I wish folks supporting candidates for Clare County Sheriff would focus more touting the strengths, talents and accomplishments of their favorite candidate rather than trashing his opponents.
Alan Blanchard, editor
The Clare Sentinel
Clare, MI
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Open Meetings Act serves the public's right to know
OUR VIEW
Feb. 19, 2008
www.clarecountyonline.com
How familiar should city, county and school officials in Clare County be with all of the requirements of the Michigan’s Open Meetings Act?
Before you answer this question, consider the following:
-- The Farwell school board voted on Monday, Feb. 11, 2008, to meet in closed session to discuss a personnel issue, a violation of the Michigan Open Meetings Act (see related Page A1 story in today’s edition).
-- The Clare County Board of Commissioners voted on Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2008, to meet in closed session to discuss the sale of property near the Clare County Airport in Harrison, a violation of the Michigan Open Meetings Act (see related Page 2A story in today’s edition).
-- The Harrison school board voted Dec. 11, 2006, to meet in closed session to discuss the sale of the district’s early childhood building, a violation of the Michigan Open Meetings Act.
-- The Clare City Commission voted on Nov. 20, 2006, to meet in closed session to discuss the sale of the city’s old library building, 4th and McEwan, a violation of the Michigan Open Meetings Act.
Several things can learned from these four separate violations of the OMA in Clare County during the past 15 months.
First off, three of the four violations above each involved the discussion of sale of property behind closed doors, which is not a permissible subject or reason for a closed session. It would also appear that officials at Harrison school district and Clare county government didn’t read the news article in The Clare Sentinel reporting the initial OMA violation by the Clare City Commission back in late 2006. If they had read it, it could have spared them the fate of repeating history and allowed us to report on other news of interest to Clare Sentinel readers.
The fourth and most recent OMA violation occurred when the Farwell school board met to talk about a personnel issue, but failed to disclose the employee’s name and job title. Like the other three public organizations, the Farwell superintendent accepted responsibility for the OMA violation and promptly disclosed the name of the elementary principal (see related story on Page A1).
While we do not wish to minimize the violations of the Open Meetings Acts, we also give the administrators of local school districts, city and county governmental bodies the benefit of the doubt that they did not intentionally violate state law by their actions. We believe that they, along with the elected officials on their boards, are honest people who strive to serve the public and obey the laws of Michigan to the best of their abilities.
However, it would appear that ignorance of the law, as benign as that may sound, correlates with a failure to always conduct the public’s business in open meetings. Toward that end, we offer an mini-quiz on Open Meetings Law matters. See how many questions you can answer correctly:
Question No. 1: Can a public body vote on matters by secret ballot?
Question No. 2: If a quorum of a public body goes to its attorney’s office without posting advance notice, is it a violation of the OMA?
Question No. 3: Does the OMA apply to committees of a public body?
Question No. 4: Could a public body meet informally, at a restaurant for instance, before or after a meeting?
Question No. 5: If a public body posts a special meeting on the outside of a building over the weekend, is the meeting legal?
The answers are: 1) No; 2) Most likely; 3) It may; 4) Yes, but cannot discuss business; 5) Yes, if posted 18 hours prior to the meeting. For fuller answers and explanation on these and other Open Meetings Act questions, check out the Michigan Press Association Web site:
http://www.michiganpress.org/pdfs/righttoknow.pdf.
Our desire is for all citizens, including officials of public bodies, to be aware of the public’s right to enjoy – as Abraham Lincoln once said – “government of the people, by the people, for the people.”
The opinions expressed in the weekly “Our View” editorial represent those of The Clare Sentinel. We encourage our readers to share their views, pro or con, on this or other issues of general interest. Send letters to the editor at: newsroom@claresentinel.net or via mail to: P.O. Box 237, Clare, MI 48617.
Feb. 19, 2008
www.clarecountyonline.com
How familiar should city, county and school officials in Clare County be with all of the requirements of the Michigan’s Open Meetings Act?
Before you answer this question, consider the following:
-- The Farwell school board voted on Monday, Feb. 11, 2008, to meet in closed session to discuss a personnel issue, a violation of the Michigan Open Meetings Act (see related Page A1 story in today’s edition).
-- The Clare County Board of Commissioners voted on Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2008, to meet in closed session to discuss the sale of property near the Clare County Airport in Harrison, a violation of the Michigan Open Meetings Act (see related Page 2A story in today’s edition).
-- The Harrison school board voted Dec. 11, 2006, to meet in closed session to discuss the sale of the district’s early childhood building, a violation of the Michigan Open Meetings Act.
-- The Clare City Commission voted on Nov. 20, 2006, to meet in closed session to discuss the sale of the city’s old library building, 4th and McEwan, a violation of the Michigan Open Meetings Act.
Several things can learned from these four separate violations of the OMA in Clare County during the past 15 months.
First off, three of the four violations above each involved the discussion of sale of property behind closed doors, which is not a permissible subject or reason for a closed session. It would also appear that officials at Harrison school district and Clare county government didn’t read the news article in The Clare Sentinel reporting the initial OMA violation by the Clare City Commission back in late 2006. If they had read it, it could have spared them the fate of repeating history and allowed us to report on other news of interest to Clare Sentinel readers.
The fourth and most recent OMA violation occurred when the Farwell school board met to talk about a personnel issue, but failed to disclose the employee’s name and job title. Like the other three public organizations, the Farwell superintendent accepted responsibility for the OMA violation and promptly disclosed the name of the elementary principal (see related story on Page A1).
While we do not wish to minimize the violations of the Open Meetings Acts, we also give the administrators of local school districts, city and county governmental bodies the benefit of the doubt that they did not intentionally violate state law by their actions. We believe that they, along with the elected officials on their boards, are honest people who strive to serve the public and obey the laws of Michigan to the best of their abilities.
However, it would appear that ignorance of the law, as benign as that may sound, correlates with a failure to always conduct the public’s business in open meetings. Toward that end, we offer an mini-quiz on Open Meetings Law matters. See how many questions you can answer correctly:
Question No. 1: Can a public body vote on matters by secret ballot?
Question No. 2: If a quorum of a public body goes to its attorney’s office without posting advance notice, is it a violation of the OMA?
Question No. 3: Does the OMA apply to committees of a public body?
Question No. 4: Could a public body meet informally, at a restaurant for instance, before or after a meeting?
Question No. 5: If a public body posts a special meeting on the outside of a building over the weekend, is the meeting legal?
The answers are: 1) No; 2) Most likely; 3) It may; 4) Yes, but cannot discuss business; 5) Yes, if posted 18 hours prior to the meeting. For fuller answers and explanation on these and other Open Meetings Act questions, check out the Michigan Press Association Web site:
http://www.michiganpress.org/pdfs/righttoknow.pdf.
Our desire is for all citizens, including officials of public bodies, to be aware of the public’s right to enjoy – as Abraham Lincoln once said – “government of the people, by the people, for the people.”
The opinions expressed in the weekly “Our View” editorial represent those of The Clare Sentinel. We encourage our readers to share their views, pro or con, on this or other issues of general interest. Send letters to the editor at: newsroom@claresentinel.net or via mail to: P.O. Box 237, Clare, MI 48617.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Mitt Romney as seen through eyes of youngest son Craig Romney
Craig Romney, 26, youngest son of Mitt Romney, took time for a quick telephone interview with this newspaper editor at The Clare (Mich.) Sentinel as the candidate’s son made his way to the airport in Grand Rapids on Friday.
Craig Romney, who’s taken a leave of absence from his job with an advertising firm, talked about some of the downsides of working on a political campaign
Asked to share some things about his father that most people don’t know about him, Romney’s son said, “One thing that is funny to me … people don’t know this about him, is that he literally never relaxes. He gets off handful days a year. While everyone else will be relaxing, reading a book (on a family vacation), he’s always got little projects going on … he has a tractor in New Hampshire, and will be digging holes, always working on something.”
The son also said his father, Mitt Romney, has a low tolerance for waste, explaining childhood memories, “If I took a shower two minutes too long, left the lights on overnight … I’d hear about it. As a teen-ager, it drives you crazy, he took that same sense of frugality to Massachusetts, where spending was out of control and you’ve got to cut back on a lot of things. We’re going to have run a tighter ship here. He (Mitt Romney) obviously … he’s a wealthy man, and is very much a borderline cheapskate.”
Craig Romney, who’s taken a leave of absence from his job with an advertising firm, talked about some of the downsides of working on a political campaign
Asked to share some things about his father that most people don’t know about him, Romney’s son said, “One thing that is funny to me … people don’t know this about him, is that he literally never relaxes. He gets off handful days a year. While everyone else will be relaxing, reading a book (on a family vacation), he’s always got little projects going on … he has a tractor in New Hampshire, and will be digging holes, always working on something.”
The son also said his father, Mitt Romney, has a low tolerance for waste, explaining childhood memories, “If I took a shower two minutes too long, left the lights on overnight … I’d hear about it. As a teen-ager, it drives you crazy, he took that same sense of frugality to Massachusetts, where spending was out of control and you’ve got to cut back on a lot of things. We’re going to have run a tighter ship here. He (Mitt Romney) obviously … he’s a wealthy man, and is very much a borderline cheapskate.”
Brownback for McCain
I took a call at the Clare Sentinel office Friday from U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., a former GOP presidential hopeful (until he dropped out of the race a few months ago) who has since thrown his support behind U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., for the GOP presidential nomination.
Here’s what I was able to glean about McCain from Brownback’s perspective:
BLANCHARD: Why did you choose to endorse Sen. McCain?
BROWNBACK: … because he is really the most complete candidate on our side and matches up best against Hillary or Obama in Florida, Ohio and Missouri and (has a strong) prolife voting record. Of the candidates on both sides, McCain has the most foreign policy experience now that Joe Biden is out of the race. He is a fiscal conservative of the top order and he’ll have as commander in chief, the most experience since President Eisenhower. He’s a true hero. He could have left North Vietnamese camp early, but declined when he was told the other men wouldn’t be released, too.
BLANCHARD: Who do you like second best after McCain among the GOP candidates?
BROWNBACK: I would have to think about that for quite a while. Think the field falls off (after McCain) …. Each GOP candidate has clear strengths and weaknesses. I looked a lot at Mike Huckabee. I didn’t go with Mike Huckabee due to his lack of foreign policy experience. He (Huckabee) is not an economic conservative. I don’t think he could deal as a GOP conservative. He is a good, wonderful man, a beautiful speaker and wonderful on issues of the heart, but he lacks foreign policy experience.
BLANCHARD: Who do you think is least qualified?
BROWNBACK: I don’t know. … it’s good field of candidates … a diverse field. Former mayor of New York, former governors, senators.
BLANCHARD: What role do you think Christian faith plays in Sen. McCain’s personal, professional life?
BROWNBACK: I think it is a strong, overall impact for as far as the Judeo-Christian values, quite a signifcant part in his personal and in his worldview would be the way I would see it in my knowledge … I know him fairly well as a friend and a colleague since 1996 (when Brownback entered the U.S. Senate.)
BLANCHARD: How does that differ from the role Christian faith plays in your life?
BROWNBACK: For me as a personal issue, my faith is very personally lively and active. I push on a lot of issues that are close to my faith. Prolife, marriage … John (McCain) doesn’t push on most of those issues, but for me I bring a lot of those issues (to the front)… John would generally vote the right way on issues, which makes me feel good about McCain being president. He’s going to support them if we bring those issues forward. He would bring those military issues forward and I’d be there to support them.
BLANCHARD: What would you say is Sen. McCain’s top strength aside from his military/foreign affairs expertise?
BROWNBACK: He’s probably a better a general election candidate than a primary candidate. He’s reached across the aisle … in general election, he matches up well against (Democrat nominee) … (people) like his Maverick nature. If elected president, the country is in a mood that it doesn’t want the partisanship, it wants to see people make government work for them on issues of importance to them. McCain’s at a point in time in his career, if a big topic arises and needs to be dealt with it doesn’t matter the size of the fight … when you have got to get something done. Campaign finance was one, which was having a corrupting force. I disagreed with him, didn’t think it was constitutional, but McCain thought it was having a corrupting impact. A lot of topics like that made him have difficulty.
BLANCHARD: Do you think McCain will do as well on Tuesday as he did against George W. Bush in 2000 primary in Michigan?
BROWNBACK: If the past is a prologue to places he’s performed well before, he’s done well in Iowa and New Hampshire …. I think there’s a good chance without Democrats on the ballot, not fighting over independents like Obama, McCain should be able to perform well in Michigan.”
BLANCHARD: Would you accept an invitation to serve as the vice presidential candidate on a McCain-Brownback ticket in the fall?
BROWNBACK: I’d sure look at it … those things are a long way off … aren’t decided until the very end. People ask two questions about potential vice presidential candidates: 1) can this person serve as president; 2) can he help me win in the fall.
BLANCHARD: Who do you like best among the Democratic candidates?
BROWNBACK: Bill Richardson, governor of New Mexico, or U.S. Sen. Joe Biden, D-N.J., … Joe Biden I’ve worked with the most, we put forth a proposal for Iraq, the three-state solution … the only bill that passed … would leave Iraq as one country, Sunni, Kurds, Shiites …
BLANCHARD: Anything else you’d like to say?
BROWNB ACK: I urge people to get out and vote. The eyes of world will be on Michigan now … Michigan will have a big impact.
Here’s what I was able to glean about McCain from Brownback’s perspective:
BLANCHARD: Why did you choose to endorse Sen. McCain?
BROWNBACK: … because he is really the most complete candidate on our side and matches up best against Hillary or Obama in Florida, Ohio and Missouri and (has a strong) prolife voting record. Of the candidates on both sides, McCain has the most foreign policy experience now that Joe Biden is out of the race. He is a fiscal conservative of the top order and he’ll have as commander in chief, the most experience since President Eisenhower. He’s a true hero. He could have left North Vietnamese camp early, but declined when he was told the other men wouldn’t be released, too.
BLANCHARD: Who do you like second best after McCain among the GOP candidates?
BROWNBACK: I would have to think about that for quite a while. Think the field falls off (after McCain) …. Each GOP candidate has clear strengths and weaknesses. I looked a lot at Mike Huckabee. I didn’t go with Mike Huckabee due to his lack of foreign policy experience. He (Huckabee) is not an economic conservative. I don’t think he could deal as a GOP conservative. He is a good, wonderful man, a beautiful speaker and wonderful on issues of the heart, but he lacks foreign policy experience.
BLANCHARD: Who do you think is least qualified?
BROWNBACK: I don’t know. … it’s good field of candidates … a diverse field. Former mayor of New York, former governors, senators.
BLANCHARD: What role do you think Christian faith plays in Sen. McCain’s personal, professional life?
BROWNBACK: I think it is a strong, overall impact for as far as the Judeo-Christian values, quite a signifcant part in his personal and in his worldview would be the way I would see it in my knowledge … I know him fairly well as a friend and a colleague since 1996 (when Brownback entered the U.S. Senate.)
BLANCHARD: How does that differ from the role Christian faith plays in your life?
BROWNBACK: For me as a personal issue, my faith is very personally lively and active. I push on a lot of issues that are close to my faith. Prolife, marriage … John (McCain) doesn’t push on most of those issues, but for me I bring a lot of those issues (to the front)… John would generally vote the right way on issues, which makes me feel good about McCain being president. He’s going to support them if we bring those issues forward. He would bring those military issues forward and I’d be there to support them.
BLANCHARD: What would you say is Sen. McCain’s top strength aside from his military/foreign affairs expertise?
BROWNBACK: He’s probably a better a general election candidate than a primary candidate. He’s reached across the aisle … in general election, he matches up well against (Democrat nominee) … (people) like his Maverick nature. If elected president, the country is in a mood that it doesn’t want the partisanship, it wants to see people make government work for them on issues of importance to them. McCain’s at a point in time in his career, if a big topic arises and needs to be dealt with it doesn’t matter the size of the fight … when you have got to get something done. Campaign finance was one, which was having a corrupting force. I disagreed with him, didn’t think it was constitutional, but McCain thought it was having a corrupting impact. A lot of topics like that made him have difficulty.
BLANCHARD: Do you think McCain will do as well on Tuesday as he did against George W. Bush in 2000 primary in Michigan?
BROWNBACK: If the past is a prologue to places he’s performed well before, he’s done well in Iowa and New Hampshire …. I think there’s a good chance without Democrats on the ballot, not fighting over independents like Obama, McCain should be able to perform well in Michigan.”
BLANCHARD: Would you accept an invitation to serve as the vice presidential candidate on a McCain-Brownback ticket in the fall?
BROWNBACK: I’d sure look at it … those things are a long way off … aren’t decided until the very end. People ask two questions about potential vice presidential candidates: 1) can this person serve as president; 2) can he help me win in the fall.
BLANCHARD: Who do you like best among the Democratic candidates?
BROWNBACK: Bill Richardson, governor of New Mexico, or U.S. Sen. Joe Biden, D-N.J., … Joe Biden I’ve worked with the most, we put forth a proposal for Iraq, the three-state solution … the only bill that passed … would leave Iraq as one country, Sunni, Kurds, Shiites …
BLANCHARD: Anything else you’d like to say?
BROWNB ACK: I urge people to get out and vote. The eyes of world will be on Michigan now … Michigan will have a big impact.
Gov. Granholm, take a cue from Rep. Tim Moore, R-Farwell
Just when you think there’s no one in state government who knows how to balance a budget and live frugally, state Rep. Tim Moore steps up to the plate by returning almost $7,000 of his unused office allotment funds to the Michigan treasury.
"All during last year’s budget debate, I supported reforming and restructuring state government spending before raising people’s taxes," reported Moore, R-Farwell. "Saving taxpayers about 7 percent of my individual office allotment was one of the ways I can directly start the reform effort, even if it’s just a small step at a time. We trimmed expenses where possible, as long as it didn’t impair the service provided to district residents."
The former auto parts store owner from Farwell reports that each year state lawmaker offices are allocated funds for staff salaries, mailings, printing, publications, telephone and other operating expenses. Moore saved $6,903 from the amount he was budgeted for in 2007.
We wonder how much money other Michigan Republican and Democrat legislators, and Gov. Jennifer Granholm managed to avoid spending in their respective office budgets during 2007?
Let’s do some quick math. If the remainin 109 state representatives saved $7,000 apiece that would equal $763,000. If the state senators saved $10,000 apiece (only 38 of them) that would equal $380,000. Combined, that would total $1,149,903, including the $6,903 that Moore managed to not spend.
Then, if the governor’s office ended 2007 not spending say, about $350,097, that would bring the total savings to $1.5 million, which could be returned to the state treasury. It would be a start.
The opinions expressed in the weekly "Our View" editorial represent those of The Clare Sentinel. We encourage our readers to share their views, pro or con, on this or other issues of general interest. Send letters to the editor at: newsroom@claresentinel.net or via mail to: P.O. Box 237, Clare, MI 48617.
"All during last year’s budget debate, I supported reforming and restructuring state government spending before raising people’s taxes," reported Moore, R-Farwell. "Saving taxpayers about 7 percent of my individual office allotment was one of the ways I can directly start the reform effort, even if it’s just a small step at a time. We trimmed expenses where possible, as long as it didn’t impair the service provided to district residents."
The former auto parts store owner from Farwell reports that each year state lawmaker offices are allocated funds for staff salaries, mailings, printing, publications, telephone and other operating expenses. Moore saved $6,903 from the amount he was budgeted for in 2007.
We wonder how much money other Michigan Republican and Democrat legislators, and Gov. Jennifer Granholm managed to avoid spending in their respective office budgets during 2007?
Let’s do some quick math. If the remainin 109 state representatives saved $7,000 apiece that would equal $763,000. If the state senators saved $10,000 apiece (only 38 of them) that would equal $380,000. Combined, that would total $1,149,903, including the $6,903 that Moore managed to not spend.
Then, if the governor’s office ended 2007 not spending say, about $350,097, that would bring the total savings to $1.5 million, which could be returned to the state treasury. It would be a start.
The opinions expressed in the weekly "Our View" editorial represent those of The Clare Sentinel. We encourage our readers to share their views, pro or con, on this or other issues of general interest. Send letters to the editor at: newsroom@claresentinel.net or via mail to: P.O. Box 237, Clare, MI 48617.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Gov. Granholm doesn't get it ...
Gov. Granholm urges
folks to lobby Moore
By Alan D. Blanchard
The Clare Sentinel is certainly no stranger to receiving unsolicited spam. However, an email received by this weekly newspaper editor at 11:24 a.m. last Friday, Sept. 14, certainly falls into the unusual category, and not just because the letter's author was none other than Gov. Jennifer Granholm.
Well, cutting through to the chase, the letter encouraged me not once, but three times to telephone state Rep. Tim Moore, R-Farwell, and urge him to support a "comprehensive solution." Then I figured it out … the governor, who has probably mass-emailed this letter to citizens across Rep. Moore's district, was trying to get citizens to put pressure on Rep. Moore to come around to her way of thinking.
Republicans in the Legislature favor cutting expenses and not raising taxes. Democrats, including Gov. Granholm, favor cutting some expenses and raising taxes. So far, there's been no meeting of the minds, no solution and no budget for the state of Michigan.
When the governor speaks of a supporting a "comprehensive solution," that's just code for "raise taxes." And she's simply trying to take the easy way out by pushing for tax hikes. Instead, Gov. Granholm and the entire Legislature need to start making some tough decisions and begin cutting expenses and living within their means. That means doing so without raising taxes at all.
You can read the governor's note, which appears below in its entirety, and judge for yourself the merits of her arguments and strategies for putting state government's financial affairs in order.
For me, I say quit expending expense, energy and time sending out mass emails to try to influence legislators like Moore who are opposed to increasing taxes and start doing the right thing.
Make no mistake. The state is in a pickle and is spending incredibly more money than it is receiving in revenues. But the solution does not rest in scaring people into accepting tax hikes as the solution to this fiscal mess; it rests instead in doing a "comprehensive" review and prioritizing of state services and personnel. Cutting back less essential services and layoffs are inevitable in state government, and the governor needs to demonstrate leadership in this regard rather than wasting precious time politicking.
Why should state government be immune from working leaner, smarter and more frugally? The Big 3 automakers have had to do it, as have a number of others in the private sector.
While short-term pain will result if the state decides to live within its means, over the long haul the citizens of Michigan will be much better off.
Oh, one last thing: Dear Gov. Jennifer Granholm, thanks for the note, but wouldn't it be better for you to directly communicate with Rep. Tim Moore? His number appears below. Sincerely, Alan
Alan Blanchard is editor and publisher of The Clare Sentinel – alan@claresentinel.net or at his blog: http://claresentinel.blogspot.com/
Governor's letter titled:
'Urgent: It's time to act'
Dear Alan:
Today is one of the moments that will definitively and dramatically define what kind of future we create for Michigan. Right now, I need your help to make sure the direction we set for our state is one that provides opportunity for our citizens.
This morning, the Michigan House of Representatives is voting on budget bills that are steps towards resolving our fiscal crisis. The bills are part of a comprehensive solution that includes sensible cuts, significant reforms and new revenues. With just 16 days left until the constitutional deadline, the time for hesitation is past. The Legislature must act now on a comprehensive solution.
Please call Rep. Moore RIGHT NOW at (517) 373-8962 and tell him to support a comprehensive solution.
Earlier this week, the Senate Republicans unveiled a list of devastating cuts that would hurt Michigan citizens. If these bills are not passed out of the House, the Senate is threatening to move forward with these cuts on Monday.
Since taking office, I have reconciled over $4 billion in budget deficits and have cut more out of state government than any Governor before me. But now, instead of slashing education, health care and public safety, we must secure our future with a comprehensive approach that includes sensible cuts, significant reforms, and new revenues. Bi-partisan leaders across our state and experts on Wall Street agree that we need a comprehensive solution.
Call (517) 373-8962 right now and tell Rep. Moore to support a comprehensive solution.
For months, Michigan's fiscal crisis has spiraled out of control while the Legislature failed to pass a comprehensive budget solution. Now, with just 16 days left until the start of the next fiscal year, failure to pass these budget bills is simply not an option.
Call Rep. Moore right now and tell him to support a comprehensive solution.
Together, we can guarantee strong schools for our kids, affordable college and worker training, greater access to health care, and police and firefighters on the streets we can secure a brighter future for Michigan. Please forward this email and make a phone call right now.
Sincerely,
Gov. Jennifer Granholm
folks to lobby Moore
By Alan D. Blanchard
The Clare Sentinel is certainly no stranger to receiving unsolicited spam. However, an email received by this weekly newspaper editor at 11:24 a.m. last Friday, Sept. 14, certainly falls into the unusual category, and not just because the letter's author was none other than Gov. Jennifer Granholm.
Well, cutting through to the chase, the letter encouraged me not once, but three times to telephone state Rep. Tim Moore, R-Farwell, and urge him to support a "comprehensive solution." Then I figured it out … the governor, who has probably mass-emailed this letter to citizens across Rep. Moore's district, was trying to get citizens to put pressure on Rep. Moore to come around to her way of thinking.
Republicans in the Legislature favor cutting expenses and not raising taxes. Democrats, including Gov. Granholm, favor cutting some expenses and raising taxes. So far, there's been no meeting of the minds, no solution and no budget for the state of Michigan.
When the governor speaks of a supporting a "comprehensive solution," that's just code for "raise taxes." And she's simply trying to take the easy way out by pushing for tax hikes. Instead, Gov. Granholm and the entire Legislature need to start making some tough decisions and begin cutting expenses and living within their means. That means doing so without raising taxes at all.
You can read the governor's note, which appears below in its entirety, and judge for yourself the merits of her arguments and strategies for putting state government's financial affairs in order.
For me, I say quit expending expense, energy and time sending out mass emails to try to influence legislators like Moore who are opposed to increasing taxes and start doing the right thing.
Make no mistake. The state is in a pickle and is spending incredibly more money than it is receiving in revenues. But the solution does not rest in scaring people into accepting tax hikes as the solution to this fiscal mess; it rests instead in doing a "comprehensive" review and prioritizing of state services and personnel. Cutting back less essential services and layoffs are inevitable in state government, and the governor needs to demonstrate leadership in this regard rather than wasting precious time politicking.
Why should state government be immune from working leaner, smarter and more frugally? The Big 3 automakers have had to do it, as have a number of others in the private sector.
While short-term pain will result if the state decides to live within its means, over the long haul the citizens of Michigan will be much better off.
Oh, one last thing: Dear Gov. Jennifer Granholm, thanks for the note, but wouldn't it be better for you to directly communicate with Rep. Tim Moore? His number appears below. Sincerely, Alan
Alan Blanchard is editor and publisher of The Clare Sentinel – alan@claresentinel.net or at his blog: http://claresentinel.blogspot.com/
Governor's letter titled:
'Urgent: It's time to act'
Dear Alan:
Today is one of the moments that will definitively and dramatically define what kind of future we create for Michigan. Right now, I need your help to make sure the direction we set for our state is one that provides opportunity for our citizens.
This morning, the Michigan House of Representatives is voting on budget bills that are steps towards resolving our fiscal crisis. The bills are part of a comprehensive solution that includes sensible cuts, significant reforms and new revenues. With just 16 days left until the constitutional deadline, the time for hesitation is past. The Legislature must act now on a comprehensive solution.
Please call Rep. Moore RIGHT NOW at (517) 373-8962 and tell him to support a comprehensive solution.
Earlier this week, the Senate Republicans unveiled a list of devastating cuts that would hurt Michigan citizens. If these bills are not passed out of the House, the Senate is threatening to move forward with these cuts on Monday.
Since taking office, I have reconciled over $4 billion in budget deficits and have cut more out of state government than any Governor before me. But now, instead of slashing education, health care and public safety, we must secure our future with a comprehensive approach that includes sensible cuts, significant reforms, and new revenues. Bi-partisan leaders across our state and experts on Wall Street agree that we need a comprehensive solution.
Call (517) 373-8962 right now and tell Rep. Moore to support a comprehensive solution.
For months, Michigan's fiscal crisis has spiraled out of control while the Legislature failed to pass a comprehensive budget solution. Now, with just 16 days left until the start of the next fiscal year, failure to pass these budget bills is simply not an option.
Call Rep. Moore right now and tell him to support a comprehensive solution.
Together, we can guarantee strong schools for our kids, affordable college and worker training, greater access to health care, and police and firefighters on the streets we can secure a brighter future for Michigan. Please forward this email and make a phone call right now.
Sincerely,
Gov. Jennifer Granholm
Sunday, August 5, 2007
Favor or oppose Michigan Legislature's proposal to ban smoking in restaurants?
The Michigan Legislature is considering whether to pass a law making it illegal for individuals to smoke in bars and restaurant. People seem to be divided on the issue.
Gov. Jennifer Granholm, D-Mich., says she will sign the bill into law if the Michigan House of Representives and Senate pass the measure to her desk.
State Rep. Tim Moore, R-Farwell, as reported in the Aug. 7 edition of The Clare Sentinel says that the Michigan Legislature has no business telling business people they cannot allow smokers to frequent their restaurants and bars. He says there are far more important issues for the state's politicians to be addressing than a smoking ban.
What do you think? And why?
Gov. Jennifer Granholm, D-Mich., says she will sign the bill into law if the Michigan House of Representives and Senate pass the measure to her desk.
State Rep. Tim Moore, R-Farwell, as reported in the Aug. 7 edition of The Clare Sentinel says that the Michigan Legislature has no business telling business people they cannot allow smokers to frequent their restaurants and bars. He says there are far more important issues for the state's politicians to be addressing than a smoking ban.
What do you think? And why?
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