Republicans have failed to get similar measures through the Legislature in the past, related only to public school districts. Some provisions of the plan are opposed by many Democrats, as well as by an affiliate of the Michigan Education Association, the state's largest teachers union.

But fear not, all is not lost.  Not only is the state facing a fiscal crisis, fueling the fires of the legislation's supporters but it's supported by a variety of unions including the Michigan AFL-CIO and the American Federation of Teachers.  

Here's the thing AFT knows about saving $200 million a year from the state's education spending.  You can re-apply that money directly to the classroom.  That could mean higher teacher salaries, less out-of-pocket spending on school supplies for educators, better buildings.  Whatever.  The possibilities are endless.  Or at least as endless as $200 million a year.

Still, this will be an interesting test for Governor Granholm.  She's opposed this legislation in the past and is securely in the pocket of the MEA, the union that controls MESSA.  She's going to be tested on this one.  Frankly, I don't think the legislation, even if passed, has a snowballs chance of ever being signed.  I hope I'm wrong.

So, likely, does the Governor's close friend and 2006 campaign advisor Peter Karmanos.  Hockey fans know Mr. Karmanos as the owner of the hated Carolina Hurricanes, but he's a Michigan guy and an awfully successful businessman.  He's also known as being outspoken, from time to time.  Yesterday was one of those times as he addressed business leaders in Detroit.

The Detroit News has coverage:

"The state unions are very powerful, the (teachers union) is very powerful and they are, as far as I'm concerned, fiscally irresponsible," he said during a question-and-answer session at Thursday's Pancakes & Politics breakfast, sponsored by the Michigan Chronicle.

The Compuware Corp. CEO said it might be time for Michigan to become a right-to-work state, broaching a topic that many others talk about only behind closed doors. Right-to-work states are those where it's illegal for union membership or dues to be a requirement for employment.

Something tells me that's another one that would never get the signature of the current chief executive.  Not that she'll ever get the chance.  This fight would be a bloodbath.  Literally.  

But according to the Associated Press, there might be hope for progress in other areas.  Maybe.  Because both Jennifer Granholm AND the Michigan Chamber are calling for action on an SBT replacement plan sooner rather than later.

Of course, the Senate has already introduced what they're calling their "BEST" plan.  The House is a little bit behind the eight-ball.  Too much time spent listening to their iPods, I guess.

Then there's this quote attributed to the Governor:

"Across the state and around the globe, businesses are making decisions on whether to expand or locate in Michigan, and in some cases, businesses are deciding whether to move out of Michigan," Granholm said in a statement. "It is unconscionable to expect companies to make those decisions when they have absolutely no idea what their tax obligation will be on January 1, 2008. It's time to act."

Unconscionable?  Are you kidding me?  I mean, yeah, it's not nice.  Sure, it stinks.  It hurts.  It's wrong.  It's painful.  It's counterproductive.  But unconscionable?  Beyond the realm of the conscience?

Who really talks like that?

But I digress.