"That's Saul, folks!"Michigan Republican Party Blog

Articles of Interest 3-31-07

MORNING SUMMARY:

Democrats vote to raise your taxes by $400 BILLION by the slimmest margins.  No, this is not Lansing…it’s our Democrat friends in Washington.  It seems they do talk?

Then the Democrats are arguing Afghanistan is more important than Iraq and we should re-deploy our troops.  Senator Levin…you actually buy Nancy Pelosi’s argument?

Your family and mine, all have to live within a budget.  Isn’t it “common sense” to assume this Democratic Governor and our state should do the same???

Skipping a “mortgage payment” isn’t fiscally responsible, nor is it going to fix the state’s problems.

Democrat House Speaker Andy Dillon still proposing a “stealth” tax increase by increasing tax on our largest public utilities who’s rates are set by the state.  I hope the Democrat’s “stealth” tax increase doesn’t fool too many folks?

Other Democrats have introduced legislation to increase the state income tax by 18%.

Big rush…crisis at hand…but now the House Democrats say they will have a proposal by the end of April?  The Governor takes a European trip, the House Democrats set their schedule for the end of April…the Democrat PR machines cries “the sky is fallen…we need to act now”…while the Republican are the ONLY ones to have passed a replacement for the SBT, introduce an alternative proposal in the House to replace the SBT, passed a balanced budget without raising taxes…and are in the minority.

There is a lot to be upset about, there is a lot to pay attention to.  The Democrats ran as “new style Democrats” and won…and now have quickly and not so tactfully slipped back to their “outside the mainstream” politics of tax & spend…and way off on defense.

Be prepared!!!

THE REST OF THE STORY:

-The Democrat majorities in the U.S. House and the U.S. Senate passed a $400 Billion dollar tax increase.  Not a single House Republican voted for the tax increase.  A good example of the difference between Republicans vs Democrats.

-The House Democrats then tied a bunch of pork barrel spending to the military appropriations bill and say we should re-deploy our troops to Afghanistan, because that’s where the “real” war on terror is taking place.

Forget what our Generals say…ignore what Al-Qaeda has said over and over again, that the battle is over Iraq.  The Democrats are playing a dangerous game of politics with the lives of our soldiers for short-term political gain.

Lets remember, Afghanistan has little natural resources, is not economically developed and geographically isolated to be of little strategic value.

Even this blue collar, Harley riding politico can tell the difference between the political, strategic and military value of Iraq vs Afghanistan.

Is Senator Carl Levin going to back this crazy idea by San Francisco Democrat Speaker Nancy Pelosi?  Has politics stooped to this level?

-The Governor says it has to shut down at least two State Police post because the state can’t afford them.

Then the Administration talks about missing payments on it’s short term debt obligations?  Mis-management and abuse of the state’s fiduciary responsibility???

This is the same Administration that says it’s “not interested” in renegotiating state employee raises – raises that are being given at a time when many people in Michigan are worried about having a paycheck at all and how much of that paycheck will be going to higher taxes, fees or utility rates?

This is akin to skipping the mortgage payment on your house so that you have money to redo the landscaping.  It might appear to work in the short run, but it won’t be long before someone else ends up owning you house???

Fiscal management, balanced budget, living within one’s means…should be the basic fundamental job that the state’s CEO should be able to accomplish with all her staff.

-Democrat House Speaker Andy Dillon is still talking about his “stealth” tax increase.  He proposes tax our major utilities in exchange for repeal of  PA 141, which deregulated and broke up the monopoly status of those utilities.

First, there are problems with PA 141, we need to have a better regulatory climate for our utilities, reduce the cost of energy and allow the utilities to build cleaner, more efficient sources of “domestic” energy.  And yes, that includes nuclear and coal powered plants.

However, the Democrats think they can “fool” the average taxpayer, the average citizen into believing that a tax on utilities is NOT a tax on them…when the state of Michigan through the Public Service Commission (appointed by Granholm) sets the rates for your utility bills.  Tricky move Andy…but not “stealth” enough?

-Other Democrats, being more direct, have introduced a “temporary income tax” raising rates by 18%.  At least we know what they really would like to see happen?!?

The difference between Republicans and Democrats couldn’t be more clear.  Let your Senators and Representatives know what you think.  We need to let them know we support their efforts…don’t let the Democrats blackmail the taxpayers in raising taxes.

Saul Anuzis

Articles of Interest 3-30-07

MORNING UPDATE:

A week of little more than political rhetoric from the Democrats and the Governor.  Senate Republican have passed both SBT replacement bill and a balanced budget proposal WITHOUT raising TAXES!

What fiduciary responsibility does the Governor and her budget folks have to follow the constitution?  They spent $70 million more than they had last year…they have borrowed $HUNDREDS of millions already this year???  And now they are trying to “blackmail” the legislature into passing a tax increase.

Now we are threatened with shut downs, loss of services or a tax increase. 

There has to be something illegal, unethical or just completely incompetent about this?

Speaker Dillon’s “plan” starts to “leak” out…don’t call them taxes…but we’ll raise everyone’s utility rates…taxpayers won’t catch that one???

But, Governor Granholm appoints Mark Fox to the Board of Ethics, the same lawyer who represented her in front of the board on ethics charges?!?

On the federal level, San Francisco Democrat Speaker Nancy Pelosi promised 5 day work weeks and a “new” way of running Congress…so far, we’ve seen neither.  Now as they get ready to leave for spring break without passing emergency funding for our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Pentagon worries about serious disruption for the military.

Taxpayer Teabag Protest on April 18th…but the Governor has her own surprise, unions will be lobbying for more money for “education”…not for the classroom, raising the amount of dollars that actually go to teaching our kids would be bad.  Join us.

THE REST OF THE STORY:

-We finished the week with little leadership and no results from our Governor and the Democrat Majority in the legislature.  While the Democrats should be given their kudos for political gamesmanship and demagoguery, they put forward NO votes, NO proposals that had any votes and NO solutions for the people of Michigan.

Republicans managed to fight back the Democrats attempts to raise taxes and demanded that we address the fundamental structural problems the state faces.

Now it was the Democrats who said they would have “another” plan that will come out next week.  Maybe this one will have some Democrat rank and file members who will actually support it?

Michigan’s Constitution says you have to have a “balanced budget”.  Those of you with a checkbook get the concept…income/revenues in…expenses/”investment” out.  When all is said and done, you have to have a “balanced budget”. 

Put another way…$41,500,000,000 in….$41,500,000,000 out.

The Governor and her team overspent last year by some $70 million dollars.  We are now finding out the state is involved in “short term” borrowing in the tune of some “several hundred million dollars”.  That’s called a “taxpayer’s liability” that you and I are going to have to pay off.

Special interests, her union supporters and others who benefit from getting taxpayers dollars are getting in line to back the Democrats plan to “save the day”.  The old saying comes to mind:  “if you rob Peter to pay Paul, you can always count on Paul’s support”.

If there isn’t something illegal, unethical or just completely incompetent about how the Governor has handled the budget…her attempt to blackmail the legislature into a tax increase is the worst political gamesmanship we’ve seen in a long time.

-Democrat Speaker Andy Dillon asked people not to pre-judge his plan until it’s fully released, but if it walk like a duck, quacks like a duck and looks like a duck…I think it’s a back handed way of raising taxes?!?

The Democrats believe if they raise utility rates…but let the Public Service Commission (appointed by Granholm) actually pass the “rate hike”, they will have sufficiently hidden this form of taxation from the people of Michigan.  Oh, I don’t think so….so we’ll wait for the details, trade offs, backroom deals.

How about dealing with our “spending problem”???  We have over $41,000,000,000 dollars in revenues coming into the state…and we can’t run the state on that?  I don’t think we have a revenue/tax problem…I think it’s a spending/Democrat problem.

-Governor Granholm appoints Mark Fox to the Board of Ethics, the same lawyer who represented her in front of the board on ethics charges?  So much for setting “higher ethical” standards…we wouldn’t expect anything less from the Democrats these days.

-The Politico Newsletter reports that Defense department needs funding by April 15th or else they would have begin cutting back on equipment, pre-deployment training and facility upgrades for our troops.  Even in Washington the Democrats play budgetary games with taxpayer funds.

San Francisco Democrat Speaker Nancy Pelosi promised 5 day work weeks and a “new” way of running Congress…so far, we’ve seen neither.  Now as they get ready to leave for spring break without passing emergency funding for our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Pentagon worries about serious disruption for the military.

REMINDER: A group of taxpayers are organizing a Taxpayers Protest Day on April 18th on the steps of the Capitol at 11:00am.  Taxpayers from across the state will be gathering to send the Governor and the legislature a message.  If you want your voice to be heard, consider showing up.

More details to follow. Info will be posted at www.mitaxpayers.org. as the Taxpayer Tea Bag Protest rally grows and develops.  EVERY taxpayer should consider participating…our voices need to be heard.

P.S. The Governor has organized her “union friends” to be there to counter protest the taxpayers.  Um, paid day off by union employees (taxpayer paid) to counter a citizens protest for paying too much in taxes…any irony there???

Saul Anuzis

Articles of Interest 3-29-07

MORNING SUMMARY:

“When the GOP begins to apologize for routine non-controversial uses of presidential authority to implement administration policies, no wonder the party is on the ropes.”
--Brendan Miniter

The Democrats and the liberal press have managed to turn around the basic principle of folks “serving at the pleasure of the president” into a political scandal?!?  Why?

Governor Granholm’s own tax/budget weapon of mass destruction hits Michigan…and now we send in the taxpayers???  She apparently has snuck another one passed us and expects the average taxpayer to just sit back and pay the bill.

If a CEO did this, they would probably be fired and/or face some kind of indictment for some kind of fraud, malfeasance or at the very least…lying to the shareholders… in this case the taxpayers?!?

Democrat Speaker Andy Dillon is proposing a more “band-aid” approach to dealing with the budget…closing loopholes, temporary taxes and short term fixes…not the right answer!  He calls it a “life-preserver”…sounds more like an anchor?

The ONLY State Surgeon General will no longer be state funded...I hope the health and welfare of our citizens don’t suffer too much?

Quick math:

$191 DCH did not collect Medicare payments from deadbeat parents who could pay
$69.1 from over expenditures by DOC, DHS and State Police in last year’s budget
$10.2 in uncollected taxes that Treasury says they will NOT attempt to collect
---------
$270.3 million

Bad management = Tax Increases under Democrats.

Every email and call I received on moving the Presidential Primary earlier is supportive of the idea…folks want to insure Michigan Republicans are relevant.

Gay rights activist John Stryker gets his first installment on his "investment" in the House Democrats as questionable legislation passes the house.

Presidential candidate, Congressman Duncan Hunter will be in Troy, Friday, March 30th from 7:00 – 8:30pm at the Troy Community Center.  The event is free.

THE REST OF THE STORY:

-I’m furious at the press, I’m not sure who bungled the process in D.C., but somehow the Democrats have capitalized on a basic right of every Administration, every President…the folks who work for them work at the “pleasure of the President”.

That means it’s Thursday, and the President wants to change, shuffle or shake up whomever works for him for whatever reason…he gets to do so.  I think the scandal is those District Attorney’s who have tried to make political hay out of the fact that they were being let go.  You served the President, he no longer desires your service…deal with it!!!

-The Governor and her own House Democratic majority still have no hint of a plan and the fiscal year is almost half over.  The Senate Republicans passed a balance budget plan that was sent over to the House. It cut spending levels, instituted some reforms and balanced the budget WITHOUT raising TAXES.

The Republicans proposed and passed a balanced budget plan…the Governor and the House Democrats have been spinning political rhetoric and little else.

The Democrats offered to raise taxes…Republican and taxpayer overwhelming rejected the Democrats budgetary politics as usual.

Now Governor Granholm can take advantage of her acting training and create a “drama” for the taxpayers.  She’ll announce prison closing, lay off troopers and even shut down state government…while ignoring the real spending problems of our state.

As Senator Mike Bishop shared in an email “Pathetic, but predictable”.

Now the Governor has urged the teacher’s unions to lobby on her behalf to push a tax proposal through the legislature.  This about this… “our” Governor is calling on her favorite special interest group, the MEA, to fight cuts in spending, true government reform, any cuts in the education budget…while teacher’s unions skim millions off the top of taxpayers money for what…lobbying expenses.

What really upset me and I hope all taxpayers is that while the Governor was out running for re-election, traveling to Europe and violating our constitution by deficit spending over the last 6 months…we the taxpayers were preparing to get “blown away”.

When the Governor start he theatrical shutdown of “non-essential” services, in a few days taxpayers will realize how “non-essential” they really are and will be less inclined to support any of the Democrats “tax increases”, “revenue enhancements” or “investments”.

Granholm’s own tax/budget weapon of mass destruction…and now she wants us to send in the taxpayers???

-Democrat Speaker Andy Dillon started selling his “temporary” fix to his fellow House Democrats.  It includes closing loopholes (which means a tax hike for some), temporary tax increase (which means we all pay more), and some other short term fixes (which means they don’t have the political will to deal with the problem).

The Democrats apparently refuse to deal with the real issues that are costing the state of Michigan TENS of MILLIONS if not HUNDREDS of MILLIONS of dollars.  Beating around the without actually dealing with issues at hand is NOT leadership.

The Governor of our great state, the Speaker of the House…yes, both Democrats, don’t appear to have the leadership skills and/or the votes to put something together that their own caucus/team can support??? 

-If you missed it, see what I think a Governor DeVos would do:

http://migop.blogs.com/blog/2007/03/if_it_were_gove.html

-I received emails and calls from many State Committee members and County Chairs in support of moving our primary earlier.  They all agreed that we need to insure that Michigan Republicans play a key role in selecting our next nominee.

Several asked about the process.  We have appointed a standing committee of the State Committee that will deal with these issues over the coming months.  I hope to spend most of our April State Committee meeting discussing the various options and getting everyones input.

There is the threat that we might lose delegates to the National Convention.  According to the RNC rules, if we go before February 5th, we will (could/might???) lose 50% of our national convention delegates.  The RNC rules also state that the state Chairman and both National Committee Members will be the “first” in the delegation to lose their seats.

Personally, I still think this is worth doing for the sake of the greater good.  Michigan needs leadership to help turn it around.  Having a President that understands Michigan and it’s problems make sense.

Gay rights activist John Stryker gets his first installment on his "investment" in the House Democrats as questionable legislation passes the house. Republicans refute this bill by saying that the bill puts gender identity and expression into law for the first time.  Republicans are arguing that this bill is simply a “payback” for Stryker who dumped millions into the Coalition for Progress, who ran ads against Republicans during the election.

-Congressman Duncan Hunter will be in Troy, Friday, March 30th from 7:00 – 8:30pm at the Troy Community Center.  The event is free.  The Center is located on 3179 Livernois Road north of Big Beaver in room #402.

REMINDER: A group of taxpayers are organizing a Taxpayers Protest Day on April 18th on the steps of the Capitol at 11:00am.  Taxpayers from across the state will be gathering to send the Governor and the legislature a message.  If you want your voice to be heard, consider showing up.

More details to follow. Info will be posted at www.mitaxpayers.org. as the Taxpayer Tea Bag Protest rally grows and develops.  EVERY taxpayer should consider participating…our voices need to be heard.

Saul Anuzis

Concerned that House Appropriations Committee Chair George Cushingberry Jr. may face serious conflict of interest

Michigan Republican Party Executive Director, Jeff Timmer, sent this letter to Speaker of the House Andy Dillion, and members of the media today.

Articles of Interest 3-28-07

MORNING SUMMARY:

Gross mismanagement threatens to close down state government….How else do you describe the Governor/CEO’s job performance???  We have a constitution that requires a balance budget?

Michigan Republicans continue to move forward to insure Michigan plays a primary role in selecting it’s next nominee for President…the stakes are too high and we need to address some of the unique problems facing our state and the domestic auto industry in particular.  I’ve asked the state committee to consider options of going before February 5, 2008 and joining either South Carolina or Florida.

Senator John McCain will be in Michigan this Thurday in Grand Rapids.

Congratulations to Justin Zatkoff and the rest of his team who were elected this weekend as the new leadership for the Michigan College Republicans!

THE REST OF THE STORY:

Reports last night say that the state of Michigan may run out of CASH in May???  Where was the Governor, her Administration, Budget Director and Chief of Staff (former Budget Director) as the proverbial spending hit the wall???

We have a constitutional requirement to balance the budget.  To expect the legislature to just raise taxes to pay for this Democratic Governors mismanagement, overspending and lack of budgetary discipline is outrageous.

The state has already been borrowing money for cash management purposes, with NO plan, Democrat or otherwise on how to pay for it.  The state budget should not be used like the Governors personal credit card.

If the Governor and Democrats expected the Republicans in the legislature to just roll over and fund the Democrats spending they are WRONG!

The Governor couldn’t even get members of her own party to back her tax plan her jobs plan is a disaster, her spending plan is running our state into bankruptcy and the ONLY solution she is offering is to raise taxes and invest in Michigan while companies are disinvesting, citizens are moving out of state and our children and grandchildren don’t seem to have a chance of finding a job here.

We need to immediately review this Governors spending habits and if she can’t control her own checkbook (the states that is), we need to take actions to help her.

We need reform from top to bottom we need real leadership to step up and accept responsibility we need the Democrats to be willing to admit we have a spending problem, not a revenue problem and therefore we need to address the structural and fundamental spending problems affecting our state.

Now is the time for tough decision and tough action to help turn Michigan around.

I sent an email yesterday to members of the State Committee and our County Chairs to consider moving up our primary before February 5, 2008 to join either South Carolina or Florida.

Its critical that Michigan Republicans play a significant and early role in helping our party determine who will be our nominee for President in 2008.  The economic crisis unique to our state demands that we select a nominee intimately familiar with our circumstances and challenges we face in Michigan.

In order to ensure that Michigan’s voice is loud and clear, we cannot afford to be one among a crowd.  Joining with either South Carolina or Florida (where we have a lot of domestic auto worker retirees), we can make sure issues effecting Michigan and the auto industry get a full hearing.

We will remain in negotiation with the Michigan Democrat Party on legislation that will provide for Republicans and Democrats to vote on the same day in a Presidential Primary.  I am hopeful that legislation can quickly be passed and signed into law to give our state maximum influence in this process.  However, we will be prepared to move on our own if necessary.

This is our chance to make a difference, let our voices be heard and have a huge impact on how our federal government is run.

Senator John McCain will be in Michigan this Thursday in Grand Rapids.  The event will be held at the home of Sam & Janene Cummings, from 6:30 to 9:00pm in East Grand Rapids.  Tickets are $250 per person and for more information call 616-235-9389 x14.

This weekend Michigan’s College Republicans elected their new leadership.  Our new state chairman is Justin Zatkoff, from the University of Michigan and one of the DeVos for Governors Team hardest working volunteers.

The rest of his executive team includes:
Co-Chair, Jeff Wiggins (MSU)
1st Vice Chair, Amanda Zalucky (GVSU)
2nd Vice Chair, Robbie Rankey (Ferris State) Secretary, Paula Barrett (Kalamazoo College) Treasurer, Lauren Migliore (Kalamazoo College)

This is a great team of future leaders and I look forward to working with them as we assemble a huge team of College Republicans for the 2008 elections cycle!

Saul Anuzis

Articles of Interest 3-27-07

MORNING SUMMARY

Democrat House Speaker Andy Dillon says we’ll have to wait another week to find out what the House Democrats are willing to do???  Not follow Granholm…so then what?

MRG conducted a poll for Inside Michigan Politics…65% opposed the Democrat Governor’s “two cent” tax increase…town hall sales job flops.

House Democrats pushed their reform package to “avoid” conflicts of interest…but Appropriation Chair Representative George Cushenberry is setting the budget for those responsible to prosecute and judge him???

Democrat Representative Tobocman pushing a “trade/border plan”…anyone see the irony in this after all the China bashes, overseas investment bad-mouthing and corporate “management” by government fiat talk????

21st Century Fund being questioned…does corporate welfare make sense in tough times?  Are more fundamental changes needed???

Granholm tries to “rally” the teachers unions to fight for more taxes…not to competitively bid healthcare, reduce administrative overhead, stop union skimming of taxpayers dollars…priorities warped?!?

Yesterday President Bush met with the CEO’s of Ford, General Motors, and Daimler Chrysler, for the second time in six months.  They discussed a plan to reduce gasoline usage by 20 percent by 2017 -- dubbed the "20 in 10 program."

THE REST OF THE STORY

After all the “grandstanding” on the part of the Democrats that they “had a plan” and the Republican “had a secret plan”…oops, the chicken has come home to roost sort of speak…Speaker.

The Republicans passed budget reduction and reform packages in the Senate.  Republicans attempted to move the Democrats plan to see if there were any votes.  The Senate actually voted on the Governor’s tax plan and even a Democrat joined in voted to “reject” the Governors tax hikes.

Now the Democrats are back at it…another plan???  How about a proposal that at least the Democrats are willing to vote for?  A plan with no votes is little more than political rhetoric…which is all we are hearing from the Democrats these days.

The Democrats Speaker of the House Andy Dillon says we’ll have to wait another week?

Governor Granholm went on a statewide tour to “sell” her plan, or “listen” to “invited only” citizens on the need for her tax package.  Her town hall sell job didn’t work.  MRG released a poll on behalf of Inside Michigan Politics where 65% of the taxpayers in Michigan said NO to Governor Granholm’s tax plan…and saw the Democrat’s rhetoric for what is was…politics as usual.  NO real reforms, no commitment to delivering top notch services at “not” inflated costs to the taxpayers.

The Democrat plan had no popular support…which matched her Democrat legislative support as members of her own party bolted from the Governors “plan”.  Leadership?

Now, after bashing investing in China, all foreign investments, preaching corporate management and “good citizenship” via government fiat, Democrat Representative Tobocman wants to create a new government agency to better coordinate “things”.

Does anyone see the irony in the Democrats “wanting to help” with foreign investment and “imports” of foreign goods…no philosophical basis to any of their “plans” or proposal…just pure politics…one way today, another way tomorrow?

Speaking of rhetoric, the House Democrats push their ethics reform package to “avoid” conflicts of interest and then have Representative Cushenberry chairing the Appropriations Committee as it allocates money to the very offices charge with prosecuting and ruling on his felony charges???  Ethics…Democrat style???

More questionable news on the 21st Century Fund, the Governor’s much touted corporate welfare program…just when the state can least afford it.

Why don’t we figure out why Michigan businesses are leaving our state…not expanding in our state…not growing in our state?  Let’s fix those structural problems first and make this a great place for Michigan based companies to do business…rather than trying to “bribe” others to come here. 

What does it tell you when you have to give a company a tax break to locate in this state…I’ll give you a hint…taxes are too…what???

So in a last ditch effort to raise taxes and not have to deal with the realities facing Michigan taxpayers, the Governor is trying to rally the teachers unions to help push a tax increase through the state legislature.

Folks…you better be paying attention!?!?!?

Need some facts: Michigan gives local schools $7,054.00 per pupil, that’s $800 above the national average…that’s after the current proposed cuts of $34 per pupil.  Here is a great discussion of the numbers…when folks talk about cuts to school districts etc., it’s important to have the facts.  For more info goto:

http://www.rightmichigan.com/story/2007/3/23/115855/363

As taxpayers…call your legislators, let them know what you think.  Labor unions and those who want your tax dollars are.

On a brighter note, the Grand Valley State University College Republicans are hosting a “Support your Troops and Country” rally on April 3d at 7:00pm at GVSU.  More info to follow.

Yesterday President Bush met with the CEO’s of Ford, General Motors, and Daimler Chrysler, for the second time in six months.  They discussed a plan to reduce gasoline usage by 20 percent by 2017 -- dubbed the "20 in 10 program."

During this meeting President Bush expressed, “One of the things that I think it's important for American taxpayers to understand is that we're using some of their dollars to promote new technologies, and we're working with these CEOs and their respective companies to advance new technologies.  They're on the leading edge of technological change, and it's in our interest to help promote these new technologies that are coming to the market. And I'm excited about the future.  I'm optimistic we can meet our goal.  I look forward to working with Congress to do so.”

Saul Anuzis

Articles of Interest 3-26-07

MORNING SUMMARY:

Congratulations to Oakland County and Jackson County who had successful Lincoln Day Dinners with special guest Karl Rove.

Now the debate on raising taxes or reforming government moves into the next phase.  House and Senate Repblicans are leading the way, fighting to stop any new taxes until we make some real changes in the way the state delivers it’s services.

We are not a party of naysayers, we call for less government and less taxes to get more of the good things we want: more jobs, more in our family budget, more economic opportunities, more incentives for entrepreneurs to locate in Michigan.  We have a positive vision to unleash the forces of the free market to deliver more to the families and communities across our state.

Michigan Republicans believe in an opportunity society that demands government be responsible steward of  our taxpayer dollars, deliver efficient services that serves the public well and a government that can and should do more for the citizens of Michigan with the tax dollars that we pay.

THE REST OF THE STORY:

As we start out this week with a public debate on taxes, government services and how to restructure our state, let’s keep our basic principals in mind.

What do conservatives and Republican really want out of government?  I would argue efficient services, better service, responsible management that delivers a “value” for the public good.

We are not a party of naysayers, we call for less government and less taxes to get more of the good things we want: more jobs, more in our family budget, more economic opportunities, more incentives for entrepreneurs to locate in Michigan.  We have a positive vision to unleash the forces of the free market to deliver more to the families and communities across our state.

Republicans are willing to invest in education, but we want to insure we get the best education for our children.  We want to maximize the amount of dollars that go into the classroom, we want the latest technology and the best practices.  And we don’t mind paying for it.  We want the best teachers and the ability to fire the worst.

What we have a problem with is when our schools are failing our kids, when we over pay for insurance because of pay offs to union bosses, when we have to overpay for construction because of sweetheart deals, when the bureaucracy and duplication is such that the “education lobby” comes back to the taxpayers for more money…money that will not teach more children how to read, write and compete internationally.

Republicans are willing to invest in our state’s infrastructure needs.  We understand and support the needs for good roads and freeways to move our goods.  We have one of the worlds greatest ports, we have tremendous rail and air facilities.  And we don’t mind a fair “user tax” type system that allocates the gas tax and other “infrastructure” taxes for specific uses.

What we have a problem with is sloppy management of our construction projects, a lack of accountability for projects that start to crumble or fall apart.  We question state government spending millions on studies and projects for a new bridge to Canada when the private sector is providing that service and willing to expand to meet our needs.  We want roads that have “guarantees” attached to their construction that demands quality construction.  We want better planned routes and construction deals that don’t clog up our road ways during rush hour.  We want it done right.

Republicans are willing to invest in a diversified economy that is vibrant and provides Michigan’s residents with the jobs our children and grandchildren will need to keep our families together.  We want an economy that can compete in the international marketplace and be one of the best places in the world to do work, play and raise a family.

What we have a problem with is when Michigan’s tax structure encourages companies to expand their operations elsewhere.  When the only way we can get job providers to expand and/or come to Michigan is in effect providing forms of corporate welfare.  When the extremist in the DNR and DEQ stop rationale economic development and job creation because misguided environmental policies that cost us jobs.

Michigan Republicans believe in an opportunity society that demands government be responsible stewart of  our taxpayer dollars, deliver efficient services that serves the public well and a government that can and should do more for the citizens of Michigan with the tax dollars that we pay.

With Michigan at a crossroads, this is a unique opportunity to rethink and restructure the way we do business here in our state.  Investing for the sake of “investing” more often than not leads to more bad investments.  Michigan needs to retool government to serve us better with the tax dollars we have…$41,500,000,000 is a great start!

Saul Anuzis

Articles of Interest 3-25-07

590 Days until election day.

MRP Welcomes TWO New Members!

Congratulations to Sarah and Todd Anderson for the birth of Emma Grace Anderson, on March 23.

&

Congratulations to Henri and Jim Tow for the birth of Amy Lynn Tow, on March 24.

MORNING SUMMARY:

Real change means real change.  A willingness to act, not just provide lip service and political rhetoric.  The Democrats continue to try and “scare” the people of Michigan into believing we need more taxes??  They are NOT buying it.

Michigan gives local schools $7,054.00 per pupil, that’s $800 above the national average…that’s after the current proposed cuts of $34 per pupil.  Here is a great discussion of the numbers…when folks talk about cuts to school districts etc., it’s important to have the facts.  Check these out:

http://www.rightmichigan.com/story/2007/3/23/115855/363

Now it’s up to Speaker Dillon to give the Senates plan an up or down vote…or is he going to just try and jam through a tax hike??

THE REST OF THE STORY:

When the Democrats try and charge the Republicans are “gutting” education and cutting our “investment” in the future…let’s look at the facts.

Michigan gives local schools $7,054.00 per pupil, that’s $800 above the national average…that’s after the current proposed cuts of $34 per pupil. 

If we would move just and additional “two cents” out of the “administrators” pockets into the classrooms, that would add another $141.01 per pupil.  Isn’t it time we come clean with the taxpayers of Michigan and let them know what the “administration and teachers unions” are costing the citizens of Michigan.  We need REAL reform, real change.

Here is a great discussion of the numbers…when folks talk about cuts to school districts etc., it’s important to have the facts.  Check these out:

http://www.rightmichigan.com/story/2007/3/23/115855/363

Democrat Speaker Dillon is playing games.  No solutions, no votes and no support for the Governor’s positions.  He also won’t bring the Senate bills up for a vote.  His delaying tactics are costing taxpayers  valuable time.  Drop the Comerica thing…this isn’t the “People Republic”…it’s America.

Democrats won’t vote for budget cuts…they don’t want to balance the budget…but they won’t support the Governor’s tax plan.  I love these Michigan style “blue dog” Democrats…conservative rhetoric…with no leadership, no action, no results???

Newt Gingrich has a great saying…real change take real change.  Almost too simple of a concept to sound profound, unless your talking about government.

We need to work together, support our Republican legislators as the push for real change and force the kinds of reforms that will change the way we do business in Michigan.

Saul Anuzis

Articles of Interest 3-24-07

MORNING SUMMARY:

The Senate Republicans this week moved forward on cutting the budget and sending the Governor’s tax increase down to a resounding NO vote, as even Democrats continued to say they would not vote for it.

The Governor and her fellow Democrats were NOT able to lead on this issue.  Now we hear the House Democrats are going to come up with their proposal, because they don’t have the votes to back their own Governor.  Bad policy is bad policy, regardless of the party.

Here is a great discussion of the numbers…when folks talk about cuts to school districts etc., it’s important to have the facts.  Check these out:

http://www.rightmichigan.com/story/2007/3/23/115855/363

Now that Republicans have shown their willing to fight and vote down the Democrat’s first TAX proposal…their true colors are coming out…more tax proposals.

Get the facts…stay involved.  We need to let our legislators know what we think.

THE REST OF THE STORY:

The Senate Republicans this week moved forward on cutting the budget and sending the Governor’s tax increase down to a resounding NO votes, as even Democrats continued to say they would not vote for it.

The Governor and her fellow Democrats were NOT able to lead on this issue.  Now we hear the House Democrats are going to come up with their proposal, because they don’t have the votes to back their own Governor.  Bad policy is bad policy, regardless of the party.

Senate Democrats tried to make political hay of the fact that the Senate Republicans acted, but even their own voted with the Senate Republicans to “kill” the Governor’s and Democrat’s tax increase.

You only have two choices…live within your means, make some tough cuts…or back the Democrats proposed tax increases.

Republicans resoundingly defeated the Governor’s “two cent” sales tax on services…now the Democrats are floating a “temporary income tax” increase.  Where have we heard that before???

The Democrats were waiting to see if Republicans would blink and support any of their crazy tax plans…the answer is a resounding NO.  Even their own members wouldn’t back their ask for $1,500,000,000 in NEW TAXES.

Now comes the tough part…real reform, real cuts and a realization that jobs, job providers and taxpayers have left the state…so we have to learn to live within our means.  No one has been able to tax their way out of a recession…Granholm’s Democrats are no differenct.

Here is a great discussion of the numbers…when folks talk about cuts to school districts etc., it’s important to have the facts.  Check these out:

http://www.rightmichigan.com/story/2007/3/23/115855/363

The Michigan Republican Party is proud to announce its new Legacy Brick Fund site!  In 2006, the Michigan Republican Party moved into a new headquarters and are installing a legacy site this spring to honor those who have served the party and the citizens of Michigan.  This site will create a well-deserved tribute to honor Michigan’s Republican’s through personalized bricks. Buy one for yourself or to honor someone else. Be a part of the Michigan Republican Party Legacy – purchase an individualized brick that will last a lifetime!  Visit www.migop.org/legacy to order your brick today.

Get the facts…stay involved.  We need to let our legislators know what we think.

Saul Anuzis

Articles of Interest 3-23-07

592 Days until election day.

MORNING SUMMARY:

Senate Majority Leader…our Republican Leader Mike Bishop announced Granholm’s 2% sales tax on services is “killed for good”!!!

The Governor’s tax plan is running on empty.  She can’t get citizen’s support, she can’t get legislative Democrats support and Republicans are holding the line, demanding we review how state government provides services first:

http://migop.blogs.com/blog/2007/03/granholms_tax_i.html

Legacy Brick Fund…join us build the party:  www.migop.org/legacy

THE REST OF THE STORY:

Governor Jennifer Granholm’s 2 percent sales tax on services has been “killed for good” Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop (R-Rochester) said Thursday as the Senate voted down the proposal on a 16-22 vote.  Immediately after rejecting SB 307, the Senate began implementing its fix to the 2006-07 budget by enacting a $34 per pupil cut to schools.

Meeting into Thursday night, the Senate was still planning on enacting a total of more than $600 million in budget cuts to close the gap remaining on the 2006-07 budget.

But talking to reporters, Mr. Bishop said the Senate had “killed for good” the cornerstone of Ms. Granholm’s tax proposal that was slated to raise $1.5 billion.  One Democrat joined a solid Republican majority in rejecting the tax proposal.

The Governor’s tax plan is running on empty.  She can’t get citizen’s support, she can’t get legislative Democrats support and Republicans are holding the line, demanding we review how state government provides services first.

Senate Republicans have been holding hearings state wide.  Legislative leaders have been meeting with the Governor all week to talk through options.

The Governor and the Democrats are trying to “scare” the general public into the most draconian cuts first…rather than dealing with the fundamental structural reforms the state need to undertake…now!

http://migop.blogs.com/blog/2007/03/granholms_tax_i.html

The Michigan Republican Party is proud to announce its new Legacy Brick Fund site!  In 2006, the Michigan Republican Party moved into a new headquarters and are installing a legacy site this spring to honor those who have served the party and the citizens of Michigan.  This site will create a well-deserved tribute to honor Michigan’s Republican’s through personalized bricks. Buy one for yourself or to honor someone else. Be a part of the Michigan Republican Party Legacy – purchase an individualized brick that will last a lifetime!  Visit www.migop.org/legacy to order your brick today.

Saul Anuzis

Where Are Folks Moving???

To see the full article goto:

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070322/METRO/703220391

Articles of Interest 3-22-07

593 Days until election day.

MORNING SUMMARY:

Having lunch with your daughter at the Olive Garden is nice…but not when you lie to the Municipal League and others…oh my?!?

RNC Chairman Mike Duncan appointed me to the RNC Executive Committee.  This is a big honor and I was appointed a the State Chairman’s representative on the committee.

Lt. Governor Dick Posthumus wrote an Op-Ed piece published in the Detroit Free Press:

http://migop.blogs.com/blog/2007/03/posthumus_free_.html

Congressman Mike Roger’s office was vandalized by “anti-war” protestors:

http://migop.blogs.com/blog/2007/03/congressman_rog.html

In case you missed it, what if Dick DeVos were elected Governor…what might he do?

http://migop.blogs.com/blog/2007/03/if_it_were_gove.html

Legacy Brick Fund…join us build the party:  www.migop.org/legacy

THE REST OF THE STORY:

Governor Granholm rushed in and out of the Municipal League meeting where she told elected officials from all around the state that she couldn’t stay as planned because she was in the middle of “closed door” meetings on the budget.  She then headed back to the office and “closed the door” on others participants (her own Lt. Governor Cherry) and then snuck out the back to the Olive Garden to have lunch with her daughter.

Taking some family time is a noble thing to do…for all of us.  By lying to the Municipal League, lying to other participants who are working on the budget and after her grandstanding on Monday with her cheap shots at Senator Mike Bishop for being in his district…unbelievable, unacceptable…politics as usual for this Governor.

The story was broken by bloggers at the “rightmichigan”…check out the story and more:

http://www.rightmichigan.com/

RNC Chairman Mike Duncan appointed me this week to the Republican National Committee’s Executive Committee. 

“I look forward to continuing to work with this great team as the RNC grows our party and helps to ensure that we have the resources we need to be successful in 2008 and beyond,” RNC Chairman Mike Duncan said.

The primary purpose of the Executive Committee is to serve as each region’s representatives in the event the Chairman needs to call an immediate meeting of the RNC.  The Executive Committee has the authority to perform all executive and administrative function of the full committee in between meetings of the RNC.  The Executive Committee is also asked to “encourage and solicit the advice and counsel of Republican groups and organizations.”

Lt. Governor Dick Posthumus wrote an Op-Ed piece in the Detroit Free Press discussing the Republican coalition.  He lays out an argument that we have missed an important part of our “majority coalition”.  Food for thought:

http://migop.blogs.com/blog/2007/03/posthumus_free_.html

Congressman Mike Roger’s office was vandalized by “anti-war” protestors:

http://migop.blogs.com/blog/2007/03/congressman_rog.html

In case you missed it, what if Dick DeVos were elected Governor…what might he do?

http://migop.blogs.com/blog/2007/03/if_it_were_gove.html

The Michigan Republican Party is proud to announce its new Legacy Brick Fund site!  In 2006, the Michigan Republican Party moved into a new headquarters and are installing a legacy site this spring to honor those who have served the party and the citizens of Michigan.  This site will create a well-deserved tribute to honor Michigan’s Republican’s through personalized bricks. Buy one for yourself or to honor someone else. Be a part of the Michigan Republican Party Legacy – purchase an individualized brick that will last a lifetime!  Visit www.migop.org/legacy to order your brick today.

Saul Anuzis

Granholm's TAX Increase is Running on Empty

Drugs for your Children

God bless mothers who drugged us!

The other day, someone at a store in our town read that a methamphetamine lab had been found in an old farmhouse in the adjoining county and he asked me a rhetorical question, ''Why didn't we have a drug problem when you and I were growing up?''

I replied: I had a drug problem when I was young:

I was drug to church on Sunday morning. I was drug to church for weddings and funerals.

I was drug to family reunions and community socials no matter the weather.  I was drug by my ears when I was disrespectful to adults.

I was also drug to the woodshed when I disobeyed my parents, told a lie, brought home a bad report card, did not speak with respect, spoke ill of the teacher or the preacher, or if I didn't put forth my best effort in everything that was asked of me.

I was drug to the kitchen sink to have my mouth washed out with soap if I uttered a profane four-letter word.

I was drug out to pull weeds in mom's garden and flower beds and cockleburs out of dad's fields.

I was drug to the homes of family, friends, and neighbors to help out some poor soul who had no one to mow the yard, repair the clothesline, or chop some firewood; and, if my mother had ever known that I took a single dime as a tip for this kindness, she would have drug me back to the woodshed.

Those drugs are still in my veins; and they affect my behavior in everything I do, say, and think.  They are stronger than cocaine, crack, or heroin; and, if today's children had this kind of drug problem, America would be a better place.

Granholm Lies to Municipal League

Governor Granholm rushed in and out of the Municipal League meeting where she told elected officials from all around the state that she couldn’t stay as planned because she was in the middle of “closed door” meetings on the budget.  She then headed back to the office and “closed the door” on others participants (her own Lt. Governor Cherry) and then snuck out the back to the Olive Garden to have lunch with her daughter.

Taking some family time is a noble thing to do…for all of us.  By lying to the Municipal League, lying to other participants who are working on the budget and after her grandstanding on Monday with her cheap shots at Senator Mike Bishop for being in his district…unbelievable, unacceptable…politics as usual for this Governor.

The story was broken by bloggers at the “rightmichigan”…check out the story and more:

http://www.rightmichigan.com/

Property tax relief and reform is on the way!

GOP has plan to limit property tax hikes- Macomb Daily

House Republicans promote property tax plan- AP

Plan would stop property tax hikes in tough times- Grand Rapids Press

WOOD TV

http://video.woodtv.com/?video_id=5966

and

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PROCoO0ShB0

This is exactly what Michigan needs to hear from Republican leadership
in Lansing- Property tax relief and reform is on the way!

While Governor Granholm and House Democrats are plotting behind closed
doors about which taxes to raise in order to "save" our economy, House
Republicans are out front doing what we do best- protecting taxpayers
and helping families.

While Michigan's economy continues to weather more bad news and a
lackluster effort from our governor to change course, many Michigan
families are struggling to make ends meet.  A lot of us live in
neighborhoods where FOR SALE signs have become permanent fixtures-
reminders of just how bad Granholm's Michigan has gotten.

The result for most of us has been falling home values.
Unfortunately, for many homeowners, this drop in value has been
coupled with a HIGHER PROPERTY TAX BILL!  Talk about a double-whammy!

House Republicans have quickly jumped out front on this taxpayer
injustice, and have designed a plan to help Michigan families.  The
GOP plan:

•       If your home value falls, your property tax doesn't go up.  The plan
creates a "supercap" on property tax increases by prohibiting
increases in the taxable value of a home when the market value of that
home goes down.

•       Establish a Homeowners' Bill of Rights making it easier to appeal
property tax assessments, requiring voter approval of all special
assessments, and requiring all assessments to be based on current
market conditions.

•       Ease the tax burden on people trying to sell their homes and help
new homeowners by reducing the amount a property's taxable value
increases when sold (the "pop-up tax")


Fighting for property taxpayers is exactly what Republicans ought to
be doing, and it's proof that House Republicans are on track to take
back the majority by focusing on the issues that are important to so
many struggling Michigan families.

Remember to remind people in your community which side is fighting for
taxpayers, and which side is fighting for big government.  While House
Democrats are deciding in secret which taxes to raise, House
Republicans are leading the charge for tax relief and reform!

Posthumus: Free Press Op-Ed

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070321/OPINION02/703210345/1068/OPINION

GOP must win back full conservative coalition

March 21, 2007

BY DICK POSTHUMUS

We've had six months to absorb the results of the 2006 election and all the evaluations of what happened. There are those who believe the country no longer has a majority of people with conservative views. There are those who think the Republican Party was too conservative, and others who think the Democrats had a better idea.

This is the view of a simple farmer -- now also a manufacturer -- who spent 20 years in public service and loves this country and the state of Michigan.

The majority of people, especially here in Michigan, still have a generally conservative view of the world. The proof? 1) The most conservative ballot initiative in Michigan was Proposal 2, the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative. Agree with it or not, it passed in November with a large majority; 2) Many of the new Democrats elected last fall are from the party's conservative wing.

The liberals and the Democratic Party did not win because they had better ideas. They ran on two things: 1) nationally, on the idea that Republicans made a mess of the Iraq war, and 2) in Michigan and in the nation, they just ran against Republicans. Both were successful, but neither put forward a new vision.

People were mad about the war, the lack of leadership in Congress and the corruption.

But I think the most important mistake Republicans in Washington and in Michigan made was forgetting who we were. We became the majority because we represent a coalition of the working/middle class. The GOP coalition put together by President Ronald Reagan and others is made up of three groups: economic conservatives, the traditional Ford/Dole Republicans most interested in helping to grow business and creating jobs; social conservatives, emphasizing issues such as abortion, marriage, private education, family, etc.; and the cultural conservatives, the Reagan Democrats or blue-collar Republicans, most interested in tax cuts for their family, family issues and good jobs.

Without all three groups, a majority is not possible. Republicans must lead, communicate and work on issues that are important to all three parts of the coalition.

In the 2006 election, Republicans generally did well with economic conservatives and social conservatives. It was cultural conservatives (blue-collar, working families) they lost. The cultural conservatives didn't see the GOP as representing them anymore. In Washington, when the GOP talked about tax cuts, they talked primarily about capital gains and inheritance taxes. In Lansing, the GOP talked primarily about the Single Business Tax and personal property taxes. While these cuts are important economically, working families generally don't relate to them. As a result, Republicans were perceived (with the Democrats' help) as representing only the wealthy.

Republicans must and can change this with a broader economic vision for Michigan. That is why I believe strongly that, for both economic reasons as well as political reasons, Michigan Republicans need to change their discussion on the economic/budget crises facing this state. Republicans and conservatives must first talk about the crises facing the families and working people of Michigan, not state government.

Let the liberal Democrats defend government. Republicans must defend the citizens. They must make cutting property taxes, and even possibly income taxes for the families and the workers a part of the whole SBT discussion. They must lead with this economic vision along with cutting government.

That is a vision that unites all of the Republican coalition, a large majority of Michigan, and is the basis for a vision for tomorrow.

DICK POSTHUMUS was lieutenant governor of Michigan from 1999-2004, the state Senate majority leader from 1991-99, and the Republican candidate for governor in 2002. Write to him in care of the Free Press Editorial Page, 600 W. Fort St., Detroit 48226 or oped@freepress.com.

Congressman Roger's Office Vandalized

Wackos attack Mike Roger's Office...

No Excuses for such Behavior...

Articles of Interest 3-21-07

594 Days until election day.

MORNING SUMMARY:

Budget meetings start…Governor Granholm is learning how to analyze the budget and what it means to “live within one’s means”.

Governor Granholm thinks with the ONLY state Surgeon General in the country, healthy taxpayers are happy taxpayers!

Does it surprise anybody to find that CEOs, who are running global businesses and who are always under enormous pressure to deliver better results, are concluding that they will be better off locating their business outside of this state?  Pfizer, Comerica et al.

Here is something that is very depressing…houses are selling cheaper than cars in the city of Detroit!  Raising taxes isn’t going to help:

http://migop.blogs.com/blog/2007/03/depressinghouse.html

Americans for Prosperity is sponsoring a Michigan Taxpayer Trust Tour Swings Through SE Michigan This Week.  For more information goto:

http://www.americansforprosperity.org/index.php?id=2830&state=mi

Everybody loves Hillary?: http://migop.blogs.com/blog/2007/03/everybody_loves.html

Legacy Brick Fund…join and help us build the party:  www.migop.org/legacy

THE REST OF THE STORY:

The first round of budget meetings took place yesterday where legislative leaders and the Governor sat down together.  Just to set the record straight, Republicans have been asking the Governor to sit down for weeks…she always thought it was better to send surrogates.

Anyways, everyone sat down and discussed options.  While the Governor and Democrats have the “tax plan”, Republicans argued that  cuts are easily possible when we objectively analyze government. Everyone can and should be able to find efficiencies, waste, fraud and other savings within EVERY department. These meetings appear to be a  "how to" course for the Governor.

The “tax and spend” policies of the Democrats and the Governor are NOT going to be the first item on the agenda.  Taxpayers, fiscal responsibility and living within our means has to be the starting point.

It’s a $41,500,000,000….that BILLIONS of DOLLARS…budget.

Governor Granholm always touts the fact that Michigan is the only state with a surgeon general. Maybe that's because all of the other states realize it's a waste of money!

MIRS Reports that: Surgeon General Kimberlydawn WISDOM is traveling around the state to tell people that they should eat their fruits and vegetables in order to stay healthy.

She's sharing this expert advice with people in Grand Rapids, Detroit, Lansing and Flint. This is part of the Fruits and Veggies — More Matters campaign, which is a national push to promote fruits and vegetables. 

Healthy taxpayers…are happy taxpayers…right?!?

We have a governor who just ran a campaign based on demonizing globalization and demonizing companies who globalize their operations—even if their globalization results in more jobs for Michigan people.  Why, then, does it surprise anybody to find that CEOs, who are running global businesses and who are always under enormous pressure to deliver better results, are concluding that they will be better off locating their business outside of this state?

Fast forward a few months into this year, and what do we find?  Pfizer, ProQuest, Comerica, and ABN Amro have all announced that they will be leaving the state, and I wonder if it would help if we tried to “connect the dots” for this Governor???

Here is something that is very depressing…houses are selling cheaper than cars in the city of Detroit! 

The City of Detroit already has one of highest tax rates, highest unemploymentrates, struggling schools and a Governor who’s spending more time in Europe than in Detroit.

Raising taxes isn’t going to help either:

http://migop.blogs.com/blog/2007/03/depressinghouse.html

Americans for Prosperity is sponsoring a Michigan Taxpayer Trust Tour Swings Through SE Michigan This Week.  For more information goto:

http://www.americansforprosperity.org/index.php?id=2830&state=mi

Everybody loves Hillary: http://migop.blogs.com/blog/2007/03/everybody_loves.html

The Michigan Republican Party is proud to announce its new Legacy Brick Fund site!  In 2006, the Michigan Republican Party moved into a new headquarters and are installing a legacy site this spring to honor those who have served the party and the citizens of Michigan.  This site will create a well-deserved tribute to honor Michigan’s Republican’s through personalized bricks. Buy one for yourself or to honor someone else. Be a part of the Michigan Republican Party Legacy – purchase an individualized brick that will last a lifetime!  Visit www.migop.org/legacy to order your brick today.

Saul Anuzis

How NOT to Spend Taxpayer Dollars