Michigan Capitol Confidential

Projections vs. Reality — Should Politicians Make Job Creation Claims?

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 06:30:00 -0500

By Tom Gantert | 2/4/2012

Michael LaFaive says Michigan residents have had their fill of erroneous job projections from politicians.

“There was no accountability for Gov. Granholm who gave out predictions like candy on Halloween,” said LaFaive, director of the Morey Fiscal Policy Initiative for the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. “Have we already forgotten, ‘In five years, you’ll be blown away'?” http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/16415

Commentary: If the Monopoly Title Fits, Wear It

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 06:29:00 -0500

By Michael D. LaFaive | 2/4/2012

The Michigan Beer and Wine Wholesalers are arguably the greatest beneficiaries of an archaic liquor control code. It reads as if it were written for these lucky few members of a hereditary and elite millionaire’s club. http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/16414

Taxpayer Costs For Average State Employee Increased From $79K in 2001 to $95K in 2011

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 06:30:00 -0500

Dems claims state employees 'gave back' $500 million in concessions — facts say otherwise

By Tom Gantert | 2/3/2012

In 2001, the state paid $3.9 billion to 62,057 full-time employees, an average of $63,474 in total compensation for each employee. In 2011, the state paid $4.7 billion to 47,818 full-time employees, meaning total compensation per worker jumped to $97,883. The Mackinac Center received the compensation data in a Freedom of Information Act request from the state’s Civil Service Commission.

When adjusted for inflation, the state spent $4.8 billion in 2001 on employee compensation and $4.5 billion in 2011 despite having 23 percent fewer workers. Average compensation increased from $78,999 in 2001 to $94,888 in 2011 when adjusted for inflation. http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/16406

Analysis: The Unstoppable Teacher Pension Fund Monster

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 06:29:00 -0500

By James M. Hohman | 2/3/2012

The state’s teacher retirement system continues to increase burdens on taxpayers and local school districts. The costs exploded in the recent years, and without substantial reform there is no reason to expect that trend to change. http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/16387

Award-Winning Reporter, Editor Joins Michigan Capitol Confidential as Managing Editor

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 06:28:00 -0500

Manny Lopez, a 14-year journalism veteran who most recently served as editor of The Detroit News opinion page, has joined the Mackinac Center for Public Policy as managing editor of Michigan Capitol Confidential. Over the years, Lopez worked at The News as an editorial writer, columnist, reporter and automotive editor, winning awards for coverage of the GM bankruptcy, health care and other issues. http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/16412

Home Health Care 'Dues Skim' Worse Than Previously Thought

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 06:30:00 -0500

'This is Crony Unionism'

By Jack Spencer | 2/2/2012

According to figures provided by the Department of Human Services, far more home healthcare providers were ensnared in Michigan's “forced unionization” of 2006 than previously believed. There are 60,190, which is more than 25 percent higher than the 43,000 reported up to now. http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/16405

Commentary: Right-to-Work-for-Yadda-Yadda-Yadda

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 06:29:00 -0500

For the umpteenth time: No, wages won't collapse.

By Paul Kersey | 2/2/2012

If there is a challenge in defending the right-to-work concept, it isn't researching or writing, it's boredom. Union officials continue to tell the same stories. After a while the material you have to read through and rebut gets repetitive. http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/16393

Nation’s Highest Gas Tax Coming To Michigan?

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 06:28:00 -0500

By Jack McHugh | 2/2/2012

Michigan could potentially have the nation’s highest gas tax if Gov. Rick Snyder’s proposal to replace the state motor fuel tax with a higher wholesale tax becomes law. http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/16407

Indiana Is A Right-to-Work State

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 23:25:00 -0500

What does this mean for Michigan?

By Jack Spencer | 2/1/2012

Michigan now has a right-to-work state as a neighbor, as Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels signed legislation Wednesday afternoon making his state the 23rd right-to-work state in the nation and the first in the Manufacturing Belt. Under the legislation, unions and companies cannot negotiate contracts that force employees to financially support a union as a condition of employment. http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/16410

Trash Collectors = Green Jobs? Prez Campaign Ad Claims Green Energy Job Growth From Criticized Study

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 06:30:00 -0500

Study's co-author: 'Frankly, I don't think the report really is all that encouraging about clean economy jobs'

By Jack Spencer | 2/1/2012

Former Vice President Al Gore didn't invent the Internet, but apparently President Barack Obama wants voters to believe he created trash collectors and bus drivers.

His first campaign ad of 2012 uses claims made in a debunked study that counted such jobs to boost its “green energy” job count above 2 million. http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/16401

Is President Obama Correct That State Budget Cuts Are the ‘Largest Factor’ In Tuition Increases?

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 06:29:00 -0500

By Jarrett Skorup | 2/1/2012

In a speech delivered last Friday at the University of Michigan, President Obama said that the “largest factor” in tuition increases at colleges and universities is state budget cuts in higher education. But overall operating expenses at U-M and most Michigan public universities have risen substantially in recent years, regardless of state funding.

http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/16396

Landmark Right-to-Work Bill Passes Indiana House

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

On Jan. 25, 2012, the Indiana House passed a right-to-work bill by a safe margin. Now signed by Gov. Daniels, this legislation makes Indiana the 23rd state to make it illegal to require a worker to pay union dues as a condition of employment. Here is the scene from when the bill was passed, as well as responses from the House leadership, union protestors and everyday Indiana citizens. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5h_76tJ6hE&feature=youtu.be

Dems' Plan: Scale Back Select Corporate Tax Credits They Already Voted For

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 06:30:00 -0500

Do those who overwhelmingly supported these special credits have the political will to cut them?

By Tom Gantert | 1/31/2012

A new proposal from state Senate Democrats would pay the college tuition of Michigan students by eliminating “ineffective tax loopholes.”

However, these same “ineffective tax loopholes” for particular businesses include ones these politicians have overwhelmingly supported over the past several years. http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/16398

Commentary: Charter Schools Face Discrimination in Michigan

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 06:29:00 -0500

Lawmakers should insist that charters can acquire school buildings

By Michael Van Beek | 1/31/2012

Charters often face another obstacle that should anger taxpayers: Hostile discrimination from conventional school districts. Shockingly, many school boards have blocked charter schools from purchasing vacant school buildings at a fair market value. These districts waste money maintaining empty buildings, and keeping other below-capacity schools open, simply to deny their use by another public school. http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/16350

Is Congressman Ron Paul Supporting Select Energy Subsidies?

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 06:30:00 -0500

Presidential candidate splits with 'Club For Growth,' Tea Party supporters

By Tom Gantert | 1/30/2012

It’s the bill that has Tea Party favorites Ron Paul and Michigan Congressman Justin Amash pitted against each other. House Resolution 1380 has been called everything from the “T. Boone Pickens” bill to "the next Solyndra.” Its official name is the New Alternative Transportation to Give Americans Solutions Act of 2011.

According to the Club For Growth, the bill offers about $5 billion in tax credits to boost production of natural gas vehicles. http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/16394

'Birthday Tax' Unveiled in Lansing

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 06:29:00 -0500

By Michael D. LaFaive | 1/30/2012

Legislation been introduced that reportedly would extract more than $1 billion from motorists through a new state fuel tax and a huge increase in the vehicle registration tax. The latter, paid each year on a car owner’s birthday, would increase 67 percent on average. Happy Birthday taxpayer! Now, give your state government $60 more. http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/16389

Milton Friedman - School Choice

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

January 23-29, 2012 was 'School Choice Week'. Professor Friedman spells out his recipe for fixing America's educational system. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JP-6FCKhh00