Tag Archive for Roads

Taxed Too Much Follow Up

That big ol tax increase a hard sell in Lansing all of a sudden

Report from Joan Fabiano

Despite the best efforts, arm twisting, promises and amendment upon amendment) of Gov. Snyder, Senate majority leader Randy Richardville (term limited) and Speaker of the House Jase Bolger (term limited) to put lipstick on a pig the legislature could not  muster the votes Thursday for a big tax increase. The Senate has adjourned until July 16 returns August 13, but doesn’t resume the regular schedule until September 9.

In fact it was high drama under the Dome as Snyder, Richardville and Snyder huddled trying to find a way to “get er done” including keeping the Senators in session long into the night on Tuesday to wear them down however, time after time the big tax increase was rejected.

READ THE REST at Grassroots in Michigan

You Betcha! (6)Nuh Uh.(0)

MacMaster On OTR

About halfway through this episode of WKAR’s Off the Record with Tim Skubick candidate for the 37th District Michigan State Senate Race, Greg MacMaster answers questions on Prisons, Detroit, and Roads.

You Betcha! (10)Nuh Uh.(0)

Roads And A Different Type Of Letter

A Better Way to Fix Our Roads

Christchurch, New Zealand - March 20 2011: Fitzgerald Avenue Bridge Destruction.It seems that soon, the ‘dodge-em’ game on the way to work is going to turn into bumper cars.

Yeah, the roads are bad. A combination of a harsh winter, diverting funds for an unneeded bridge construct, along with poor planning and oversight from the transportation committee has left the roads in Michigan in the worst shape since forever.

The road building interests are already chomping at the bit, eager to get those lucrative contracts. The public is ready for any relief from the banging, swerving, and white knuckling trips to the store or work.  The stock prices on the strut and tire manufacturers have likely been going through the roof.

Something needs to be done.

The road lobby has loved Governor Snyder’s first suggestion of raising revenue (raise taxes) by a $billion-point-two.  The tax and spend sycophants in the legislature have eagerly lined up for their favor from the guv, and were ready to give him what he wanted. Until the push back by taxpayers.

Republican speaker Jase Bolger, seeing the the gathering of pitchforks by the ‘townsfolk,’ has seemingly cut the ‘revenue increase’ part of the solution in half, but tax increases are still going to be part of the equation. And even the guy who at first touted his efforts in creating the alternative is still afraid to stand on its merits, letting Bolger take all the credit for himself. (listen to this montage – hilarious)

Peter denied Christ only three times; I guess this must be a pretty serious threat to someone’s campaign. (and no, I am not really comparing anyone in Lansing..) 

You Betcha! (16)Nuh Uh.(1)

Extortion And …

potholeseasonSo what does a government do when it lacks popular support for raising taxes?

It provides more basis for support by allowing all the bad things those taxes would supposedly end, to happen. From the Detroit News:

Deteriorating road conditions have “gotten a lot more attention in Lansing” than other issues in recent weeks as this year’s harsh winter winds down and pavement cracks and holes begin forming, said Kirk Steudle, director of the Michigan Department of Transportation.

“I think, finally, they’re realizing what we told them is going to happen is actually going to happen,” Steudle said Wednesday at a conference of county road commission leaders.

The great big “I told you so” is coming out in an effort to raise taxes and license fees, rather than keep existing road generated monies in the roads.  You were warned, and the holes in the roads will serve their intended purpose of proving you need to pay more.
And funny that we haven’t heard or seen Steudle comment on the $41 Million already spent on this, (when it was not supposed to cost us a dime) nor on the efficacy of pumping another $250 million into a bridge project that is merely punishment to a Michigan business, and a giveaway to a foreign nation.
You Betcha! (0)Nuh Uh.(0)