“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
State of Michigan Taxes
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
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
Flint Loses, The Governor Wins
Today MLIVE reported that an Ingham County Circuit Court declined a request to investigate Governor Snyder's spending of public dollars on his own, private lawyers. Snyder and his administration said that the lawsuit was baseless but this was caused because of their own selfishness. Governor Snyder is a multi-millionaire, with his net worth nearing $200 million dollars. We understand that he may have legal backing to use public dollars for his legal defense in regard to his handling of … [Read more...] about Flint Loses, The Governor Wins
The 15% Renewable Energy Standard.. Good Intentions, Bad Policy
One of the hot button issues occurring in our legislature is a debate surrounding Michigan's renewable energy standards. The current renewable energy standard is 10% and there is an effort to raise that level to 15%. For those who do not know, the renewable energy standards require that "x" amount of energy that Michigan uses must come from renewable sources such as solar, wind, and geothermal heat. The effort to raise our standards to 15% is based on good intentions, as proud Michiganders we … [Read more...] about The 15% Renewable Energy Standard.. Good Intentions, Bad Policy