Seems I heard this somewhere before- :-)
The options are narrowing for Gov. Jennifer Granholm on repeal of Michigan's Single Business Tax.
And that's bad news for the state, since Granholm's been one of the few state officials to take a responsible stand on the tax: Repeal it if necessary, but also create a new levy to protect the roughly $1.9 billion it generates for state services.
Granholm can hesitate no longer. She should call a special session of the Legislature this summer just to deal with the SBT.
Last week, Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson announced his petition drive had collected the minimum number of signatures necessary to push SBT repeal by the end of 2007. If this petition drive is successful, Granholm becomes a spectator on SBT policy: Either the Legislature would vote in repeal on its own, or state voters would decide the matter.
The petition is scary stuff for responsible government. It would allow the Legislature, or the voters, to vote in repeal without having to immediately deal with the financial consequences.
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The House and Senate plan to work about another month, then take their traditional summer break for July and August. Wouldn't it be better for Michigan if lawmakers spent that time in session, dealing solely with the SBT?
The Michigan Constitution allows the governor to call such special sessions. In the past, the Legislature has argued it can't be forced into special session unless it adjourns its regular session. Some independent experts disagree.
Let's test that point - and the commitment to SBT reform - with a summer special session that keeps lawmakers at work, and away from their recreating.
Feet to the fire. Let's roll. Of course, it's not our job on the line if it all goes bad. Better think of every single consequence of this move and be ready to counter all attacks. These guys are going to react like you are poking them with hot sticks (oooo, there's an idea). You are going to hear whining and screaming like you never have heard before, but, it would be worth it. Call their bluff. It's put up or shut up time.