By John Bebow - October 4, 2007
So, where's the sense in imposing a new services tax penalizes people for working out but doesn't penalize couch potatoes for sitting in front of their cable television? asks Freep columnist Brian Dickerson.
The Michigan House of Representatives stayed in session for 214.5 hours in the last 18 days of September — as much as they were in session for March thru August combined, according to calculations by the MIRS capitol news service.
Free thinking isn't free. Ron Jelinek, the only Republican to vote for both the income tax increase and the new tax on services had two defining characteristics. He didn't face much of a recall threat because term limits are about to kick him out anyway. And, he's chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, meaning he has the most experienced view of state finances. Fellow Republican Senator Valde Garcia also voted for the income tax increase and now faces recall threats. "If anyone gets recalled that will stop forever anyone making a vote on principle," Garcia told MIRS. "No one will be able to vote their conscience because they will always be afraid they'll be recalled." In other words, party dogma will rule, absolutely.
2 Comments
This Friday–the first Friday after our Lansing "leadership" did a shameful job on the state budget issues–I was especially interested to see your commentary. Right on, as always! (Guess that makes me a moderate.)
I want you to know that your weekly newsletter is a Friday highlight for me both personally and in my community foundation work. I gain more perspective (and hope?) from the Center for Michigan (and your work in particular)than anywhere else.
Your Definining Moments project including the Community Conversations is particularly intriguing and I look forward to our community foundation (Fremont) participating.
Keep up the good work–and have a great weekend.
Libby Cherin
PS–Hope to see you in Dearborn at the Council of Michigan Foundations Conference.
When someone is more concerned in staying elected or being re-elected than in doing what is right they should resign. True political courage is being true to yourself and not worrying about what happens to you. "Always be sure you are right. Then go ahead." David Crockett
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