Tag: Liability

In the bizzarro world state that we live in, it might soon be even more true.  Surprising as it might be, Andy Dillon might actually shed the comfort of a fat bureaucratic job for the gold fringe executive seat. And it might work. Not because Dillon is better, but because he is undermining the governor's better efforts with punitive management of the treasury.

The treasury department is the enforcement arm of Michigan's revenue collections. And true to the progressive mindset that you not only do-not-own what you think, he manages that way.  Its bad enough to be PERSONALLY LIABLE for actions of an entire department you manage, but to carry that liability  for decisions made prior to your own involvement?  Charles Owens reports:

"In the majority of states, personal liability statutes have required that the responsible person be employed in a tax-supervisory position with the company during the time that the person's company failed to pay the government. However, Michigan's Treasury is departing from this body of law. Treasury now extends its assessments to persons not employed by the tax liable entity or were not employed during the time period in which the tax was not paid. That is, the state Treasury is now assessing persons for tax debts that arose before the person was employed by the company. It is assessing persons that were members of other holding companies that invested in the tax liable company - and had no hand in day-to-day operations. Treasury is assessing persons for debts which arose after they left the company. No other government jurisdiction practices such an expansive assessment."

And before someone says "Hey, Andy can be tied to this. Its HIS department after all", I would suggest we find some precedent setting moment in time.  You know, some point in history where 'the buck actually stopped there.' This is SNYDER'S problem, and will be, no matter who makes the primary calls.

Right?

Making the MEA happy for the sake of a few votes will backfire.  Making the MEA stronger will just make you regret the small rope chain you thought might hold it several years ago. The Mackinac Center's McHugh reports:

"If passed by the House and signed by Gov. Rick Snyder, this would be arguably the most impactful state budget reform since Gov. John Engler signed a similar measure for state workers back in 1996. That measure has helped taxpayers avoid some $4.3 billion in unfunded liability since then. Unfortunately, House Republicans led by Appropriations Committee Chairman Chuck Moss, R-Birmingham, appear willing to give the union a victory by deep-sixing this reform."

Bad timing friend.

When trying to inspire conservatives for the biggest vote of the last century in November, its not really a good idea to go all LIBERAL.

Ya know?  

And given a birdy telling me about the ambition to remain relevant for a big race in 2014, it might be prudent to consider a fiscally courageous stand here. Take heart, as even Richardville voted for it. But if you pursue grinding this walkback out of the house, you may wind up wearing it like a millstone around your neck in any future political contests.  

There are a few of us who will be there for the adorning.

Democrat Representatives Lisa Brown and Jim Ananich have each sponsored (with 27 Democratic co-sponsors) a portion and re-introduced the Michigan Trial Lawyer Enhancement Act (House Bills 4440 and 4650).

Every legislative cycle about this time Michigan Democrats attempt to take advantage of a largely hibernating voting public, sponsoring and passing legislation designed to pay off debts to big-time campaign donors and special interest friends.

It's the oldest trick in the book.  You campaign as a populist, you tell the people its all about them and then as soon as they aren't looking you start funneling as many perks, favors and giant paydays as possible to your cronies, no matter how many Michigan jobs it'll kill.

We've talked about this issue before.  We sounded the alert when the Dems tried to do their trial lawyer pals a solid in 2007.  We sounded it again when they took another stab later that year.  They tried it again in 2008 and we were there again in 2009.  ( I Should note on this last, a technical  ahem .. 'complication' truncated some great discussion ... sigh.)

The post writes itself.

Imagine if the management of General Motors was to put only one lug nut on each tire of each car they made.  Certainly such a process could save a few dollars on each car.  Further, what if the seat belts were held in place with a plastic clip instead of a metal one?  Add to this a windshield of regular pane glass, and the first pothole met at 60MHP, results in the driver racing through the air looking like a thanksgiving turkey fresh from the processor before the stretch wrap.