Posted on Tue, Jun 21, 2011 : 6:32 p.m.
Rick Snyder signs Michigan budget, exercises line-item veto power
By Cindy Heflin
Gov. Rick Snyder today signed Michigan's $47 billion budget after first vetoing a few line items, The Detroit News reports.
Rick Snyder
The 2012 budget eliminates a deficit first estimated at $1.5 billion and later $1.1 billion and funds a business tax cut of close to $1.8 billion. It also imposes a tax on public pensions for the first time, reduces exemptions for private pensions and eliminates many business and personal tax credits. The budget also reduces the state appropriation to universities by 15 percent and makes sharp cuts to local government. Michigan's fiscal year begins Oct. 1.
Comments
A2anon
Wed, Jun 22, 2011 : 6:10 p.m.
gyre, Thank you for your kind words. I do have a philosophical question for you: What good does it do the very rich, to have the almost-poor become poor-poor? What good does it do the very rich to have the vast majority of children in this state "educated" in over-crowded classrooms with no chance for hands-on instruction, and poor resources? What good does it do the very rich to have increased poverty and homelessness in the very communities in which they live? I just don't get it. I am not "very rich," but I'm doing just fine, and I want nothing more than to give a little more so that, in combination with a bunch of other peoples' little bit more, our community and towns and state can be places we actually want to live. This whole argument of "they worked hard, they deserve it" is really moot. They worked hard and they have it already, increased taxes or no. And I guarantee you, many who do NOT have it worked really hard too. Often against obstacles not even imagined by those of us with priveledge. And to my first point.... they have it to what end??? What kind of a community or state do they value?
Mike K
Fri, Jun 24, 2011 : 2:31 p.m.
"The natural progress of things is for liberty to yield and government to gain ground." (Letter to Edward Carrington, 1788) Thomas Jefferson
Mike K
Fri, Jun 24, 2011 : 2:29 p.m.
"The policy of the American government is to leave their citizens free, neither restraining nor aiding them in their pursuits." (Letter to M. L'Hommande, 1787) Thomas Jefferson
Mike K
Thu, Jun 23, 2011 : 10:01 p.m.
"This is why we created a government, to pool our resources and provide ourselves things we couldn't provide individually; to improve the quality of life for all of us living in community." Thomas Jefferson just rolled over in his grave. I think that might be your interpretation, but I'm pretty sure (trying to be polite) that you're off a little here. Lastly, the collective whole is the sum of its parts. If all individual had some basic level of responsibility, the community would be FAR better off. But to your point, there already is a huge amount redistribution in order to improve the lives of all of us in the community. The top 50% of income tax payers furish like 97% of the income tax revenue in the US. How much more do you want?? When does it end?? Please learn from Greece. The "statist" equalizer you seek simply doesn't work any better than capitalism or free trade.
A2anon
Thu, Jun 23, 2011 : 1:21 a.m.
Also, I don't want to "tell you" what to do with your money, I am not nor do I care to be in charge. I am happy to live in a democracy, and will continue to work hard to gather a simple majority who view things as I do.
A2anon
Thu, Jun 23, 2011 : 12:56 a.m.
No, I don't. You didn't respond to my questions.... WHY is it good for the richest people to live amongst more and more poor??? So even if you want to be all Ayn Randian about the whole thing..... it's in the BEST INTEREST of everyone who lives in a community, for all those in the community to be fed, healthy, and educated. This is a no-brainer to me. This is why we created a government, to pool our resources and provide ourselves things we couldn't provide individually; to improve the quality of life for all of us living in community. I could not disagree with you more. I already do all the things you suggest (!), but that's a completely different thing. Everyone acting individually will never be as strong as acting as a community.
Mike K
Wed, Jun 22, 2011 : 9:21 p.m.
It blows my mind that so many can be so occupied by other peoples money. What ever happened to good old fashioned minding your own business. Viewing society collectively and trying to "dictate" what should be happening to others is appauling. You, as an idividual can get involved without worrying about me or my money. Contribute and volunteer in PTSO. Give and participate in charities. Grow a garden and give the produce to a food shelter, Become a big brother or big sister to someone whose family may not value education. Start a business and hire people. But just do something yourself without looking at others -- you can give as much as you like. Do you see the beauty in that?
grye
Wed, Jun 22, 2011 : 3:33 p.m.
What truly is at the center of all this controversy is the methodology for creating new jobs. New jobs are needed to turn our economy around and create an additional tax base, thus being able to adequately fund our government to the level we would like to see. Governor Snyder comes from a business background. He sees business expenses as a loss of funds that could be used to expand the current businesses, entice new busineeses, and grow the job base. The other side sees taxation as the means to an end. Clearly neither side is completely correct. There needs to be some of both to make the system work. A2anon talks about eliminating tax loopholes for those that can afford it. I agree. But on the other side the elimination of double taxation of small businesses needed to go. However businesses that will benefit from the changes to the tax laws that choose to reward executives with the savings need to pay up if they have no intention of helping with our economic recovery. These are tough times. Tough decisions had to be made. None were perfect. However this may force positive changes that will benefit the State in the long run, even if it makes is difficult for some in the immediate future. Fiscal responsibility is key. But as a society, there needs to be supportive programs for the public good. The conservative base lambastes socialist programs, yet our national highway system is a perfect example of one that is necessary. The liberal base points the fingers at corrupt businesses yet is it private industry that has invented, developed, and produced much of what we have today without any government direction or oversight. The middle of the road is very wide. We need to migrate to this area and enjoy the best of what both sides have to offer.
grye
Wed, Jun 22, 2011 : 4:53 p.m.
Thank you for the compliment.
Mike K
Wed, Jun 22, 2011 : 4:04 p.m.
I am going to have to give you my avatar because its purpose is captured in your last paragraph. You did omit that private industry also provides us employment with benefits which many of us find rewarding and enriching.
Mike D.
Wed, Jun 22, 2011 : 1:44 p.m.
Thank, you Rick Snyder for Alabamizing Michigan. Edumacation? Who needs it? Not if the rich have to pay any taxes!
Mike K
Wed, Jun 22, 2011 : 1:34 p.m.
Tru - your child's future is up to you, not our Governor. Do you see how this is supposed to work?
grye
Wed, Jun 22, 2011 : 12:14 p.m.
The whining has begun. Yes, cuts needed to be made. Some I am not happy about. Others you may not be happy about. What would make everyone happy? Nothing. There is no way to make everyone happy. So he does what he thinks is best to balance the budget while creating an environment that will encourage businesses to grow, thus creating more jobs. Yet the whining continues. Still haven't seen anything left of the 50 yard line that resembles any attempt to design a plausible plan other than the same old rhetoric; take more money from the rich and businesses; Give it to the poor. Long live Robin Hood!
grye
Wed, Jun 22, 2011 : 5:30 p.m.
Ray: I disagree. Many on this site advocate a much higher tax rate for the wealthy. Granted they probably can afford it. However is it fair? You work hard, succeed in business, only to have a higher percentage of it taken away? Where is the incentive to succeed? The rhetoric has come from the left and until A2anon put up some valid options, all I have seen here is how unfair Snyder has been and that businesses and wealthy people should fund the deficit for the poor. The transfer of wealth to the wealthy comes as a result of the desire to succeed. Non-wealthy have that opportunity if they so choose to do so. Success doesn't come easy. Takes a lot of work. Many would rather sit back on the gluteous maximus and wait for the weekly checks.
RayA2
Wed, Jun 22, 2011 : 4:50 p.m.
Gyre, Most are not talking about increasing taxes on the wealthy, although I believe that is necessary to recoup the many giveaways to the wealthy during the W years, but most simply want taxes to at least remain where they were before Slick bought his office. Your assertion that posters who mention the need to fight the transfer of wealth to the wealthy are whiners, along with saying that their only plan is to tax the rich, is nothing but ideological rhetoric.
grye
Wed, Jun 22, 2011 : 3:12 p.m.
Finally something of substance. This is what I have been wanting to see instead of consistent complaining about what has been proposed and signed. Yet all I ever heard were repetative calls for taxing wealthy individual and businesses. Thank you for putting together some ideas that actually make sense. I would agree some of your ideas. My hat is off to you.
A2anon
Wed, Jun 22, 2011 : 1:30 p.m.
Characterizing criticism of Snyder's budget and priorities as "whining" is patronizing and condescending. I very much disagree with his priorities. If he was dead-set on decreasing the burden on businesses, fine -- he could have cut the business tax in half instead of eliminating it entirely. He could cut loopholes for the very wealthy and increase taxes on the richest. He could FUND OUR SCHOOLS to an adequate degree to foster the next generation of innovators and creators, instead of just ensuring that only those kids of the wealthy, with their private schools and small class sizes, will continue to top our economy. There are plenty of ideas from the left. You may not agree with them, but dismissing all criticism as "whining" contributes nothing to the discussion.
A2anon
Wed, Jun 22, 2011 : 11:47 a.m.
"The 2012 budget eliminates a deficit first estimated at $1.5 billion and later $1.1 billion and funds a business tax cut of close to $1.8 billion" In other words, Rick's budget first CREATES a huge deficit, and then slashes into school aid in order to deal with the enormous shortfall he chose to create. Thanks so much, Rick.
Tru2Blu76
Wed, Jun 22, 2011 : 3:59 a.m.
Gov. Rick is a smart fella. He must have read Ayn Rand's, "Capitalism, the Unknown Ideal." In that book of essays, Rand plainly states: "WhenI talk of capitalism, I mean laissez-faire capitalism, in which there is a complete separation of state and economics "in the same way and for the same reasons as the separation of church and state."– So, yeah, Gov. Rick is rolling ahead with Rand's ideal: only he doesn't care what the implications are. Separation of church and state: this is where the government keeps hands off the church, leaving the church free to perpetrate atrocities behind the facade of "sanctity" and "charity" to the poor. Likewise: we are witnessing the free, unpunished commission of frauds by the "sacred" laissez faire capitalists of today. What's amazing is that there is no counter insurgency, no rebellion, no revolution over the stealing of the wealth and rights of the majority for the sole benefit of the wealthy minority. Gov. Rick and his Republican cohorts are stealing our children's future right before our eyes - and we do nothing to stop them.
A2anon
Wed, Jun 22, 2011 : 1:41 p.m.
Hmm.. Works for me. Just type it in. The recall effort is going beautifully, with volunteers all over the state, and signature collecting better than expected. You can sign any Saturday in June from 8-12 at the Ann Arbor farmers market. Petitions are also at the Ypsi farmers market.
arborani
Wed, Jun 22, 2011 : 12:56 p.m.
Link doesn't work.
A2anon
Wed, Jun 22, 2011 : 11:58 a.m.
<a href="http://firericksnyder.org/" rel='nofollow'>http://firericksnyder.org/</a>
A2anon
Wed, Jun 22, 2011 : 11:58 a.m.
Have you not noticed the recall effort in full force???
John Q
Wed, Jun 22, 2011 : 3:50 a.m.
If your not a business owner, you're almost guaranteed to be paying more in state taxes next year thanks to Governor Snyder and the Republican legislature.
snoopdog
Wed, Jun 22, 2011 : 2:50 a.m.
I strongly disagree on his voiding stem cell accountability for the U of M but other than that, I love this guy. I could not be happier with his performance as the Gov. Keep it up Rickster, we are so fortunate you moved back to Michigan ! Good Day
John B.
Wed, Jun 22, 2011 : 12:40 a.m.
So what exactly were the line-item vetoes? I see DHS items (he cut off some adoption money, as well as some mental health money), but what were the other items?
Will
Wed, Jun 22, 2011 : 12:03 a.m.
Making devastating cuts to education, public city and municipality services, and adding taxes to pensions and providing huge tax cuts for businesses has balanced the state budget for next year. We all feel the pain. Lansing legisltors and judges must be hurting too with their free lifetime health care benefits after 6 years of service and age 52 retirement. Unbelievable!
sig.melvin
Tue, Jun 21, 2011 : 11:57 p.m.
Total State Budget in 1990 ..........$..... $. 19.6 Billion 2001............$..$ 36.5 Billion.......... increase of 60.7% General Fund 1990.............$ ... 7,7 Billion 2001............$ ....9,7 Billion...................Increase 27.1% Rainy day Fund 1990............$ 385 Million 2001.............$...1.3 BILLION ....................increase 238% Road and Bridget 1990............$...... 328 Million 2001.............$.................. 1,54 BILLION...............increase 369%.. per-pupil school spendin 1990.........$..........4,236 2001 $...........6.648 .......increase 56.9% Governor salary 1990.......$...........106,690 2001.......$.172,000..............increase 61.2% reading test 4th grade 1990 ...............36.6% 2001 .............58.2% .......59.0 % reading test 7th grade 1990.............32,8% 2001.............48.3% ......47.3% contract spending 1990.................500 million 2001............... 926 million .......85.2% increase unemployment rate 1990................7,6% 2001.............4,5%........--40,7% Number of casinos 1990...............0. 2001.......... 20 2011.......... .23... charterschool 1990...........00 2001 ..........185 check it out Detroitnews april 8 2001. SO the Budget of 2011 is the same as 2001 .so please no more whining.
johnnya2
Wed, Jun 22, 2011 : 12:20 a.m.
So which of your costs are the same as 2001? Is gas the same? How about electricity? Maybe thee cost of a car? Groceries? Cable tv? Internet? Cumulative inflation over that time is 29.3%. On that alone. In fact, inflation from 1990 to 2001, the years you are showing have a 37% inflationary increase. There was also an increase in population of over 7 % in that time period.