Sunday, September 16, 2007

They're Still Voting Out There In Michigan   [David Freddoso]

Democrats in Michigan's state House are determined to squeeze more out of the state's dry-lemon economy, but they can't convince enough of their own to vote for it. They have been voting on a tax increase since 2 pm on Friday — that's 51 hours of straight legislative boredom. For the third day in a row, all Republicans have voted "no." Ten Democrats still have not voted. Democrats enjoy a 58-52 majority in the chamber.

Michigan suffers not only from a 7.2 percent unemployment rate, but also from a $1.7 billion budget shortfall. The Mackinac Center (spelling corrected) has proposed $1.9 billion in spending cuts, taking the axe to extra payments for wealthy schools, history and arts grants, public transit, and stopping new borrowing for Gov. Granholm's 21st Century Jobs Fund — which has already borrowed and spent $367 million.

Not all of the changes are that simple, but so far, there has been no serious effort to cut any spending — a tax increase has essentially been the Democrats' first resort.

If I may make another suggestion: how much is Michigan spending on those ridiculous CNBC ads with Jeff Daniels, telling people to "bring your business to Michigan?" I always thought businesses, when they migrate, go where there is a business-friendly regulatory environment, not to states that advertise during Mad Money.

No wonder Michigan is actually losing population.

09/16 05:40 PMShare