While you were sleeping...
Friends,
The state House and Senate worked on the 2008 state budget all night and into early this morning. Here is what they did:
The Senate, under Republican control, passed budget bills that would spend $167 million LESS than Governor Granholm’s proposed budget. This means that the Senate is moving in the right direction. But they have a long way to go considering that the Governor’s proposed budget relies on a $1.5 to $1.8 BILLION tax increase in order to be balanced.
Senate Republicans have a lot more cutting to do. Unfortunately, they increased spending in some areas that the Governor had proposed cutting. Like the $3.7 million dollars for prizes at horse races that the Governor had proposed cutting and Republicans restored. Hey, I like to bowl. Can I get tax dollar-paid prizes if I bowl a good game?
But that $3.7 million is not even a hiccup compared to what the Democrat–controlled state House was doing to your future while you slept. They passed budget bills that would spends hundreds of millions MORE of your money than even the Governor asked for!
House Democrats are on track to spend two billion more than the state expects to receive in taxes next year. Given the state constitution’s balanced budget requirement, they want a $2 billion tax hike on citizens! That amounts to taking approximately $300 more out of the pocket of each income tax-paying citizen. This means you, your spouse, your parents, your siblings and your neighbors. Imagine the impact on Michigan’s economy if every taxpaying citizen were suddenly made hundreds of dollars poorer.
Sorry to be the bearer of such bad news. The budget process is not over, and it will take weeks before final decisions are made, so do call your Senator and House member.
Both the House and Senate have adjourned until next week. Sleep tight!
Leon Drolet
Michigan Taxpayers Alliance
www.mitaxpayers.org
The state House and Senate worked on the 2008 state budget all night and into early this morning. Here is what they did:
The Senate, under Republican control, passed budget bills that would spend $167 million LESS than Governor Granholm’s proposed budget. This means that the Senate is moving in the right direction. But they have a long way to go considering that the Governor’s proposed budget relies on a $1.5 to $1.8 BILLION tax increase in order to be balanced.
Senate Republicans have a lot more cutting to do. Unfortunately, they increased spending in some areas that the Governor had proposed cutting. Like the $3.7 million dollars for prizes at horse races that the Governor had proposed cutting and Republicans restored. Hey, I like to bowl. Can I get tax dollar-paid prizes if I bowl a good game?
But that $3.7 million is not even a hiccup compared to what the Democrat–controlled state House was doing to your future while you slept. They passed budget bills that would spends hundreds of millions MORE of your money than even the Governor asked for!
House Democrats are on track to spend two billion more than the state expects to receive in taxes next year. Given the state constitution’s balanced budget requirement, they want a $2 billion tax hike on citizens! That amounts to taking approximately $300 more out of the pocket of each income tax-paying citizen. This means you, your spouse, your parents, your siblings and your neighbors. Imagine the impact on Michigan’s economy if every taxpaying citizen were suddenly made hundreds of dollars poorer.
Sorry to be the bearer of such bad news. The budget process is not over, and it will take weeks before final decisions are made, so do call your Senator and House member.
Both the House and Senate have adjourned until next week. Sleep tight!
Leon Drolet
Michigan Taxpayers Alliance
www.mitaxpayers.org
posted by Leon Drolet at
3:25 PM
<< Home