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Here We Go Again
The governor, the eternal optimist, believes she sees a "willingness" to have a constructive conversation with the senate GOP leader on the duo-headed monster of government reform and a new revenue producing tax system.
And indeed, Sen. Mike Bishop has said if the house democrats send the GOP controlled senate a plan to lower the sales tax rate and extend it to services, "We have an obligation to look at it."
"That sounds familiar," reflects House Speaker Andy Dillon whose been down this road with Bishop before.
Bishop whispered that in Dillon's ear last year about cutting the budget by $1.2 billion and then having a vote on raising new revenue. Bishop got his cuts, he did allow a vote on an income tax hike, and fulfilled his part of the not so grand bargain with Dillon who got egg on his face for dealing with Bishop.
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me, Dillon should be saying.
Neither he nor the governor is willing to make a deal with Big Mike unless they get something in writing to prove he will not just "look at" a new tax system but actually agree to fight to put up some votes for it. Let's just say Bishop is not there yet.
One "X"factor however is segments of the business community are on board with the governor and Dillon on the sales tax concept if cost savings in government come with it.
This is the "Grand Bargain" the governor keeps talking about under which each side gives a little to get a little and everyone shares in the pain.
So far the only pain Mr. Bishop wants to inflict is on every public employee at all levels of government. His mandatory and voter imposed 5% pay slice and 20% co-pay is actually something the governor might consider, if she got something in return.
At this read, it's a stand-off with no one giving anything yet. But hey boys and girls the year is young and lots can happen between now and then.
The trick for the governor, Dillon and business guys is to convince Mr. Bishop that the word "compromise" is not a four letter word.
posted by Tim Skubick at
5:50 AM
6 Comments:
Sen. Mike Bishop=Sen. Scott Brown Gov. Jennifer Graholm = Martha Coakley Out of touch with voters. The State of Michigan taxpayers can't afford another tax increase! #1 State in Unemployment 14.6% #1 State in Population lost. 32,759 (Det.News 12-24-09) Democratic Mayors of Detroit have raised taxes and lost population from 2 millions people in the mid 50's to 750,000 today and its is still falling!!!.
Why should the Governor and Democrats always expect a tax increase in return? Tim, come to grips with the fact that lowering state, county, city, teachers, (etc. all public!) workers pay should be just the beginning. Why should they command wages in excess of the same/similar jobs in the private sector. Same goes for health care benefits.
I go back to the remove all government waste first. Contact me at epd48098@gmail.com and I will document for you six state auditors doing the job of two, starting work at 9:30 and calling it a day at 2:20, after an hour and one half lunch. They are sent out to be "hidden" and avoid layoff. This is the kind of thing that really, really makes some (many?) in the public so cynical and jaded about the constant drumbeat for increased TAXES!
Not just my opinion ... check out the comments with respect to Ohio .... http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2010/01/27/income_angst_not_for_public_employees/
I like the "lowering state workers pay" thing. I think they may be on to something. But they need to start with legislators pay decreases first. They need to set a good example for the rest of the public workers before they take in the rear.
line 2: think you probably meant "dual," not "duo" -headed."
The growing gulf between public sector jobs and private sector employment is growing.
The time is fast approaching when the average taxpayer that isn't employed in a government job is going to get fed up with every union employee demanding their raises, $5 copays and lifetime pensions increased.
We are tired of the whining by those who live off our taxes, then complain that we aren't paying enough.
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