During his term, Gast chaired the Senate Appropriations Committee for a mere 19 years.

So why aren't our elected officials in Lansing taking into consideration ideas and suggestions from those who know something about the topic? From important business leaders, economists, and the guy that chaired the appropriations committee for 19 years.

What are we listening to instead? The Governor's threats and temper tantrums (I know, again, but I can't help it...). Do you remember the proposal about taxing candy from a vending machine, but not candy from the convenience store? Click here if you blocked the memory.

Whether one agrees or disagrees with Harry Gast is not the issue. The point is, it's May and we still do not have an answer from Lansing on how they plan to come up with $700 million for this fiscal year and nearly $1 billion for next year. How much longer do we have to wait?

The worst part is there seems to be a shortage of good ideas in Lansing, but not because they don't exist. Apparently, no one wants to listen to them. This is not a topic that should be taken lightly. We must take a serious look at what can be done to fix our state's problems. Meanwhile, we're being inundated with some pretty absurd suggestions, such as adding more tax burden to a struggling economy.  It's as if our politicians in Lansing do not realize the gravity of the situation.