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    Who are the NERD fund donors Mr Snyder?

    Raise the curtain.

    In the MACKINAC CENTER Sphere Today


    By THE MC Mackinac Center Blog, Section News
    Posted on Thu Jan 28, 2010 at 09:58:13 AM EST
    Tags: Mackinac Center (all tags)

    The latest posts from the MC, the Mackinac Center blog.

    * * *

    Kabuki Dance: Mortgaging Taxpayers for Government Retiree Benefits — Folks back home, don't let them get away with this.

    LaFaive: Obama Didn't Go Far Enough on Tax Cuts — Mackinac Center analyst comments on the State of the Union address.

    Creatures of the State — There are now more union members in government than in private industry.

    How to Make the State Vehicle Fleet More Expensive — What budget crisis?

    Growing Special Education Enrollments in Charter Schools — Charter schools serve students' needs.

    Gas Tax Hike Another Obstacle to Recovery — Michigan can't afford to have the fourth-highest gas tax in the nation.

    < Michigan Business Done Right - The Chamber Experience | Business is Business >


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    In the MACKINAC CENTER Sphere Today | 6 comments (6 topical, 0 hidden)
    Weight limits? (none / 0) (#2)
    by BruceB on Thu Jan 28, 2010 at 12:33:48 PM EST
    15 or so years ago Michigan had the highest weight limits of any state in the Union.  I can't remember for certain but I believe Michigan weight limits were 80 tons and other states limits were 40!  Again, I don't know this for a fact as of today but if the weight limits in Michigan are twice the weight of other states is it any wonder Michigan roads are a disaster?  Keep in mind also that the Democrat Congressional Delegation and our two Democrat Senators have failed to deliver Michigan's fair share of Federal Fuel tax reimbursement from the Federal Government.  

    bad roads (none / 0) (#3)
    by grannynanny on Thu Jan 28, 2010 at 06:58:39 PM EST
    Michigan's weight limit is still at 80,000 lbs.  This issue has been debated for many years but the trucker's assoc, teamsters, road builders assoc and various unions have always opposed a reduction and donate tons of money to the democrats to keep the weight limits where they are.  Crappy roads = redoing the same crappy roads year after year.  These same groups opposed a reformulation of the asphalt and concrete used on the roads.  Other cold weather states use formulas that extend the life of the roadway but they were shot down here.  Michigan's roads are the worst in the nation.  It would take years to rebuild them so they are sound, safe and travel worthy for way more than 2-3 years thus insuring employment in this area for a long time.  By the time they are done with every last road it would be time to start over.  I don't understand the opposition to top notch highways that last.

    All they want to do is raise the fuel taxes for more funding rather than tackle the expenses first.  I would say almost 90% of our road work is attached with federal funds so we have to pay Davis Bacon wages which for a general road worker runs around $24/hr plus $12-14/hr benefits.  We are not getting the bang for the buck.  We have really crappy roads that cost a lot of money and don't last.  You don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure that out - just a resident of Michigan with a vehicle.

    boating funds (none / 0) (#4)
    by grannynanny on Thu Jan 28, 2010 at 07:54:30 PM EST
    I would also like to point out that there is a substantial amount of money from road fuel taxes that funds the Michigan Waterways Commission and they purchase, maintain and oversee marinas and harbors in Michigan.  If you take money from this commission to improve your harbors and marinas you jump to their tune.  And, if you own a boat you can claim an off road exemption from fuel taxes.  The little guy is not going to claim this exemption but if you are a big guy running the lakes and purchase fuel from a marina all you have to do is claim off road and you get a refund on the taxes you have paid at a marina pump.

    I would also like to point out that under Engler he privatized the running of these state owned marinas and the state was knocking down some good sized income from these operations.  Granholm stopped that and now the state owned harbors are run by the DNR with DNR employees.  They are poorly cared for and not a pleasant place to visit since the state took them over and all funded by fuel taxes.  Not a good bargain.  Road taxes are funding waterways that get a refund on the same taxes that supports them.

    So beware if you support an increase in fuel taxes and research where those taxes go and who pays and who doesn't.

    And we own a boat - so I am not throwing stones. Just know a little bit about the inside workings.

    Thank you very much! (none / 0) (#5)
    by BruceB on Fri Jan 29, 2010 at 01:19:51 PM EST
    Is it any wonder Mi Michigans roads are so bad!  The Educated Idiots running this place are so stupid it is beyond stupid to the point of being criminal.  Why don't they think of the taxpayer and the money the taxpayer is trusting them with.  Every one of us needs to educate the general population about this weight limit fiasco!  People can understand the "straw that broke the camels back!"  Who is representing taxpayers anyway?  

    • Money Talks by grannynanny, 01/29/2010 06:41:49 PM EST (none / 0)
    Yes, my understanding is that (none / 0) (#7)
    by BruceB on Sat Jan 30, 2010 at 10:15:05 AM EST
    some trucks have spcial licenses to haul over 40,000 lbs!  I was told, again years ago, that if I saw a truck with more than 18 wheels (18 wheeler) up to 42 wheels it was licensed for up to 80,000 lbs.  The point is that these stone and other heavy haulers are hired by the taxpayer to help "fix" our roads and at the same time are destroying them!  If we fixed our roads even as they are fixed today and the roads lasted twice as long as now the State wouldn't have to fix them nearly as often.  Instead of us having to replace our roads every 10 years or so if we could go to 20 years we wouldn't have to increase taxes to repair the damage done by these highway destroyers.  It just makes sense.  I know, that is the problem, it makes sense.  Every other state in the union limits their trucks to 40,000 lbs. and Michigan with the worst roads allows 80,000lbs.  And these people get away with it!  For how long?  

    In the MACKINAC CENTER Sphere Today | 6 comments (6 topical, 0 hidden)
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