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, […]
Voting can be tricky business in Michigan
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 […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Bad employee claim earns anti-Prop 2 ad an foul from Truth Squad
MICHIGAN TRUTH SQUAD ANALYSIS: “Real Harm,” “Dangerous” and “Our Jobs” Who: Protect Michigan Taxpayers, Hands Off Our Constitution What: TV/Web ads Truth Squad call: Foul Proposal 2, which would put collective-bargaining rights for public-sector workers in the Michigan Constitution, is one of the hardest-fought races of this election cycle. The nonpartisan Citizens Research Council calls […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Truth Squad calls foul on pro-Prop 2 attack on Schuette
MICHIGAN TRUTH SQUAD ANALYSIS: “PTA” and “Yes on Prop 2” Who: Protect Working Families, pro-Proposal 2 group What: Internet/TV ads Truth Squad call: Foul The battle will likely continue down to the wire over Proposal 2, which would put collective-bargaining rights for public-sector workers in the Michigan Constitution, as well as keep the Legislature from […]
Posted inBusiness Watch
Formula for turning jobless into employed remains elusive
Five years after she entered Michigan’s No Worker Left Behind retraining program, Macomb County resident Lori Wingert is still grateful. She lost her job teaching preschool children of Ford Motor Co. employees when the automaker shut its child development center. She was among the first participants in 2007 in the program, which paid for Wingert’s […]
Posted inGuest Commentary
Final arguments on Proposal 5
Proposal 5 is a constitutional amendment to require supermajorities of members of each legislative chamber to approve state tax increases or seek approval from the voters. Tax increases would require the votes of at least 25 members of the 38-member Senate and 73 members of the 110-member House of Representatives. If a tax matter went to […]