Gov. Rick Snyder signed bills today to require that local school board elections be held in the November general election of even-numbered years. This long sought change to the school election calendar will, advocates say, save cash-strapped local districts at least $8 million over a two-year election cycle. Saving money for schools = good. It […]
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
DNR can't guess your age
The firearm hunting season is in full swing. And even though a new state law that removes a minimum age for children to hunt won’t be fully implemented until next spring, there’s reason to believe some youngsters are hunting this month who shouldn’t. That’s a conclusion drawn from a new Auditor General’s report on the […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Voters choose to tax themselves
A powerful trend in state government this year has been to take decisions that reduce the amount of money flowing to local governments; money that gets spent to provide all manner of services. Details, in fact, are still being worked out on another state decision to alter the state’s personal property tax, which will lead […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Recall election didn't resolve anything
By Peter Luke Gov. Rick Snyder’s campaign vow to change the political culture that governs Lansing suffered the same dismal fate as former Rep. Paul Scott this week. The Grand Blanc Republican surrendered his office Wednesday less than 12 hours after conceding that he’d been recalled by voters of the 51st House District by a […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Analysis: Funding arts funds state
By Jennfer Goulet Michigan’s resurgence depends on a commitment to invest in the unique assets that make it competitive. Strong partnerships, dedicated leadership and support from both public and private sectors, position the creative sector to drive spending in local economies and private investment, while attracting new businesses and talent throughout Michigan — making it […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Pure Michigan credited with $605 million gain
Pure Michigan. The sweeping lake vistas. The woods afire with autumnal splendor. The powdery snow covering a tranquil field. And over each image, the resonant voice of Tim Allen. And behind these ads, the state of Michigan has spent $67 million since 2006 in a bid to draw more tourists — and their dollars — […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Analysis: A slap in the face by the invisible hand
By Rich Robinson On one level, the vote by the Senate Economic Development Committee to defer to another day the proposed new public-private bridge betweenDetroit andWindsor looks like the triumph of ideology over commerce. Fearless libertarians who have had enough of taxation faced down every business association in Michigan. The titans of business and industry blinked. […]
Posted inMichigan Government
'No fault' and Lansing's fault
For a quick and thorough review of what the issues are in the push to change Michigan’s no-fault/unlimited medical coverage system for catastrophic injuries in auto accidents, check out Pat Shellenbarger’s piece last week in Bridge. Pat made two points that have received far little coverage elsewhere, but reflect, I think, the fundamental dysfunction in […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Coming to your hometown: Fewer services
While there has been much talk in Lansing in recent weeks about reducing revenue — again — for local governments, the folks actually in charge of running public service on the city/township/village level are dealing with the consequences of previous reductions, caused either by a bad economy or state funding choices. Tom Ivacko and the […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Taxation on resources varies widely among states
Severance taxes that Michigan and other states levy on extractive industries are used for a variety of purposes, from funding pollution cleanups to supporting public education, according to a new study. Most of the $57 million that Michigan collected in severances taxes on extractive industries in 2010 went into the state’s general fund, according to […]
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