MICHIGAN TRUTH SQUAD ANALYSIS: “What if Congress got medals?” Who: The American Future Fund What: TV ad Truth Squad call: Foul and technical foul The American Future Fund is a 501(c)4 focusing on issue advocacy “designed to effectively communicate conservative and free market ideals.” A lenghty report from ProPublica earlier this month (http://www.propublica.org/article/how-nonprofits-spend-millions-on-elections-and-call-it-public-welfare) detailed how these 501(c)4s […]
Michigan Government
Citizens cannot do their job of running their government if they don’t know what their public servants are doing.
Posted inMichigan Government
Green gunk visits Mich.’s ‘most beautiful place’
EMPIRE — Ron Long recently visited one of his favorite beaches at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, only to find it marred by dark green algae that clouded the water and piled up on the sand. “This is the worst I’ve ever seen this beach — and I’ve been coming here for 50 years. It’s […]
Posted inMichigan Government
'People Should Decide' earns another foul over its claims about Detroit bridge
MICHIGAN TRUTH SQUAD ANALYSIS: “Get The Facts” Who: The People Should Decide What: Website fact sheet Truth Squad call: Foul This document continues a vigorous — and expensive — campaign to block construction of a bridge between Detroit and Windsor. As of now, the primary commercial crossing is the 83-year-old Ambassador Bridge. The campaign document is […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Pro-bridge video stretches points on Ambassador's life, U.S.-Canada links, Truth Squad finds
MICHIGAN TRUTH SQUAD ANAYSIS: “Why the new bridge is so important to Michigan” Who: Lt. Gov. Brian Calley What: Web video Truth Squad call: Warnings In this video, Michigan.gov, Lt. Gov. Brian Calley promotes the proposed bridge linking Detroit and Windsor, a partnership project with Canada pushed by Gov. Rick Snyder, who sees it as […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Land Wars: Senator targets private land conservancies
A state senator who introduced Michigan’s controversial land cap law now wants nonprofit land conservancies to pay property taxes — unless they provide unlimited public access and allow motorized vehicles in privately owned nature preserves. Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, said he has drafted legislation that could ensure public access to tens of thousands of acres […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Senator: 'A primary objective should be to return land to private ownership'
State Sen. Tom Casperson has become a lightning rod for criticism from environmentalists and some conservation groups. The Escanaba Republican wrote the initial land cap legislation. He advocates for increased logging in state forests. And he has championed legislation that would make it easier for people to build in coastal sand dunes. Casperson’s supporters have […]
Posted inMichigan Government
'Out-of-state' attack draws warning from Truth Squad
MICHIGAN TRUTH SQUAD ANALYSIS: “Out-of-state special interests” Who: Citizens Protecting Michigan’s Constitution What: Radio ad Truth Squad call: Warnings Questionable statement: “We’d like to continue the private auction of the Michigan Constitution. Next up for bid is writing state energy policy into the constitution. I open the bidding at $2 million.” This statement refers to […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Pro-union 'teacher' ad gets warning from Truth Squad
MICHIGAN TRUTH SQUAD ANALYSIS: “Teacher” Who: Protect Our Jobs What: TV ad Truth Squad call: Warning Though under a “Protect Working Families” logo, the ad is funded by Protect Our Jobs, the labor-backed initiative that seeks passage of a constitutional amendment to guarantee collective bargaining in Michigan. Project Our Jobs has already raised more than […]
Posted inMichigan Government
'Headlines' ad earns foul from Michigan Truth Squad
MICHIGAN TRUTH SQUAD ANALYSIS: “Headlines” Who: HandsOffOurConstitution.com What: Television ad Truth Squad call: Foul HandsOffOurConstitution.com is a website created by Citizens Protecting Michigan’s Constitution, which is working to defeat ballot proposals that would amend the state constitution. The group was created by the Michigan Chamber of Commerce and had raised $340,150 through July 20. Questionable […]
Posted inMichigan Government
How much of Michigan should public own?
On a sunny June day, government officials joined conservation leaders on a Lake Michigan beach to dedicate the newest jewel of the state’s public lands program — the 173-acre Saugatuck Harbor Natural Area. The spectacular sand dunes near the mouth of the Kalamazoo River were preserved rather than developed when the Michigan Natural Resources Trust […]
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