Tag: Taxpayers (page 2)

The union-backed proposal known as "Protect Our Jobs" has mostly been sold as enshrining collective bargaining privileges into the Michigan Constitution and fending off a right-to-work law that could be passed at some point in the future.

These points are being debated by both sides, but the main effect of the POJA initiative being passed by voters in November is far less known and would do far more damage than either of the typically discussed positions.

Tucked into the middle, part of the union petition reads, "No existing or future law of the state or its political subdivisions shall abridge, impair or limit" unions' ability to "negotiate in good faith regarding wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment. ... "

In short: Aside from a couple exceptions, no state law past, present or future could limit what government union officials could win in labor contracts.

Rest here

Unloading a rail line between Chicago and Detroit onto the taxpayers of Michigan, the freight concern just eliminated the high cost of maintenance, liability, and dispatching responsibility, and as a bonus probably got paid for it. According to PFA:

"Thanks to $140 million in federal money, the State of Michigan will reportedly soon be the owner of the Norfolk Southern Railroad line connecting Chicago to Detroit. This is all part of the State's plan to have high speed rail connecting the two cities."

Norfolk keeps the rights to freight travel, which is ALWAYS the most lucrative part of a rail operation, and gets US to pay the weight of the rest. AND the lose all the negatives.

Sweet.

That could be the headline when the Traverse City Area Public Schools see their most recent request for millage fall flat on its fat face.

TCAPS is looking for support to continue its Capital Infrastructure Improvement Program through authorization of bond sales that will generate $100 million over the next 10 years. According to TCAPS, the millage rate necessary to repay these bonds will remain below 4 mills.  Given the current rate of 3.1 mills, where did the other 29% increase come from?  The purpose of these requests must be physical asset based only, and this level of increase must surely be based on some specific need, right?

Of course.  The need for a particular feel good wear around the neck kind of thing that says "look at me!"

Luxury.

We don't need anymore of that, thank you.  In fact, Republicans are supposed to be for SMALLER government.  Further, one might think Northern Michigan Republicans ought to be even a little more conservative on matters of property rights, exclusionary areas, and doling out cash or favors to specific and targeted groups.

Its called "central planning," and its the kind of thing that can be repeatedly demonstrated as inefficient, and costly to land owners, taxpayers, and entire economies.

Representative Schmidt needs to get a little sleep and ask himself what he will do when he is no longer able to call himself a Republican. Many of us have stopped already.  Best intentions don't very well make up for the mistake of seeking liberal ends.  Championing progressive causes, and now taking a page from Mao's playbook (managing farms for the good of all) with top down government managed "smart zones"?  Terrible, Comrade!

OK, maybe not THAT bad. .. Yet.

"Beyond this raising the question of: Does public ownership/private operation mean any losses are public, any profit private? (and I think the answer is, "yes"), I've seen this concept elsewhere, and Merriam-Webster has the definition."

But its more in how crony capitalists roll.  In fact, this would be a great place to stop and find a local 'occupier' for the purposes of redirecting them to the Michigan capitol's lawn.  No doubt much of the occupy movement is (for lack of a more appropriate word) 'occupied' by hardcore progressives, but one of the messages they seem to be sporting is they want an end to 'capitalism'.  And though they say 'capitalism,' we all know they mean 'crony capitalism,' as it has been the only thing allowed by the institution of an all powerful bureaucracy through political reward and economic gamesmanship.

This thing, this bridge thing.  As we watch the governor squander political goodwill in deal trade after deal trade, we also watch the effect of good legislators who are willing to question its efficacy, or the need for the bridge.

In an attempt to lure lawmakers into thinking popular opinion is on the side of committing Michigan to a boondoggle project that is the NITC, the administration is now pushing polls that seem to show consensus. At least once "they know the facts." A couple of weeks ago from the Ivory Tower:

"Two-thirds of Michigan voters support Gov. Rick Snyder's plan for a new bridge to Windsor once they understand Canada's role in helping to pay for the span, new poll results showed Monday.

Conducted for the corporate leadership group Business Leaders for Michigan, the poll of 600 likely voters showed that 62% favored building the public bridge and 33% opposed it. "

Folks, I present to you the greatest collection of crony capitalists this side of Wall Street. And they are all in our back yard. In this writer's view, these folks wouldn't understand a free market business model if it hit them on the head with a hard bound copy of Atlas Shrugged. The few Republicans you may find in the overall group are names added to give credibility to the rest and still does not guarantee their business models are not reliant on government handouts, intervention or "collaboration." (Read: taking from us to make their model work)

And these lefty supporting, steal from the taxpayer types want the bridge and are pushing heavily for it.

Her current amendment will serve us best as well.  And we would be remiss to not agree with her assessment that National flood insurance should end.

H/T to the NetRight Daily guys!

The post writes itself.