Ignore everything written in this Washington Post divide-and-conquer attempt targeting new Michigan governor Rick Snyder: there is no adversarial relationship between the governor and his Republican colleagues. In fact, it would not surprise me in the slightest if Rick Snyder makes a point of ending each day by thanking God for Chris Christie, John Kasich, and – most assuredly – Scott Walker. If they didn’t exist, Snyder would be the target of a lot more media attention right now.
And it’d be very hostile media attention, mostly because of the budget proposal that Governor Snyder revealed last week. It is a fascinating proposal; which is to say, it is an exercise in raw political courage even by the currently-high standards of state Republican organizations. Elimination of state Earned Income Credits. Lifetime cap on welfare benefits. The current corporate tax break system largely ripped out and replaced with a flat tax. Cuts to education and police services, not to mention local municipalities. And – this is the one that is going to cause Snyder problems with the GOP – the imposition of state taxes on public and private employee pensions. This last one is actually pretty standard, but it is still a new tax… on senior citizens.
Oh, and $180,000,000 in concessions from unions. Governor Snyder will be happy to let them work out how they can come up with the money for that. And just as long as it’s understood that this is independent of public sector unions paying for more of their healthcare plans.
Those who are wondering why this is the first that they’ve heard about any of this should keep in mind that the last two weeks or so have been dominated by scenes of Wisconsin Democrats frantically trying to deny that elections have consequences. Snyder isn’t being confrontational about this (at least, not on the federal level); then again, he doesn’t need to, thanks to the Republican majority in the state legislature. For those wondering, a simple majority constitutes a quorum in both houses of the legislature, which is almost certainly contributing to the relatively muted response by Michigan Democrats. But the major reason for the muted response is almost certainly because Democratic antics in Wisconsin are sucking out all the media oxygen in the room; which is, again, something that probably pleases Gov. Snyder every time he thinks about it.
Let me end by noting that none of this should be seen as a criticism of either Governor Snyder or Governor Walker: they’re using different strategies to reach similar goals, and what works in Wisconsin might not work in Michigan. The important thing is that they get their respective state budgets under control. If that means that Rick Snyder plays good cop to Scott Walker’s bad cop, well, that’s the way it goes…
Moe Lane (crosspost)
Moe Lane
Dan Spencer
Dan McLaughlin
Jeff Emanuel
as I'm reminded too often (>once)
techsan (Diary) Sunday, February 27th at 6:13PM EDT (link)….WI started soooooo much of progressive/union (what’s the difference, again?) groupthink. Walker has a much different row to hoe than other states. If my state can provide cover for the good of the cause, all the better. And it makes Walker’s stand that much more important.
In the end, all we have on our side of the debate are facts and history.
I can't wait until this hits the front page of the media.
carolina Sunday, February 27th at 6:33PM EDT (link)I love it every time it is mentioned that Daniels got rid of public employee collective bargaining with a simple executive order 5 years ago – with no screaming by the union thugs (that I noticed)
Ohio will start to get more attention, and the gov of Maine wants to move in this direction also.
I think it is BEAUTIFUL that MI GOP majorities in both parts of the state legislature constitute a quorum – so the dems accomplish nothing by running away.
The Indiana fleebaggers look more stupid every day.
Elections do have consequences……. which become more apparent every day. All of this is wondrous to behold!
I can't wait until this hits the front page of the media.
carolina Sunday, February 27th at 6:33PM EDT (link)I love it every time it is mentioned that Daniels got rid of public employee collective bargaining with a simple executive order 5 years ago – with no screaming by the union thugs (that I noticed)
Ohio will start to get more attention, and the gov of Maine wants to move in this direction also.
I think it is BEAUTIFUL that MI GOP majorities in both parts of the state legislature constitute a quorum – so the dems accomplish nothing by running away.
The Indiana fleebaggers look more stupid every day.
Elections do have consequences……. which become more apparent every day. All of this is wondrous to behold!
Fingers crossed....
smitch61 Sunday, February 27th at 6:38PM EDT (link)Of course this will not surprise you, but quite a few GOP leaders are not going to support it……You know how the GOP are, they promise everything….. to get elected, beyond that point they do not remember us.
Snyder is the best chance MI has had in a very very long time…. We are a nanny state for sure.
amen carolina from a south carolinian re michigan - nt
Mike gamecock DeVine (Diary) Sunday, February 27th at 6:43PM EDT (link)Mike DeVine’s Examiner.com and Charlotte Observer columns
“One man with courage makes a majority.” – Andrew Jackson
poetic justice
edwyrd (Diary) Sunday, February 27th at 9:17PM EDT (link)it was the unions who got harry reid re-elected. it was the unions who contributed 100s of millions in 2010 to democrats, http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/opedcolumnists/look_who_trying_to_buy_the_election_ZJlWcQjzLQk1NRt82zLrLP
and now it is the unions who are being methodically emasculated. furthermore there is no recourse or quartert to be had. what the democrats have sown so shall they reap!!!
“but men are different, they propound mathmatical theorms in beleaguered cities, conduct metaphysical arguments in condemned cells, make jokes on scaffolds, discuss the last new poem while advancing to the walls of quebec and comb their hair at thermopylae. it is our nature!
—C.S Lewis, weight of glory
I like Snyder
smitch61 Sunday, February 27th at 6:35PM EDT (link)Most of the reaction here is mixed. He wants to get to a fair tax at some point, and taxing pensions is the right start. The elderly are threatening to leave, and he said ” that would be a shame, we don;t want that to happen, but taxing the pension is fair for everybody”… I do not know what to predict with our legislature, we shall see. I am hopeful.
hi mitch
dog_nut Sunday, February 27th at 8:46PM EDT (link)I’m optimistic – we have the state house, a supermajority in the state senate and the court, despite two-penny jenny’s two attempts to pack it with Democrats. I think he gets most if not all of what he wants.
two-penny-jenny!
smitch61 Sunday, February 27th at 10:36PM EDT (link)That is perfect!.. I am so thankful she is gone, along with the first lady who had his own office, salary, and spending account.
Not to get on a Palin rant, but it totally bugged the heck out of me when Mullhern said Palin should be home with the kids…. he was so ticked off she was McCain’s running mate he was spitting when he spoke. His own wife should have stayed home with the kids then… what a double standard.! Besides, their kids names are Granholm-Mullhern… who does that? I am so glad they are gone….
what is the downside of pensioners leaving the state?
jackhammer Monday, February 28th at 3:55AM EDT (link)Just wondering? Are those UAW pensions so golden that the elderly are filling their shopping carts at Best Buy and building multiple houses?
Not to have undue disrespect for the elderly, but from a state government perspective, they are pretty expensive constituents. So if they high-tail it down to Florida, what exactly is the downside for MI?
There are some Really ballsy Governors out there right now
Raven (Diary) Sunday, February 27th at 6:37PM EDT (link)And as each one comes up with his own thing, the next is one-upping him.
Christie
Brewer
McDonnell
Walker
Kasich
Snyder.
How long can we keep this up? I’m, loving it,.
“If you do not have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.”
Luke 22:36
Subtract Brewer from that list
aesthete (Diary) Sunday, February 27th at 6:51PM EDT (link)and I completely agree with you.
“It is a popular delusion that the government wastes vast amounts of money through inefficiency and sloth. Enormous effort and elaborate planning are required to waste this much money.”
-P.J. O’Rourke
Yep.
mbecker908 (Diary) Sunday, February 27th at 7:08PM EDT (link)Although I have to note that she’s doing somewhat better than I thought she would.
well, if not ballsy, how about scrotumy? - nt
Mike gamecock DeVine (Diary) Sunday, February 27th at 7:15PM EDT (link)Mike DeVine’s Examiner.com and Charlotte Observer columns
“One man with courage makes a majority.” – Andrew Jackson
Actually, words like "pathetic" come to mind.
mbecker908 (Diary) Sunday, February 27th at 7:26PM EDT (link)If you’d like a phrase, how about “over head farther than BO’s over his head”.
We’ll see what happens. I don’t have much in the way of good feelings about her ability to accomplish anything. Although to her credit I seriously doubt she’ll resign next year.
well, you listed three things (I would add the stop and frisk law) and so that's 3-4 more things than
Mike gamecock DeVine (Diary) Sunday, February 27th at 7:40PM EDT (link)I could list that Obama has done…
In fact, at Brewer’s testicular fortitude trial, you will be subpoenaed as a witness to testify on these three matters! smile
btw, JD filled in for Michael Savage on the night last week that cable tv and internet was out at my house due to girlfriend not paying the bill, and so I listened to the radio after 6-9pm, which i never do.
JD was good. I guess I like him because I get him in small doses? smile
Mike DeVine’s Examiner.com and Charlotte Observer columns
“One man with courage makes a majority.” – Andrew Jackson
She had less to do with SB1070 than you did GC.
mbecker908 (Diary) Sunday, February 27th at 8:52PM EDT (link)JD and Savage. A collection of idiots.
I’m pretty sure JD’s moving to GA. Then you can vote for him. And I’ll never have to listen to him again. In any dose.
Dang, and I had already burned the CDs of his radio highlights for your Birthday. But Becker, didn't Brewer sign
Mike gamecock DeVine (Diary) Sunday, February 27th at 9:05PM EDT (link)the bill?
That would be more than I did, although I’m sure that my columns have been an inspiration for fence-builders!
Mike DeVine’s Examiner.com and Charlotte Observer columns
“One man with courage makes a majority.” – Andrew Jackson
Yes, she signed the bill.
mbecker908 (Diary) Sunday, February 27th at 9:25PM EDT (link)And given that she couldn’t be bothered to say so much as ONE word about the bill before she signed it she gets no – as in zero – credit in my book. No one even leaked her intention to sign it before she did. The woman is a complete blank slate.
I’d love the CDs. Ground up they make great kitty litter.
But are you impressed with my cross-examination skills just a little. Becker, signing the bill is quite huge in and
Mike gamecock DeVine (Diary) Sunday, February 27th at 9:35PM EDT (link)of itself. Tell the truth, she turned you down for a date to the senior prom…smile
But I defer. You are on the ground there. The dusty, grassless wasteland of ground, but you are there.
How did you like Nikki Haley on the Sunday shows today?
GREAT RACE in Phoenix today as the 24 rose from the ashes.
more later bubba
Mike DeVine’s Examiner.com and Charlotte Observer columns
“One man with courage makes a majority.” – Andrew Jackson
The first is a bill proposed by other legislators apart from her
aesthete (Diary) Sunday, February 27th at 7:44PM EDT (link)if it’s the bill I’m thinking of. It’s pretty analogous to the situation of RTW in Indiana with Daniels. The second is to be expected, and probably won’t lead anywhere. The third… I wasn’t expecting, given her prior support for raising taxes to keep education afloat.
All the same, better than I expected: soft bigotry of low expectations, I guess.
“It is a popular delusion that the government wastes vast amounts of money through inefficiency and sloth. Enormous effort and elaborate planning are required to waste this much money.”
-P.J. O’Rourke
LOL - nt
Mike gamecock DeVine (Diary) Sunday, February 27th at 8:44PM EDT (link)Mike DeVine’s Examiner.com and Charlotte Observer columns
“One man with courage makes a majority.” – Andrew Jackson
Yes, Jan is female - nt
Mike gamecock DeVine (Diary) Sunday, February 27th at 7:13PM EDT (link)Mike DeVine’s Examiner.com and Charlotte Observer columns
“One man with courage makes a majority.” – Andrew Jackson
Add Rick Scott, at least for now. Time will tell
Michael Dugas (Diary) Sunday, February 27th at 9:25PM EDT (link)but he has been standing firm, so far, on his pre-election proposals.
Intro to Federalist Papers; section 5;
paragraph 4.
“…dangerous ambition more often lurks behind the specious mask of zeal for the rights of the people than under the zeal for a firm and efficient government.”
Remember: A Citizen on the dole is a Liberal Vote at the Polls.
END ENTITLEMENTS!
Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum !
Absolutely 100% agree
fpete13527 (Diary) Sunday, February 27th at 9:46PM EDT (link)ADD RICK SCOTT
i know this is redstate
edwyrd (Diary) Sunday, February 27th at 10:32PM EDT (link)and i should carry my research in my pocket, but didn’t rick scott back down recently on some anti- union legislation?
“but men are different, they propound mathmatical theorms in beleaguered cities, conduct metaphysical arguments in condemned cells, make jokes on scaffolds, discuss the last new poem while advancing to the walls of quebec and comb their hair at thermopylae. it is our nature!
—C.S Lewis, weight of glory
I don't believe so edwyrd
Michael Dugas (Diary) Sunday, February 27th at 11:00PM EDT (link)I haven’t heard of any anti-union legislation here in Fla being shot down. This is a right to work state and there’s not much union activity here like in Wisconsin etc. If you know of an issue or if you find the story you are mentioning please let me know.
Intro to Federalist Papers; section 5;
paragraph 4.
“…dangerous ambition more often lurks behind the specious mask of zeal for the rights of the people than under the zeal for a firm and efficient government.”
Remember: A Citizen on the dole is a Liberal Vote at the Polls.
END ENTITLEMENTS!
Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum !
Kowalski Alert! @ edwyrd
Michael Dugas (Diary) Sunday, February 27th at 11:09PM EDT (link)I did find a story where he said that he “mirror” Gov Walkers collective bargaining proposal. It was an interview on a local talk radio station, 970WFLA.
“While Scott has sought to require public employees to contribute to their pensions, he said Tuesday has no plans to mirror Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s collective bargaining proposal. “My belief is as long as people know what they’re doing, collective bargaining is fine,” Scott said in an interview with WFLA Radio in Tallahassee. Scott said what he means is that as long as the discussion is honest about what benefits employees are getting, he has no objection to public employees being members of unions.”
There isn’t a bill stripping the unions in Fla of their collective bargaining arrangement but he does seem to be asking them to make the same concessions otherwise. Hasn’t been much said about here locally at all. This interview was Tuesday Feb 22.
Intro to Federalist Papers; section 5;
paragraph 4.
“…dangerous ambition more often lurks behind the specious mask of zeal for the rights of the people than under the zeal for a firm and efficient government.”
Remember: A Citizen on the dole is a Liberal Vote at the Polls.
END ENTITLEMENTS!
Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum !
Besides, collective bargaining in a RTW state
Raven (Diary) Monday, February 28th at 10:35AM EDT (link)Just doesn’t have the power on the unions’ side that it does in other states. The unions can go ahead and refuse the contract. The state isn’t required to hire union employees. Someone else will want that job.
“If you do not have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.”
Luke 22:36
They're gonna need MORE motels and hotels in Rockford, Ill
gawken (Diary) Sunday, February 27th at 6:40PM EDT (link)Watch….Michigan Dems will go just for the fun of it..they want a road trip,a nd the attendant publicity. Just wait until someone explains to them that it doesn’t make a difference
LOL
smitch61 Sunday, February 27th at 6:45PM EDT (link)Good one gawken, it’s hard to say what the reaction here would be, they would have the UAW in their corner… just because….. Let’s see what happens with the car companies again too.. The 4.00 gas did them in the first time, we are approaching that line again. I don’t think the feds can bail out the pension and insurance plan again.
If Rob Lowe is spotted in Rockford...
jackhammer Monday, February 28th at 4:00AM EDT (link)then you know all the democrats are there, and there is a big time party going on….
He has the ability to limit forced unionism.
akfroman Sunday, February 27th at 7:05PM EDT (link)You had me convinced he was a conservative until you said that a simple majority was required for quorum. He could accomplish what Walker is attempting to do without the Democrats leaving the state. Or is it a matter of the state republicans being cowards?
I’m also gone.
Neither.
Moe Lane (Diary) Sunday, February 27th at 7:54PM EDT (link)The budget was proposed a week and a half ago. These things take time to go through the legislature.
The Kim Kardashian of blogging.
Check out my blog at http://moelane.com/.
http://moelane.com/filthy-lucre-filthy-lucre/
http://twitter.com/moelane
My (combined) wish list.
guys
dog_nut Sunday, February 27th at 8:48PM EDT (link)you gotta remember that Snyder has a business background (Dell) and is not a veteran of this like Walker. I think he will be fine. My parents collect a pension and they’ll pay their tax on it and not leave the state….
dog_nut, just had to make a slight correction
jimi Sunday, February 27th at 9:16PM EDT (link)His background is with Gateway.
Although I voted for the guy, I don’t trust Snyder much. With the Republican majorities in the state House and the Senate, he should be a lot more aggressive than what he’s putting on the table. I don’t think he’s as committed to getting government out of peoples’ business. I also am concerned that he’s too willing to compromise with Democrats.
That being said, I am glad he’s the Governor, and not Virg Bernero.
And then There's Minnesota
flannery Sunday, February 27th at 7:41PM EDT (link)Minnesota has its first Republican majority Senate since it went to party designation elections in 1972. We have a Republican majority in the House. And the same people who brought us fradulent Senator Franken have delivered a Democrat governor. The Republicans took a majority of the seats in the Legislature yet the Democrats swept the statewide offices. This happened because of large Democrat votes in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Sometimes more votes than voters.
The consequence of this is the disgraced former US Senator Dayton is now governor. He has proposed to raise taxes “on the rich” giving MN the highest in the nation personal income bracket at 15%. No cuts in Welfare, Education or other Democrat favored areas. The Legislature has agreed to a “no new taxes” pledge. The state is headed for a major crack up because there is a large deficit and all of the accounting tricks used to balance the budget previously have been used up. The Legislature passed a preliminary budget bill making temporary cuts made last year to “balance” the budget permanent. Dayton vetoed the bill. The previous cuts must be restored.
More Minnesota proof that it is not important who votes, just who counts the ballots. Soros SOS Secretary of State Richie strikes again.
Hey, our deficit is only 6.2 bil ;)
Common_Cents (Diary) Sunday, February 27th at 8:20PM EDT (link)Of course our hero Dayton wants to raise taxes for 3.3 bil. Gee he’s a whiz at math. You’d think a little business sense would have rubbed off on him from the folks at Target.
I have a hunch there will soon be a test of the “Minnesota Nice” label in the land of 10,000 lakes.
“Fathom the hypocrisy of a Government
that requires every citizen to prove
they are insured…. but not everyone
must prove they are a citizen.” -Ben Stein
“In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule.”[especially in DC] – Friedrich Nietzsche
Another distraction of Snyder's budget: film credits
tankertodd (Diary) Monday, February 28th at 12:25AM EDT (link)I am not really up on all of the Governor’s plans, which is sad since I now live in this state. One reason is that the media focus seems to be on the elimination of the film credits. I think Mitch Albom has written twice on the topic, and it’s made the front page of the Freep a few times.
The Michigan Film Production incentive provides 40% in refundable tax credits (or 42% in certain locations) against production costs in Michigan. The argument is that these credits are very powerful in bringing film industry to Michigan. This is laughable because what industry WOULDN’T come to Michigan if the state covers 40% of your cost? One local talking head noted that you’d have citrus orchards in the Upper Peninsula with this kind of incentive!
Snyder is taking on something that seems to be a source of pride in the region. Numerous productions take place in Michigan, and you have favorite son Jeff Daniels as a strong proponent. But you really have to ask why other taxpaying businesses, who generate all the same benefits as cited by the film credit proponents, should pay their tax money to these production companies. And if these credits result in a boon for Michigan, why not offer every industry the same benefit? Shouldn’t it be a net win for all? They don’t explain that one, because they know the math wouldn’t work – the economic activity cited as being the benefit of the film industry, like the same figures cited for the building of sports palaces, doesn’t result in increased tax revenue, let alone an amount that offsets the cost.
———————————
The way to stop discrimination on the basis of race is to stop discriminating on the basis of race – Chief Justice Roberts
Wisconsin democrats now OWE state $165 Million Dollars
vietnamvet1971 Monday, February 28th at 7:56AM EDT (link)The American Thinker points out that, thanks to the refusal of the Wisconsin Democratic party to admit that last November’s elections mattered, a deadline for reducing the debt servicing load of the state of Wisconsin by $165,000,000 expires today.
The money was to help pay a court case settlement involving a $200,000,000 raid on the Injured Patients and Families Compensation Fund in 2007 by the previous Doyle (DEMOCRAT) administration; the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled that using the fund to balance the budget was unconstitutional, which means that the state has to pay it back. It also means that without this provision in place, the state is not going to have the opportunity to get even a little out from under its 43 billion dollar debt.
$165,000,000 divided 14 ways works out to just over $14.78 million per AWOL state Senator: personally, I say that they should have their paychecks garnished for it. Forever. And then send the remainder of the bill to the Wisconsin Democratic party, since they’re so happy to spend other people’s money on their own petulant political gestures…