Tag: Legislature

Once upon a time, the insurer of last resort (yeah Michiganians have had a cant-deny-preexisting insurer for several decades already)was owned by you and I. (since 1939)  As recently as a few years ago, it even carried a balance sheet of about $6,000,000,000.00 including over $3,000,000,000.00 cash reserves. The BCBS board tried to use those reserves in for-profit ventures, (a great way to pass off cash to private partners)  and were stopped by then attorney general Mike Cox. In 2008, Cox kept BCBS of MI in check.

But things are different now. This time no one stepped in to stop the transference of a GREAT BIG PILE OF MONEY away from Michigan citizens. And the great big Obamacare boondoggle helped them do it. Now that they aren't owned by you and I, its time to make some real cash!

"Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan shows a projected savings of tens of millions of dollars next year by terminating 25 individual health plans that were noncompliant with the Affordable Care Act.

Over the past decade, Blue Cross has lost hundreds of millions of dollars in the individual market as Michigan's designated insurer of last resort, a moniker it no longer has under health care reform with all insurers now required to cover people with pre-existing conditions and its conversion earlier this year into a mutual health insurer. "

How clever.

Enjoy the song.

After replacing the MBT with a State Income Tax Hike, plundering retirees pensions, cutting the Homestead Tax Credit, electioneering with Democrats, continuing to gift illegal aliens over $900M annually, and passing Obamacare Snydercaid, the guy I see in the propaganda video above is the best argument presented for a Part-time State Legislature.

Go work on growing your second chin, Jase.  Like Snyder, you're the problem.

First Tour stop:

Don't Raise MI Taxes Tour Stop (St. Clair Shores)
Americans for Prosperity - Michigan
Tuesday, April 23, 2013 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Saint Clair Shores, MI

Thank you for your ongoing efforts, Mr. Hagerstrom!  As noted from an mLive screed, it should be highlighted who the Legislator held responsible for the latest MIaGOP Tax Hike scheme on Michigan residents.

A new plan taking shape in the state House, spearheaded by Republican [questionable] Rep. Wayne Schmidt of Traverse City, is expected to include increased gasoline taxes and registration fees. The proposal also would exempt fuel purchases from the state's six percent sales tax, which is collected at the pump but is not used to fix roads.

Congratulations, District 104 voters.  Feeling dumb about sending Wayne "Show Pony" back for another term in Lansing, yet?  I doubt it.  But wait, there's more!

House Speaker Jase Bolger, R-Marshall, signaled support for the plan on Thursday, telling reporters that the legislature must "be committed to solving the full problem," including making sure that all taxes paid at the pump go toward roads.

What were your words about raising taxes, Speaker Bolger?

Governor Rick Snyder has cut a radio ad urging voters in Kalamazoo and Calhoun Counties to re-elect House Speaker Jase Bolger. The Marshall Republican is running for re-election against Democrat Bill Farmer. The Gongwer News Service (subscription required) reports that the ad was paid for by the House Republican Campaign Committee and authorized by Bolger's campaign. The ad is seen as another sign that Bolger is facing a tough re-election fight. Democrats have made an issue of his involvement in a plan to put a "straw candidate" on the ballot to help State Representative Roy Schmidt's re-election chances in his Grand Rapids district. Schmidt switched from the Democratic to Republican party right before the filing deadline.

They don't need to.

When Rep Roy Schmidt -D became Rep Roy Schmidt -R, it didn't change who he was.  Like painting a blue Ford Pinto red, it hardly makes it a Lincoln Towncar. The taint that is now apparently giving fuel to the most leftist Democrats for the upcoming elections truly drives home the fact that where THEY come from nowadays, is really a degenerate pool of deceit and sleight of hand.  By embracing the left into the Republican party, the infection is immediately seen for what it is.

True principles do not allow deception to become a part of their playbook.  Open, honest, and upfront dealings, along with explanation of consequence are the only way in which political matters should be handled.  Sadly, there are still those who are willing to accept a second rate toss off from a second rate political ideology that has no conscience.

Remember who hid the source of funding and authorship until a Mackinac center intern discovery, of the RMGN document.  The admission as displayed in the discovery, was they (the Dems) were worried about their reelection chance in 2010, so a small cheat was needed.  The cheat as was revealed was the nearly complete re-write of our Michigan constitution.  They won't talk about that along side new complaints about the Republicans will they?

And then recall the big cheat, where not only was a vote draining scheme concocted, it involved straight up fraud and document forgery.  Hell some of the candidates not only lived outside the district, but didn't even know they were running!  But the Dems won't do anything but briefly complain that because they were busted then, the republicans should face the same fate now.  And never mind the fact that in their effort 9 felony counts were placed on the culprits in contrast to ZERO for this recent event.

And now, the lefty Dems are crying foul for a "Republican" scheme to win a particular seat once occupied by the same man who wants to occupy it as a republican?

Yeah.  I can relate.

Republicans need to give him back. He isn't natural here.  It isn't what we are about. That's THEIR gig, and they are upset our leadership got excited about picking up the seat.  No excuses.  Wrong is wrong, and people are about sick of the games played simply so some can hold on to their political jobs.  Schmidt is a Democrat, played a lefty game, and became the baby ruth in our pool.

Just wanted to give everyone an update on last week's URGENT ACTION ALERT asking you to contact potentially wavering Republican House members to encourage them to support parental choice in our kids' education.

The issue is such a slam dunk for Michigan parents and students even the Detroit News jumped on the bandwagon  in yesterday's Sunday edition, opining that the "House Should Choose School Choice."

Just two months ago, lawmakers faced lifting the cap on charter schools. They did, after a heated fight. Now, they are mulling whether to expand virtual charter schools. Legislators should not place the interests of the education establishment above families who desire this alternative.

The Republicans who wavered longest on the previous bill are the same ones who are irresolute now. The 10 or so lawmakers are mostly in their first term and are looking toward re-election in November.

Though they are getting pounded with calls and visits from school superintendents and teachers unions, they shouldn't allow their own political concerns to cloud their principles.

Indeed, and Amen!

Is it really that much to ask our self-described "conservative" lawmakers to put principle above self interest?  Probably.  So let's marry the two.  They're hearing from the Debbie Squires of the world.  They need to hear from you, too!

The unofficial word out of Speaker Bolger's office is that a vote on Senate Bill 619 will come this week Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday.  Please take a moment TODAY to contact your own state Representative and encourage him or her to vote YES on SB 619, to stand up to the MEA and to give hope and opportunities to every kid in Michigan.

Last week's action alert identified about a dozen wobbly Republicans.  If you haven't reached out to them, please do that as well.  About half of the folks on that list have already heard your voice and plan to vote YES.  We need them all!

Today you can give them a shout and tie their principles to their self interest.

The various bills lifted the arbitrary cap on charter schools and empowered parents to pursue the education choices that work best for their kids.  As you probably know, two-thirds of the state's charter schools, most in urban districts like Flint, Grand Rapids, Lansing and - of course - Detroit, have waiting lists a mile long as parents demand more choices and better results for their children.

Despite the major advances and the fact that lawmakers listened to parents late last year, 2012 is an election year and some members of the state House Republican majority are worried about raising the ire of the MEA and their teacher union cronies.