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    Tag: Competition

    Unconstitutionality Of Energy Mandates


    By JGillman, Section News
    Posted on Sat Jan 18, 2014 at 09:56:07 AM EST
    Tags: Useful Idiots, 25x25, Constitutionality, Electric Power, Utilities, Monopolies, Cronyism, Granholm, Michigan, HB5184, Mike Shirkey, Competition, James Fuscaldo, Contitutional Defender (all tags)

    Conveniently, the bigger power concerns in the state capitulated to ridiculous 10% energy mandates during the Granholm administration.

    In 2012, an even MORE ridiculous 25x25 requirement was promoted (and failed) as a constitutional amendment, in a state which has a monstrous electricity appetite as a leader in manufacturing.  Now as the legislature approaches the crossroads of [Oh gosh we can't meet the 10%!] and [What the hell happened to electricity prices?] in Michigan, another 35% 'mandate' pusher shows up with a 'conservative' emphasis and the useful idiots who have already signed on.

    As soon as Michigan State Representative Mike Shirkey announced a solid-as-steel return to electricity competition in our state, the rust of cronyism began eating away at the plan. Snyder stepped up the call for increased renewable energy in the midst of the current mandate meltdown, and a new shadow group was formed with friendly 'conservative' faces to front it. (see useful idiot mention above)

    Sometimes however, its worth looking to other experts who have a different take on such things.

    Are the mandates even legal?

    Thanks to the TB912, and Dining Room productions for another useful and informative video.

    And On a related note: Cap Con today, has another take on this.

    (4 comments) Comments >>

    Timing Is Everything


    By JGillman, Section News
    Posted on Mon Jan 06, 2014 at 11:36:41 AM EST
    Tags: Electric Power, Utilities, Monopolies, Cronyism, Granholm, Michigan HB5184, Mike Shirkey, Competition, DTE, Rate Lowering, Timing (all tags)

    How convenient.

    As the drum beat for real electric competition picks up, its interesting to see utilities offering reductions in rates.  How convenient and thick with irony is it that as Mike Shirkey starts beating said drum, DTE proclaims accross the board rate cuts! From Crains:

    "Last month, DTE announced it would lower electric rates starting this month for business and most industrial customers between 5.5 percent to 7.4 percent and drop residential rates by an average of 6.5 percent. The cuts are expected to save about $80 a year for homeowners and varying amounts for businesses based on usage.

    It was DTE's first rate reduction since 2007, when the company lowered base rates by $80 million. "

    Conveniently, 2008 was when those rates started skyrocketing from that "reduced" rate.

    Yes timing IS everything when attempting to pass legislation that limits consumer choice.  Perhaps its good to look benevolent so that people say "what a nice organization this is," and let up pressure on competition legislation.  It worked in 2007, and monopoly legislation passed. And now that the peasants with pitchforks and torches are approaching,

    "Since 2008, requests (and approvals) for rate increases have been nearly four times the historic average. Meanwhile our retail electric energy costs have gone up more than 30 percent, while wholesale costs for electric energy in the Midwest region have gone down almost 50 percent.
    .. its time again for a little bit of that 'cake' to pass its way down to them.

    Let them eat it.

    Right?

    Comments >>

    A Message To Our Legislators - Beware False Choices

    We Knew


    By JGillman, Section News
    Posted on Tue Dec 31, 2013 at 11:55:17 PM EST
    Tags: Electric Power, Utilities, Monopolies, Cronyism, Granholm, Michigan HB5184, Mike Shirkey, Competition (all tags)

    And so did the legislators who signed on to it.

    We knew the costs that "green energy" programming in Michigan would incur on the taxpayers left in the state.  The utilities knew this as well, and wasted no efforts in having such draconian reversals of free markets passed with the likes of HB 5524 (2007):

    "Passed 78 to 29 in the House on September 18, 2008, to adopt a compromise version of the bill reported by a House-Senate conference committee. This would mostly end the state's electric competition law that allows customers to choose an alternative provider; allow the utilities to impose surcharges on customers so they can recoup the "costs" incurred from Michigan's experiment with competitive electricity markets; and phase out over five years the current cross-subsidization of residential customers by commercial and industrial ones. The bill would guaranty DTE and Consumers Power at least 90 percent of the utility business in the areas they serve, even if other providers offer lower prices. The bill is tie-bared to Senate Bill 213, which imposes "renewable" energy mandates on utilities. "
    Oh yeah, the tie bar?

    SB 213 was a doozy, with each chamber ratcheting up the mandate for renewable energy produced each time it was reconciled:

    "Introduced by Sen. Patricia Birkholz (R) on February 20, 2007, to mandate that electric utilities acquire at least 4 percent of their power from "renewable" sources, growing to at least 8 percent by 2013. .. to mandate that electric utilities acquire at least 7 percent of their power from "renewable" and "clean" sources (including "carbon capture" coal plants) by 2015 .. to mandate that Michigan electric utilities acquire 10 percent of their power from "renewable" sources by the end of 2015. .."
    ugh.

    And as long as the power monopoly remained, it was no problem for the major utilities in Michigan.  They get 90% of the market GUARANTEED by legislation, and the ratepayer gets the shaft through piss poor legislation and cronyism.

    One legislator is bringing some attention back to this.

    Continued below

    (4 comments, 674 words in story) Full Story

    Marketplace Fairness Act Debate: Sen. Ted Cruz R-TX


    By Corinthian Scales, Section Multimedia
    Posted on Thu Jun 20, 2013 at 07:37:09 AM EST
    Tags: Big Box Protection Bill, Bought And Paid For, Main Street Cronyism, Crushing The Little Guy, Competition, Taxes, Sales, Interstate, Bureaucracies, Not Conservative, Government's Hammer, Oppression, Tyranny, ...then there is The Shining Light of, Senator Cruz R-TX (all tags)

    As noted here on RM yesterday, the opposition is out in full farce...

    Comments >>

    Cronyists Line Up To Smack Down The Little Guy


    By JGillman, Section News
    Posted on Wed Jun 19, 2013 at 11:16:51 AM EST
    Tags: Big Box Protection Bill, Main Street Cronyism, Crushing The Little Guy, Competition, Taxes, Sales, Interstate, Bureaucracies, Government's Hammer, Not Conservative, Oppression, Tyranny, Bought And Paid For (all tags)

    The main street crony action force is out.

    What better way to insure higher prices, less competition, and bigger bureaucracies than to pass the so-called "MainStreet Fairness Act"?

    A letter being sent today to the Michigan Congressional Delegation makes the following claims:

    • "The signatories consist of a wide spectrum of constituencies, including small business owners, members of state retailers associations and chambers of commerce, local elected officials, and consumers, all who want to see this commonsense highly oppressive solution signed into law."
    • "This is a critical issue for small businesses. They not only struggle to match the tax-freeShipping and logistics added prices their customers can find online, but also frequently find themselves in the frustrating position of having their stores used as showrooms by online shoppers.  Their time and resources are being used up to make sales for their out-of-state competitors."
    • "Opponents of the Marketplace Fairness Act have tried to argue that it imposes a new tax on consumers.  But that is simply not true.  The Marketplace Fairness Act will impose no new tax or tax increase of any kind, but merely create a method that states and communities can use to collect taxes they are already owed. An incredible bureaucratic nightmare for low volume sellers who are struggling to deal with increasing regulatory conditions already.  For over two decades, the Internet sales tax loophole has prevented these taxing entities from receiving the legitimate revenue they need to fund essential public services for our residents leaving a revenue hole that taxpayers have had to fill."

    Strike out emphasis and editing mine.

    It is an increase in the cost of business.  An increase in the complication of business. An Increase in the growth of government.  An increase in prices as the big box stores and larger internet retailers regain their advantage over the mom and pop enterprises.

    Its cronyism.  Pure and simple.  BIG MONEY pushing the little guy out, and using the hammer of government to do it because that 'little guy' keeps competition in place.

    I have said before, that there IS a way to solve this, and for the states who collect sales tax to get their revenues, but this cluster foxtrot is not a good path.  Any congressman worth his or her salt would recognize a disaster in the making for what it is.

    Tyranny waits for no one.  Contact your rep now.

    (3 comments) Comments >>

    House Votes For Charter Caps To Be Lifted


    By JGillman, Section News
    Posted on Thu Dec 15, 2011 at 09:03:54 AM EST
    Tags: Michigan, SB618 Pavlov, Colbeck, Emmons, Hansen, Robertson, Schools, Charter Caps, Competition (all tags)

    Figured I would toss this update in here. Charter schools, and the competition they offer can do much by encouraging all sectors to a higher performance standard.

    House votes to put students, parents first; lifts arbitrary cap on charter schools

    LANSING - As students across Michigan end the fall semester and prepare to break for Christmas, the state House of Representatives on Wednesday approved Senate Bill 618, legislation to lift the arbitrary cap on charter schools in Michigan, empowering parents and putting children first.

    Two-thirds of the state's charter schools, most in urban districts like Flint, Grand Rapids, Lansing and Detroit, have waiting lists as parents demand more choices and better results for their children.

    "Parents want the best for their children, and that starts with a quality education," said the bill's sponsor, Senate Education Committee Chair Phil Pavlov, R-St. Clair Township. "Today's action by the House of Representatives to lift the cap on charter schools and give parents quality options for their kids' education is a critical step toward improving Michigan's whole education system."


    SB 618 was previously approved by the state Senate in October. The bill now goes to Gov. Rick Snyder for his signature.

    Continued below.

    (8 comments, 386 words in story) Full Story

    Wisconsin and Stockholm Syndrome


    By JGillman, Section News
    Posted on Tue Feb 22, 2011 at 07:42:10 AM EST
    Tags: Stockholm syndrome, Unions, Labor, Competition, Michigan, Wisconsin, Government (all tags)

    Its going on in Wisconsin, but here in Michigan, we have our own troubles.

    The unions have pretty much had their way for decades, and our proof of their successes might have labels like made in Detroit, Flint, Saginaw, etc..  Looking at those cities, one might find merely shells of what were once vibrant and very wealthy communities.  Hosts to a variety of industries that our great state of Michigan once held out as shining examples of both ingenuity, and determination.  People thrived, all the while unknowing that their guts were being eaten out by the parasites that care little about the health of their host.

    Parasites that eagerly move along to infect the next body willing to tolerate their presence until it too is dead.  And now, as we have discovered, there are fewer sanctuaries for the bubonic labor movement, and perhaps in government, it is where they will make their final stand.  Either their methods will die in a bloody screaming hissy, or our state governments might.  Or perhaps both.

    And its truly a shame.

    Man makes decisions. Its one of the pretty cool things we have been endowed by our creator with. The ability to decide, communicate, create, negotiate, all given to us as 'rights' not by government, nor by a king, nor even by a government sanctioned body like the NLRB.

    more below

    (1208 words in story) Full Story

    Michigan Business Done Right - Competition


    By JGillman, Section News
    Posted on Wed Aug 26, 2009 at 07:39:47 AM EST
    Tags: Michigan, Business, Competition, Reward, Free Markets (all tags)

    I have competition, in fact I used an earlier article here to discuss how government can become involved in that competition.  In that piece and others I have written, I have suggested (sometimes a little more subtly) the Michigan Film Credit to be a waste of taxpayer money on its face and an unnatural market affecting mechanism at its core.  The credit, based on a study that shows positive impact and attraction of jobs in a certain sector when that sector's rewards are sweetened, much like pouring honey on the ground and eventually seeing hundreds of ants converging.  (Or maybe better described as doing something else.. that attracts flies..)

    Its true. Reward DOES affect activity, and even our state government understands that.  But its only a part of the impact, and the other part which they use to FUND that reward strategy has its inverse effect.  How many DE-rewarded (those who PAID the taxes to support the incentive) businesses did not expand, innovate, or hire new workers as a side effect? In a recent Mackinac center release:

    "It is conceivable that programming the actual costs of this subsidy into the economic model (known as REMI) would show that the Michigan Film Incentive destroys more jobs than it creates," said LaFaive, who has used the model and studied it at REMI headquarters in Massachusetts. "The revenue has to come from somewhere. In this instance, it is reasonable to conclude that it is coming from existing Michigan businesses that have been paying the new Michigan business tax and its related surcharge. As much as $48 million was taken from businesses in 2008 to subsidize filmmakers, and this has probably destroyed more jobs than it could have hoped to create."

    In Michigan's bid to be more "competitive" with regard to attracting the film industry, it does so by extracting from the competitive ability of the other businesses.   Businesses which have already chosen to be here WITHOUT a reward from big government.

    (4 comments, 1329 words in story) Full Story

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