Comments on: What's Your Vision for Michigan? http://www.thecenterformichigan.net/blog/whats-your-vision-for-michigan/ Wed, 03 Dec 2008 21:27:38 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: John Hargenrader http://www.thecenterformichigan.net/blog/whats-your-vision-for-michigan/#comment-163 John Hargenrader Thu, 27 Sep 2007 00:54:05 +0000 http://www.thecenterformichigan.net/blog/whats-your-vision-for-michigan/#comment-163 Michigan must revise it's income tax on pensions. Today, retirees with very high incomes pay zero State Income Tax. This is unique in Michigan, as it has the highest exclusions of any State. With a larger number of retirees to workers in Michigan, the imbalance puts added load on working class wage earners. It is unfair. John Michigan must revise it's income tax on pensions. Today, retirees with very high incomes pay zero State Income Tax. This is unique in Michigan, as it has the highest exclusions of any State.

With a larger number of retirees to workers in Michigan, the imbalance puts added load on working class wage earners. It is unfair.

John

]]> By: David E. Nixon http://www.thecenterformichigan.net/blog/whats-your-vision-for-michigan/#comment-136 David E. Nixon Mon, 24 Sep 2007 02:40:11 +0000 http://www.thecenterformichigan.net/blog/whats-your-vision-for-michigan/#comment-136 Michigan lawmakers have succumbed to "partisanitis." Symptons include clouded vision. Night sweats are more about voting with their party than concern for the future of Michigan. In my view, the remedy for this malady is "half-year sessions" commencing each January--ending in June. Granted the shortened session would not end the political bickering, but budget bills would be completed in a timely manner. If it's a full-time job lawmakers need, let them work the last half of the year meeting with their constituents and community leaders to shape the vision for next year's six-month legislative session. At least half of the year could be spent acting more like Michigan's innovators, finding solutions to problems, not creating them. Michigan lawmakers have succumbed to "partisanitis." Symptons include clouded vision. Night sweats are more about voting with their party than concern for the future of Michigan.
In my view, the remedy for this malady is "half-year sessions" commencing each January--ending in June. Granted the shortened session would not end the political bickering, but budget bills would be completed in a timely manner.
If it's a full-time job lawmakers need, let them work the last half of the year meeting with their constituents and community leaders to shape the vision for next year's six-month legislative session.
At least half of the year could be spent acting more like Michigan's innovators, finding solutions to problems, not creating them.

]]> By: Joe http://www.thecenterformichigan.net/blog/whats-your-vision-for-michigan/#comment-40 Joe Sat, 22 Sep 2007 03:04:12 +0000 http://www.thecenterformichigan.net/blog/whats-your-vision-for-michigan/#comment-40 Nationwide, all public employee pay, benefit and retirement plans need updating to reflect today's marketplace. No one likes losing ground, but too many are paying the price of stubborness. Job loss is much worse than losing only some of what you would expect to have in the future. The domestic auto industry makes this evident. As thousands have lost their good paying jobs, many of those still fortunate enough to be working want no less than the status quo. Worse, the executives want more! Nationwide, all public employee pay, benefit and retirement plans need updating to reflect today's marketplace. No one likes losing ground, but too many are paying the price of stubborness. Job loss is much worse than losing only some of what you would expect to have in the future. The domestic auto industry makes this evident. As thousands have lost their good paying jobs, many of those still fortunate enough to be working want no less than the status quo. Worse, the executives want more!

]]> By: Joe http://www.thecenterformichigan.net/blog/whats-your-vision-for-michigan/#comment-39 Joe Sat, 22 Sep 2007 02:29:55 +0000 http://www.thecenterformichigan.net/blog/whats-your-vision-for-michigan/#comment-39 My only comment is that the political system in this state and nation are, or should be, terminal. Neither party is working for the common good. They work for the big contributors, lobbyists, and their political party. All they care about is positioning themselves for the next election. All this adds up to representing only themselves. We desperately need a viable third party to work for us (the people). My only comment is that the political system in this state and nation are, or should be, terminal. Neither party is working for the common good. They work for the big contributors, lobbyists, and their political party. All they care about is positioning themselves for the next election. All this adds up to representing only themselves. We desperately need a viable third party to work for us (the people).

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