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Beggars can't be choosers, etc. etc. etc.

By Nick, Section News
Posted on Thu Jun 26, 2008 at 06:45:46 AM EST
Tags: (all tags)

When you barely control half the legislature- depending on Bruce Patterson's mood- and are dealing with a total incompetent in the Governor's office this genuinely passes for good news. News outlets everywhere are reporting that the House and Senate will be at work today and tomorrow (working on a Friday? Poor babies!) putting the finishing touches on a budget agreement that this year doesn't raise taxes.

It was only recently that we learned they had a nearly $400 million hole to fill via cuts, reforms or, as Andy Dillon likes to refer to them, "revenue enhancements." The Senate GOP continues to insist on finding ways to trim portions of last year's gargantuan, job killing tax hike and according to Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop, they told the Democrats early that this year there would be no new taxes. Period.

(Could have used that stand last year but it is what it is and there's no way-back machine.)

And they held their feet to the fire. Could also have something to do with the fact it's an election year and the Democrats in the House realize voters are already angry about last year's tax hikes but I'm trying to be less cynical these days.

Read on...

The agreement shaves $400 million from the Governor's budget recommendations and comes in at a modest (/snark) $44 Billion with a "B." Included are an increase in both school aid funding, thought to be around $72 per kid, a 2% jump in revenue sharing dollars and a couple hundred million in Capitol Outlay projects. Garbage. That last part, not the school aid and revenue sharing. I'd just rather we stopped playing "New Deal" and burning cash to build bigger, better, government buildings.

A few issues remain to be ironed out, thus, session today and tomorrow. The Detroit News reports:

Remaining budget issues include the question of whether the state can afford to continue its new film tax credit program of 42 percent, expected to cost the state $160 million in the next budget year. Medicaid funding, a state trooper school to add 100 new officers and a tax break for the working poor were among items also on the bubble in the negotiations.
Marsden said more budget figures will emerge this morning as conference committees meet. He said legislative and budget leaders were to work through the night crunching numbers and getting proposals ready, based on the agreement.

Whatever they wind up doing, I only ask they go to all reasonable lengths to ensure my girl Haylie Duff isn't kept from coming to town.

< Thursday in the Sphere, June 26 | A reason a day to avoid RMGN like the flu... or leprosy >

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Beggars can't be choosers, etc. etc. etc. | 13 comments (13 topical, 0 hidden)

I believe (none / 0) (#1)
by maidintheus on Thu Jun 26, 2008 at 10:42:25 AM EST

that this will be a state of a different color this time around.

2010 (none / 0) (#2)
by Victor Laszlo on Thu Jun 26, 2008 at 10:56:35 AM EST

The Michigan Democrats are going to be crushed statewide in 2010 thanks to Governor "Incompetent" Granholm.

agreed! by nickburns480, 06/26/2008 03:50:48 PM EST (none / 0)

Only if... (none / 0) (#3)
by KG One on Thu Jun 26, 2008 at 11:34:59 AM EST

the MiGOP runs Republicans who act and vote like Republicans.

Republican-lite candidates who act and vote like democrats, candidates who do not present a clear and consise difference between their rivals will only drive away voters in '10.

That's up to each and every one of US... (none / 0) (#4)
by Nick on Thu Jun 26, 2008 at 12:25:13 PM EST

We need to identify, encourage and support genuine conservatives at the grassroots level starting yesterday!

Would encourage everyone to pick a race, Congressional, State House, County Commission... whatever... find the true conservative in the primary and put your money where your mouth is by backing them on nights and weekends.

It'll take that kind of effort to turn this state red. But it can happen.

When are you gonna run, Nick? by jgillmanjr, 06/26/2008 02:02:27 PM EST (none / 0)

Approximately never. by Nick, 06/26/2008 02:18:43 PM EST (none / 0)

We need to rebuild by goppartyreptile, 06/27/2008 08:28:30 AM EST (none / 0)

RINOs beware (none / 0) (#7)
by Victor Laszlo on Thu Jun 26, 2008 at 03:06:17 PM EST

Amen to the sentiments above. I am sick and tired of Republican legislators bragging about how conservative they are to their grass roots only to return to Lansing or DC and spend money like a bunch of drunken sailors on shore leave in a New Orleans whore house.

As a 20-year Navy Veteran . . . by Kevin Rex Heine, 07/01/2008 07:49:25 PM EST (none / 0)

The Hard Part (none / 0) (#10)
by live dangerously on Fri Jun 27, 2008 at 08:56:53 AM EST

That's the spirit Nick. Change has to come from the local level to be lasting. The hard part for me is to find a conservative candidate. I did find one running for Muskegon County Drain Commissioner. David L Schultz see his web site this guy is conservative, and green.
-----link-----

http://davidlschultz.com/Cabout/C-about2.html

--------------
He is also the best qualified as evidenced by his record. The problem is there are 7 candidates for the general and 3 Republicans for the primary. The problem is the local leadership is backing another of the three. He just switched parties claiming it would be easier to beat the incumbant as a Republican, actually he meant there was less competition to get on the ballot for the general.
-----quote from the new Republican---
Fisher, the longtime community development and utilities director for Muskegon Township, originally planned to run as a Democrat. But he said the crowded Democratic field gives Hulka the edge, and he believes he would have a better shot at the incumbent in November.

"I want to win, and I don't believe that's possible with five people fighting in the Democratic primary," Fisher said. "The advantage goes to the incumbent."
--------------------------------------
I'll do my best for Schultz, but the work needs to be done at the volunteer level, pack the local leadership meetings.
Regards, Live Dangerously Be A Conservative
ps. I think I just found a topic to blog about. lol. Thanks Nick for the inspiration.

Water IS a big deal. by JGillman, 06/27/2008 10:51:35 AM EST (none / 0)

I misread your comment before. by JGillman, 06/28/2008 10:43:15 AM EST (none / 0)

Beggars can't be choosers, etc. etc. etc. | 13 comments (13 topical, 0 hidden)

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