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By Representative Tim Moore, Section News
Posted on Fri Jun 05, 2009 at 11:45:02 AM EST
Tags: MDOT Out of Touch (all tags)

(Promoted by Nick...)

State Government is again looking at ways to take your hard earned money.

I am sure that many of you saw in newspapers across the state this week comments from Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) Director Kirk Steudle on the issue of increasing the gas tax. Mr. Steudle claimed that Michigan motorists CAN afford a gas tax increase and justified his stance by saying people don't hesitate to buy a $4 cup of coffee everyday.

Did I miss something?

Read on...

We have the largest unemployment rate in the nation; people are leaving Michigan for other states in large numbers everyday and our government makes it sound as if all of our residents are hanging out on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. This thought process in Lansing needs to end....quickly.

He went on to ask "This (the tax increase) will break everybody's back? Really? A half-pack of gum is going to break everybody's back?" More Lansing talk. And we are hearing it everyday. Just a little more money here for this group, a little more money here for this group and suddenly someone is turning the light switch off on the way out of the state.

In 2007, we were told that the tax increases (that I didn't support because we did nothing to reform government first) would put us on "sound financial footing." Here we are less then two years later and some folks are again taking the easy way out and asking for more of the people's money.

What's more bothersome is that the director is assuming that he has insight into everyone else's checkbook and can tell people what they can and can't afford. We need leadership from not only our elected officials but our state departments if we are going to get out of this economic downturn. Simply telling residents to send more money to Lansing because we can't reform ourselves is not leadership.

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MDOT Out of Touch | 11 comments (11 topical, 0 hidden)

Truer words were never spoken (none / 0) (#1)
by The Wizard of Laws on Fri Jun 05, 2009 at 12:11:48 PM EST

Trying to make a tax increase seem palatable by breaking it down into small increments is a well-worn tactic of the tax establishment. The same argument was used in Macomb County to raise taxes for the first time in a generation -- "it will only cost you $27 a year." At what point do all these "minor" taxes add up to a major headache? I can't say for sure, but I know we already passed it and we're well into "migraine" territory now. Stop it!

Here's a Better Idea, Mr. Steudle: (none / 0) (#2)
by kenmatesevac on Fri Jun 05, 2009 at 12:19:30 PM EST

If government spending were limited to what is appropriate, there would be no need to raise the gas tax. Period.

More the blood donors (none / 0) (#4)
by Shell on Fri Jun 05, 2009 at 03:32:36 PM EST

When Mr. Steudle has a heart-to-heart with Stabenow and Levin about our donor state status...you know, that $.92 we get for roads on that $1 we send to DC, then we'll take him seriously. Maybe. Uh....NAAAAAAAAAAAWWWW.

Shell,
The Conservatrarian

If... (none / 0) (#5)
by WadeHM on Fri Jun 05, 2009 at 05:20:11 PM EST

I were to buy coffee the way I buy gas I wouldn't be able to afford the coffee. If I could buy one gallon of gas a day, why that would be acceptable, especially if my vehicle only used a gallon of gas a day. I drive average 70 miles everyday. 30 to work, 30 to home, and about 10 extra for those everyday things.

A half-pack of gum? That is what he uses for comparison also? Oh what an ignoramus. I don't buy gum or coffee buy the gallon Kirk!

Coffee Jitters (none / 0) (#6)
by wctaxpayer on Fri Jun 05, 2009 at 11:11:12 PM EST

What Mr.Steudle doesn't realize is they are filling up their coffee cups for that long ride out of the State of Michigan.

Personally I am sick and tired of everyone comparing taxes to coffee. If we had a cup of coffee for everytime we had our taxes raised, we would be hospitalized for Hypertension. Besides who says you have a right to my coffee?

The coffee I drink now gives me far fewer jitters than my taxes.
Rose Bogaert, Chair Wayne County Taxpayers Association, Inc.

This is what's wrong with Lansing (none / 0) (#7)
by stevenstmason on Fri Jun 05, 2009 at 11:40:31 PM EST

We get a politician who complains about the problem without offering one solution.

Come on Representative Moore, earn your paycheck. You're one of the highest paid legislators in the country. We're not paying you to complain, we're paying you to come up with solutions. Michigan has crappy roads. Michigan doesn't have enough money to match the federal funds that are coming back to the state. People are driving less and driving more fuel efficient cars which equals less gas taxes. Bad roads, less federal funds and less state funds equals a problem. What's your solution?

Cups o' Coffee and Sticks o' Gum (none / 0) (#8)
by thejmfc on Sat Jun 06, 2009 at 12:02:22 AM EST

You know, it's disgusting how pro-tax people break down their proposals into small, common expenses like this. Fact is, all of those cups of joe and sticks of DoubleMint that we have to pay for, but never get to taste, really add up.

This at a time when money is tighter for more people than ever in recent history. Michiganders really can't afford tax increases right now.

Granted, our roads suck. True, we have to pay for repairs somehow, and a tax on gas is probably the most fair tax for the purpose. But the attitude that this guy has, in this state and at this time, is unbelievable.

$.18 Federal and about $.37 State TAX PER GALLON (none / 0) (#10)
by Clydes Dale on Sat Jun 06, 2009 at 07:25:37 AM EST

$.18 Fed and about $.37 State - PER GALLON for a total of about $.55/ PER GALLON in taxes.
http://www.michigangasprices.com/Tax_Info.aspx

10 gallon fill up is equal to paying over $5.00 in TAXES.

Does that sound too high? It does to me.

(while I posted this another 2 families moved out of Michigan.)

More from GAS BUDDY.COM (hey Nick) (none / 0) (#11)
by Clydes Dale on Sat Jun 06, 2009 at 07:35:24 AM EST

Here is THE BIG MAP from Gasbuddy.com showing how the State of Michigan entices families to move here ! by offereing the HIGHEST gas prices in the country - MDOT is nuts.

(Hey Nick, perhaps this gas map would like nice on RightMichigan.com somewhere)

Link (none / 0) (#12)
by Clydes Dale on Sat Jun 06, 2009 at 07:36:24 AM EST

http://www.gasbuddy.com/GB_Map_Gas_Prices.aspx

Hey Clydes Dale (none / 0) (#13)
by live dangerously on Sat Jun 06, 2009 at 07:04:32 PM EST

I'm lifting this map for my site on the side bar.
Thanks, Live Dangerously Be A Conservative
http://bottomuppolitics.blogspot.com

MDOT Out of Touch | 11 comments (11 topical, 0 hidden)

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