Michigan voters defeat tax hike in debate over road funding

AP ^ | May 6, 2015

[don-o]

LANSING, Mich. (AP)

[SoFloFreeper]

Good for Michigan voters. Say no to higher taxes...let the legislature cut spending on the fat.

I’m sure there is plenty of fat to cut in the budget.

[cripplecreek]

That proposal left an impact crater. Now its time to end the corporate subsidies, stop buying land, and quit fantasizing about choo choo trains.



Michigan legislative action thread

[cripplecreek]

1,755,529 total voters

349,813 Yes

1,405,716 No

Unofficial results from the SOS

http://miboecfr.nictusa.com/election/results/15SG1/90000001.html

[DJ Frisat]

The fact that there was a tax hike involved is almost secondary to my no vote.

The biggest issue to me is that this was a convoluted bill that throws money in other directions apart from fixing the roads. It’s another case of scheming and obfuscation, turning what should have been a single issue into an incomprehensible, pass-the-bill-to-see-what’s-in-it, big government boondoggle.

WE ARE TIRED OF THIS. WE DO NOT TRUST YOU ANYMORE! Give us a ‘clean’ bill and I’ll consider it. Keep playing these games and I will vote NO at every opportunity.

The roads suck, but not as much as politicians suck.

[Opinionated Blowhard]

forced to consider yet another alternative to address Michigan's deteriorating roads

Those poor politicians. I bet the state budget has otherwise been cut to the bone. I bet spending levels are half of what they were 20 or 30 years ago and now they will be forced to shut down essential services . . . . .

[wetgundog]

Cut Welfare fraud and give aways to lazy ass people. Stop using highway dollars on mass transit and bike paths.

[joethedrummer]

I am SO on the same page!

Yep, tax hikes were enough but the way they wrote the stupid bill - aimed at confusing we ‘peasants’ once again just made me say NO MORE.

[wetgundog]

This election for Prop 1 was a F’n waste of taxpayer money on something that was dead on arrival in the first place.

[Main Street]

Michigan government is so corrupt. The road builders and heavy load trucking companies have had the politicians in their back pockets since day one. The State budget for roads is 3.3 billion dollars. I’ve seen new roads fall apart in less than a year. Poor construction, heavy truck loads. It’s criminal.

[ricmc2175]

One certain way to spread the dollars is to allow nonunion contractors to bid. Many of the union companies are “double breasted” and you get the same work by the same experienced supervisors for one-third less. That's approximately one billion dollars more for roads in Michigan.

[MomwithHope]

Booya! Hubby and I both voted NO. Poor budget management. They can live within there means like we have to. They have a budget for roads. Our county was listed as the worst in the state and it was still soundly rejected. The dumbass commercials they had in support only incensed us more. Feels good today to have a victory in Michigan.

[cyclotic]

My daughter lives in western Michigan and called to ask about how to vote. Of course, she was a NO.

I guess I raised my kids right, they all vote the way I tell ‘em

[MomwithHope]

We are in west Michigan too since the 70’s when we came to college here. Good for you and your daughter.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

...it lost by a 4-1 ratio ...

Interesting.

[PGalt]

Michigan Individuals Defeat Debt Slavemasters Latest Push

YOU DID BUILD THIS...

http://www.usdebtclock.org/state-debt-clocks/state-of-michigan-debt-clock.html

…past and present legislators. Pay up.

Your BIG GOVERNMENT confiscate and spend schemes should be dismantled, and you should be filling the potholes in orange jumpsuits with electronic tethers.

DEFUND BIG UNNECESSARY/UNACCOUNTABLE GOVERNMENT. The money saved fixes roads and lowers taxes.

http://www.michigan.gov/budget/0,4538,7-157-11460_18526-—,00.html

[cripplecreek]

They can live within there means like we have to.

Last year here in Jackson county they wanted to spend $2 million of transportation money to replace a wall they should have never built at Cascades county park. That kind of thing is what is wrong with government from bottom to top.

[kevslisababy]

Steve Gruber, a Michigan Radio talk show host, suggested that maybe Kevin Orr needs to step in and help the state government with it’s money problem. I think that is a great idea.

Kevin Orr was the Emergency Manager for the City of Detroit who stepped in and guided them when the elected officials couldn’t/wouldn’t.

[MomwithHope]

It’s time for this country to face the fact that compromise is not good in these situations. This country was founded on an argument with England which developed into a war. There has to be a winner and a loser on this. Conservatism needs to win. I am so sick and tired of weak republicans and the electorate is too.

[cripplecreek]

There are a few things I would do.

1. Part time legislature.

2. Proportional electoral allotment.

3. offer legislators a bounty for spending cuts.

4. Election lottery. If you play, you agree to give up your vote for 1 year.