Archive for June, 2012
The “Bain Report” Articles that Affect You and Your Family for Monday, June, 18, 2012
Posted by rabman13 in Bain Report, Politics, The Bain Report on June 15, 2012
The “Bain Report” is a weekly publication for those citizens of Michigan who are concerned with the representation they are receiving from their elected officials. The purpose of this report is to educate and inform the citizens with pertinent articles and legislation that affect the families of Michigan. If you or anyone you know wishes to receive the “Bain Report” reply to rabman13@aol.com with add me to the weekly “Bain Report” in the subject line with your name and e-mail address in the body. Your email will be added to the list of those Patriots, Activist, and Concerned Citizens here in Michigan who receive the “Bain Report” published every Monday. For those currently receiving the “Bain Report” and wish to be removed from these mailings please reply to above e-mail address with remove me from your list in the subject line.
Opinion by R Al Bain
The Power Broker GOP Establishment Elitist Employ Tactics of the Left Against Kerry Bentivolio
So what does the “Tea Party” faithful mean to the power broker elitist of the Republican Party? I’ll tell you, nothing but their votes as to retain power and control. How many times will it take before we the people learn and realize that the rhetoric we hear from the “Party Bosses” and would be candidates of the Republican Party speak of smaller government, individual freedoms and liberties just to get elected or re-elected?
Just look at the many who have proclaimed this while pandering to the grassroots movement only to backtrack when elected to office! Some recent examples: look what they are doing to Kerry Bentivolio in getting a write-in to challenge him in the primary. An establishment so-called Senate Majority leader in Randy Richardville threatening lawsuits against citizens of his own Party for their outspoken criticisms of his actions, policies, and moral fabric or his lack thereof.
The Richardville machine has even targeted a Conservative Republican here in Monroe County who is up for re-election as a County Commissioner in District 7. His minions even had the gull at a recent Commissioners meeting as to bring their candidate challenger and introduce him to this Conservative Commissioner.
We have witnessed a very disturbing trend. The Republican establishment which fought Ronald Reagan in the 1970s and which continues to fight the grassroots Tea Party movement today has adopted the tactics of the left in using the media and the politics of personal destruction to attack an opponent. Don’t let them get away with it!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Senator Richardville Recall Wording Approved
Today, by a 2-1 vote the Monroe County Board of Elections paved the way for the citizens of the 17th Senatorial District to remove Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville from office, removing a Senate Majority leader is a task that has never been successfully completed in modern history.
Jeff Andring a former Monroe County Republican Party Chairman initiated the recall process because of Mr. Richardville’s lack of leadership and Bill’s that he has sponsored or co-sponsored that are detrimental to the principles of the Republican Party Platform.
Mr. Andring along with other Tea Party leaders and concerned citizens are building a coalition to begin the signature gathering portion of the recall process to remove this RINO from office. It is also being reported that this recall effort may receive financial aid from conservative sources.
If you have any questions regarding this recall effort please contact:
Jeff Andring – 313-805-5439 – jeff@recallposse.org
Is Michigan Next “Union Rights” Battleground?
Not as long as Senate Majority Randy Richardville holds the leadership position in Lansing! As leader he controls what goes into and out of committees and what comes up to the floor for a vote! He has consistently continued to block “right to work” legislation from being introduced and has allegedly used threats against any of his colleagues who attempted to do so! What’s the old saying, power corrupts?
As the “unions” best friend in Lansing he has alone enabled the “unions” to now get a constitutional amendment on the November ballot banning future “right to work” legislation from ever being introduced here in Michigan if passed. On Wednesday, a group known as Protect Our Jobs submitted 684,286 petition signatures more than twice the minimum required to place on the ballot a state constitutional amendment guaranteeing the right to collective-bargaining for government and private-sector workers.
Governor Snyder Vows No Public Cash for “New Government Bridge” Oh Really?
Yeah right and I will sell you some pristine property in Arizona cheap and on a good day you can even see the “Golden Gate Bridge”! Political smoke and mirrors on this one folks. Let’s have a little history here shall we in Bridge’s. This same crap (propaganda) was spewed with the Mackinaw, Blue Water, and the Bridge that made Zilwaukee famous in which we the taxpayers are still paying for!
As with anything the government get’s involved with there are sure to be problems not to mention cost overruns to the tune of millions of dollars and faulty engineering due to low contract bids and these concerns are well documented with the Blue Water and Zilwaukee Bridges. Look at education and social security as just two examples where the government has failed the citizens. Why would the government even want to be in the bridge business when you have a private citizen willing to risk and spend his own money with “no risk what so ever” to the taxpayers? The only revenue stream (money) that the government generates is the taxpayers!
http://www.freep.com/article/20120614/NEWS15/206140566/Snyder-vows-No-public-cash-for-bridge
Richardville “Lies” to the Press about “New Government Bridge”
Senate Majority leader Randy Richardville has lied to the press in regard to the New Government Bridge! Senator Richardville was quoted as saying “The Senate was leery that future legislation would use funds on this bridge,” Richardville said. “I’ve been consistent with no using taxpayer money all along. Nor should government compete with private enterprise.” If anyone want’s verification of this “flat out lie” just read Senate Bill 410 and Senate Bill 411 that he himself sponsored and introduced for this New Government Bridge.
http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120613/METRO01/206130411#ixzz1xhcIktv6
Richardville Comments on Scott Walker Recall Victory
This statement should clearly show what Richardville is with his slap in the face comment! First Michigan Republican Party Chairman Bobby Schostak said that Walker’s victory is a voter endorsement of the GOP’s efforts nationwide to cut the size of government.
Then Richardville’s statement: Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville said he doesn’t look to Wisconsin as a model for Michigan and doesn’t really care what happened there. He went on to say “The Wisconsin people and Legislature does things their way, and we do ours our way.”
http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120606/POLITICS02/206060412
Meet the Michigan GOP Establishment’s Newest Mail-Order Bride
With McCotter’s campaign self destructing on the petition signatures leaving him off the ballot and leaving only a “Tea Party” favorite named Kerry Bentivolio as the only candidate certified to appear on the Republican ballot this did not sit well with the GOP establishment. So what was the establishment to do about this? They needed a Party yes man or yes woman not a people’s man!
So now they needed someone who could knock off Bentivolio! In steps the usual suspects Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson, Oakland County Republican Chair Jim Thienel and 13 other local Republican leaders have anointed former state Sen. Nancy Cassis of Novi, on whose behalf they intend to mount a strenuous write-in campaign in the Aug. 7 GOP primary. Don’t let them do it!
While a State Senator in Lansing Cassis was busy seeking and occasionally securing tax breaks for a wide variety of corporate supplicants no doubt as payback for campaign contributions!
Allen Park: From Movie Mecca to Emergency Manager
It is something that has been on the minds of many in the broke city of Allen Park. While there is plenty of blame to go around on this issue let’s look at the heart of the problem shall we? Former governor Jennifer Granholm initiated this mess with “taxpayer funded subsidies” for Wealthy Hollywood Movie Producers and Film Studios now her former colleague who was onboard from the onset Senate Majority leader Randy Richardville has doubled down on these subsidies with legislation he introduced and passed in Lansing in the next budget!
Public Act 4, Michigan’s law for taking over a financially troubled local unit of government. Allen Parks troubles deepened when it purchased, without voter approval, the site of an old Visteon plant to turn into a movie studio. The city was hoping to cash in on a recent state law that required taxpayers to foot up 42 percent of the expenses of movies shot in the state. The studio never materialized.The city paid nearly 30 million dollars for the property. Last spring, it was worth about half of that.
http://www.mackinac.org/16773#4409
States Forecast Higher Tax Revenue
This article is very deceiving in that it paints a much rosier picture than what it really is. Take Michigan for example, we have lost population and jobs but yet have higher tax revenue. This equates to fuzzy math to me! What this tells me is that taxes have increased on the citizenry for this to be true. Here in Michigan our taxes have increased over 23% in the last year alone!
http://www.businessweek.com/ap/2012-06/D9VBJU800.htm
Michigan Legislators OK’s Tax Cut – Oh Really, Yeah Right!
I have to say the voting public here in Michigan needs to wake up and start paying attention! Taxes have risen here in Michigan in the last year by over 23%. After the largest tax increase in Michigan’s history back in 2007 a deal was struck to decrease the rate back to 3.9% by 2013. Now they are using smoke and mirrors with this latest so-called tax cut and the rate will not decrease until 2018.
This so-called tax cut would amount to an average of $10 per person during the fiscal year starting Oct. 1. This is nothing more than a campaign ploy for the House Republicans who are up for re-election! What are you going to do with your $10.00? We Michigan taxpayers could get enough back from the state to pay for a fast-food lunch or two if were are thrifty but I noticed even McDonalds have even raised their prices!
College Costs Rise 15 Percent
No problem you can just apply that Michigan tax cut of $10.00 per person towards this increase! The Department of Education offered up yet another bit of awful sounding news about the cost of college, when it reported that tuition at four-year, public institutions had jumped up 15 percent in two years — even faster than the cost of health care. At private schools, they rose by almost 10 percent on average.
“Politicians and diapers should be changed often, and for the same reason” ~ Mark Twain
The “Bain Report” Articles that Affect You and Your Family for Monday, June, 11, 2012
Posted by rabman13 in Bain Report, Politics, The Bain Report on June 8, 2012
The “Bain Report” is a weekly publication for those citizens of Michigan who are concerned with the representation they are receiving from their elected officials. The purpose of this report is to educate and inform the citizens with pertinent articles and legislation that affect the families of Michigan. If you or anyone you know wishes to receive the “Bain Report” reply to rabman13@aol.com with add me to the weekly “Bain Report” in the subject line with your name and e-mail address in the body. Your email will be added to the list of those Patriots, Activist, and Concerned Citizens here in Michigan who receive the “Bain Report” published every Monday. For those currently receiving the “Bain Report” and wish to be removed from these mailings please reply to above e-mail address with remove me from your list in the subject line.
Michigan Republicans Raised Your Taxes Did You Notice?
This goes against the Republican ideology of less taxation, less government, and less intrusion into our lives. The GOP has raised taxes on virtually everything that moves in this state and more future taxes increased are proposed. This is a direct “failure” of leadership within the Michigan Republican Party. The good news for the Republicans is none of the increases was noticed when weary taxpayers forked over their hard earnings to the state on tax day April 17th.
Just some examples, everyone under 67 will pay a pension tax in some form or another. Some will lose part of their Homestead Property tax break, and if you contribute to charities, you can forget about claiming a deduction. Those are gone,too. There are many more either direct and indirect with many more proposed such as a New Gas Tax, and New Government Bridge among others. The latter after the legislature rejected it the good governor has seemed to find a way as to by-pass legislative approval. Hold onto your wallets!
http://www.mlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2012/04/tim_skubick_republicans_raised.html
Republicans in Lansing Raise Taxes While Republicans in Washington Raise Debt
What’s going on with the Republican Party leadership? Raising taxes and our debt is not Republican principled! While the Democratic Party has moved so far to the left it has fallen off the cliff the Republican Party has moved right along in lock-step, maybe not off the cliff but to close for my taste!
McCotter’s Snafu Leaves GOP Looking for Write-in Candidate
The Republican status quo establishment power broker elitist are scrambling to find a “yes man” to run for they are definitely afraid of Kerry Bentivolio for he will not be a “yes man” for the Party but a representative of the citizens!
Michigan Town Votes Down Windmill Plan, Board Moving Ahead Anyways – Town Votes Down Windmill Plan, Board Moving Ahead Anyways
Apparently elections in Huron County’s Lake Township don’t mean much. In February, Lake Township voters struck down a zoning ordinance that would allow wind turbines to operate near their homes by better than a 61 percent to 39 percent margin. Yet, there’s a good chance township residents will have to live next to the turbines anyway. “We said ‘no’ when we voted on it,” said Tony Kanyak, a Lake Township farmer. “It was turned down by the voters. Now a select few are doing it anyway. It’s a dictatorship.
http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/16975
Taxpayers Pay Twice for Union ‘Release Time’ – Senate GOP Waters Down Bill, Favors Select “Unions”
No surprise here with the “unions” best friend in Lansing Senate Majority leader Randy Richardville at the helm! Taxpayers in scores of Michigan communities may not realize it, but when they send in their winter and summer property tax payments, some of their money is extracted to pay union bosses not for their assigned job duties, but for time spent on union business. That’s because their school board members, mayors and city councils have signed union labor contracts that require taxpayers to compensate union stewards to do union work on government time.
http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/17007
Pete Hoekstra’s Hollywood Makeover – Record “Pork Barrel” Pete Hoekstra is Trying to Hide
Pete Hoekstra is launching attacks about the national debt–and his attacks couldn’t be more hypocritical. While in Congress, Hoekstra voted for the Wall Street bailout, budget busting tax cuts for millionairs and billionaires, giveaways to special interests and trillions more in deficit spending. Pete Hoekstra says he’s “Pete Spend-it-not”–he’s actually Pete-Spend-a-lot.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=KsiE_8nqDMg
Supported Wall Street Bailout: Hoekstra Voted for the $700 Billion Wall Street Bailout. In 2008, Hoekstra voted for the $700 billion Wall Street bailout. [House Vote #681, 10/3/2008]
Supported Raising Debt Limit And Trillions of Dollars in Budget-Busting Deficit Increases: Hoekstra Rubberstamped Bush Deficit-Busting Budgets. [House Vote #158, 5/18/2006; House Vote #149, 4/28/2005; House Vote #198, 5/19/2004; House Vote #141, 4/11/2003; House Vote #79, 3/20/2002]
Hoekstra Votes Increased the Debt by 46 Percent to $8.6 Trillion From 2002 to 2006. In 2002 the total national debt was $5.9 trillion. With Hoekstra’s votes for increased spending and unbalanced budgets, the federal debt has increased 46 percent, from approximately $5.6 trillion at the beginning of 2002 to an estimated $8.6 trillion at the end of 2006. [U.S. Department of the Treasury, Bureau of Public Debt]
Hoekstra Voted to Increase Debt Limit at Least 5 Times. [House Vote #158, 5/18/2006; House Vote #536, 11/18/2004; House Vote #280, 6/22/2004; House Vote #198, 5/19/2004; House Vote #279, 6/27/2002]
Hoekstra Defended Votes For Increasing Debt Ceiling. Hoekstra “defended his own votes to increase the debt ceiling when he was in Congress, saying the country was ‘on a trajectory’ toward a balanced federal budget.” [Daily Tribune, 7/27/2011]
Hoekstra Voted Against Pay-Go Budget Rules. In July 2009, Hoekstra voted against a pay-go act that would require all budget bills be paid for and not add to the deficit for fiscal year 2010. [House Vote #612, 7/22/2009]
Hoekstra Voted Against Pay-Go Five Times In Just One Year. In 2004, Hoekstra voted against establishing fiscally responsible pay-go measures five times. [House Vote #535, 11/18/2004; House Vote #317, 6/25/2004; House Vote #314, 6/24/2004; House Vote #145, 5/5/04; House Vote #97, 3/30/2004]
Budget Busting Bush Tax Cuts for Millionaires and Billionaires: Hoekstra Supported $70 Billion “Deficit-Financed” Tax Cut Bill that Benefits Millionaires and Billionaires. In 2006, Rep. Pete Hoekstra voted in favor of a $70 billion tax cut bill. The Washington Post called the bill a “windfall for the rich, and a hole in the federal budget.” According to a study by the Brookings Institution Tax Policy Center, Middle-income households would receive an average tax cut of $20, while the 0.2 percent of households with incomes over $1 million would get average tax cuts of $42,000. The Washington Post wrote that, “This Congress and administration are putting the nation deeper and deeper in debt to benefit a sliver of the population that doesn’t need the help. Someone’s going to have to pay for these deficit-financed tax cuts eventually, and it’s likely to be your grandchildren.” [Washington Post, 5/11/06; HR4297, Vote 135, 5/10/06]
Hoekstra Supported Bush’s 2004 Multitrillion-Dollar Tax Breaks for Wealthy. In March 2004, Rep. Pete Hoekstra supported Bush’s budget that permanently locked in multitrillion-dollar tax breaks that mostly benefit the nation’s wealthiest. According to the AFL-CIO, “To finance these taxes cuts for millionaires and billionaires, the Republican budget resolution—which mirrored Bush’s proposal—inflated the record-high $477 billion U.S. deficit and by $120 billion shortchanged or cut funds for the domestic programs working families need most—from job creation to health care, transportation and education. It also accelerated the repeal of the estate tax and made permanent tax cuts—such as the estate tax repeal, the capital gains and dividend rate cuts and the reduction in marginal rates—that provide huge benefits to families with the highest incomes.” [H Con Res 393, Vote #92, 3/25/04; 2004 AFL-CIO Scorecard]
Hoekstra Voted For $350 Billion Tax Cut For The Rich While Giving 50 Million Households Nothing. In 2003, Rep. Pete Hoekstra voted for an irresponsible tax cut package that deepened the nation’s fiscal crisis and left middle-income households out in the cold. Some 53 percent of all U.S. households — or 74 million — will receive a tax cut of $100 or less in 2003 from the bill. Additionally, 36 percent of households — or 50 million — will receive no tax cut whatsoever in 2003, while tax filers who make $1 million or more per year will receive an average tax cut in 2003 of $93,500. The bill passed 231-200. [HR 2, Vote 225, 5/23/03; Center for Budget & Policy Priorities, 5/28/03]
Hoekstra Supported Budget Busting Tax Cut for the Wealthy. In 2001, Rep. Pete Hoekstra voted in favor of the Bush tax cut package that reduced taxes by $1.35 trillion through 2010 through income tax cuts, relief of the marriage penalty, a phase-out of the federal estate tax, doubling the child tax credit, and providing incentives for retirement savings. Critics of the bill warned that the tax cut was too large and would jeopardize future Social Security benefits. [Congressional Budget Office; Campaign for America’s Future; HR 1836, Vote 149, 5/26/01]
President Bush’s Drug Benefit–Giving Medicare Dollars to Big Drug Companies: Hoekstra Supported Unfunded Prescription Drug Benefit. In 2003, Hoekstra supported the Republican Medicare Part D benefit plan, ” with unfunded future costs exceeding $7 trillion.” [Vote 669, 11/21/03; Washington Times, 9/18/2011]
Supported Earmarks: Detroit Free Press: Hoekstra Got Michigan’s Worst Ranking For Pork In 2007. In May 2010 the Detroit Free Press reported: “[Hoekstra] also has supported spending that, at least in hindsight, was controversial — like the $400-million Alaskan bridge that would have connected the mainland to an island with 50 residents. In RePork Cards, issued by the anti-spending Club for Growth, Hoekstra scored a 97% for his voting record in 2009, voting against pork projects almost every time. But in 2007, on 50 pork-project votes rated by the group, Hoekstra’s 20% mark was easily the lowest among Michigan’s Republican congressional delegation that year.” [Detroit Free Press, 5/12/10]
Tea Party Criticism: Primary Opponent Durant Criticized Hoekstra’s Votes for Increasing the Debt Ceiling. Durant said, “We don’t need an increase in the debt limit… I’ve never voted for an increase in the debt limit and without real spending cuts, I never would.” The Grand Rapids Press noted Durant “said in a back-handed reference to Hoekstra’s votes in favor of raising the debt ceiling during his 18 years in Congress.” [Grand Rapids Press, 8/12/2011]
Conservative Opponent Criticized Hoekstra’s Fiscal Record. In announcing his run for Senate, conservative Gary Glenn, “Noting Hoekstra’s votes for the $850 billion Wall Street bailout, earmarks such as the $223 million “Bridge to Nowhere,” and budgets and debt ceiling increases that added trillions of dollars to the national debt, Glenn cited Einstein’s definition of insanity: ‘Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.’” Glenn said that Hoekstra “voted for red-ink budgets and debt ceiling increases that resulted in trillions in crushing new debt on our economy and our children’s future…. If we want to end the fiscal insanity in Washington, is it rational to expect we’ll get a different result if we keep sending the same people back there over and over again?” [Midland Daily News, 8/5/11]
Michigan Conservative Criticized Hoekstra’s Support for Wall Street Bailout. According to MIRS, “Another potential candidate, Gary Glenn from Campaign for Michigan Families, came out firing against Hoekstra on Monday, inviting him to a five-day ‘Economics for Leaders’ seminar at Hillsdale College since he ‘voted to spend $850 billion of our tax dollars at TARP to bail out Wall Street bankers. I’ll save him a seat.’” [MIRS, 7/20/2011]
Hoekstra Criticized During GOP Primary For Bank Bailout Vote. During the Republican gubernatorial primary Hoekstra was criticized in ads “because of votes for the bank bailout.” [Kalamazoo Gazette, 3/17/2010]
Your Taxpayer Dollars Used to Support Lavish Lifestyles of Former Presidents
You are not going to believe how much money is being spent on our former presidents. At a time when U.S. government spending is wildly out of control, millions of dollars is being used to support the lavish lifestyles of former presidents. The same holds true for former legislators here in Michigan with their Cadillac benefit packages. For examples click the link below.
http://www.presstv.ir/usdetail/242074.html
Mike Duggan Attends Mackinaw Policy Conference
Looks like Ed McNamara’s political stepson is doing more than just testing the waters for a run at Mayor of Detroit. Mr. Duggan was mentored by “Fast Eddie” McNamara in the political arena along with Kawme Kilpatrick, Bob Ficano, Jennifer Granholm, and a host of other shady political characters who have disgraced public office here in Michigan.
McNamara was a democrat. Metro Airport is in Romulus which is in Wayne County (same county as Detroit) Former County Executive (think County Mayor) Ed “Boss” McNamara ran Wayne County building as his own fiefdom. The airport (McNamara terminal) was the biggest piece of his fiefdom. No bid contracts to his buddies were the norm, and it was anything but non corrupt. He had a well oiled political machine. Two of his proteges were Mike Duggan and Jennifer Granholm. Duggan became prosecutor and now took a lucrative job at Detroit Medical Center. Granholm was county attorney and also US attorney (different times) until she became attorney general and then governor. He’s also tied to Detroit mayor Kwame Kilpatrick. His dad was McNamara’s spokesman. This could be the start of a snowball effect.
U.S. Faces S&P Downgrade Again
Rating agencies say they need to be convinced that lawmakers have a real plan in the works to reduce the growing debt if the nation is to avert future downgrades, according to a report by The Hill.
http://redalexandriava.com/2012/05/26/u-s-warned-it-faces-debt-downgrade-again/
In Elections those who cast the votes decide nothing. those who count the votes decide everything ~ Josef Stalin
The “Bain Report” Articles that Affect You and Your Family for Monday, June, 4, 2012
Posted by rabman13 in Bain Report, Politics, The Bain Report on June 1, 2012
The “Bain Report” is a weekly publication for those citizens of Michigan who are concerned with the representation they are receiving from their elected officials. The purpose of this report is to educate and inform the citizens with pertinent articles and legislation that affect the families of Michigan. If you or anyone you know wishes to receive the “Bain Report” reply to rabman13@aol.com with add me to the weekly “Bain Report” in the subject line with your name and e-mail address in the body. Your email will be added to the list of those Patriots, Activist, and Concerned Citizens here in Michigan who receive the “Bain Report” published every Monday. For those currently receiving the “Bain Report” and wish to be removed from these mailings please reply to above e-mail address with remove me from your list in the subject line.
Opinion by R Al Bain
I’m so disgusted with the Republican controlled leadership or lack thereof here in Michigan and the corrupt shenanigans being played out by the status quo power broker elitist of the Michigan Republican Party that I am almost at a lost for words!
I thought the Republican Party stood for less government, less regulations, less taxation, and less intrusion into the lives of the citizens? Guess not with what we are seeing out of Lansing! With recent proposals for New Road Taxes, New Government Bridge, Bigger Film Subsidies for Film Producers, and a host of other tax increases on the common citizens of Michigan can anybody tell me the difference between Democrats and Republicans today? They are just the flip side of the same coin!
Snyder, Legislative leaders’ OK income tax cut?
Promises were made in 2007 after Michigan passed the largest tax increase in the states history. Sales taxes would begin to be offset in 2012 when the personal income tax rate begins ticking back down from 4.35 percent to 3.9 percent but our elected officials reneged on that promise. How about we cut to the chase and quit playing the shell games? By limiting the Legislature to “part-time” with only 95 days each year and $18,000 per year salaries this would save the state tens of millions of dollars per year, according to a new report by the state’s Legislative Analyst’s Office.
http://www.calwatchdog.com/2012/01/23/big-savings-with-part-time-leg/
Deal Allows “SEIU” Union Dues to be withheld
Home Health Care workers beware of shady politicians and their wheeling and dealing! It’s an election year so they can say we tried to stop it. State Assistant Attorney General Joshua Smith agreed Wednesday to temporarily continue withholding union dues from payments to 41,000 home health care workers who provide services to low-income elderly and disabled residents under Medicaid. Mackinac Center start the “Skim Dues” clock back up!
Michigan Republicans All About Higher Taxes & Bigger Government
We have all seen too clear how the Republican leadership or lack thereof in Lansing has reinvented Michigan in the last year. Big tax cuts for “Big Business Corporations” (not small businesses) balanced on the backs of the taxpayers, as an example can you say Pension Tax for just one! In the last year taxes have increased for the common working man by 23% here in Michigan and more increases are on the way.
Some recent proposals that just won’t go away are a New Road Tax and the New Government Bridge. Now we have a Michigan US Senate “status quo” candidate in “Pork Barrel” Pete Hoekstra that wants to create an even bigger government by having a Birther Office in Washington, D.C. staffed by the FBI & CIA. Will the citizens of Michigan be that stupid as to vote this guy into office? Only time will tell!
Michigan GOP Budget Spends More on Film Subsidies Picking Hollywood “Fat Cat’s” over Taxpayers
According to an article on MLive, a budget plan put forth by Gov. Rick Snyder, Senate Majority Leader “Randy Richardville”, R-Monroe the “Unions Best Friend” in Lansing, and House Majority Speaker Jase Bolger, R-Marshall, would double the amount of money being spent on Michigan’s film subsidy program. Spending taxpayer money on liberal millionaire Hollywood movie producers and stars is a bad idea.
http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/16977
State Film Subsidies Wasteful, Ineffective, and Unfair Instrument of Economic Development
Michigan’s dire economy and generous film incentives make it an extreme case. But the debate that’s happened there is being replayed in states across the country. Governors in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Oklahoma and elsewhere have recently proposed capping or eliminating their tax credits as a way to plug budget holes. Last year in Wisconsin, Gov. Jim Doyle essentially gutted his state’s 25-percent no-limit tax incentive, turning it into a $500,000 annual grant program after a state Commerce Department report showed the benefit provided almost no net income for the state.
http://www.governing.com/topics/economic-dev/The-Value-of-Movie-Tax-Incentives.html
No subsidies should be given for Film and Movie Studios, Sports Stadiums such as Comerica Park, Raceways such as Michigan International Speedway, and even the Pure Michigan Advertising Campaign which only benefit a certain private segment of the tourism industry an industry that did their own study for funding this to find it wasn’t in their best interest financially for return on investment, oh but it’s in the best interest of the taxpayers? I think not!
No money to bribe corporations to relocate. The owners of these ventures are already “beyond” wealthy. Government’s role ought to be, to take care of the needs of citizens within it’s boundaries; instead they hand ridiculous sums to those who already have too much and put themselves into dire financial circumstances to do so.
Numerous studies have shown that tax receipts due to film production do not come close to covering their cost. An example Connecticut figured to take in 8 cents in taxes in 2007 for each dollar in film credits, for a net loss of $14.5 million. Michael Kinsley criticized film production credits in a March 1, 2011 story in Politico. Kinsley made the case that the benefits touted by politicians.
Iowa suspended its film tax credits in September 2009 after a review uncovered inaccurate record keeping, dubious expenditures and other irregularities, according to the WCF Courier. Some credits were said to be used to purchase luxury vehicles, and production company personnel were accused of inflating expenses. The director of the state’s film office resigned.
State film subsidies are a wasteful, ineffective, and unfair instrument of economic development. While they appear to be a “quick fix” that provides jobs and business to state residents with only a short lag, in reality they benefit mostly non-residents, especially well-paid non-resident film and TV professionals. Some residents benefit from these subsidies, but most end up paying for them in the form of fewer services — such as education, healthcare, and police and fire protection — or higher taxes elsewhere. The benefits to the few are highly visible; the costs to the majority are hidden because they are spread so widely and detached from the subsidies.
43 states currently subsidize film and television production, to the tune of $1.5 billion in fiscal year 2010. Meanwhile, “the revenue generated by economic activity induced by film subsidies falls far short of the subsidies’ direct costs to the state.”
http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2012/05/18/487102/new-mexico-avengers-subsidies/
10 Things Hollywood Won’t Tell You, #1 The Taxpayers are being Scammed
Michigan State Film Subsides chasing a “failing” and troubled industry. The U.S. box office take dropped almost 4 percent in 2011, to $10.2 billion, marking the second straight year of decline. Add it up and you have a potential crisis, says Christopher Sharrett, a professor of communication and film studies at Seton Hall University: “We could well be seeing the end of motion pictures in theaters.”
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/things-hollywood-won-t-tell-you.html
Medical Marijuana Users Protected Under Law, Michigan Supreme Court Rules
In its first major ruling on Michigan’s controversial law, the court said the 2008 voter-approved measure provides legal protection from prosecution what’s called the right to an affirmative defense even for users without state-issued medical marijuana cards.
Kansas Legislature Passes Sharia Law Ban
A bill designed to prevent Kansas courts or government agencies from making decisions based on Islamic or other foreign legal codes has cleared the state Legislature. The Senate approved the bill Friday on a 33-3 vote. The House had approved it, 120-0, earlier in the week.
http://rightwingnews.com/legal/kansas-legislature-passes-anti-sharia-law-the-big-meanies/
US Home Values Drop, Prices Down Again
Home prices hit new post-bubble lows in March, according to a report out Tuesday. Average home prices were down 2.6% from 12 months earlier, according to the S&P/Case-Shiller home price index of 20 major markets. Home prices have not been this low since mid-2002. The report suggests the troubled housing market remains weak and won’t recover any time soon. Since the fall of 2008, one out of every four sales has been a foreclosure, an auction or a bank sale.
http://www.memphisdailynews.com/editorial/ArticleEmail.aspx?id=64204
Judge Blocks Part of “Harsh” Florida Voting Law
U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle blocked enforcement of that provision, but left intact most of the election law passed last year by the state’s Republican-controlled legislature. Could this legislation be flawed thinking on the part of Republican Party leadership as to stop the abandoning sinking Republican Party ship? Here in Michigan we have seen first hand this type of shenanigans with dele-gate, notary-gate, and the recent gate at the state convention where they changed the rules after two of their prized status quo party loyalist was defeated.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/05/31/us-usa-voting-florida-idUSBRE84U17420120531
“Politicians and diapers should be changed often, and for the same reason” ~ Mark Twain
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The Bain Report 