Liberty
How to set a budget target
The Taxpayer Bill of Rights proposed in SB717 includes language that, if adopted, would preempt the kind of debate currently raging between the Senate and House over how to calculate…
Michigan House of Representatives
lower state chamber of Michigan
Education
How to resolve learning loss
Learning loss and how to deal with it continues to be a major topic of discussion in legislatures across the country. Last week HB 82, introduced by House Republicans, proposed…
Budget, Taxation & Economy
Department of Military Affairs creates increase cost for State Budget
When I looked into the creation of a new department after the Governor’s budget suggested it, I thought – how could they create a new department and not spend any…
Liberty
What’s the gas tax rush?
If it feels like SB 20, changes to the gas tax bill, is on a fast track, you are correct. Under current law, a portion of the gas tax is…
Budget, Taxation & Economy
Plenty of drama without film incentives
Think of all the drama. The House brings in non-members to bolster its position in the budget impasse. Then senators stage a walkout. Now the governor is threatening a veto…
Budget, Taxation & Economy
How to reform Medicaid? Difference between Budgets
When the Governor released his budget proposal in May he expressed very strong concerns about the future of the Medicaid program and the continuous budget shortfalls the state has experienced. …
Budget, Taxation & Economy
Privilege tax cap heads to the Senate
The effort to cap local privilege license taxes at $100 cleared the House on Wednesday and now heads to the Senate. Representatives did clarify that ATM machines were not to…
Budget, Taxation & Economy
Budget Growth Compared
From fiscal year 2012 to 2013 the state saw an increase in budget spending of 3 percent. Both the Senate and the House have proposed their versions of the budget,…
Liberty
HB 680 – cuts red tape for small companies
With all the talk of tax reform, budgets and fiscal responsibility to get the economy moving, there hasn’t been a lot of talk lately about another important economic driver –…
Budget, Taxation & Economy
The Best Solution From Both Budgets: “Reverse Logrolling” shows the best option for government spending and tax reform
The Reverse Logrolling applied to the current state budget would result in a General Fund budget of $20.6 billion in the first year and $20.8 in the second, leaving surpluses…
Liberty
Crossover: Senate passes 212 and House passes 427 bills
Crossover was yesterday; the day that bills introduced into each house must be passed to the other to stay “alive” for the legislative session. In years past, the legislature has…
Elections & Public Integrity
Redistricting reform advocates call for Senate action this year
Redistricting reform advocates from across the partisan divide held a joint news conference this morning to urge state Senate action this year on House Bill 824, the bipartisan redistricting reform…