Tag: Governor Granholm

"I have a tremendous amount of confidence in Mayor Bing, and my comments about Detroit yesterday were a reflection on past Administrations that helped dig the hole the city finds itself in, not on the current Administration that is trying desperately to get the city out of the hole.  I am and always have worked for the betterment of the City and its people, and I intend to continue that course..."

Okay, Bing deserved the feigned apology.  But.  That wasn't what Johnny was "sniping".  Dingell was blatantly "targeting" Governors.  Unmistakably that'd have to point to fellow Democrat Governor Jennifer Granholm.  Not to mention Dingells' reference to all "Stone-Agers" err, Conservative Republicans.

I am looking forward to this Saturday, June 13. The Tea Party Convention will not only be fun, but it will continue the momentum of the Lansing Tea Party. The five proposals that will be presented, voted upon and prioritized will give us goals to work towards. The speakers have a wealth of information between them and the break out sessions will give us a chance to share ideas.

I am asking you to get out of your fetal position and register. It is being held in Holt, Michigan. It"s not that far. You can get to the registration page from the homepage of the Wayne County Taxpayers Association. The cost is only $10 per person and that includes lunch. For those of you that have children, there is even childcare. What more could you want.

Put some effort behind your words and join us. All talk and no action doesn't change a thing. People call me all the time and want me to do there work. This is your opportunity to commit to do your share. Hope to see you there.

I am conflicted. As a resident of Wayne County I know that I should be doing everything I can to encourage business to stay and flourish in Wayne County. As I have just become a major stockholder in GM, I now have other considerations to take under advisement.

Right now Detroit and Warren are having a disagreement over where the Headquarters of General Motors should be located. First lets look at the taxes. Mayor Bing and Executive Ficano are proposing a tax free zone for the Renaissance Center. While, Th City of Warren has offered a 30 year abatement if GM moves its headquarters to the GM Tech Center.

If lower taxes are good for GM, why are they not good for everyone else. The small businesses that will suffer or be put out of business because of the automotive downsizing are sure to need propping up. There is also the average taxpayer who must pick up the burden for the hole in revenue left by breaks to business. I know, as consumers they we are paying them anyway, but somehow if you don't pay them directly they seem less harmful and there is still the possibility that they will not pass the brake on.

Then there is the employees. Would they rather go to Downtown Detroit and pay a fortune for parking or park in the huge parking lot at the Tech Center? If they wish to live near work, would they rather live in Detroit with poor services and poor schools or in Warren were schools and services are not so bad and their spouses will not have to pay the 2.5% resident income tax, if they work?

How about property values? Would you rather invest in housing which will continue to decline under present tax rates and exiting population or property which is likely to appreciate in the future? The Detroit News has given you an opportunity to vote on the question of whether they should stay in Detroit or move to Warren. I am torn. It isn't easy being a business owner in Michigan.