a Republican. Many of us have stopped already.  Best intentions don't very well make up for the mistake of seeking liberal ends.  Championing progressive causes, and now taking a page from Mao's playbook (managing farms for the good of all) with top down government managed "smart zones"?  Terrible, Comrade!

    OK, maybe not THAT bad. .. Yet.

    It certainly comes from Jenny G's book however.  (below the fold)

    (5 comments, 1077 words in story) Full Story

    Publicly Owned Privately Profited


    By JGillman, Section News
    Posted on Fri Oct 21, 2011 at 10:09:29 AM EST
    Tags: Michigan, NICT, Governor, Snyder, Politcal Patronage, Crony Capitalist, Liabilitiies, Taxpayers (all tags)

    I am proud to be among a great number of critical thinkers in this forum. Discussion that is necessary happens here, and points are often made that might not have been considered without the discussion. Kevin Heine makes such a point during our recent NICT back and forth.
    "Beyond this raising the question of: Does public ownership/private operation mean any losses are public, any profit private? (and I think the answer is, "yes"), I've seen this concept elsewhere, and Merriam-Webster has the definition."
    Indeed.

    But its more in how crony capitalists roll.  In fact, this would be a great place to stop and find a local 'occupier' for the purposes of redirecting them to the Michigan capitol's lawn.  No doubt much of the occupy movement is (for lack of a more appropriate word) 'occupied' by hardcore progressives, but one of the messages they seem to be sporting is they want an end to 'capitalism'.  And though they say 'capitalism,' we all know they mean 'crony capitalism,' as it has been the only thing allowed by the institution of an all powerful bureaucracy through political reward and economic gamesmanship.

    This thing, this bridge thing.  As we watch the governor squander political goodwill in deal trade after deal trade, we also watch the effect of good legislators who are willing to question its efficacy, or the need for the bridge.

    It didn't make sens to place private profit and political patronage over public liability during the Granholm administration in the last 8 years, and it makes no more sense now.

    (11 comments) Comments >>

    Facts Are Stubborn Things


    By JGillman, Section News
    Posted on Sat Oct 08, 2011 at 11:21:03 PM EST
    Tags: Billions, DRIC, NICT, BAD IDEA, Snyder, Bridge, Canada, Michigan, Suckers, Crony Capitalism, Taxpayers (all tags)

    But which facts?

    In an attempt to lure lawmakers into thinking popular opinion is on the side of committing Michigan to a boondoggle project that is the NITC, the administration is now pushing polls that seem to show consensus. At least once "they know the facts." A couple of weeks ago from the Ivory Tower:

    "Two-thirds of Michigan voters support Gov. Rick Snyder's plan for a new bridge to Windsor once they understand Canada's role in helping to pay for the span, new poll results showed Monday.

    Conducted for the corporate leadership group Business Leaders for Michigan, the poll of 600 likely voters showed that 62% favored building the public bridge and 33% opposed it. "


    Business Leaders for Michigan, which portrays itself as a competitive business group is comprised of such conservative giants as Mary Sue Coleman, Timothy Collins, John Bryant, and other rent seeking, rely on government for their success types. I mean Gerard Anderson of DTE? Jon Barfield? Daniel Akerson of GM? And those are just a few on the list.

    Folks, I present to you the greatest collection of crony capitalists this side of Wall Street. And they are all in our back yard. In this writer's view, these folks wouldn't understand a free market business model if it hit them on the head with a hard bound copy of Atlas Shrugged. The few Republicans you may find in the overall group are names added to give credibility to the rest and still does not guarantee their business models are not reliant on government handouts, intervention or "collaboration." (Read: taking from us to make their model work)

    And these lefty supporting, steal from the taxpayer types want the bridge and are pushing heavily for it.

    ~ More below ~

    (6 comments, 769 words in story) Full Story

    Standing Up For Michigan


    By JGillman, Section Multimedia
    Posted on Fri Jul 15, 2011 at 10:38:30 AM EST
    Tags: CD10, Michigan, Candace Miller, National Flood Insurance, Taxpayers (all tags)

    CD10 Candice Miller has seen good and bad about her on these pages.  We call it like we see it, and frankly that is what serves the state best.

    Her current amendment will serve us best as well.  And we would be remiss to not agree with her assessment that National flood insurance should end.

    H/T to the NetRight Daily guys!

    Update [2011-7-15 12:47:44 by JGillman]: BELOW

    (1 comment, 370 words in story) Full Story

    All Tags


    By JGillman, Section News
    Posted on Wed Jun 01, 2011 at 10:51:19 AM EST
    Tags: Michigan, Snyder, DRIC, NITC, $5.5Billion, $3.8Billion, $2.2Billion, $1.025Billion, $550Billion, 20000 Daily Fares, $8 Truck Fares, $4 Car Fares, Maintenance, Employees, Debt Service, Canada, Unions, Math, More Math, Taxpayers, Liability, 100 years, Taxes (all tags)

    There is enough right there.

    The post writes itself.

    Questions?

    (3 comments) Comments >>

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