"Ficano has proposed expanding Cobo by 270,000 square feet, a nearly 25% increase in capacity, through extending the hotel and liquor tax collected from Michigan counties another 35 years after its scheduled expiration in 2015. The plan would cost $968 million.

Ficano suggested the tax holiday extend to all clothing, books and supplies priced at $100 or less per item; computers up to $2,000; and furniture, small electronics and computer software less than $500 per item.

"What we need in Michigan is to send a signal to our families and our business community that government can directly address their needs," he was expected to say."

I don't typically agree with the Wayne County Executive about, well, anything, but I have to admit... he's right on this one.  Sadly, I don't think his party's leader is listening on this particular issue.  

What will be interesting to watch, though, is if Granholm asks the legislature or works to extend some sort of tax shelter or tax holiday for COBO expansion while at the same time asking the rest of us to pay through the nose for her $3.115 billion tax increase.

In more Detroit news, DetNews is reporting that GM is quietly working its way through their factories asking the unions to do things a little differently.  From taking on new jobs related to auto production to eliminating the use of union labor in janitorial duties, they're hoping to save a couple hundred dollars per car.

Good luck, boys.  Good luck.

And in happier news, according to the DetNews Lottery Commissioner, and failed 2002 Attorney General candidate Gary Peters is considering a run against Oakland County Congressman Joe Knollenberg.  Peters was a state Senator before taking a stab at following Jennifer Granholm into the AG's office.  Mike Cox beat him by roughly 5,200 votes in one of the closest statewide elections in Michigan history.

He's since become an F list in-state celebrity as the first Michigan Lottery Commissioner to star in his own television commercials.  I think he's probably better known now than that cowboy from Sundance Motors but still has a ways to go before he catches Sam Bernstein.  Every time I see an ad for the poor tax...errr... lottery these days I'm glued to the set just waiting for him to introduce himself as "YOOOOOOOUUUUUUUR Lottery Commissioner."  I can hear it in my head right now.  Cracks me up.  

I joke around but this guy would be a devastating choice for the voters of Oakland County.  Still, I'm tempted to start a "Draft Peters" campaign myself just so I can listen to more of his commercials.