Tag: Taxpayers

"we ought to be more transparent than we have to be"

How dumb.  Just disclose what you have now and move along.  L. Brooks Patterson doesn't hesitate to name those he shakes down and those buying influence in Oakland County, however, Rick Snyder is above that as if his donors are like Barry's college transcripts.

"I think if you don't release it, it looks like there's something suspicious," Patterson told The News. "We all talk about transparency and we either live it or not."
....

"It's easier to hit your supporters for a donation sometimes, than getting them to donate from their personal account," Patterson said of getting corporate donations made to the fund.

Snyder testified last week in a deposition in Detroit's bankruptcy case that he doesn't know who donates to the fund - an admission that's raised some eyebrows. "It's almost dereliction of duty if he didn't know who the donors were," Robinson said.

Rich Baird testified he didn't know either.  What a pack of lies.  So, what's a Nerd to do?  Naturally, Rick Snyder put's his crony on the public dole with a $40,000 pay raise.  Frilliant!

Special elections are happening all over Michigan in order to pass higher taxes, continue others and begin new programs.  One increase is for a Headlee override in Grand Traverse County.  The local college which has no financial crisis, has 10 years of surplus if nothing is done, and says that "the law prevents us from telling you what we want to do with the money" is putting its hand out on this special day:

"SURPRISE!!  NMC is NOT broke.

In fact, the college has a 38% fund balance remaining. the annual budget is $42.6 million and it has a $16.1 million general fund balance.  The projected deficit for 2014 is just over $400,000, which if carried through for 40 years MIGHT run the balance out.  Even if the projected annual deficit of $1.8 million happens on schedule, it is 10 years of shortages that the college can endure before its ABSOLUTE cutting time.  And that is under the assumption that property values are remaining flat.

It helps them avoid the fire sale on Millages in November, where two school bonds, and a road millage (another stick in the craw) as well as TWP measures will be on the ballot.  In fact so many things are on the ballot, Its a wonder anyone can avoid a tax sale at least ONCE in their life.  Because of people who SHOULD NOT be voting.

No?

While advocating for a Godless school system, progressives have conveniently ignored the hypocritical actions of extremist Muslims in our midst, which if allowed would turn some Michigan schools into full blown publicly funded Madrasas. According to BizPac Review, after objecting to Off-school CHRISTIAN activities, CAIR (Council on American-Islamic Relations) has succeeded in persuading Dearborn school officials to accommodate the floor kissing practice of Islamic prayer in our tax payer funded schools:

"CAIR lodged its complaint against the Dearborn School District, claiming that the school system didn't accommodate Muslim students wishing to participate in prayer on school grounds.

After CAIR staff met with Dearborn Public Schools Superintendent Brian Whiston, the district "implemented a policy which fully accommodates student-led prayer in all the schools," according to the Arab-American News."

As seen further in the story:

The very same Michigan chapter of CAIR sent a letter to the Roseville Public School system complaining that permission slips were being handed out so that students could attend Bible classes, according to a CAIR press release.

The classes were not held on school property, but rather at a local Baptist church. In addition. the school didn't provide transportation to or from the Bible classes, and attendance didn't excuse the students from keeping up with their regular school work.

Or at least it could be if Michigan State Representative Tom McMillin has his way.  McMillin has proposed legislation that ties any money taken from taxpayers for economic development or grants to a requirement of drug testing for principle recipients. Adding and amending this language:

Sec. 15. Beginning October 1, 2013, the fund shall establish requirements to ensure that any recipient of funds, including a loan, a grant, or funding or other assistance for a project,submits to and tests negative for substance abuse under a substance abuse testing program prescribed by the fund. As used in this section, any recipient who is not an individual includes all of the following:

• (a) For a corporation, the president and the chief executive officer, and each managerial employee who directly reports to the president or chief executive officer.
  
• (b) For a partnership, all partners and each managerial employee who directly reports to a partner.
  
• (c) For a limited partnership, the general and limited partners and each managerial employee who directly reports to a general or limited partner.
  
• (d) For a limited liability company, all members and each managerial employee who directly reports to a member.

Certainly no hotel room baked concoctions for these connoisseurs of the finest taxpayer largess.  We aren't talking of a few misplaced bags of medicinal scratch, or toilet bowl punch either. But the good stuff that can only be bought with the type of green that is doled out by the news conference.

"In an effort to drum up support for an upcoming millage, Alcona Community Schools Superintendent Shawn Thornton is quoted in a local newspaper claiming teaching and support staff have been cut almost in half."

The first line says 'curiously' because today is the day I received the response from the SOS to my complaint of advocacy by TCAPS (Traverse City Area Public Schools) for its millage request.  It included the district's denial that they were violating campaign finance 57. It claimed they didn't know that there was a violation. But interestingly, as they were denying the charge of violation, it should be noted they significantly re-worked their literature when 'caught' by the original complaint and a subsequent newspaper article highlighting the complaint.

Not knowing absolves everyone from fault .. right?

Right up to that line without stepping over it is typical for school systems begging for more, but this was pretty clear.  The Superintendent approved the mailer, but then had it changed when caught. Then had their hired guns respond to the complaint.  Then another 'curious' event where the public relations manager resigns an $84k/yr job out of the blue.

Right.

I have 10 days from the date of the SOS response to add anything.  The SOS response was dated Dec 21, 2012.  (Envelope shows to be mailed the 27th) I suppose the violation should/could stand on its own, but will an additional argument weigh on the process any?

As many of you may know, the Traverse City Area Public Schools have a board lacking any critical dissent.  There is no representative of the taxpayer present in each of its monthly, or special meetings.  Thus it should come as no surprise that a $26,000,000.00 Performing Arts Center (auditorium)is considered an essential educational tool.

We're fighting a millage request that has an add on $26 million for a new performing arts center that will dwarf Interlochen. (you know .. the professionals) We're going all out up here to fight the latest pickpocketing by an irresponsible board, which has neglected its properties, in favor of building new. Literally.  In fact this statement:

"Without the bond, TCAPS general fund will have to pay more than 3 million dollars per year to keep up with such demands. TCAPS operates a "general fund" that pays for the day-to-day operations of our school system, including student programming and employee salaries. A "capital" or "bond" fund supports the upkeep and improvement of infrastructure and cannot be used for day-to-day operations."

Essentially, they are saying "we don't know how to keep our stuff nice, and since you will pony up anyway .." A perfect example of our throwaway society I suppose.

If you don't like this ..

Then you trash it, and build this ..

Fixing, remodeling, repair..  Out of the question.  Just replace.