Blasts

These were posted at BFM - I want them here because the search engine is better and I might need to reference them again someday.

MI Unemployment Drops for Second Month in a Row: Maybe we have hit bottom, and are now starting the long climb back up...

Michigan's unemployment rate has improved for the second straight month.
State officials said Wednesday that the November jobless rate dropped to 14.7 percent, down from a national high of 15.1 percent in October. It was the state's lowest rate in six months.

The state's jobless rate reached 15.3 percent in September.

But the news isn't all good. The state lost about 14,000 nonfarm payroll jobs last month, according to a seasonally adjusted survey of employers.

We had gained 38,000 jobs in October, so the loss last month is disappointing - BUT - the losses have most definitely slowed down.

That's a good thing. A real good thing.

Offshore Wind Farm For Ludington?: This looks promising. Four miles offshore won't ruin the view. (Have now seen a rendering of what the East Coast ones would look like, and they are still visable -barely- at 13 miles out)

Scandia Wind Offshore says the area south of Ludington and four miles offshore is the perfect location to build a 1000-megawatt windfarm. Plans call for more than 100 large wind turbines that could turn Michigan wind into electricity for the Midwest. Residents seem to be hungry for more information.
"I think it is important to look into other forms of energy," said Bill McBeth. "And in Michigan, wind is something to look into."

"We have lots right here on the coast, so why not use it," said Mike McDonald. "So far I can not see anything wrong with it."

The company believes when it comes to building an offshore wind energy farm, Michigan has the best conditions in the country.

$3 billion in investment for the area. A meeting with residents is scheduled tonight to address any concerns they might have.

Stay tuned...

Granholm Announces Over 9,000 New and Retained Jobs for Michigan: Gotta have those tax credits. If we don't, some other state will.

Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced that the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) is helping 10 companies grow in Michigan and is backing eight brownfield redevelopment projects. Combined, the 18 projects are expected to create 6,804 new jobs (2,236 direct and 4,418 indirect), retain 2,263 jobs, and generate over $672 million in new investment in the state.

For full details, check the release here.

Granholm Signs Bills Restricting Utility Shutoffs: Story makes the WaPo. Nice.

The five bills Granholm signed Monday protect eligible low-income customers and seniors from municipal utility shutoffs, govern shut-off notices and procedures and permit the state attorney general or a customer to bring a civil action against a municipal utility in shut-off cases involving serious injury or death.

The bills also require municipal utilities to make efforts to identify customers who are 65 or older and requires the state to give utilities information about people who have applied for or are receiving public assistance so they can be helped to reduce energy costs and prevent shutoffs.

Michigan's big, state-regulated utilities such as DTE Energy and Consumers Energy Co., along with cooperatives, are not allowed to shut off power to senior citizens in the winter and must offer payment plans to the poor. State regulators also discourage the use of limiters.

But Michigan's 41 smaller municipal utilities - Bay City's included - are not overseen by the state, so new laws had to be passed to make customer shut-off protections uniform statewide.

If you need assistance with utility bills this winter, check out the state's Helping Hand website, or call 2-1-1 to be connected with local resources. Make sure and check on your elderly neighbors too - no one should freeze to death when there is help available and laws in place to prevent it from happening.

Feds to Add $13 Million to the Asian Carp Fight: The optimum goal is $30 million total - but $13 million of that will come from the already approved $475 million Great Lakes cleanup funding.

Lisa Jackson, head of the Environmental Protection Agency, said Monday the money will be used for engineering projects to prevent the carp from slipping into Lake Michigan near Chicago.

They include closing conduits and shoring up low-lying lands between the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal and other waterways.

Good to see some steps being taken to address this threat. Hope it's not too late.

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Correctly Framing the Argument: A Deal to Fund the Pure Michigan Campaign

One of the most tragic and potentially devastating cuts from the budget was the loss of adequate funding for a nationwide Pure Michigan campaign. Winner of numerous advertising awards, named as one of the top ten best tourism campaigns ever, credited for keeping vacationers coming to the state during this huge economic downturn, it was all kinds of stupid to slash the money that was driving success for our state's No. 2 industry - but its loss was buried under the avalanche of stories of other losses, and went practically unnoticed outside the people who are depending on it to keep their businesses alive.

The winter ad buy is already gone thanks to the legislature's failure to act, but the House is spending this last week making up for all its sins, apparently. In the rush to put completed legislation on their yearly tally, a package of bills designed to fund Pure Michigan will move in the next few days.

A four-bill package would capture sales tax growth on tourism-related businesses and, in the meantime, let the Michigan Economic Development Corp. issue bonds to pay for the program's $30 million annual budget.

...

The proposed long-term solution is to tap part of the growth in sales tax receipts from businesses such as hotels and motels, restaurants where alcohol is served, campgrounds and RV parks and other tourist attractions. A plan to finance the campaign over the next couple of years with a $2.50 tax on auto rentals was scrapped due to the anti-tax mood in the state capital, officials said.

The revised plan permits the development corporation to issue notes against future sales tax collections to pay for the advertising in the short term.

"We get a $3 return for every dollar invested (it's actually $2.86 per dollar, according to a state study), so we can make a solid case to investors that this is a good investment," said Rep. Dan Scripps, D-Leland, a sponsor of one of the bills.

Time is running out. This needs to be completed by January for a spring ad buy to capture the attention of people across the nation as they make plans for summer vacation. Rep. Dale Sheltrown indicates that they have a deal with the Senate. Given the outcome of past "deals" with Mike Bishop, let's hold our applause until it passes - but it's important to note how the Democrats are changing the framing of the issue.

"Investment". By jove, I think they've finally got it. And not only did we have Scripps and Sheltrown hit the correct notes here, Pam Byrnes indicated the same with the road funding issue.

Everyone wants the roads to be fixed. The easiest way to get the cash and secure the federal money that is just sitting there would be to boost the gas tax nine cents a gallon. That makes sense… except for that hated word: Tax. Republicans have sworn to oppose any tax, no matter how much sense it makes.

But there may be hope. Pam Byrnes, the House transportation committee chair, has a solution. She knows her colleagues are allergic to any talk of taxes, so, she intends to “present this as an investment in economic development.” After all, she added, “we are not going to be able to attract people to our state when our roads are crumbling and our bridges are being closed down.”

Throw in the job creation numbers related to both tourism and fixing the roads as well, and you have correctly framed the argument, and perhaps saved the state from further disaster. If not, the fault will lie with the Party of No - and everyone will know it. They are the ones who are insisting that we run this state like a "business" - and good business practices dictate that we make investments in our product.

Nothing can make up for the Lost Year of 2009, but we can start taking steps towards repairing the damage. Congratulations Democrats, you are on your way.

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The Hoekstra Plan: Eliminate Business Taxes, Wait for Miracle to Occur

More trickle down economics from the G-O-P. How's that working out for us so far?

To get the state economy moving, (Hoekstra) said the Michigan Business Tax "must go. ... I'm amazed at the barriers like this we've put up against people who want to invest in Michigan." He sees business capital to invest here waiting on the sidelines or finding other places.

If that is true, why did Michigan come in third in the nation for the most new or expanded capital projects in 2008? Must be Pete forgot to tell those business folks how horrible it is here. Looks like he needs to drop a note to the conservative Tax Foundation as well, which ranked us at 17th in the nation on the 2010 Business Tax Climate index - up from 26th in 2006. Guess those things don't matter when you are trying to perpetuate the myth that we are a high tax state, simply to wrangle more tax cuts for your rich friends. Quality of life has nothing to do with it - it always comes down to the tax fetish for the Republicans.

As long as you ignore the realities of the Great Recession in the Fall of 2008 and how that sent us (and every state in the nation) spiraling downward, we can continue to blame taxes for all our problems! Easy enough. Just for fun though, let's take Pete up on his idea and eliminate all business taxes. Gone. How do we fund all those prisons that the GOP loves so dearly? That's where Hoekstra's plan falls right on its face - as it did for DeVos, as it does for Snyder... and Cox... and Bouchard...

He said money from new investments would increase the Michigan tax base while lowering taxes.

The tricky part, he admits, is creating the interim step to replace lost taxes before more money starts flowing from investment.

"That's the challenge," he said.

Yes, it always is. Tried and failed economic policy present quite the challenge for the Republicans, so they just continue to push falsehoods to the public, like any good carnival huckster or snake-oil salesman will do. And after your money is in their pocket, it will be the Democrats fault that you were swindled and we can't pay for the schools.

Bush Economics 101. Let's try it again at the state level, shall we?

Oh, and thanks to fear-mongerers like Hoekstra and the rest of the Michigan GOP crybabies, the state of Michigan just lost 3,800 jobs to Illinois. They are thrilled in Thomson. Perhaps the people in Illinois should send Hoekstra a lovely Xmas card and gift basket for all his great work on this issue; after all, they can afford it now.

The town of Standish, not so much.

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Congressman Schauer Speaks on the Credit Crisis

How bad is the credit crisis? Pretty bad when you are a small manufacturer armed with a federal contract and you still can't get a loan. We are not talking thousands of jobs on the line at RTD Manufacturing, but this example is indicative of what is happening to smaller businesses who want to create jobs and find they can't get financing - and after awhile, those lost job numbers will really add up.

A local manufacturer with a signed defense contract with the federal government is having difficulty obtaining financing from its bank to buy the materials necessary to do the work.

RTD Manufacturing President Bryant Ramsey wrote in a statement that the contract is to produce a part the U.S. Army needs to keep troops safe in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"It's a sad commentary on the credit situation here in Michigan that small businesses face challenges and delays like this in obtaining funding to buy the materials we need to manufacture our products," Ramsey wrote. "But we're ready to work."

Congressman Schauer took it to the floor of the House last week:



Citizens Bank received $300 million in bailout funds last year. Their response? They claim the loan has not been denied, but "delayed". While they won't speak to this specific loan, they did release this ominous statement:

"We respect the confidentiality of the relationships we have with our clients and will not address any specifics about individual business loans," the statement said. "We review all loan requests thoroughly and take a fiscally responsible approach to lending as a TARP recipient. As hard as we work to find solutions, not all loan requests can be approved."

If you can't get a loan when you have a federal contract, how in the world will other small manufacturers receive funding to start creating jobs? If there are restrictions that are holding Citizens back as a TARP recipient, Congress needs to address those ASAP. We don't want the banks making bad loans - but this is ridiculous.

President Obama leans on the bankers today - we will see if anything changes. If not, job creation and recovery is going to be that much harder to sustain, not just here, but all over the country.

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Weekend Update

Jobs and Wall Street reform on your President's mind:

Some other stuff to ponder:

Michigan revenues for November showed the first increase since January - another hopeful sign that we are starting to see some recovery. Gongwer via MI-Tech has the breakdown on tax collections here, the sales tax taking a healthy jump, maybe showing consumer confidence on the upswing. Caveat to that good news though: We are still below the May revenue estimating conference figures. Pray for a good December.

While the usual Granholm bashers are slamming the governor for restoring the $127 per pupil cut, one who never misses a chance to twist the knife opts for honesty on the subject...

On this one she deserves the benefit of the doubt, Mr. Elsenheimer's opinion not withstanding. It's highly unlikely that her state treasurer and state budget director would be co-conspirators in cooking-up money they didn't know would be there.

Bob Kleine and Bob Emerson were as surprised as anyone to see the windfall, but they and the governor were up front with the school community noting that come January the $127 cut may stand or it could be reduced.

Dearborn Public Schools will hold off on teacher layoffs for now - and that is far more important than political calculations, or worrying about how this would appear to right wing editorialists who don't give a damn about anything but cheering on the destruction of the state in an attempt to return the Republicans to power. Bishop's comment? "That revenue was never going to come. She finally gave in to that." You see, for Bishop and his fans, tearing down the governor is far more important than our children. So cold. Repeat after me: "Republicans refuse to fund our schools." And don't stop saying it.

More Gongwer love via Dome - reports of crankiness at the Capitol make for an entertaining column. My favorite part was the thought of Cameron Brown and Michelle McManus trying to out wingnut each other over ACORN bills moving through the Senate. Just imagine if they were actually working on something important...

After President Obama's trip to Asia where he called for the US to increase exports to the region as a way to create and retain jobs in America, we really do need to start to address trade issues that are preventing that from happening. After Japanese automakers sold half the cars in the U.S. "Cash For Clunkers" plan, it turns out that Japan has excluded foreign automakers from their clunkers program. Few North American-built vehicles appeal to Japanese customers or meet their fuel economy rules, but that's not the point, claim the Big Three. The WH agrees.

And more on trade, or the lack thereof - my favorite Congresscritter Mark Schauer joined John Dingell for a resolution on the U.S./Korean Free Trade Agreement that would help open that market for US automakers. Korea imposes an 8 percent tariff on US cars, and the agreement calls for the elimination of "a number of non-tariff barriers to trade" as well. Read more from The Hill. The deal is the biggest trade agreement since NAFTA, so we better get this right the first time.

A bunch of green jobs news this week in Michigan. If you missed the blast over on the right, GM announced that they are investing another $336 million in the making of the Volt, retooling the Hamtramck plant right now to begin prototype production in March and regular production in November. Ford is looking for tax credits to bring their battery production to Michigan from Mexico, with the potential of creating 1,000 new jobs. And Recovery Act grants to five Michigan small manufacturers who are making the transition to renewable energy production such as solar and wind turbine parts will bring 713 jobs over the next two years. Clean tech jobs are here - with more certainly to follow. We are gonna own the battery market.

A sad fare-thee-well goes out to Sven Gustafson of Mlive's Michigan Job Search blog. Gustafson was one of my main sources for reporting on renewable energy developments and economic stories happening in Michigan - dude, I am going to miss you so much. And Rick Haglund, longtime automotive and business reporter, has left Booth Newspapers - but it looks like he may still blog on Mlive. Hope so.

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More Trickle Down Taxes: Wyoming Latest City to Ask for Public Safety Millage

While Mike Bishop continues to prance around and brag about how he stood "firm" on taxes, local leaders across the state are struggling to find funding to provide police and firefighters to Michigan citizens - and now we can add Wyoming to the growing list of cities that will be forced to ask voters for a millage increase to avoid putting people's lives in danger.

A 2-mill property tax increase dedicated for police and fire services may come to voters next spring as part of a budget-balancing plan that includes a transition to a public safety department.

After debating an income tax and other fiscal options Thursday during a day-long retreat, Wyoming City Council appears poised next month to approve a five-year levy request for May's ballot.

Wyoming is a "red" city that borders Grand Rapids, and is not one to reach for a tax increase unless it is absolutely necessary. With the loss of GM, declining property values, and the cuts to state revenue sharing, they are at the point where they have to do something to raise around $4 million dollars. And if it doesn't pass? Better find a way to hook the garden hose to the nearest fire hydrant.

We can make it work (without the millage). The problem is you may not like the level of service you get," City Manager Curtis Holt said. The levy "is obviously money that's replacing revenue-sharing dollars that we're no longer getting" from the state.

The tax would restore six police jobs and five firefighter posts cut through attrition in the first half of the current fiscal year, as the city begins moving toward a public safety department with cross-trained officers.

A no-levy alternative reviewed Thursday would leave those jobs unfilled and cut five more police officers and 14 more firefighters.

They also are looking at cutting 12 other non-safety positions, as well as the local public access television station.

Lost jobs, the possibility of lost lives, and the burden of holding elections (and all that costs) in cities across our state next year; that is the legacy of the Bishop-Dillon budget agreement. You start to wonder what effect that will have on any kind of state-wide ballot proposal should the legislature choose to avoid a major overhaul of our revenue system next year. Instead of lawmakers stepping up to the plate, doing their job, and taking votes on revenues, the citizens will have to do it - and that has to be some kind of nightmare for local officials. You have to ask too many times, the voters will say "no" (or won't turn out at all), and the cuts will happen anyway. Now, go sell yourself to "business" as a city they should invest in. Good luck.

Remember that the next time Mike boasts in a campaign about how "strong" he is - all he did was pass the burden down to local leaders, force them to take the tough votes, and put their jobs on the line when they have to campaign next time around. Leadership? More like cowardice. But it is kind of nice to see Republicans eat their own for a change.

Hard to believe those city leaders will be jumping on the "Team Bishop" bandwagon anytime soon.

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$127 Per Pupil Cut Paused - For Now

This is good news, but don't think for a second that the school funding problem is solved. From the state release:

Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced that the $127 per-pupil reduction in school aid payments to school districts is being paused. The decision is due to school districts spending less than authorized in 2009 and because of an unexpected increase in non-homestead property tax values. A formal letter from Budget Director Bob Emerson advising lawmakers of the pause in the reduction was sent to the chairs of the Senate and House Appropriations Committees today.

School districts cut programs, saving the state $50 million in matching funds. And while the increased property revenue might be a good economic sign (edit update 6:31PM: er, no, it was because a lot of businesses changed hands), there are still miles to go before we are out of the woods.

Granholm emphasized that while today’s announcement is likely to be welcomed by teachers, parents and students across the state, it does not affect the $165 per-pupil cut contained in the 2010 budget or the potential for a multi-million dollar shortfall in the 2011 school year.

“The crisis of how we fund public education is real,” Granholm said. “While the hard work of school officials across the state to cut their budgets has resulted in a larger than expected carryforward from the last fiscal year, we must continue to find a way to ensure stable and adequate funding for public education next year and beyond.”

That will be the next trick, and as it stands, our Legislature is not up to the task. Face it folks, as long as Mike Bishop runs the Senate, there will be no compromise on revenues. Case in point was their behavior yesterday, which is all too predictable by now. Seems there was a bit of a squabble about school funding on the House floor; Speaker Dillon finally stood up and called out the Senate proposal for the budget-busting monstrosity that it is (only two months late, but better than never, I guess). Bishop's reaction to the problem? Sending a nasty letter to the governor that basically said "you and the Speaker better do what I want", as the Senate Republicans still insist on playing "my way or the highway" politics on the whole thing.

Nothing will ever get solved if all Bishop and the Republicans can say is "no". While I give the Speaker credit for finally saying something, it came way too late for this year - and we will see if he and the Democrats decide they want to stand up for the schools (and other things) next year. Parents, school officials, better get the language ready for a ballot proposal, just in case it is needed.

This lets lawmakers off the hook for now, but the bigger battle still looms on the horizon. We will see what the January numbers bring. You may not believe this, but economic indicators in this state are showing signs of recovery. We leveled off in October, but that was after four straight months of the Comerica Michigan Economic Activity Index picking up steam, mostly due to Cash For Clunkers - but there are other areas showing signs of life as well.

“After surging in September, auto production also declined moderately in October. However, in contrast to the declines in auto sales and production, the other components of our index continued to show broad-based strengthening in the Michigan economy. As the national recovery accelerates in the months ahead, our index likely will trend higher, signaling the emergence of a moderate recovery in Michigan in 2010.”

If that is the case, our state revenues should reflect it, maybe save us from complete and total destruction. Keep your fingers crossed that this recovery keeps up.

We just might survive Mike Bishop yet, and that would be a wonderful thing.

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NFL Week 14

Pittsburgh at Cleveland
New Orleans at Atlanta
Green Bay at Chicago
NY Jets at Tampa Bay
Miami at Jacksonville
Detroit at Baltimore
Seattle at Houston
Denver at Indianapolis
Buffalo at Kansas City
Cincinnati at Minnesota
Carolina at New England
Washington at Oakland
St. Louis at Tennessee
San Diego at Dallas
Philadelphia at NY Giants
Arizona at San Francisco

9-7. Blah.

137-71 for the year.

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It Doesn't Take A Genius

September 30th, 2009:

Late Tuesday, House Speaker Andy Dillon of Redford Township said his fellow Democrats who control the House will have to accept the bitter medicine of deep cuts with the hopes that the Republican-controlled Senate would muster votes for new taxes or fees to restore programs they say are critical to the state's values.

"Where lives could be in jeopardy, where the future of the state is put in jeopardy, we will do a supplemental budget and we will identify how we pay for it," he said. "That plan is still in motion."

Not anymore.

State House Speaker Andy Dillon says he does not expect there will be a deal to restore funding for college scholarships, health care, or local governments, before the Legislature begins its winter break.

But what about K-12? December 4th, 2009:

The Redford Township Democrat said in an interview today with The Detroit News he doesn't want to wait until January or February to mitigate the $292 per pupil reductions in school aid because it would be too late for many local districts.

"For example, Wayne-Westland is talking about closing seven buildings now," he said. "We need to find some short-term, targeted revenues for schools (this month)."

But we're not gonna do that either. A mere five days later:

Nevertheless, Dillon pegs the odds of restoring money for schools at less than 50-50.

We understand that the House is up against the unmovable teabagger object in Mike Bishop. No doubt about that. The problem here is the reluctance to point that out - which makes the Democrats look like the surrender monkeys that they are. How in the world do you expect to motivate people to work for you in 2010 when it appears that there is no inclination on the part of Democrats to fight for the things that matter to people?

Speaker Dillon, get to the blackboard and write 100 times:

The Republicans refuse to fund our schools.
The Republicans refuse to fund our schools.
The Republicans refuse to fund our schools.

And don't talk to the press again until you get it through your head. Your refusal to frame this in the correct manner is going to cost us dearly.

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Tweety Being Tweety

Watch Chris Matthews catch up to the rest of us already living in the 21st Century. He reveals himself to be the flaming liberal you always knew he was.

Funniest line: "You should run for office!" says Gov. Granholm.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

This segment was about Obama's announcement on using TARP funds to stimulate job creation - and catch the bold at the end:

Obama proposed new spending for highway and bridge construction, for small business tax cuts and for retrofitting millions of homes to make them more energy-efficient. He said he wanted to extend economic stimulus programs to keep unemployment insurance from expiring for millions of out-of-work Americans and to help laid-off workers keep their health insurance. He proposed an additional $250 apiece in stimulus spending for seniors and veterans and aid to state and local governments to discourage them from laying off teachers, police officers and firefighters.

The cuts to teachers and public safety workers we are seeing in Michigan are happening all over the country, state budget cuts threatening to undermine a fragile recovery.

Some private forecasters have begun to ask whether the state budget cuts and tax increases that lie ahead will stall the economy. Goldman Sachs estimated last July that the fiscal drag from state budget cuts and tax increases could reduce GDP by 0.6% to 0.7% over the coming year as states move to close their deficits. The outlook for state fiscal year 2011 is even grimmer; as noted, actions states will have to take to eliminate deficits for that year are likely to drag down GDP by more than 0.9% and could cost 900,000 jobs.

Doesn't mean we could skip out on reforming our tax structure here in Michigan - but any short-term budget help we can get will be greatly appreciated.

I bet Arnold is thinking the same thing as well.

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Senate Transportation Committee Votes to Raise Diesel Tax

Yes, our state Senate. I know, I know, despite the ominous and never-ending threats that every single citizen and business in Michigan will pack up and leave, right now!, if any taxes, anywhere, for anything, are increased, the Transportation Committee has passed a bill that will raise the diesel tax so we can repair bridges.

It's a start.

The committee also passed a two-bill package raising the state tax on diesel fuel from 15 cents to 19 cents a gallon, which is the levy on gasoline. The Legislature has tried and failed several times in past years to approve the 4-cent increase.

The tax revenue would go directly to bridge repairs, Gilbert said.

He said the "auditor general's report on deteriorating bridges" prompted the vote on the diesel fuel hike.

Thank you, Senator Gilbert. Now, about the school funding situation... and the scholarship funding situation... and the revenue sharing/public safety funding situation... seems that those areas are "deteriorating" as well, can we expect to see any action there?

Michigan school districts are scheduled to receive reduced payments on December 21 due to budget cuts. Democrats in Lansing say lawmakers need to approve new revenue soon so a handful of schools aren't forced to close.

Democratic House Speaker Andy Dillon says the immediate future calls for quick, decisive action to avert cuts to schools that will be almost impossible to restore later.

...

But Republicans in the state Senate say the Democratic plan to drain next year's reserve of federal stimulus money to help restore money cut from the School Aid Fund would be irresponsible.

If we could just convince them that kids are just as important as bridges to our economic well-being...

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Imagine

In memory of John. Where did 29 years go?

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Gift Ideas for the Person Who Has Everything

Is there someone in your life who is impossible to buy gifts for? Imagine the look on their face when you pull up in the flatbed truck with this...

Only two days left to bid on "Nessie on the Grand", now residing in a pond at the John Ball Park Zoo in Grand Rapids. She took 6th place in the ArtPrize competition last fall. Made of wood and polystyrene blocks, the piece will need some weatherization done if it is to survive the Michigan winter outside. And, keep in mind you will need lots of room for her - 18' tall, 100' long, and 27' wide, so be sure and measure grandma's yard before you get all crazy here and start bidding.

Grandma not into huge art deco sculptures of water monsters? Well, now that I've got your attention, be sure and check out the...

Buy Michigan Now Holiday Gift Guide

... and support our local businesses and workers this holiday season, which was really the purpose of this whole post - but it would be nice to find Nessie a home as well.

Think it over - but don't wait too long!

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Over 8,000 Michigan Jobs Will Be Lost Due to Lack of Road Funding

Imagine what the reaction would be if a major employer pulled out of Michigan and took over 8,000 jobs with them. The Republicans would pitch a fit, call for more tax cuts, and insist that everyone work for $1 an hour with no benefits - and you know it. But this time, we have a case were their refusal to raise revenue is going to cost us thousands of jobs and drive away "business".

Next year, Michigan may have to walk away from $475 million in federal highway funds because it lacks $84 million for a state match.

And the losses pile up from there.

Projections from the Michigan Department of Transportation show the state is in danger of losing nearly $2.1 billion in federal funding through fiscal 2014 because Michigan won't be able to match all the funds it is eligible to receive.

$84 million to receive $475 million back, reminiscent of the nearly $1 billion they threw away for Medicaid funding. This time, someone crunched the numbers on how many jobs we are talking about. Wish they would do this with the Medicaid numbers.

The lowered investment would, in fiscal 2011 alone, lead to an estimated 47 percent drop in highway program-related jobs, from 17,070 in the current year to 8,988. The job tallies include direct jobs such as construction workers on site as well as jobs generated indirectly, such as with suppliers and service providers, Steudle said.

“Ultimately, it's devastating,” said Mike Nystrom, vice president of government and public relations for the Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association.

And those workers are going elsewhere, Nystrom said.

“We talk about a brain drain in terms of other industries. There is certainly a brain drain going on in our industry as well. These are skilled employees who have a significant amount of experience they are taking to other states.”

So, thousands of jobs lost, skilled workers and ultimately businesses leaving the state. Say, isn't that what the Republicans are always complaining about now? Aren't they using that very same rhetoric as they gear up for the campaign next year?

Matt Marsden, press secretary for Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop, R-Rochester, said, “We do recognize that there's issues there, that we need to deal with that, and it will be dealt with before 2011. But I'm not sure that a tax increase, across the board, is the answer.”

Kick the can down the road. Refuse to raise funds. Use job loss and destruction of state infrastructure against Democrats. Lather, rinse, repeat, use for every occasion. See how that works?

You will in 2010. Hope that the voters remember just who it was that always said "No!" to fixing our problems before they became nightmares.

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NFL Week 13

NY Jets 19, Buffalo 13
Philadelphia at Atlanta
St. Louis at Chicago
Detroit at Cincinnati
Oakland at Pittsburgh
Tennessee at Indianapolis
Denver at Kansas City
New England at Miami
New Orleans at Washington
Tampa Bay at Carolina
Houston at Jacksonville
San Diego at Cleveland
Dallas at NY Giants
San Francisco at Seattle
Minnesota at Arizona
Baltimore at Green Bay

Got busy, forgot Thursday...

12-4 last week, 117-59 for the year.

11-5 this week, 128-64 for the year.

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Saturday Update

The zoo at feeding time.

Michigan Weekend Update:

Speaker Dillon tells Jack Lessenberry that next year's budget deficit might be as high as $2.8B - much higher than the $1.6B that had been previously mentioned. What happens if BFF Mike Bishop continues to stomp his feet and hold his breath and say "no, no, no" to the future of our state?

“For starters, you eliminate all aid to higher education -- all of it,“ he said. The tuition increases that would cause would cripple research, damage building programs, prevent upkeep and throw college education out of reach of hundreds of thousands.

Even then, the savings would only close half the gap. So the lawmakers would also have to cancel all aid to community colleges and end revenue sharing. “And the budget would still not be balanced.” So you’d have to start cutting Medicaid.

Sometimes I think the reason they didn't run around and scare the hell out of us this year is because they knew they were going to run around and scare the hell out of us next year. Dillon has a "grand bargain" to increase revenue and have the budget done by March. Has that been cleared with Bishop yet? Why do I hear hysterical laughter in the background?

If that is the true figure on the budget hole, then the work that Governor Granholm has been doing all over the state will get everyone prepared to plead the case for revenue to their legislators next year when these cuts come to light and they start to chicken out again. This week the Governor moved on to revenue sharing, meeting Friday with 20 West Michigan fire and police officials to hear about the depths of the cuts they have already endured. The consensus is they are all at the breaking point now, residents will be "at risk", Wyoming police chief James Carmody saying, "We can barely respond to 911 calls." That the kind of state you want to live in? "Business" won't. Think about it.

The Bishop-Dillon budget just keeps on trickling down, two more communities are taking matters in their own hands and considering asking voters for a millage hike to protect public safety. Kentwood, right outside of Grand Rapids, hasn't decided on a figure yet, but is shooting for a May vote after cutting 20% of its workforce in October. A teabagger interviewed admits she "doesn't know much about the budget", but figures they must be hiding something. Mayor Richard Root calls it:

"If you've allowed your perceptions to become ideologies, and you've locked yourself into a particular position, they're probably not going to be influenced," he said. "The only proof I can offer is after they see the train wreck. I'm trying to avoid one."

Bloomfield Township will be seeking a 1.3 mill increase to save police, fire and emergency services before it becomes a matter of "life and death". Citizens there are in favor of the increase by a 52-39 margin, and that's according to Republican pollster Mitchell Research $ Communications. Wonder if that one will show up in Mike Bishop's next campaign e-mail.

Kathy Barks Hoffman has a great write-up on the budget/revenue situation in Michigan, pointing out some historical facts on the drop in $$, but also reporting there is some hope with the new entrepreneurs in alternative energy and technology that are starting to grow. Some facts as a sideline to the AP report: General fund revenue has dropped from $9.79 billion in fiscal 2000 to $6.95 billion this year, a 32 percent reduction. Adjusted for inflation, revenue is down nearly 43 percent. The General Fund has dropped nearly 27 percent in the past two year alone. School aid has dropped $1 billion in the past two years, down 14% since the year 2000. And about all that wild "overspending" Republicans love to complain about? Yeah, baby, we are partyin' like it's 1969.

General fund spending is at its lowest level since 1996 in actual dollars-and its lowest level since 1969 in inflation-adjusted dollars.

'Nuff said. Back to the better news...

Gongwer/Mi-Tech News has an interview with the MEDC's Grag Main who expresses optimism that a turnaround is coming next year, citing all the work they have done in the past couple of years that will start to come to hiring fruition as companies are now set to go. And, as commerical fleet operators are moving towards hybrid/electric cars, "Michigan has really, really anchored ourselves as the place where you're going to see most of that production" for battery development. Positive article that focuses on the strides we have made - and those are always a welcome sight for sore eyes.

Have a good Saturday!

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EPIC Poll: 75% Feel Some Tax Increases Needed to Balance Budget

Parents hold a bake sale/protest on the steps of the Capitol Dec. 2nd

From a Mike Bishop campaign e-mail:

Because of your support, we were able to stand firm against any tax increases, cut the cost of government and begin the process to turn Michigan around!

Oops.

Michigan legislators played politics with the state’s education budget and it may come back to haunt them. That’s the finding of an exclusive WXYZ-TV, Detroit News poll.

According to the exclusive poll 82% of the respondents agreed that politicians were more concerned about partisan politics than protecting the best educational interests of children.

The survey of 600 people conducted by EPIC-MRA also revealed that 51% of the state electorate would be less likely next year to vote for legislators who oppose proposals to restore education funds. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percent.

So, you played politics, it shows, and now they don't want to vote for you. Senator Bishop?

These measures are still not enough to satisfy the governor's need for more revenue. The democrats' efforts to undo what was won through a series of tough negotiations will only hurt Michigan and our citizens.

Yeah. Right. 56% of Michigan citizens now say that they have felt the impact from these budget cuts - up 30% from June. And about that "need for more revenue"...

The state budget is also changing public opinion on education funding. Ninety-two percent described the state budget as a crisis situation, and 75% said some tax increases are needed to balance the budget.

A 49% plurality supports expanding the 6 cent sales tax to include services not currently taxed. The poll also found that a majority of 77% favors reducing tax breaks and loopholes for corporations, and a 65% majority would support a graduated income tax.

Jobs and the economy still lead the list of issues of concern at 46%, but now education has jumped up to #2 at 19%. Keeping state taxes low? 7%.

When you put the partisan question in relation to next year's elections...

Some legislators were more concerned about appealing to their partisan base and winning primary election nominations in their political party than they were in doing what was right for our children. Do you agree or disagree?

64% Strongly agree
21% Somewhat agree
6% Somewhat disagree
4% Strongly disagree
5% Undecided/ Don’t know/Refused

Looks like the citizens are on to you all. Question now is: Will this make any difference in lawmaker behavior? Or, should we start to "Countdown to Shutdown" clock for 2010?

Place your bets.

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Anthem

For some reason, this song has been running through my head a lot lately.

Who's punking who here.

Heh.

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EPIC Education Poll: Solid Majority Believe School Funding Too Low

Hey Legislature. You suck.

No, seriously, you really suck. I know you have heard that a lot lately from me and you've probably stopped listening, and you've heard it from the "angry mobs" (karma, Senator Bishop) who have descended on Lansing to yell at you, but now we have some actual numbers on how people feel about public education in this state.

Are you listening now?

A new poll shows a solid majority of Michigan residents believe their local public school district has too little state and local funding to provide a quality education.

The poll, conducted for WOOD TV8 and our broadcast partners by EPIC-MRA, sampled 600 residents between November 22-24, 2009.

Of those, 60% said there is too little funding for their local schools, 36% said "much too little" while only 5% said there was too much funding for education.

When asked if state funding for local public schools should be cut in the future or if state education funding shouldn't be cut, 79% said education funding should not be cut.

Oh, and by the way? About teacher pay and benefits? Hey, Nolan Finley, and all you Republican union busters - you suck too.

Most responders -- 83% -- feel Michigan teacher wages and benefits are about right or too low.

In a statement that accompanied the release of the poll, EPIC-MRA President Bernie Porn said, “Politicians and pundits who attack teachers based on their pay and benefits are out of touch with the opinions of Michigan voters."

No kidding. But then again, you would be hard pressed to find an example lately where the politicians have been in touch with the opinions of the people who pay their salaries.

Link to the complete poll here. They ask questions as to taxes and future cuts (79% say teachers should not be laid off) and what extra- curricular activities parents might be willing to pay for. Check it out.

Right now, the legiscritters are working on bills that will allow us to compete for the Obama Administration’s "Race to the Top" funding. Up to $400 million or so on the table for states to make some reforms and compete for this money. This can't be used to fill budget holes, but anything at this point will benefit schools that are starving for funding.

Amazingly enough, it looks like this legislation may pass. Why? It creates more charters, and has some other stuff that bugs the MEA, so naturally the Republicans are suddenly all for grabbing at all the federal taxpayer money they can. Funny how stimulus = socialism, but if we can upset the unions, then government spending is all good, yes indeed. And, since Bishop has his eye on the calendar and is looking at his next vacation that might start as early as next week, it should fly right through the Senate.

"It is an opportunity we cannot afford to pass up, but the due date is quickly approaching," Republican Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop said in a statement.

Really. Too bad the Republicans don't feel the same about hundreds of millions of dollars in Medicaid funding that they threw away, or the hundreds of millions of dollars in federal road funding that they left laying there on the ground. Thousands of Michigan jobs are tied to those two funding sources, but apparently Bishop believes those are opportunities that we can afford to "pass up".

Get this "Race to the Top" done, lawmakers - and then get to work on funding both K-12 education, and returning college scholarships as well. Make more cuts to education next year, and the next poll you see might be the one where you lose your job.

If there is any justice in this world, that is.

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Bernero to Run For Governor?

Sure, why not? The more the merrier.

Just a few days after telling the Free Press a 2010 campaign was “very unlikely” for him, Lansing’s recently re-elected Mayor Virg Bernero said today he’s “seriously considering” a run for the Democratic nomination for governor.

He made the comment to MIRS news service.

Bernero, 45, a Pontiac native who served in the state Legislature from 2001-05, gained some national renown as an outspoken defender of the U.S. auto industry during its recent near-collapse.

A full primary slate of candidates will keep the media focus on the Democrats and their ideas throughout the entire year, and the debate will then become about which one has the best plan. Since all the Republicans have is "more tax cuts" and their lockstep devotion to the teabaggers, the public will turn to the people that will be talking about the things that are important to them; not just economic development and jobs (although that will be #1), but funding for education, health care and public safety. "Tax cuts" won't put a cop on the street, or reduce classroom size, or get your kid their college scholarship back. All of those things will come into play, the Democrats can sharpen their ideas, and the Republicans can run their "purity" tests and try to out-wingnut each other.

The contrast should be stunning, and Dems should get down on the knees and thank God that the GOP is still insane.

Virg knows it's going to take a whole lot more than just being "the guy who yelled on FOX"; he has to come into this race with some solid ideas on where he would take the state, what he wants to do, how he would solve the problems. As do they all. Not sure if I believe all this "Cherry can't win" chatter that's being thrown about; part of me thinks it's being done on purpose, to get the base fired-up about.... something. Anything. Just keep the conversation going. Cherry can't do that if he runs unopposed. The Obama people know this, and I would hazard a guess that John Cherry does too.

And see? It's already working. Here we have a story in the paper about Democrats, gets people thinking about the Democrats, keeps the focus on the Democrats - and not the Mitchell poll that came out this morning that shows - surprise!- the most extreme Republican Mike Cox in the lead on the teabagger side of the aisle.

Thunder, stolen.

Cherry is "a wonderful man" and a "dedicated public servant, " Bernero said. "We all feel a kinship with him. But the big question is, can he win?"

Perhaps a bigger question: Could Bernero?

Could Dillon? Could Smith? How can we know if they don't duke it out? C'mon in Virg, the water is fine. You too, Andy. The US presidential primary in '08, although brutal (and I personally hated every minute of it) really did serve a vital purpose - it keeps the media spotlight on the Democrats and their ideas.

And given the depleted state of the media in Michigan, that might be worth it's weight in gold in the end. Any attention is better than nothing at all.

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