Michigan Capitol Confidential

After Emergency Manager, Ecorse On Track and In the Hands of Local Leaders

Fri, 17 May 2013 06:30:00 -0500

Mayor says free spending 'a thing of the past'

By Anne Schieber | 5/17/2013

Ecorse no longer is under emergency management and a number of safeguards are in place to make sure the city doesn't need another emergency manager anytime soon. http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/18648

Commentary: IRS Scrutiny Hits Close to Home

Fri, 17 May 2013 06:29:00 -0500

By Tom Gantert | 5/17/2013

The IRS questioned how much I had reported for a salary; wanted me to explain how my activities would not be "political;" and requested assurances that my news site wouldn't "discredit particular institutions and individuals on the basis of unsupported opinions …" http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/18650

Michigan House and Senate Both Skeptical On Medicaid Expansion

Thu, 16 May 2013 06:30:00 -0500

By Jack Spencer | 5/16/2013

Medicaid expansion appears to face as many obstacles in the state Senate as it does in the state House. http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/18644

Two Charter Public Schools Being Closed

Thu, 16 May 2013 06:29:00 -0500

If only all schools faced the same accountability

By Michael Van Beek | 5/16/2013

A couple of Michigan charter public schools are facing the harsh realities of being held accountable for performance. http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/18639

Michigan Tea Party Group Says It Is A Victim of IRS Discrimination

Wed, 15 May 2013 06:30:00 -0500

The IRS has been unfairly targeting groups that promote limited government

By Jarrett Skorup | 5/15/2013

When the Ottawa County Patriots tried to register as a non-profit a few years ago, the IRS dragged its feet for over a year. The group joins the ranks of those across the nation which were singled out for additional scrutiny because of their politics, says the group's leader. http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/18640

Union President Blames State, School Officials for Problems at Buena Vista, Pontiac Schools

Wed, 15 May 2013 06:29:00 -0500

MEA President Cook turns a blind eye to union's role in districts problems

By Tom Gantert | 5/15/2013

In Pontiac, the district spends about $16,400 per pupil, according to the state. In recent years, the district has lost 45 percent of its students — but the local school board and union negotiated a contract that caused the average teachers' salary to jump 35 percent, from $56,781 in 2007-08 to $76,449 in 2010-11. http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/18638

Some School Districts and Unions Embrace Right-to-Work

Tue, 14 May 2013 06:30:00 -0500

Pewamo-Westphalia and Hamilton put worker freedom into union contracts

By Tom Gantert | 5/14/2013

Jason Mellema, superintendent of Pewamo-Westphalia in Clinton County, said the union leadership was 100 percent behind allowing right-to-work as an option for their teachers. http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/18635

What Do Moms Want? School Choice

Tue, 14 May 2013 06:29:00 -0500

New survey shows large support for tuition tax credits

By Audrey Spalding | 5/14/2013

Mothers of school-age children were surveyed by phone and asked whether they supported specific school choice programs. Nearly 70 percent of moms said that they support tax credit scholarships for students. http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/18631

Democrat U.S. Rep. Gary Peters Praises Michigan's GOP-Led Recovery

Mon, 13 May 2013 06:30:00 -0500

But then resorts back to Democratic talking points and says Michigan rebound because of auto bailout

By Jack Spencer | 5/13/2013

“I'd say that the auto industry is an important part of it, especially in the early stages of the recovery,” said University of Michigan Economist Don Grimes. ”But it has really been much broader than that. There has been quite remarkable growth in other sectors, such as construction. If anything, the economic rebound in Michigan has been underestimated.” http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/18621

Fla. Medicaid: Governor Proposes, House Disposes

Mon, 13 May 2013 06:29:00 -0500

Obamacare expansion wilts in Sunshine State

By Jack McHugh | 5/13/2013

The Wall Street Journal reports that the part-time Florida Legislature has adjourned for the year without approving the Obamacare Medicaid expansion, which Gov. Rick Scott famously flip-flopped into supporting earlier this year. http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/18618

Should You Need the Government's Permission to Work?

Sun, 12 May 2013 00:00:00 -0500

License to Work: A National Study of Burdens from Occupational Licensing is the first national study to measure how burdensome occupational licensing laws are for lower-income workers and aspiring entrepreneurs.

Michigan has one of the most burdensome licensing requirements. Our state forces people to take classes and pay money to the state for things like painting, floor sanding, cutting hair and low-level carpentry. Few other states require that. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jr8qHv4hCVw

MichiganVotes: House GOP Medicaid Expansion Plan Faces Hurdles

Sat, 11 May 2013 06:30:00 -0500

By Jack Spencer | 5/11/2013

Michigan House Republicans unveiled legislation Thursday that would expand Medicaid, but the measure includes conditions the federal government might reject.

The proposal requires that the Obama administration agree to significant revisions including a provision to allow Michigan to back out if the federal government doesn't cover all the costs. http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/18630

Survey: Teachers in Right-to-Work States Live Quite Comfortably

Sat, 11 May 2013 06:29:00 -0500

However, teachers' union still pushing stories that claim right-to-work linked to poverty, problems

By Tom Gantert | 5/11/2013

When it comes to teacher salaries, 13 of the top 23 states were right-to-work states in terms of "salary comfort index," which factors in salaries and cost of living, according to a national survey. http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/18628