Mr. Bishop said that the House was trying to outdo Governor Jennifer Granholm in terms of calling for tax increases and government spending. "The governor's budget proposal for fiscal year 2008 assumed a $1.5 billion tax increase. Not to be outspent, the House has now engaged the governor in a race to grow government by spending at least $100 million beyond the governor's budget proposal, and there are more spending bills to come. When will it end?"
Much weeping and gnashing of teeth there. And watch that new talking point being slipped in these statements- a $2 billion DEFICIT is now becoming a "tax increase".
Mr. Bishop charged the budgets passed by the House were effectively part of a plot to compel a tax increase. "Out-of-control spending in the House is a direct effort to force a significant tax increase that is fast approaching $2 billion," he said.
Don't let him get away with that, people. You know what he's trying to do there.
And then lo and behold, what to my wondering eyes should appear, Andy Dillon actually fights back. Through his spokesman, anyway.
A spokesperson for House Speaker Andy Dillon (D-Redford Twp.) said: "The people of Michigan will know who is to blame if our state government shuts down and our kids, seniors and public safety suffer. It will be the obstructionist Republican Senate. Rather than working together, what (Mr.) Bishop is doing is bringing the state closer to economic disaster."
* blink *
Really? He said that? Dillon? Our Andy Dillon?
yes, there's more...
Get out.
"Furthermore, we have a responsibility to pass budgets and have economic crisis breathing down our neck. The time to act is now. The Senate has not moved one budget bill, nor any reforms they claim are essential to the future of Michigan. They have failed to act on over dozen reforms such as cutting legislators pay, or ending lifetime health care for state representatives," said Dan Farough.
All of which is true, of course.
And the reason why?
Senate Republicans have called for action on government reforms, but so far have held off trying to pass most proposed reforms in part because their caucus has been short members during the summer.
Everyone is on vacation.
Bishop went on to blather some more about the "commitment from the government to control its spending and pass real reforms", but that is kind of hard to do when your members don't show up for work.
Nice to see a little something besides "no comment" from Speaker Dillon. Keep it up.
.