Corinthian Scales

Cronyism, Democrats, Detroit, Rent Seeking, Republicans

Deep Pockets – Short Arms

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As expected…

Detroit’s planned 3.3-mile $137 million Woodward Avenue streetcar project faces a $12 million funding shortfall, and Michigan members of Congress warn the project could be in jeopardy unless the Transportation Department gives it more money.

A two-page letter to Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx obtained by The Detroit News on Tuesday warns that the project urgently needs additional grant money to proceed. But even without federal funds, officials of the so-called M-1 project says it would survive — but concede it might have to be scaled back.

Whoa! Has anyone looked at the top two names listed on the M-1 Rail Board of Directors? Click here. So, you mean to tell me that Roger Penske, or Dan Gilbert, both billionaires, can’t reach into their front pocket and pull out $6M each? YGBFKM. Better yet, if one looks a little further down the Board of Director names listed one will see Ilitch Holdings. How about giving a little back to the rest of us in the state, Mike and Marian? There you go. Penske, Gilbert, and Ilitch, can all pony up $3M each to cover the “shortfall”.

Funny how yet another .gov subsidized P3 project always has these budget “shortfalls,” isn’t it?

The May 1 letter, which has not previously been made public, discloses that Detroit applied for a supplemental $12.2 million grant from the Transportation Department’s TIGER grant program. The project received $25 million in federal funds from the program in January 2013.

“Without the requested $12.2 million TIGER grant, this important project will be delayed indefinitely, and we fear the resulting costs could make the project unaffordable,” said the letter signed by Sens. Carl Levin of Detroit, Debbie Stabenow of Lansing and Reps. Sander Levin of Royal Oak, John Dingell of Dearborn, John Conyers of Detroit and Gary Peters of Bloomfield Township. The lawmakers, all Democrats, urged Foxx to “award a TIGER grant to close the funding gap.”

Ah, all Democrats Socialists. I guess that is where the Ilitch’s paid their “fair share” already.

Subsidies in perpetuity! Get ready to keep paying up, Nerd voting suckers.

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Cronyism, Republicans

Another “Grand Bargain”

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Was that crappy cow-box computer company a bastion of nepotism?

Gov. Rick Snyder on Friday appointed the father of House Speaker Jase Bolger to the Western Michigan University Board of Trustees.

James Bolger, of Whitehall in Muskegon County, is a former state police leader, a criminal justice instructor at Grand Valley State University and alumnus of WMU.

The Republican governor appointed Bolger to the remainder of an eight-year term that expires on Dec. 31, 2020.
….

“I look forward to my dad’s efforts to help WMU continue to excel and prepare their students for success while providing parents exceptional value for their investment,” Jase Bolger said in a statement.

And, only 18 months for his brother to leap up the government trough. One can’t really figure out why Jase Bolger votes the way he does, can they?
BolgerSchmidtFraud

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Humor in Michigan, Opinion, Philosophy

I ain’t as good as I once was

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But I’m as good once as I ever was

Likewise, Hoekstra said his win was a referendum on Washington and Vander Jagt, who was criticized for taking lavish trips on behalf of special interests while managing the Republican National Congressional Committee that funneled campaign cash to GOP candidates.

“A lot of people thought Guy had gone “DC” on them,” said Hoekstra, adding that both Cantor and Vander Jagt “became the face of Washington rather than the face of their district.”

Pete’s a regular legend in his own mind.


If they’re all like Pete, one really can’t imagine why this is nearing insolvency, can they? Not to worry folks, the Lansing Nerdpublicrats got Pork Barrel Pete’s back covered.

Sometimes it is the best entertainment on the planet to watch how these old corrupticrats bray about themselves.

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Conservative News, Elections, Michigan, Rent Seeking, Republicans

If it isn’t a Cousin With Furniture Contracts, Then it’s…

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Other no-bid contracts on wasteful spending eliminated from Wisconsin government.

“I guess if I were running a multimillion-dollar company, which you are called MDOT, and I only got one bid, boy, would I be nervous as to what I had missed, and I guess I would step back and look at the entire process and start all over again,” said Sen. Bruce Caswell, R-Hillsdale.

REST

Ironic is who is now the fly in Snyder’s Big “transparent” Government ointment. Yet, MDOT and the Republican brain-trust say they need more money for fixing roads? Gee, one wonders why…
Talgo_MDOT

click to enbiggen

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