“How little do my countrymen know what precious blessings they are in possession of, and which no other people on earth enjoy!” – Thomas Jefferson While you are busy at work, your legislatures are attempting to grant unelected bureaucrats with the power to raise money from toll roads. The bill before the Senate to allow this to happen, Senate Bill 627, will accord, “certain public authorities to develop certain eligible products and to enter into certain agreements.” Essentially, an unnamed … [Read more...] about Toll Roads: Coming Soon to a Road Near You
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Corporate Welfare is Back
Under new legislation passed by the Senate, Senate Bills 1153-1155, your employer will be able to keep your income taxes. If a company has 500 or more workers they would be eligible to receive the income tax abatement. Now on the surface this seems like a good idea, more businesses will be willing to stay or move to Michigan in theory because of this bill, but this bill is nothing more than corporate welfare. First off, we must remember that the majority of Michigan businesses wouldn't be … [Read more...] about Corporate Welfare is Back
A Penny Saved… Is a Penny Spent On Underground Parking for Legislators?
This week the House passed out of committee House Bills 6047 and 6048, two of the most important bills during the lame duck legislature that no one is talking about. The House Bills would allow the Michigan State Capitol Commission to move forward with a new $88 million Capitol Building visitor's center with underground parking for state legislators. Justin A. Hinkley for the Lansing State Journal wrote: Under the plan announced Tuesday by the Michigan State Capitol Commission, all … [Read more...] about A Penny Saved… Is a Penny Spent On Underground Parking for Legislators?
Drain the Lansing Swamp… Reform Teacher Pensions
Today, The Republican-controlled Senate Appropriations Committee voted 9-8 to close the school retirement system to new members. In laymen's terms, if this bill passes, any new teachers would not have state funded pensions but would rather have retirement programs similar to 401K programs. This is a great start to reforming a system that has been broken for many years. Currently, there are two pension programs for teachers, including the "old-school," full pension plans that most people … [Read more...] about Drain the Lansing Swamp… Reform Teacher Pensions
Stop Legislatures from Collecting Personal Data from Students
Today, the House Education Committee in Lansing is holding a hearing regarding two bills that passed in our Senate: Senate Bill 33 and Senate Bill 510. Both of these bills are worrisome to parents, activists, and teachers who care about the privacy of Michigan's schoolchildren. SB 33 and SB 510 are two bills that overstep the boundaries between our government and our families. Stop Common Core in Michigan has this to say about the bills: “The bills give legal authority to online operators … [Read more...] about Stop Legislatures from Collecting Personal Data from Students
Electricity Competition is Good for Consumers
This week the Michigan Senate passed a comprehensive energy bill that is harmful for businesses and consumers. The intention of the bill is good; we love our environment and we should cherish our environment but this bill does nothing to reasonably accomplish this objective. First, The Free Press has reported that the bill, "also would set a new renewable energy standard for Michigan utilities — 15% by 2021, up from 10% currently." They also quoted State Senator Mike Nofs as stating, "nobody … [Read more...] about Electricity Competition is Good for Consumers