Tag: Cronyism

Michigan's population is slowly rebounding, but millionaires may not be sticking around for the state's revival. [Where is the "revival"?]

Despite encouraging economic trends and a booming stock market, the state had 10,000 fewer millionaire households in 2013 than 2012, the Phoenix Global Wealth Monitor estimated in a report released this week.

In 2012, an even MORE ridiculous 25x25 requirement was promoted (and failed) as a constitutional amendment, in a state which has a monstrous electricity appetite as a leader in manufacturing.  Now as the legislature approaches the crossroads of [Oh gosh we can't meet the 10%!] and [What the hell happened to electricity prices?] in Michigan, another 35% 'mandate' pusher shows up with a 'conservative' emphasis and the useful idiots who have already signed on.

As soon as Michigan State Representative Mike Shirkey announced a solid-as-steel return to electricity competition in our state, the rust of cronyism began eating away at the plan. Snyder stepped up the call for increased renewable energy in the midst of the current mandate meltdown, and a new shadow group was formed with friendly 'conservative' faces to front it. (see useful idiot mention above)

Sometimes however, its worth looking to other experts who have a different take on such things.

Are the mandates even legal?

Thanks to the TB912, and Dining Room productions for another useful and informative video.

Time to get on the stick, Mr. Orr.  It is noted that you all are Democrats still calling the shots within the Utopian downward spiral.

Oh, and George, I got your Race Card℗ hanging for you - right here.

As the drum beat for real electric competition picks up, its interesting to see utilities offering reductions in rates.  How convenient and thick with irony is it that as Mike Shirkey starts beating said drum, DTE proclaims accross the board rate cuts! From Crains:

"Last month, DTE announced it would lower electric rates starting this month for business and most industrial customers between 5.5 percent to 7.4 percent and drop residential rates by an average of 6.5 percent. The cuts are expected to save about $80 a year for homeowners and varying amounts for businesses based on usage.

It was DTE's first rate reduction since 2007, when the company lowered base rates by $80 million. "

Yes timing IS everything when attempting to pass legislation that limits consumer choice.  Perhaps its good to look benevolent so that people say "what a nice organization this is," and let up pressure on competition legislation.  It worked in 2007, and monopoly legislation passed. And now that the peasants with pitchforks and torches are approaching,

"Since 2008, requests (and approvals) for rate increases have been nearly four times the historic average. Meanwhile our retail electric energy costs have gone up more than 30 percent, while wholesale costs for electric energy in the Midwest region have gone down almost 50 percent.

Let them eat it.

We knew the costs that "green energy" programming in Michigan would incur on the taxpayers left in the state.  The utilities knew this as well, and wasted no efforts in having such draconian reversals of free markets passed with the likes of HB 5524 (2007):

"Passed 78 to 29 in the House on September 18, 2008, to adopt a compromise version of the bill reported by a House-Senate conference committee. This would mostly end the state's electric competition law that allows customers to choose an alternative provider; allow the utilities to impose surcharges on customers so they can recoup the "costs" incurred from Michigan's experiment with competitive electricity markets; and phase out over five years the current cross-subsidization of residential customers by commercial and industrial ones. The bill would guaranty DTE and Consumers Power at least 90 percent of the utility business in the areas they serve, even if other providers offer lower prices. The bill is tie-bared to Senate Bill 213, which imposes "renewable" energy mandates on utilities. "

SB 213 was a doozy, with each chamber ratcheting up the mandate for renewable energy produced each time it was reconciled:

"Introduced by Sen. Patricia Birkholz (R) on February 20, 2007, to mandate that electric utilities acquire at least 4 percent of their power from "renewable" sources, growing to at least 8 percent by 2013. .. to mandate that electric utilities acquire at least 7 percent of their power from "renewable" and "clean" sources (including "carbon capture" coal plants) by 2015 .. to mandate that Michigan electric utilities acquire 10 percent of their power from "renewable" sources by the end of 2015. .."

And as long as the power monopoly remained, it was no problem for the major utilities in Michigan.  They get 90% of the market GUARANTEED by legislation, and the ratepayer gets the shaft through piss poor legislation and cronyism.

One legislator is bringing some attention back to this.

Rick Snyder then selected a Democrat to be the state treasurer.

Then Rick Snyder used him to assist in selecting another Democrat to manage Detroit. Race was used in the selection process, contrary to the Michigan constitution; article 1, section 26.

Then Rick Snyder gave the Chicago Democrat a cushy job in Michigan state government making $140k a year.

Some of the ideas are familiar, but limited in ways typically embraced by establishment Republicans.

Rand Paul's visit to Detroit was precipitated by a conference call being reported by the Detroit News. In it, Senator Paul speaks of enterprise zones, with taxes so low as to "bail yourselves out". Adding to this an loosened visa incentive for a flow of foreign "entrepreneurs" into the city.

Paul, widely considered a 2016 potential presidential candidate, said he will introduce legislation Monday to create "economic freedom zones" by dramatically lowering taxes in depressed areas and loosen visa rules to encourage foreign entrepreneurs to immigrate to the city.

"We hope to create taxes so low you essentially are able to bail yourselves out," Paul said Thursday in a conference call outlining his plan.

I wonder how that would work?

Maybe something like this?

"Mr Chen, you are welcome to stay, invest, develop, and work in our country. However, you are limited to this particular region. If for some reason you are not satisfied there, I guess you are out of luck."

"Welcome to the Hotel Detroit. Love it, or get the hell out of our country.."

Which of course begs the question of what happens to those who emigrate, and decide to move somewhere a little safer than Baghdad of Michigan? When "loosening visa requirements," it seems that a genie let out is a little hard to stuff back in the lamp. Its hard to imagine 'restrictive' movement placed on those who simply seek a better life, and upon finding out that Detroit is no better than the hole they left, it is highly likely that they will indeed "seek" such a place.

And it seems we have heard those words about foreigners feeling welcomed before.