A variety of special interests, including business and environmental groups, organized labor and — who can forget him — billionaire Manuel “Matty” Moroun have raised and spent more than $100 million in their attempts to either pass or defeat six proposals on Michigan’s November ballot. Campaign finance records through Oct. 26 show that ballot committees […]
Ballot battles buried in cold, hard cash
Posted inMichigan Government
Truth Squad calls foul on Responsible Voters' presentation
MICHIGAN TRUTH SQUAD ANALYSIS: League of Responsible Voters Who: Michigan League of Responsible Voters What: Website and mailer Truth Squad call: Foul This is the time, during election season, when groups from across the political spectrum try to break through the cacophony of competing voices by offering “vote this way” guides. One, from the Michigan […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Truth Squad calls foul on ad opposing Proposal 3
MICHIGAN TRUTH SQUAD ANALYSIS: “Truth” Who: CARE What: TV ad Truth Squad call: Foul Proposal 3 would create an amendment to the Michigan Constitution a requirement that 25 percent of the state’s electrical power come from renewable sources by 2025, with certain caveats. The primary proponent group for Prop 3 is Michigan Energy, Michigan Jobs. […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Pro-Prop 3 ad gets 'flagrant' from Truth Squad on utility bill claim
MICHIGAN TRUTH SQUAD ANALYSIS: “Pushback” Who: Michigan Energy, Michigan Jobs What: TV ad Truth Squad call: Flagrant foul Proposal 3 would create an amendment to the Michigan Constitution a requirement that 25 percent of the state’s electrical power come from renewable sources by 2025, with certain caveats. The primary proponent group for Prop 3 is […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Voting can be tricky business in Michigan
The citizenship check box that many voters saw on Michigan voting forms for the first time in the August primary resulted in confusion and controversy. Election workers weren’t sure whether voters were required to fill it out. In some cases, noncompliant voters were turned away. So were a couple of noncitizens preparing to cast ballots, […]
Posted inGuest Commentary
Final arguments on Proposal 3
Proposal 3 would create an amendment to the Michigan Constitution a requirement that 25 percent of the state’s electrical power come from renewable sources by 2025, with certain caveats. The primary proponent group for Prop 3 is Michigan Energy, Michigan Jobs. As of Oct. 26, it had raised nearly $13 million, most of it from […]
Posted inGuest Commentary
Final arguments on Proposal 2
Proposal 2 would “grant public and private employees the constitutional right to organize and bargain collectively through labor unions.” According to a report by the independent, nonpartisan Citizens Research Council of Michigan, Proposal 2 is an effort to combat recent actions taken by the governor and Legislature to restrict the bargaining power and costs of […]
Posted inLand O Links
Land O Links
“Knowledge comes by eyes always open and working hands; and there is no knowledge that is not power” — Ralph Waldo Emerson. * There’s less than a week until Election Day. And, yes, Michiganians, the ballot is a bit long. It would be wise for everyone to review the sample ballot — and publius.org offers a […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Anti-Prop 5 ad gets 'no foul' from Michigan Truth Squad
MICHIGAN TRUTH SQUAD ANALYSIS: “Vote No on Proposal 5” Who: Defend Michigan Democracy, anti-Proposal 5 group What: radio ad, Internet/TV ad Truth Squad call: No foul Proposal 5 would add a constitutional amendment that would require any increase in statewide taxes – new taxes, expanding tax bases, or rising tax rates – be approved by […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Pro-Prop 5 campaign earns flagrant foul from Truth Squad
MICHIGAN TRUTH SQUAD ANALYSIS: “You Decide”, “Collision Course”, “Enough Spending” and “Not Rocket Science” Who: Michigan Alliance for Prosperity, Pro-Proposal 5 group What: Radio ads Truth Squad call: Flagrant foul The radio ads back Proposal 5, a Nov. 6 ballot proposal to add a constitutional amendment requiring a two-thirds vote of the Legislature for any […]