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Category Archives: Accountability
The legislator benefits ruse
It made headlines this week when some House members called a press conference to trot out out a bill to eliminate lifetime health care benefits for retired Michigan lawmakers.
This is a ruse.
On at least three counts.
First, this reform doesn’t save any money. Taxpayers spend a little bit less than $5 million per year on health [...]
Also posted in Fresh Thoughts Comments closed
Can Michigan follow Arnold Schwarzenegger's lead on prison cuts?
California’s governor is choosing a reform path Michigan leaders have chosen not to walk in recent years…
In his state of the state address earlier this month, Schwarzenegger vowed to pursue a constitutional amendment preventing the state from spending more on prisons than universities.
“Choosing universities over prisons,” Mr. Schwarzenegger said, as quoted in the New York [...]
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Budget reforms and Lions fans
The Lansing State Journal recently quoted me on budget reform… “I thought (budget reform) was crucial for the past four years. Every year, I think this has to be the year, and every year I’m wrong. It’s like being a Lions fan.”
Remember the governor’s commission’s of veteran bipartisan budget experts who recommended everything from cuts [...]
Also posted in Clear Taxing & Spending, Fresh Thoughts Comments closed
Cherry, Brandon, and the fine print
Wow. Not since Geoffey Fieger in 1998 have Democrats’ prospects at the top of the Michigan ticket endured such jolting news as John Cherry’s withdrawal this week from the gubernatorial race.
As Cherry fell, Republican pizza baron Dave Brandon also finally squashed the never-ending, but never-quite-buzzing rumors of his impending candidacy.
So, where does that leave Michigan [...]
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Education dollars to watch when the "race" is over
Some pundits have labeled the Michigan Legislature’s race in December to pass “Race to the Top” education reform legislation one of the most significant acts in the capitol in the past decade.
No doubt, it was complex legislation requiring an unusual amount of bipartisan negotiation under tight time constraints.
The legislation creates the opportunity for a handful [...]
Also posted in Fresh Thoughts, K-16 Education Comments closed
Cities push hard on Act 312 and cost controls
The Michigan Municipal League is making a fresh push to change longstanding binding arbritration laws on Michigan books, most notably Act 312. Some economists and critics blame Act 312 for burdening local governments with onerous work rules, inflating personnel costs, and preventing regional cooperation among neighboring governments.
The Center for Michigan has worked with the MML [...]
Also posted in Fresh Thoughts, Government Collaboration Comments closed
What government does
On the eve of a new election year, when government bashing will no doubt be part of the campaign lexicon, it’s worth remembering the often-transparent ways the public sector serves all of us every day.
To that end, here are a few reminders from the Michigan Human Services League…
Each day in homes across Michigan, the state’s [...]
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Dillon fights back on benefits reform
Pummeled by employee groups and some prominent budget experts, House Speaker Andy Dillon isn’t backing off his contention that a statewide public employee benefits plan can save taxpayers $700-900 million per year while ensuring solid health care coverage for public workers.
Dillon’s latest salvo came at the Crain’s Detroit Business Health Care Leadership Summit. Read his [...]
Also posted in Fresh Thoughts, Government Collaboration Comments closed
Local government leaders don't see recovery soon
Many local government leaders say the hard times and financial distress in their cities, townships and villages is far from over.
Despite the toughest budget conditions many have ever see, local officials continue to rely on tax abatements as a key economic development strategy going forward.
And few see the federal stimulus trickling down to provide real [...]
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Big News: A shift in public opinion on Michigan term limits
A majority of Michigan residents surveyed for a new poll released this morning support a reform that would allow Michigan legislators to serve 14 years in either the House or the Senate.
Likewise, a majority of those polled favored allowing veteran legislators to return to the capitol after a brief “time out” period following their constitutionally [...]
Also posted in Fresh Thoughts, The Center at Work Comments closed
