Scottville, Custer, Branch too. What's in a name...
What to do about the state budget?
The Michigan Legislature is struggling to complete a budget by Sept. 30. Senate Republicans have a plan that appears to be the basis for what will happen that calls for $1.2 billion in cuts.
House Democrats and the Governor have voiced opposition to some of the cuts but haven't decisively stated how they'd rearrange spending or raise revenues to avoid some of the cuts. One scenario suggests they want to extend Michigan's sales tax to services, not just products, and, to sweeten that change -- or at least make it less bitter -- they would seek to reduce the current 6% sales tax. What do you want the Legislature to do?
House Democrats and the Governor have voiced opposition to some of the cuts but haven't decisively stated how they'd rearrange spending or raise revenues to avoid some of the cuts. One scenario suggests they want to extend Michigan's sales tax to services, not just products, and, to sweeten that change -- or at least make it less bitter -- they would seek to reduce the current 6% sales tax. What do you want the Legislature to do?
Tags: budget, legislature
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Tuebor on -
Increase revenue to cover expenses. We have seen what tax cuts have done to Michigan. John Engler convinced us that cutting taxes was the answer to all government problems. Then he and the legislature used smoke, mirrors, and "borrowing" from special funds to make it look like we were doing OK. Reality begins to set in in the late 1990's but the smoke and mirrors continues.
The real world whacked us when Governor Jen takes over. And now we must find new revenue or we will win the race to the bottom of the heap. You can't cut your way to a better education or fix road potholes by laying off workers. And privatizing government programs doesn't cost the taxpayer any less, only lines the pockets of some at the expense of the workers.
How long before we look up at states like Mississippi and South Carolina and wonder where the Great State of Michigan disappeared to. We had the best schools, the best conservation department, the best roads, and the best jobs in the country. And we have p...ed it all away to prove "government is the problem."
-
Permalink Reply by masonco on -
Face reality.
Unemployment in MI is 15%
MI population has declined by over 10%
There are fewer tourists with $ to spend.
Fewer employed people are able to buy more than needs. (decline in purchasing)
I was at a large mall downstate the week before school started. It was almost empty. I went by the local thrift stores in that area. Could not find a parking spot. How much sales tax is loss when people buy clothing under $3 vs new clothing that averages over $20.
This is a huge drop in sales tax revenue because people lack spending money because they have loss income.
Now what about all those who used to live in MI and no longer, pay
income tax
property taxes,
sales taxes,
purchase drivers licenses,
purchase hunting licenses (out of state hunting licenses are very high)
those people no longer support local charities, schools etc either because they moved out of MI.
Oh and the cycle continues. More businesses move out of MI because taxes are too high. More people become unemployed and spend less. More people move out of state.
To me, the answer is not to increase taxes, the answer is to get more people back into the state, those left here to have decent jobs that lead to a life long career. The tax revenues will increase naturally. Right now, the higher taxes go, the more it will encourage people to move away or have less $$ to spend.
-
Permalink Reply by CynicalRealist on -
Ok, I know this idea is probably a little to radical for most, but it would lead to alot of tax dollars and jobs. Decriminalize Marijuana, In my opinion this would raise tax dollars in three ways. First, It could easly become MI number one cash crop and would create much needed agricultural jobs. Second, It could be taxed and sold just like cigarettes or alchol. Third, it would take a great burdon off of our failing prison system, and save alot of tax dollars.(I read somewhere that 60% of prison inmates are incarcerated for "soft drug offences".)
-
Permalink Reply by Angie on -
I say tax all food for this would make EVERYONE pay somthing.. Not just the people that drink pop or smoke, or drink alcohol. Enough all ready on the same old same old smokes and or alcohol this should be discrimanation to all drinkers or smokers its just not fair anymore.
-
Permalink Reply by J M A on -
Hike up taxes on cigarettes and alcohol and find a way to hit the tourists hard, like in Florida I know a tax on lodging is I believe 11%.
-
Permalink Reply by Lisa O'Brien on -
Personally I think they should make the cuts. The rest of us has to live on what we bring in so should our government.They should hire an independent audit team to come in tell them where the waste is and get rid of it- there is a section of interstate 96 in the Novi/Wixom area where the DOT have not only mile markers but markers for the tenth of a mile (ex: 167.1 - 167.2 and so on - I throw this in just because it irritates me every time I see it) what a waste of money and man power for this endeavor.Erroneous spending has to stop. I like cynical realist idea about growing marijuana, medical marijuana is now legal in Mi let farmers grow it.I hate the idea of vice taxes (smoking, drinking and sugary foods) because they hit me every time - and what happens when my group gives up our vices they will be looking at the rest of you to make it up. Government spending has to be put on a diet at the Federal, State and Local levels.
-
Permalink Reply by J M A on
-
Erroneous spending has to stop. I like cynical realist idea about growing marijuana, medical marijuana is now legal in Mi let farmers grow it.I hate the idea of vice taxes (smoking, drinking and sugary foods) because they hit me every time - and what happens when my group gives up our vices they will be looking at the rest of you to make it up
What happens when this group ends up in the hospitol without money to pay for their habit-induced illnesses. Exactly what you stated above, we take money from public schools, law enforcement and head start programs. $500 per student cuts in the state of Michigan or taxes on 'sins'. Seems to me those who cost should be those who pay. If people can afford to smoke they can afford the taxes. Quit taking it from our kids....
-
Permalink Reply by Lisa O'Brien on
-
ok- If we want to keep the sins tax, lets be fair about it.
Let's tax insulin for anyone who is overweight. Anyone who has ever had a ticket should have to pay a higher car registration fee and drivers license renewal fee. Anyone who has had to call the fire department to their home from negligence should have to pay higher property taxes. Anyone who has had the police dept come to their home repeated times should have to pay higher property taxes.
Maybe the schools should look at how they spend money and make changes - that goes for every government department.
-
Permalink Reply by RJE on -
No more taxes. We give the Gov. plenty of money for expenses. Income tax, Business tax, Sales tax, Property tax, Gas tax, Cigarette tax, Liquor tax, License fees from car plates to Builders, ect, ect, ect. This has got to stop. We've spent ourselves into a corner. These politcians we put into office reflect how foolish we are for reelecting the same parties over and over. I'ts the public who needs to stop and ponder why we keep putting these same 2 parties into power. I understand that this current financial problem was caused by a recession but guess who allowed it to happen? You can rant and rave all you want but they will still raise taxes until your pockets are empty. Until we dump the Democrats and Republicans nothing is going to change.
-
Permalink Reply by Master Kefu on -
Tax All food with more than five ingredients. That way fresh produce and 'real' meat and most dairy(the things people actually need to survive) are left alone. Anything processed should be taxed (okay all things go through a process but lets not get overly arbitrary about semantics) .
As far as the marijuana idea, it is rather short sighted. Do you really want the gubment getting their hands in the pot on that.
I would not for sure. Leave it to the people, for a better idea of what I speak please research Monsanto and what they are doing with our food crops already. Once youv'e done that tell me again if you really want that taken away from the people. Decriminalize yes, but keep the politricks and corporations out of it. They will make it legal for them to produce but not for the personal gardener and then we will still be under their thumb. start here http://www.monsantowatch.org/
-
Permalink Reply by Guido on -
Taxes by the nature of the word, Curb the use of a substance (or service). Usually by those who can afford to pay for said substance the least. If you place a toll on a road those on the lowest income point will chose a different road. If you tax a substance such as sugary or fat filled drinks, those of us one the lowest end of the haves have not scale will simply go without that food you consider too vile to go untaxed. At some point those, so happy to just push the word tax, need to come up with another option like balance your budget like 90% of the real Americans do. Also, to some it may need to be pointed out if we were less concerned with using government outside of the constitutional used for said government. The government would not be in a position to be out of income would they?
Another question comes to the minds of those who really care here. Where does this massive short fall lie? Infrastructure? Social programs? I keep seeing signs on the side of the roads paid for by the stimulus plan. Seems to not be too much in the way of transparency in our state government as well as the federal one at this point in time.
© 2010 Created by Shoreline Media, Inc. on Ning. Create a Ning Network!
Badges | Report Abuse on Ludington Talks | Privacy | Terms of Service
