In the depths of the Great Depression, California lawmakers devised a bold prescription for balancing the state books. Called Proposition 1, the 1933 measure called for a complicated shift in taxes between state and local governments and boosted state spending for schools. Almost as an afterthought, it required a two-thirds vote in each chamber to […]
California is poster child for tax limitation rules, for advocates and critics alike
Posted inMichigan Government
Prop 5 advocates say taxes are high, but figures show Michigan in the middle
It is an article of faith among small government advocates that Michigan residents are overtaxed, especially in relation to other states. That might have been true in 1985, when Michigan ranked seventh in the nation with a state and local tax burden of 10.4 percent, compared to a national average of 9.7 percent. The data […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Prop 1 is fight over local control, with backdrop of fiscal crisis
Of the many laws Republican Gov. Rick Snyder has championed during his first 21 months in office, few have proved as divisive as the one that gave emergency managers sweeping new “superpowers” allowing them to dismiss elected leaders and rip up union contracts to help balance budgets in financially distressed cities and school districts. If […]
Posted inBusiness Watch
Film Office starts new year with more dollars, higher hopes
With a new fiscal year ahead, the Michigan Film Office is emerging from a “rebuilding year” with more money to give away and a mission to support locally grown filmmakers. After seeing the movie industry turn from red-hot to cold with the end of an open-ended 42 percent subsidy, Michigan has a new pool of money […]
Posted inGuest Commentary
Guest column: Charter school bill should add protections for quality
By Amber Arellano/Education Trust-Midwest The Oakland Academy in Portage has fulfilled much of the bold promise of the Michigan charter school movement. The elementary school, run by the nonprofit Foundation for Behavioral Resources, routinely exceeds state averages in math and reading. But in the northeast corner of Michigan, a more troubling portrait of charter quality […]
Posted inPhil's Column
Ban on per-signature fees can help rescue our Michigan Constitution
While giving a speech last week, I asked the audience some questions: “How many have seen TV ads on any of the six ballot proposals?” Every hand in the room went up. “How many like the ads?” Not one hand was raised. “How many have had your minds changed by the ads?” Again, not a […]
Posted inGuest Commentary
Guest column: Electric deregulation cap protects customers
The out-of-state power marketers are at it again. They’re pushing to expand electric deregulation in Michigan under the guise of “competition.” As usual, they’re promising a brighter, better future for the state’s families and businesses, if they can just get their way. An old saying applies here: “If it looks too good to be true, it […]
Posted inLand O Links
Land O Links
“To know that we know what we know, and to know that we do not know what we do not know, that is true knowledge” — Nicolaus Copernicus, 16th century Polish scientist. * This map highlights, to my eye at least, one of the more fascinating transportation situations in Michigan today. From pretty much all reports, […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Touting of GOP justices by chamber gets 'no foul' from Truth Squad
MICHIGAN TRUTH SQUAD ANALYSIS: “Real Cases” and “Tough Judges” Who: Michigan Chamber of Commerce What: Radio ads Truth Squad call: No foul The Michigan Chamber of Commerce has endorsed Republican state Supreme Court justices Stephen Markman and Brian Zahra and Republican candidate Colleen O’Brien. Questionable statement: “A man convicted of raping a 7-year-old tries to […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Flagrant foul called on Democratic attack in Supreme Court race
MICHIGAN TRUTH SQUAD ANALYSIS: “Streak” and “Lily” Who: Michigan Democratic Party What: Web/TV ads Truth Squad call: Flagrant Foul Questionable statement: “After my daughter, Lily, was killed at the hands of a child abuser, I vowed to spend my life protecting children. I know how important it is to have judges who protect them too. […]