Elections

The Federal Highway Trust Fund, which accounts for nearly one-third of the state’s transportation budget, made about $1 billion available to Michigan in 2013. That’s 8 percent less than five years earlier and 15 percent less when adjusted for inflation, according to figures compiled by The Associated Press.

So, where the Hell were Senators Levin, and Stabenow? Why did they allow our state to flounder while their man Harry Reid, was in charge? $3 Trillion?

The funding that generally comes from federal gasoline and diesel taxes was up 20 percent over a decade but down 5 percent in inflation-adjusted dollars [happens when .FEDGOV prints money].

The AP analysis also shows that Michigan ranked seventh-lowest among states in per-capita federal transportation funding in 2013 and second-lowest in per-capita overall spending on highways, roads and bridges [why is that?]. Only Georgia spent less per capita.

The same problem that has left the Highway Trust Fund teetering with insolvency [snip]

Go figure. Can you imagine why the Highway Trust Fund is insolvent? Remember, there’s 535 of them all doing the same thing.

is vexing Michigan — people drive less and with more fuel-efficient vehicles while paying per-gallon gas taxes unchanged for two decades. For the last four years, Gov. Rick Snyder and lawmakers have had to divert money from the general fund [snip]

Call it what it is. The diversion or, *stolen* money is a replacement, and an additional tax mostly because a Granholm era boob running MDOT is unaccountable for infrastructure spending, and frivolous railroad schemes – more here – among other wasteful nomenclature frills. Seriously, MDOT has been a documented rogue agency since at least 2006 (yes, guess who?), which oddly enough has ample resources for making videos. Try doing that in the private sector and one would be out of business or, fired, and sued for criminal and/or civil damages.

to ensure the state receives its matching federal transportation money because traditional revenue sources — state fuel taxes and vehicle registration taxes — are lower or stagnant.

Registration taxes are drying up? Well, gee, go figure what happens when Lansing’s Republican Majority loots what isn’t theirs. Went after pensions when it wasn’t necessary? Instantly $10,000,000,000+ flew the coop. Broke the 2007, promise by raising the State Income Tax, which they applied to those pensions. Those two raids alone stole money from folks who have decided to put off vehicle purchases, especially, the retirees who got plundered by Snyder. Look, it ain’t the undischargable student loan debt-slave Millennials who have money. Hell, they can’t even figure out that when borrowing for higher education it effects tuition rates to rise (another cluster**** conversation for another time).

Back on-point.

2015 MIGOP State Convention, Cronyism, Elections, Michigan, Opinion, Proposal 15-1, Rent Seeking, Taxes

Yet, Granholm’s Kirk Steudle Hasn’t Been Fired nor Jailed

by Corinthian Scales • February 21, 2015 • 15 Comments

The latest ongoing MDOT buffoonery from Auditor General, Doug Ringler.

“Our review … identified 48 of 92 [52%] expired warranty projects that needed corrective action,” the report said. “As of June 30, 2014, 24 of the warranties had been expired for over one year without MDOT having addressed the corrective action.”

MDOT said it agrees with all six recommendations made by the auditor general and is taking action to improve its system of monitoring and enforcing warranties.

“By October 2015, MDOT, in working with the Department of Attorney General, will develop a procedure for non-responsive contractors that have been notified to perform warranty work,” the department said in part of its response to the audit.

But the auditor noted that similar issues were raised in an earlier audit, released in 2010, and at that time the department said it would “strengthen its procedures to assure the completion of inspections.”

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Hmmm, something to hide here, Mr. Steudle? And, the AG is involved? Can one say like placing a fox to watch the hen house? I can, as they all, the AG, the MDOT Director, and MSP Director, sit on the same committee endorsing Snyder’s Democrat wooed Proposal 2015-1 better known as the $2,000,000,000 16.7% Sales Tax Hike with double taxation for off road agricultural and recreational fuels, 30% registration fee increase, and loss of IRS deduction – among other handouts to buy votes.

Bonus? Just like clockwork, it’s Norm partying in Tampa Shinkle and Dan Pero’s wife Colleen to Snyder’s rescue (No, seriously!). How about it, Rule of Law Ruth? Nah, not so much as a peep.

Shame on those who seldom follow the linked information here on RightMi.com, because we all are truly getting the government that’s deserved, and getting it good and hard.

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(50)Nuh Uh.

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2015 MIGOP State Convention, Cronyism, Elections, Michigan, Opinion, Proposal 15-1, Rent Seeking, Republicans, Taxes

Overloaded Your Asses, huh?

by Corinthian Scales • February 20, 2015 • 1 Comment

Think that EITC part of the Proposal 2015-1 equation isn’t a fool’s errand? Look at what $9,400,000,000 gets us just to maintain floundering employment while buying poverty moocher’s votes.

“The goal should be to try to honor these agreements or, in the context that if there are changes, they’re mutually agreed to,” ~~Snyder~~ [Mr. Avalon, founding chair. Yes, that John Truscott] said in a Detroit News editorial board interview. “These are major job creators. They’ve helped bring us back economically [what Team Obama says] in the state and we shouldn’t overlook that fact.”

Snyder said he wants to work with companies holding the business tax credits to “bring better visibility” and “transparency” [a Snyder priority. No, seriously.] to the tax credits, which will consume more than $500 million a year in general fund tax revenue until 2029. The final tax credits awarded under the Michigan Business Tax [thank Brian] don’t expire until 2031, according to the Michigan Economic Development Corp.

The MEDC [Snyder’s Mini-Me] has asked companies to agree to redeem their credits in the year they were issued and give the state a three-year forecast on using tax credits to help governors and legislators budget for the subsidies.

But Snyder did not rule out pursuing legislation to put new rules in place for when the tax credits could be cashed in. [here, pull this finger.]

“I think the starting point should be what we can do in a mutually agreed-upon fashion,” Snyder said.

Mike Johnston, vice president of government affairs for the Michigan Manufacturers Association, said his members, which include Detroit’s three automakers [$3,000,000,000 yes, Ford too], are open to helping state officials know when they will seek tax refunds.

The games all these mother******* play with other people’s money is downright obscene.

We now return you to your regular Team R points its collective finger’s at Granholm programming…

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2015 MIGOP State Convention, Cronyism, Elections, Michigan, Opinion, Philosophy

Throwback Thursday

by Corinthian Scales • February 19, 2015 • 1 Comment

“or against internal attempt to seize power”

Yep. That’s where the Ruling Class hypocrites soil themselves. Frankly put, if one was not born before 1934, then one does not know, nor truly understand what America was. Thomas J. Dodd? Go figure. The one who has been censured… then along came, Chris and The Floater™.

As usual, Mary Jo is unavailable for comment.

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2015 MIGOP State Convention, Cronyism, Elections, Michigan, Opinion, Taxes

Paging Little Ronna … Paging Little Ronna Romney

by Corinthian Scales • February 18, 2015 • 5 Comments

Ain’t this Detroit News story just delightful?

BREAKING: Mich. Economic Development Corp. now estimates MEGA tax credit liability is $9.38B until 2031, up from previous $6.5B estimate.

— Chad Livengood (@ChadLivengood) February 18, 2015

Imaging that. And, CPA Snyder’s $250,000/year numbers guru John Nixon, bails out of Michigan a year ago, too? Go figure.

Snyder enlisted the help of Detroit attorney George Scott Romney, the brother of 2012 GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney, in bringing Nixon to Michigan, because Romney shared ties to Utah and the Mormon faith.

“They’re just a wonderful family,” Romney said of Nixon, who along with his wife, DeAnn, has six children between the ages of 4 and 17.

“I was disappointed” to hear Nixon was leaving, Romney said, but “I think it’s a wonderful opportunity for him.”

Leaving is “a wonderful opportunity”? That’s an understatement. Then again, ‘ol Elder “Arithmetic” Romney ain’t never been too sharp with numbers, has he?

24 + 4 = 30

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2015 MIGOP State Convention, Cronyism, Elections, Michigan, Opinion, Philosophy, Rent Seeking, Republicans, Taxes

Now it’s $51,000,000 to $70,000,000 for a “Better View of the Capitol”?

by Corinthian Scales • February 18, 2015 • 13 Comments

via WXYZ

Hmmm, now where have we seen these money grab pay-to-play schemes before? Oh! That’s right, Wayne County. And that worked out just swell, yes?

I’ve long said that Ross Jones, is the only reporter in Michigan, worth following. Unfortunately, there’s a new Senate Marshal in Lansing (heavy on the marsh part), and he goes by the nickname of, Sen. Arlan Randy Ficano.

With obscene waste above nonchalantly endorsed by Boji’s Engler era chatterbox, and the $54B budget Snyder/Calley presented, are folks beginning to understand why his SOTS “Vote Yes” propaganda completely ignored by “Chief election Officer” Ruth Johnson, is little more than a Republican Majority instituted Jizya tax?

I, for one, sure as Hell hope so.

Ps. for those who may be unaware, the same folks involved with the Boji building shenanigans are also behind another $88,000,000 unnecessary project in, Lansing.

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2015 MIGOP State Convention, Elections, Michigan, Opinion, Philosophy, Taxes

Loopholes

by Corinthian Scales • February 17, 2015 • 5 Comments

It’s pretty damn bad when other legalese jihadi openly go after one of their own in their *profession*.

Judge William Whitbeck, formerly of Mich Court of Appeals: @SchuetteOnDuty must defend entire Mich. Constitution http://t.co/hkCO8WgbRy

— Detroit News Opinion (@DetNewsOpinion) February 17, 2015

Where does every politician exploit their sworn Oath? “according to the best of his ability.”

Expediency and a decent line of Bee-esS will carry some places, however, AG Schuette can forget about a run for anything beyond local dog catcher in 2018.

Ps. sorry kid, but you’re still out in a wonk’s Left field. Obviously, age hasn’t helped the lad much.

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2015 MIGOP State Convention, Elections, Michigan, Opinion, Taxes

Looks Like I’ll be Staying Home in 2016 as I did in 2012

by Corinthian Scales • February 17, 2015 • 1 Comment

Macomb County sez, “we loves us some “Pufferfish“.”

County GOP chairwoman Linda Torp says in a statement that her party is “ honored that one of the presidential front-runners … has chosen Macomb County for one of his first visits to Michigan as he considers a run for the nomination.

U.S. Rep. Candice Miller [Oink, oink], R-Harrison Township, and Secretary of State Ruth Johnson [busy schedule, huh?] are also scheduled to attend.

Christie recently delivered speeches in Illinois and in Iowa, another early state in the presidential nominating process.

Christie came to Michigan a few times last year to campaign for Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder and other state Republicans. His expected March visit follows another potential Republican presidential candidate to visit Michigan. Jeb Bush spoke to the Detroit Economic Club on Feb. 5, where he outlined his vision for a “right to rise society.”

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