Tag: money (page 2)

Remember all of those wonderful scholarships that once upon a time had funding through 'promises' and 'pledges' and earmarked tobacco cash?  

Oh My.. THOSE were the days.

$300 Million dollars a year dedicated to whatever the state wanted to do.  Completely fungible money, paid for by the health issues that state's attorneys argued cost the taxpayer in the first place.  $300 Million to pay for Johnnie and Suzie's college tuition once, and later, maybe 4100 million for a state police post that was not needed.  Gosh happy days, and dollar signs in the eyes of anyone who thought they could tap into the 'free money' promised by the settlement with big tobacco about 12 years ago.  Money so stable, that even spending it ahead of time was not out of the question.

Umm  Folks?  Put the credit card down for a minute.  We seem to have hit a snag. It seems the agreement by attorney's general of several states, (GUESS WHO OUR AG AT THE TIME WAS? - Haha fooled you .. it wasnt YET the drooling over those funds JG to the right.) and some tobacco concerns represents an illegal compact between states, which is seen as unconstitutional.

The background: The case was brought by the Competitive Enterprise Institute on behalf of a tobacco company, S&M Brands, a tobacco retailer and a cigarette consumer. The group sued the Louisiana Attorney General in 2005, claiming, among other things, that the Louisiana legislation which effected the terms of the 1998 settlement represented an illegal "compact" among states.

Detroit schools apparently have some gaping holes to fill, and they would like to do it with money that the state doesn't have yet. So to make ALL schools feel like they have failed as badly as the best laid liberal plans in Detroit, they have proposed using $400,000,000.00 in [future] tobacco settlement money to plug a couple hundred million of that leak. From the Detroit news:

Rep. Fred Durhal, D-Detroit, sponsored the legislation in response to a request by Robert Bobb, emergency financial manager of the Detroit Public Schools.

In an interview Monday with The Detroit News Editorial Board, Bobb said the district was asking for money from the state's settlement with tobacco companies to alleviate DPS' $327 million deficit. In return for the aid, DPS and other districts would implement reforms based on the federal Race to the Top initiative.

NOT necessarily the Republican party mind you, but the finances of the GOP going into the 2012 election cycle.

Establishment Newt Gingrich, the man who sat on a couch next to the enemy of America and Michigan, (Nancy Pelosi)promoting green policies can go pack tuna with her for all I care.  His open congratulations tonight to Lisa Murkowskee (spelled wrong.. take a vote off please) tonight really drives home his allegiance to the status quo, and willingness to go along with whomever might be there to advance his political agenda.   She should have been excoriated for her refusal to accept the will of the Republicans, and particularly the conservative Republicans in the primary fight.  Any worthwhile committee assignments should have been withdrawn once she OPPOSED a Republican candidate.  

"The Glenn Wilson campaign would like to thank the Michigan Democratic Party for sending out the mailer regarding Wilson's stance on irresponsible government Spending."

From the same campaign that has elements giving grief to Dr. Dan Benishek for accepting Republican money (he IS the Republican candidate.. go figure) we find the Wilson campaign eagerly lapping up the spilled milk of the Michigan Donkeys in a last minute attempt to remain relevant. The Democrat attempt to split the vote's cost?  Estimated to be about $30,000.00 according to the Wilson Camp.

Consider it a gift.

As many of you might have noticed I have not really made a mention of Glenn Wilson when covering Benishek, McDowell, and the fight to take the CD1 seat back from the lefties.  My 'omission' Stemming from the realization that any more attention to the man who might siphon votes from Dan Benishek, might fuel Wilson's efforts, and guarantee the end that still might happen; a McDowell win.

Funny, how it's something that I may well have railed about in years past watching debates that did not include 3rd party candidates.

What is not funny, is the reality that Glenn Wilson is not Stupid.  Nor are many of his followers.  Yet they continue onward in a path that leads them to more of what they might claim to oppose.  Any gains by team Wilson mean losses for Benishek.  They speak to the same issues, and let there be no doubt McDowell, and the lying Michigan Democrats will take advantage of that.  A Donkey could well hold the CD1 seat because of Wilson.

But speaking to the same folks, and being the same.. have very different meanings.

Is this from the latest press release from the Bernero Campaign to boost his flagging numbers?

Sander Levin, John Dingell, John Conyers reminder to voters that they are on the ballot next month?

Gary Peters response to LBP's recent blog?

The answer to this one will surprise and disappoint you.

{Turn the page to find out who this is....}

.

Four weeks out from the general election, and we may have a problem with a double digit lead that Rick Snyder has, over Virg Bernero.  Snyder's lead through Rasmussen as of a couple weeks ago was 13 points, and it is unlikely (barring a name and gender change along with a discovery he is a Canadian plant)  that Rick Snyder will drop below the 50 point mark.  Private polling commissioned by a political source shows the lead may have grown even more.  

And it presents more of a problem for Republicans than Democrats.

Insert record scratch here?

The Democrats cannot be trusted with such a task as securing our ballots.  particularly OAKLAND County DEMOCRATS and their choice Jocelyn Benson.  If they will lie to you BEFORE they are elected, surely one would not expect them to be straight up AFTER the fact.   The Fake tea party fiasco was a perfect example of the disrespect for voters the Democrats in Michigan truly have.  The Secretary of State as their "top of the ticket" Really drives it home.