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| MI Budget concerns; From Rep Kim Metzer | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Oct 28 2007, 04:23 PM (264 Views) | |
| LPS Reformer | Oct 28 2007, 04:23 PM Post #1 |
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The schools exist to educate, not employ.
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WAS THE BUDGET "CUT TO THE BONE"? By now you are probably aware that the Legislature recently passed approximately $1.35 billion in tax hikes to cover three-fourths of a projected budget deficit of $1.75 billion. The personal income tax rate was raised from 3.9 to 4.35%, and an additional 23 services were added to the list of items that are subject to Michigan's 6% sales tax. I voted no on all of these tax hikes, because sufficient cuts and reforms were not considered at that time. We consistently hear the message from some politicians in Lansing that Michigan's budget has been 'cut to the bone'. This argument does not resonate with me. In an ailing economy where people are losing jobs and having their homes foreclosed, please consider whether or not these new and expanded government expenditures are essential: Full-Day School Readiness Program- $194.6 million - do 4 year olds really need to be in structured classroom settings all day long? 257 New Welfare Workers - $34.9 million - do companies hire more workers when their revenues are down? Department of Corrections Pay Increases - $80 million - the largest increase in the corrections budget is a provision for a 3% wage increase for employees in 2007, followed by a 4% wage increases for 2008 and 2009. How many of you have received consecutive annual increases in this economy? Subsidized Guardianship Program - $4.6 million - do we have to pay people to take care of their own relatives? These are but a few of 17 new or expanded programs. But existing personnel and programs must also be reviewed for savings. Here are some cuts that make sense: · Reduce judicial positions: The Supreme Court Administrative Office recommends the elimination of 20 trial court judgeships and 4 Court of Appeals judges. · Eliminate the Michigan Surgeon General: Michigan is one of the only states to have a Surgeon General's position, which was implemented by Governor Granholm. · Implement an early retirement plan: Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop has proposed a plan. Michigan is losing residents to others states at an alarming rate - can't we afford to lose some bureaucrats as well? · Consolidate upper peninsula universities: With a population of approximately 317,000, the UP does not need to support 3 stand-alone universities. For instance, at only 3,000 undergraduates, Lake Superior State University is the smallest public university in the U.S. A sample of reforms that would provide cost savings for the state includes: Reduce Medicaid expenses: We must narrow Medicaid-eligible populations, such as removing 19-20 year olds from the program. Medicaid is modeled after the generous provisions of the state employee health insurance plan, which includes optional services such as dental sealants, Lasik surgery, and chiropractic visits. Many of these benefits are not provided by private industry's employee insurance plans. Privatize more services for Department of Corrections: We must look at privatizing prison food service operations, janitorial and transportation services. Eliminate Lifetime Health Benefits for Legislators: I am willing to make the vote for this change. More legislators need to step up to the plate. Especially in challenging times, wish lists for new government programs must be reexamined. Unnecessary positions and programs must be eliminated. Policies must reflect fiscal restraint over protecting special interest positions. All this must occur BEFORE taxpayers are told they need to give up more of their hard earned paychecks. Remember, the problem is not that you aren't taxed enough; the problem is that Lansing keeps spending too much. |
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“Child Abuse” means different things to different people.... ----Randy Liepa 8/9/12 | |
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