Michigan Capitol Confidential

Public Events: Two Free-Market Panels of Experts to Examine Green Jobs and Climate Change

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 06:01:00 -0500

As the science behind global warming theory comes under closer scrutiny due to the Climategate scandal, several events have been schedule to discuss this controversial issue. http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/12239

Superintendent Pay, Teacher Pay, and School Spending Reform

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 06:00:00 -0500

By Michael Van Beek | 3/10/2010

Senate Bill 1148, introduced recently by Sen. Bruce Patterson, R-Canton, would limit the total compensation of public school superintendents to 75 percent of what the governor is paid and prohibit districts from paying any teacher more than what a state legislator makes. http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/12302

Does Michigan Need a New Constitution?

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 06:00:00 -0500

By Tom Gantert | 3/10/2010

Standing before a crowd of TEA party activists last month, a member of the audience asked State Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop, R-Rochester, whether a constitutional convention was a good thing.

“That is a very bad thing,” Bishop told the crowd. “Any time you open a window, all the flies can come in. There are a lot of flies out there now.” http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/12301

Legal Experts See Few Constitutional Hurdles Currently Impeding Federal Health Care Takeover

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 06:00:00 -0500

By Tom Gantert | 3/9/2010

A recurring topic on conservative talk radio shows has been that mandated health care is unconstitutional and could derail President Barack Obama’s health care reform. But three constitutional law experts say that scenario is unlikely. http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/12291

2009 House Joint Resolution Z

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 06:00:00 -0500

Affirm right to independent (non-government) health care

Introduced by Rep. Justin Amash (R-Kentwood)
The bill would place before voters in the next general election a Constitutional amendment to recognize that “every person has a right to provide for his or her own health care,” and to prohibit any state law or rule that would directly or indirectly compel any person, employer, or health care provider to participate in any health care system”. http://michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=100354

Michigan’s GOP Congressional Team Scored Less 'Pro Growth' Than Party Peers in D.C. for 2008

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 06:00:00 -0500

By Ken Braun | 3/8/2010

Michigan’s congressional delegation performed significantly worse in 2008 than their national peers on a broad-based measure of economic growth polices as tabulated by the Club for Growth, a free-market advocacy group in Washington, D.C. http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/12284

Canadian Medical Tourism

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 06:00:00 -0500

Canada's public health care system promises universal coverage, but it does not guarantee universal access on a universal schedule. Long wait times force some Canadians living in pain to go out of country rather than wait 6 months to a year and a half for surgery for non-life-threatening conditions. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWKiFf8qAWE&feature=player_embedded

Tax Preparation

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 06:00:00 -0500

By Tom Gantert | 3/7/2010

Preparation for tax day has taken on a new meaning for many Michigan residents.

Instead of collecting receipts, a group of West Michigan residents are getting signs together in anticipation of their April 15 tea party rally in Grand Rapids. http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/12283

Are You My Employer?

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 06:00:00 -0500

Day Care Providers Forcibly Unionized Against Nonexistent Employer

With shrinking private-sector membership, some labor unions are coming up with creative ways to boost membership in the public sector. http://vimeo.com/9909990

State Agency That Had Funds Cut by Legislature Says Future Looks Bright

Sun, 07 Mar 2010 06:00:00 -0500

By Tom Gantert | 3/6/2010

Even as politicians questioned why a state agency is still operating despite having its funding eliminated by legislators, the Michigan Home Based Child Care Council said it has big plans for the future at its Friday board meeting. http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/12282

A Saga of Forced Unionization

Sat, 06 Mar 2010 06:00:00 -0500

By Tom Gantert | 3/5/2010

When Patrick Wright heard the story of Sherry Loar, the senior legal analyst for the Mackinac Center for Public Policy initially thought her story couldn’t possibly be true.

For 14-plus years, she had worked as an independent day care worker in Petoskey — and then she received a letter from the state saying that she was now a dues-paying union member. http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/12272

Investors Denounced by President, State House Democrats and Ten House Republicans

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 06:00:02 -0500

By Ken Braun | 3/4/2010

When Chrysler filed for bankruptcy, the President publicly laid much of the blame at the feet of a group of hedge funds — investment firms that held Chrysler debt but did not initially cooperate with a deal being pushed by the White House as a means of preventing the bankruptcy. Those hedge funds had a far different story to tell... http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/12247

Mike Bishop Comments on 3% Raise for State Employees

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 06:00:00 -0500

Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop's floor statement regarding a 3% pay raise for unionized State Employees. Freezing pay would save $48 million this year, as Michigan tries to manage a $1.6 billion budget deficit. See related article. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1s3auCIW5Sc&feature=player_embedded

Oh. Canada?!

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 08:00:00 -0500

With Canadians enduring pain for months and years while they wait for surgery, traveling to the U.S. for treatment, entering "lotteries" to get a doctor, and getting "wait list insurance," is Canada really a model for U.S. health reform? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPFK6aLJec8&feature=player_embedded

Why the Legislature Should Oppose a State Employee Pay Hike

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 06:01:00 -0500

By SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MIKE BISHOP, R-ROCHESTER

"The harsh reality is we can't afford the government that we have, and as we sit here today, we continue in denial. The denial has reached a level that I have never, could never, predict. We are now at a point where we are looking at the perfect storm, and we are in the heart of the perfect storm." http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/12246

Why a Democrat Voted Against a State Employee Pay Hike

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 06:00:00 -0500

By SEN. MICKEY SWITALSKI, D-ROSEVILLE

"At the other end of the spectrum, we have the negotiated 3 percent increase. In these times, with the state $1.6 billion deficit, it is hard to justify giving anyone an increase especially when wages are falling for so many of our constituents who pay the bills." http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/12245

2009 House Bill 4884

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 06:00:00 -0500

Exempt newspapers and TV news from Michigan Business Tax

Introduced by Rep. Brian Calley (R-Portland)
The bill would exempt newspapers and the news department revenue of TV stations from the Michigan Business Tax. http://michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=95717

The Plain Language of the Law: Senate Fails to Reject Government Pay Hike

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 05:59:00 -0500

By Jack McHugh | 3/3/2010

Excerpts from Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 35, which would have rejected a 3 percent state government employee pay hike for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, 2010:

Whereas, The additional cost of these state employee contractual increases to the fiscal year 2010-2011 budget is estimated to be $77.3 million; and... http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/12243

Michigan Unemployment Payments May Fuel More Unemployment

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 05:58:00 -0500

By Tom Gantert | 3/3/2010

Michigan has lead the nation in unemployment for 19 months. Experts fear this will put even more strain on Michigan businesses, slowing hiring even more. http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/12230