Detroit Schools Bailout Opposed

MRG Poll Shows Michigan Voters Strongly Oppose Using Taxpayer Money for DPS’ $715 Million Bailout.

bailoutsSome information from the Michigan Association of Public School Academies

MAPSA notes that the the poll is very timely, because the bailout is up for a vote today.

As expected, Michigan voters strongly oppose using taxpayer money to pay off the Detroit Public Schools’ $715 million in debt, according to a new poll by the Marketing Resource Group (MRG). The poll of 600 likely Michigan voters, commissioned by the Michigan Association of Public School Academies, was conducted Feb. 22-27.

Statewide, only 33 percent of voters favor using taxpayer money to pay off DPS’ debt, while 56 percent oppose it (with most of those saying they “strongly” oppose it). Even among Detroit voters, sentiments are almost evenly split, with 40 percent favoring the bailout and 38 percent opposing it. In the entire Metro Detroit region, the bailout also isn’t popular, with only 37 percent favoring it and 52 percent opposing it.

The poll comes as the Senate Government Operations Committee is set to vote today on legislation that would, among other things, use taxpayer money to pay off DPS’ $715 million over the next 10 years. If the bill is voted out of committee, it will head to the full Senate.

MAPSA’s Dan Quisenberry says “There’s no mistaking how voters feel about using $715 million of their money for this bailout.   Michigan taxpayers don’t want to be on the hook for DPS’ debt. Period. We’ve always felt that the Detroit legislation needs to look at improving academic outcomes for students along with the financial solutions required in Detroit, and unfortunately, this bill does nothing to address that. If the Senate votes today to spend $715 million of taxpayer money on this bailout bill, those taxpayers won’t be happy.”

The MRG poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percent. Thirty percent of poll respondents were contacted via cell phone, with 70 percent contacted via landline.

The question asked was:

As you may have heard, the Detroit Public Schools and some elected officials are asking the State of Michigan to use $715 million of taxpayer money over the next 10 years to pay off the Detroit Public School District’s debt. Would you support or oppose the State of Michigan using taxpayer money to pay off the Detroit Public Schools’ debt?”

Poll responses are as follows:

STATEWIDE

Strongly support 13%

Somewhat support 20%

TOTAL SUPPORT 33%

Somewhat oppose 14%

Strongly oppose 42%

TOTAL OPPOSE 56%

Don’t know/refused 11%

METRO DETROIT

Strongly support 18%

Somewhat support 19%

TOTAL SUPPORT 37%

Somewhat oppose 10%

Strongly oppose 42%

TOTAL OPPOSE 52%

Don’t know/refused 11%

CITY OF DETROIT

Strongly support 34%

Somewhat support 6%

TOTAL SUPPORT 40%

Somewhat oppose 13%

Strongly oppose 25%

TOTAL OPPOSE 38%

Don’t know/refused 19%

The Michigan Association of Public School Academies advances quality education through choice and innovation. MAPSA has been the unified voice of the public charter school movement in Michigan since 1996. MAPSA represents more than 150,000 students, 10,000 teachers, dozens of authorizers and more than 50 education service providers working in 300 public charter schools in the state. MAPSA assists the state’s public charter schools in their mission to deliver achievement, choice and accountability through advocacy, communications and technical assistance. For additional information, please visit www.charterschools.org.

You Betcha! (11)Nuh Uh.(2)

  22 comments for “Detroit Schools Bailout Opposed

  1. Corinthian Scales
    March 8, 2016 at 9:54 am

    You might want to get your message to the Romney/Rakolta/DeVos Party apparatchik that chair little Ronna's insider billionaire uncle John is Snyder/Calley's bought off Republican majority Lansing-critters ace in the hole.

    Rakolta said the state was bailing out itself, not Detroit’s schools.

    “This is not a Detroit bailout,” Rakolta wrote. “This is a state bailout of the state. The state managed the expenditures of the money as emergency managers of the district. The state issued the state aid notes and bonds to cover the debt using the full faith and credit of the state. The state decided not to pay MPSERS (state pension system for school employees). The state decided not to pay the vendors. The state continues to manage the district.”

    https://www.mackinac.org/21833

    See that? Poof! PFM! Another non-bailout bailout.

    Aren't crony appointed EFM's fun?

    You Betcha! (2)Nuh Uh.(0)
  2. KG One
    March 8, 2016 at 10:57 am

    MAPSA isn't the only one realizing that the Detroit Bailout - Part is anyone really counting anymore? isn't coming without any strings attached to it.

    And with the next gubernatorial candidate from the democratic-side local attention hound County Exec Hackel showing up and making sure that he'll get his mug in the local paper, this a sure-fire indication that there is going to be some major push-back from their own base on this. Even my own state rep & senator are playing very coy with constituents on how they'll be voting on this (as of last week they still won''t tell me how they'll vote).

    And April is just around the corner...

    You Betcha! (2)Nuh Uh.(0)
    • Corinthian Scales
      March 8, 2016 at 11:31 am

      After observing Snyder, Calley, and Schuette in action for these past two terms, Michiganians could do a helluva lot worse than having Mark Hackel, elected governor. More praise to term limits!

      Nevertheless, until Mark announces his intentions of any further aspirations, I'll leave the smearing campaign to you.

      You Betcha! (2)Nuh Uh.(0)
      • KG One
        March 8, 2016 at 3:21 pm

        So, who else is going to run?

        Gretchen Whitmer?

        You Betcha! (2)Nuh Uh.(0)
        • Corinthian Scales
          March 9, 2016 at 7:16 am

          Perhaps. What is it of your concern who chooses to run on the Left when the alleged Right's Romney/Rokalta/DeVos field of duplicitous boobs is staring at you.

          Never heard of cleaning up your own backyard first?

          You Betcha! (2)Nuh Uh.(0)
          • KG One
            March 9, 2016 at 5:35 pm

            It's called sizing up the competition.

            Given that Macomb sadly tilts towards the "-d" side (especially the south end), it should be nice to know who we'll be dealing with during the next go-round.

            You Betcha! (0)Nuh Uh.(0)
            • Corinthian Scales
              March 9, 2016 at 6:56 pm

              Obviously, you're the old paradigm mindset 'cause I see a solid Trump size can of whoop-ass in Macomb:

              http://www.newsroomsolutions.com/m16/106-REP.html

              http://www.newsroomsolutions.com/m16/107-DEM.html

              Again, better be sizing up and cleaning your own backyard before you start wringing your hands about what the other side might or, might not do.

              You Betcha! (0)Nuh Uh.(0)
    • JD
      March 9, 2016 at 9:08 am

      The top two reasons that a conservative movement never took hold in Michigan:

      Overhauling the Open Meetings Act, FOIAs or transparency (in general) was never considered a priority by anybody (it's pretty difficult to 'reform' the same party that you've just put 'siege' to).

      'Sieges' rarely involve 'waiting' for opposition leadership to publicly offer their opinion on what is before a strategically timed legislative body dependent on a lack of transparency to cover their plans.

      Throw in the fact that conservatives have never demanded that legislators (ever) appear in public on a regular basis for the purpose of the above suddenly becoming any easier (not to mention their obsession with part time legislatures and term limits)...and the following becomes prophetic:
      ".. Even my own state rep & senator are playing very coy with constituents on how they'll be voting on this (as of last week they still won''t tell me how they'll vote)..".

      If it is any consolation?
      There are a whole lot of us out here who quit expecting absolutely anything 'back' from our legislators a long time ago. We gave up due to 'true conservatives' in our local political parties never de manding it or creating a real time web-based vehicle to distribute these 'inside' answers in the first place.

      Bernie Sanders just won Michigan due to no other alternative for our young people in terms of a party that would be honest with them in the above regard as well as unfunded liability debts much deeper than the DPS bailout. Trump won due to the other side believing that a quick shot in the economic arm (without substance) would limp the printing machine along, get them all in to diapers someday soon and (hopefully) assure that last benefit check from a sinking ship.

      Billions for bailouts here in Michigan (now) or billions for unfunded liability bailouts (coming soon)..what does it matter with nobody admitting EXACTLY how this movement failed..in the first place?

      You Betcha! (0)Nuh Uh.(0)
      • Jason
        March 9, 2016 at 10:00 am

        Waa waa waa... Gee, you have been a real 'Debbie Downer.

        "Conservative movement failed" Do you think so? What are the metrics that you are using to determine this failure? Because things are not the way you like them? Because in only a few years we have not yet unraveled what has taken decades to weave?

        Complaining accomplishes nothing. Before you continue pewling about what the 'movement' has not accomplished, lets talk about what you personally have done. Have you donated? Have you volunteered? Have you petitioned, gotten elected, or done a FOIA? Have you done outreach and convinced others that the emperor has no clothes on?

        This site, and many other organizations came together and defeated 15-1. We nearly defeated the follow up road package, but maybe we needed just ONE more person doing something. Could that have been you?

        I hate to belabor the point, but I am more sick of the negative Nancies complaining incessantly about what conservatives have or haven't done. You say you "gave up because ..." Fact of the matter is that you simply GAVE UP.

        And FYI, Sanders won because he is believable to the liberal demographic, and does not represent a criminal class as might Hillary. Trump won because He has activated the imagination of those who "gave up" a long time ago. The opportunity to break an unbreakable system of politics is appealing to the previous quitters.

        You Betcha! (2)Nuh Uh.(0)
        • Corinthian Scales
          March 9, 2016 at 12:02 pm

          Warned you long ago he was nothing but a pettifogging asshole. You chose otherwise. Deal with it.

          You Betcha! (0)Nuh Uh.(0)
          • ' JD
            March 9, 2016 at 1:01 pm

            Does questioning critical issues such as why the Republican legislature(?)/Party(?) just forced us yesterday to check whether we were to be issued a Democrat or Republican ballot ballot BOTHER 'true' conservatives up here...or am I the only one who not only noticed this historic travesty..but who is (now) voicing the fact that this massive unprecedented information grab was unacceptable in far too many ways to describe?

            We 'got it' when 'vetted' high-dollar-conservative-convention precinct delegates refused to ask their local GOP dinner party partners about 'Flint' or when they knew about it (hey, these TP 'conservatives won't even tell US when THEY knew about it or why this tragedy wasn't vaulted to the #1 election issue IMMEDIATELY for our side).

            Yet these same 'in the know' delegates and longstandingMiGOP/TP political operatives can't even give us a 'heads up' on what just (inexcusably) happened at the polls? Heck, my local Tea Party couldn't even get excited a while back when I had to kick one of their GOP buddies off of our election day polling table...for handling our licenses and inputting the information in to the (national) GOP database!

            But you're right...drag this site down (again) to name calling and nastiness when simple facts are presented. The next issue that everybody refuses to debate here (reasonably) will be just as bad (or worse) for our children's future...when then the REAL name calling will begin (towards us).

            You Betcha! (0)Nuh Uh.(0)
            • Corinthian Scales
              March 9, 2016 at 1:58 pm

              Untilt your uterus and, answer the question below.

              You Betcha! (0)Nuh Uh.(0)
      • KG One
        March 9, 2016 at 5:58 pm

        "Throw in the fact that conservatives have never demanded that legislators (ever) appear in public on a regular basis for the purpose of the above suddenly becoming any easier (not to mention their obsession with part time legislatures and term limits)...and the following becomes prophetic:
        '.. Even my own state rep & senator are playing very coy with constituents on how they'll be voting on this (as of last week they still won''t tell me how they'll vote)..'."

        Philosophically, I don't agree 100% with how they vote (obviously), but in all fairness, I can state that they do schedule and keep regular "coffee hours" with their constituents.

        It's sad/ironic/pathetic that the d's can easily do this, while the r's are woefully incapable of doing the same.

        You Betcha! (0)Nuh Uh.(0)
  3. Sue Schwartz
    March 9, 2016 at 10:39 am

    Jason, you ask: "lets talk about what you personally have done. Have you donated? Have you volunteered? Have you petitioned, gotten elected, or done a FOIA? Have you done outreach and convinced others that the emperor has no clothes on?" All the foregoing and thanks for asking. Regarding the sunshine laws (FOIA/Open Meetings ACT) If you know your rights, these laws, even as they currently stand (albeit weakened considerably) work. For instance: courts cannot be FOIA'ed but the grants and accounts of these grants (both federal and state) are. When writing a FOIA, its always best to include both state and federal law. Only government agencies can be FOIA'ed so places like the state bar cannot--its really a union hall. Police Departments make one sign FOIA requests to obtain police reports, even if you are involved in the report you seek. I believe this is contrary to law. Hey, you really want to have some fun--try FOIAing yearly audits of townships or talk to the CPA's who are doing the audits. And again, only if you know your rights--instead of FOIAing, go in during regular business hours and all the records are available for your review free of charge, and a nominal fee for copies are charged--things like oaths of office, minutes, financial, etc. And, under the open meetings act--I see folks lining up like sheeple to "sign in" to attend an open meeting--or sign in to speak. While speaking, its good to give your name--but never succumb to having to sign in to speak. Lastly, you are the employer of ALL government employees--elected or otherwise, never forget this and never let them forget who they are working for.

    And now a word about bailouts--what???? Have we not learned our lesson yet?????

    You Betcha! (1)Nuh Uh.(0)
    • JD
      March 9, 2016 at 1:32 pm

      It's pretty hard to speak, Sue..if the law gives your 'employees' the right to limit that time to the period BEFORE anything is actually said at the meetings themselves.

      This has obviously been "OK" with those TPers fighting 'the establishment' and all of you believing that you are the only ones doing it darn well have known facts such as this for years now.

      We're out here battling these MiGOPers (as best we can) while looking to our local gray-haired precinct delegate Gadsden-fliers (IN the GOP) for help..and you respond with a lesson on government as if we don't live it every single day through your refusal to recognize even the simplest of issues we face even having a say in it.

      Moderate that, Jason..and perhaps start believing that you're view of conservative issues in Michigan hasn't been 'the only one' for quite some time now.

      You Betcha! (0)Nuh Uh.(0)
  4. JD
    March 9, 2016 at 1:35 pm

    Sorry, Jason...but when MY posts start to be put in to moderation after being called what I just was by CS?
    ...the time between their final appearance and what I just offered above will reflect it sans any other choice.

    You Betcha! (0)Nuh Uh.(0)
    • Corinthian Scales
      March 9, 2016 at 1:45 pm

      My, so, so fragile. C'mon now, elaborate, what's it feel like to be offended by words on the internet?

      I can't relate!

      You Betcha! (0)Nuh Uh.(0)
      • JD
        March 9, 2016 at 1:57 pm

        Not offended or fragile, CS..just looking for a discourse that we both can be proud of (I'm not perfect either nor claim to be).

        You Betcha! (0)Nuh Uh.(0)
        • Corinthian Scales
          March 9, 2016 at 2:00 pm

          So, then, what you're saying is that you are proud of being a habitual, whiny asshole?

          You Betcha! (0)Nuh Uh.(0)
  5. JD
    March 9, 2016 at 1:54 pm

    Local GOP precinct delegate (note to self):
    Look in to why the law states that citizens can be railroaded in to speaking whenever that tyrants so choose.
    Look in to why the law states that draft meeting minutes must be FOIAd and not simply subscribed to.
    Look in to why the minutes of meetings can be recorded in any manner that tyrants deem sufficient and commentary from mere peons manipulated in any way they so choose FOR the record.
    Look in to why meeting minutes. meeting packets or draft meeting minutes are only published or distributed as a 'service' to employees (IF desired by the tyrant) that need not be distributed or updated whatsoever.
    Look in to countless other issues facing those who desire the simple transparency needed to even BEGIN fighting back (those were just off the top of my head).

    You Betcha! (0)Nuh Uh.(0)

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