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Detroit, Michigan, Michigan Politics
Busy Times
by Jason • • 3 Comments
The posts are as usual high quality, but currently a little more sparse because of some ongoing election efforts.
10x25MM has done a fine job pointing out the DPS foibles, and this morning reminds me that bankruptcy really was the legitimate option for the failed district. It appears that even after 617 Million has been approved, no one knows who is in charge yet. From the Detroit News:
Davis, who has been board president for two years, on Sunday said Lemmons was making his move.
“LaMar Lemmons is trying to hijack the ship, but he is not currently the president, even though he would like to be.”
Both insist they are following the June 9 board meeting results even though the stint is short..
Boys. boys… Just remember, the Captain goes down with the ship.
In any event, I mentioned election efforts, right? Below is a radio ad I have prepared to run this coming week, and then again closer to the election. I thought it might be of interest, and that THIS TOO might be of interest. Higher taxes.. Right?
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(8)Nuh Uh.(0)Michigan
The Veto Does It
by Jason • • 1 Comment
HB4344 is dead.
We scoffed at the consumer protections aspect of this ‘aftermarket’ legislation. How is raising the cost of repairs and limiting choices in a market environment seen as ‘protection?’
Rick Snyder, often criticized on these pages did one right. The veto of HB4344 assures that a strong aftermarket industry remains in Michigan. He opines:
I support much of the modernization of the Act that HB 4344 includes, as well as limiting structural parts that are proven to impact safety. However, I am unable to sign this bill because it overreaches in the limitation of aftermarket parts negatively impacting consumers and creating the potential for negative consequences for Michigan’s automotive industry. Accordingly, I am returning HB 4344 to you without signature.
Well done.
Now perhaps we start looking at other protectionist legislation?
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(8)Nuh Uh.(0)Michigan, Michigan Politics
Gamrat Cleared
by Jason • • 6 Comments
At least there is an end to some of the nonsense.
From Click-on Detroit:
Lansing District Judge Hugh Clarke Jr. ruled Tuesday there’s not enough probable cause for tea party conservative Cindy Gamrat to face felony misconduct in office charges.
Who pushed for this in the first place?
Oh yeah.
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(19)Nuh Uh.(4)Cronyism, Government Incompetence, Michigan, Michigan Politics, Part Time Legislature, Philosophy
Greasing The Monkeys
by Jason • • 12 Comments
Apparently there is never enough choice choking regulation for some in our legislature.
Without written permission to spend less, your auto repair bill will cost you more.
Incredibly, that first line above was a last minute ‘fix’ in HB4344. Prior to it being added as an amendment by Pete Petallia, there was no wiggle room for any aftermarket part that wasn’t subjected to the extremes set up by the automakers to make their parts competitive. Meaning, if I wanted Miata wheels to replace the factory wheels on my Miata for any reason, I’d have to go through a lengthy process obtaining them EXCLUSIVELY from the manufacturer, creating time/effort hassles noone wants to deal with. The section of HB4344 addressing this:
House Bill No. 4344 as amended May 31, 2016
1 original warranty, or during the first 5 years of the vehicle manufacturer’s original warranty, whichever is less, the motor vehicle repair facility shall replace the major component part, and a person that is an owner or operator of the motor vehicle repair facility shall ensure that the major component part is replaced, with 1 of the following:
(a) A new original equipment manufacturer part.
(b) A used or recycled original equipment manufacturer part.
(c) A part that meets any applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards established under 49 CFR 571, and meets the standards for parts recognized as OEM comparable quality as verified by the Certified Automotive Parts Association, NSFInternational, or another nationally recognized automotive parts testing agency.
(d) A part that does not meet subdivision (a), (b), or (c), if the facility is directed by the owner of the motor vehicle in writing to install that part.]
Michigan Capitol Confidential might be thanked for bringing this up originally.
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(6)Nuh Uh.(0)All the Other Stuff, Liberty, Michigan, Michigan Politics, Opinion, Philosophy
Get Yer Jack Boot On
by Jason • • 2 Comments
The 'other' definition of "force" once again rears its ugly head.
The logical conclusion to an over applied nanny state is the use of violence to prevent one from hurting oneself.
The Stings are on. Grants to step up ‘enforcement’ (key use of words here) have been doled out. Click on Detroit says:
The Macomb County Sheriff’s Office will be participating in a mandatory seat belt enforcement grant beginning May 23-June 5.
Take the money, or else.
Indeed. Click it, or we’ll put a gun to your head to save your life. As Michigan goes into the high travel Memorial Day weekend, the stage is set once again to punish those who tempt fate by not strapping in. In Macomb County they want to do it the nice way:
Extra patrols start Monday and continue through June 5 as part of the latest “Click it or Ticket” campaign, targeting motorists who are not wearing seat belts.
“Our primary goal is always to encourage voluntary compliance with the law. For those drivers who do not comply, our deputies will deliver warnings or issue violations as the circumstances dictate,” Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham said.
Oh, how friendly.
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(14)Nuh Uh.(4)Democrats, Elections, Michigan, Michigan Politics
Carpetbagging Confidence
by Jason • • 5 Comments
Once again, Democrat aristocracy tries to buy a Northern Michigan political seat.
It is clear that the first lady gent of Obama-for-America fundraiser Julianna Smoot is sure of his impending primary success.
The race between Lon Johnson-Smoot, and (a guy who actually lives in the district) Jerry Cannon might have been a bit more balanced, but for a December car accident that temporarily put into question the retired General’s ability to campaign. Any recent uptick in Cannon’s perceived chances are apparently not preventing Lon Johnson-Obama-Smoot from tying up the airwaves just before the general election in late October.
The guy who has a cabin-in-the-woods-for-residency has purchased several thousand in TV ads in Marquette already as reported to the FCC. Cash money already spent
The list below shows recent purchases made
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(13)Nuh Uh.(0)Detroit, Michigan
They’ll Find the Money
by Jason • • 4 Comments
Lawmakers will come up with enough dough to settle this temporary matter.
Somewhere.
There is a $460 Million unexpected shortfall in the Michigan Budget. The Free Press reports:
The budget gap is the combined result of a revenue shortfall of about $330 million for the 2016 and 2017 fiscal years, plus higher Medicaid caseloads that are expected to cost the state about $130 million more than estimated, Budget Director John Roberts told journalists after the conference at the Capitol.
The added strain comes as the Legislature is already grappling with tens of millions of dollars in extra spending requests related to the Flint drinking water crisis and a major financial rescue that’s proposed for the Detroit Public Schools.
Oh yeah..
Gee, we never saw that coming.
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(12)Nuh Uh.(0)Cronyism, Detroit, Elections, Michigan, Taxes
Save The Children!
by Jason • • 8 Comments
Are Bailouts The Right Answer for DPS?
(Reposted from JasonGillman.Com)
The Michigan House just voted to give the Detroit Public Schools a $500 million bailout and the State Senate wants to give $800 million.
104th State Representative and incumbent Larry Inman explains it away as a necessary evil. He suggested on the Ron Jolly radio program Wednesday morning, that lawyers warned house leadership that if they didn’t do something, the courts would take over, and it could be far worse. He referenced the Michigan constitution, and its requirement on the legislature to provide funding for the schools.
My guess is that he did not ask the question of the attorneys advising the house “what might happen if every school district subjected the taxpayers to the same challenge?”
YES, the state is supposed to provide an education. The legislature is supposed to “maintain and support a system of elementary and secondary schools.. ” In fact, From the state constitution:
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(15)Nuh Uh.(0)Cronyism, Democrats, Flint Water Fiasco, Government Incompetence, Michigan, Michigan Politics
Same As It Ever Was
by Jason • • 5 Comments
Why would we expect anything else from the party of Clinton?
Democrats have been screaming about Republican leadership’s failure on the Flint water issue.
While we have no overreaching love for the governerd, who brought us expansion of Obamacare, lost our insurer of last resort, broke the law for his ‘roads’ funding boondoggle, and still hands out money like its not his own, it was not Rick Snyder who put lead in the pipes of Flint. He took credit for the failure of his bureaucracy to properly assess a fast developing public health issue, but he surely did not cause the problem.
Was it the bureaucracy itself? Yes. Decades of poor decision making by those who have by hook or crook made their life’s work to be the decimation of ‘Buick City.’ Poor planning and perhaps a little power mongering graft? From Reuters:
“Henderson’s lawsuit alleged that Mayor Karen Weaver ordered her assistant and a volunteer to redirect donors from a local fund set up to help families affected by the water crisis to her political action committee instead.
The lawsuit charged that the city employee was “specifically directed” to instruct people “step-by-step” to donate to the mayor’s “Karenabout Flint” fund through its website, rather than the Charity Safe Water/Safe Homes fund through the city’s website.
Sure thing.
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