Deal? Or No Deal?
Friends,
Yesterday, WJR 760 AM radio ran a story on their 6:00pm newscast reporting that state Senate and House leaders had agreed to a budget deal that included a significant tax hike.
Had the Senate Republican leadership capitulated to Democrats spending demands? A total surrender to the taxspenders? Alarmed, I called several Lansing newspaper reporters to ask if the report was true and, if so, what the devilish details were.
After talking to several media outlets, it appears that WJR probably missed the mark when they aired the story. It appears they based their report on a Detroit Free Press story by reporter Chris Cristoff which quoted Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop as saying a tax increase was inevitable given Governor Granholm’s unwillingness to support meaningful spending reductions. His comment was predictive, and was not meant to be interpreted as a declaration of some budget deal.
But what Senator Bishop said is also strategically incorrect. If Governor Granholm refuses to accept significant spending cuts, the Republican-controlled Senate can pass its own budget bills that do not require increased taxes. When the House refuses to pass these budget bills, and Granholm implements a partial government shut down in October, who will be blamed? Not the Senate! They passed a balanced budget and sent it to the Democrat-controlled House. Granholm and House Speaker Andy Dillon will be rightly blamed for shutting down government for the specific purpose of wanting (not needing) a massive tax increase.
This is basic strategy 101. The only difficulty is that Senator Mike Bishop would have to get his own GOP caucus to agree to a budget smaller than many would prefer. This is a defining moment for the GOP. Either they are the party of the taxpayers and reduced government or they are not. These are the times that try men’s souls…
What can you do? Now is an important time to call your state senator and let him or her know how you want to be represented. Also, place a call to Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop and encourage him not to surrender, to keep fighting for spending reductions. Senator Bishop’s phone number is 517-373-2417. Calling by phone is more effective than email, but if you prefer you can email Bishop at senmbishop@senate.michigan.gov.
You can find your senator’s contact information by using the ‘Contact Your Representative’ feature on the MTA website at www.mitaxpayers.org.
Take a few minutes to call. Those that are lusting to confiscate what money is left in your pocket lobby legislators every day.
Leon Drolet
MI Taxpayers Alliance
Yesterday, WJR 760 AM radio ran a story on their 6:00pm newscast reporting that state Senate and House leaders had agreed to a budget deal that included a significant tax hike.
Had the Senate Republican leadership capitulated to Democrats spending demands? A total surrender to the taxspenders? Alarmed, I called several Lansing newspaper reporters to ask if the report was true and, if so, what the devilish details were.
After talking to several media outlets, it appears that WJR probably missed the mark when they aired the story. It appears they based their report on a Detroit Free Press story by reporter Chris Cristoff which quoted Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop as saying a tax increase was inevitable given Governor Granholm’s unwillingness to support meaningful spending reductions. His comment was predictive, and was not meant to be interpreted as a declaration of some budget deal.
But what Senator Bishop said is also strategically incorrect. If Governor Granholm refuses to accept significant spending cuts, the Republican-controlled Senate can pass its own budget bills that do not require increased taxes. When the House refuses to pass these budget bills, and Granholm implements a partial government shut down in October, who will be blamed? Not the Senate! They passed a balanced budget and sent it to the Democrat-controlled House. Granholm and House Speaker Andy Dillon will be rightly blamed for shutting down government for the specific purpose of wanting (not needing) a massive tax increase.
This is basic strategy 101. The only difficulty is that Senator Mike Bishop would have to get his own GOP caucus to agree to a budget smaller than many would prefer. This is a defining moment for the GOP. Either they are the party of the taxpayers and reduced government or they are not. These are the times that try men’s souls…
What can you do? Now is an important time to call your state senator and let him or her know how you want to be represented. Also, place a call to Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop and encourage him not to surrender, to keep fighting for spending reductions. Senator Bishop’s phone number is 517-373-2417. Calling by phone is more effective than email, but if you prefer you can email Bishop at senmbishop@senate.michigan.gov.
You can find your senator’s contact information by using the ‘Contact Your Representative’ feature on the MTA website at www.mitaxpayers.org.
Take a few minutes to call. Those that are lusting to confiscate what money is left in your pocket lobby legislators every day.
Leon Drolet
MI Taxpayers Alliance
posted by Leon Drolet at
8:04 AM
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