Michigan Votes Forum

Introduced in the House on September 14, 2007

Click here to view bill details.

Rep. Alma Smith must think we are all idiots. Once the Constitution is changed the legislature could set rates without the approval of the voters. How dare she try to override the protection of the Headlee Tax Limitation Amendment that the people petitioned, placed on the ballot and voted for to protect themselves from the likes of Alma Smith!

I agree with the previous person. Most people are already TAX SLAVES. The Republicans have gotten as bad as the Democrats with taxing and spending. It would be better to close the government than to have it be the albatross around our necks.

to go get a real job and quit feeding at the public teat. These socialist do think that we are all idiots.

are occasionally as bad as the democrats. they have lived 'high on the hog' for so long, and been exposed to the liberal agenda for so many years, that they can see no other way of existing from day to day. repubilicans, in principle, should always be willing to cut unnecessary 'services' that don't reflect the true and proper role of government. the republicans here have spent so many years having to figure out what to do with all that extra money that the 'big three' pumped into the state economy, that now that the extra money isn't there, they have no clue what to do about it. the solution is simple. cut every program that is not reflective of the proper role of government. sit back, read the constitution. any program that required a special law to be passed to implement the spending for it should be repealed. any program that 'takes the state where it doesn't need to go, or has any business going', needs to be repealed. the state has no business levying punitive taxes. the state has no business legislating morality. the state has no business disarming the population. find each and every law that tries to accomplish those three things, and repeal them. fire everybody associated with the enforcement of those laws that try to accomplish those three things, and we will save money, and be a much more free place to live. those are only the FIRST THREE things, i'm sure that there are those out there who could come up with hundreds more.

I vote. The people I vote for rarely get elected. I write my so-called representatives to express my opinions, yet I still feel as if I'm being taxed to death without any representation. My "representatives" thank me for my opinion and go on and do whatever they feel like. So, please, go ahead and make it possible to raise taxes arbitrarily. Things like heat, electricity and groceries are overrated. I just want to make sure that Granholm has enough money to pay an outrageous salary to her husband to produce another video on her vision for the state.

For some stupid reason WE SEEM TO KEEP PAYING SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS WELL OVER 100k PER YEAR! Seems to be enough money for that! Cut the administrators pay and CAP IT! It is revolting to see legislators cry for money and then ignore the issue of over paid school admininistratoors

Why do legislators propose bills that they know will never pass? As they used to say on Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In: "Very interesting, but Stupid!"

state realizes that they can get more freebies if they tax the working more, they will all vote for it.

gesturing for the benefit of special interests is probably the primary reason: "look at my legislative record, I made the effort, I can't help it if the bill does not pass." In good times, this behavior is not overly counterproductive, but in times such as we are experiencing today, there is NO room for such behavior. In my district, Aldo Vagnozzi is the master gesturer. He postures with no conception, or, perhaps, just ignoring reality. There is no use for such politicians in Michigan.

These "Tax & Spenders," whether Dems or Pubs, have a common pattern: 1. Spending can never decrease. 2. The tax increase is temporary. 3. The tax increase is very small (2 cents) 4. The tax increase only affects the rich. 5. The tax increase only affects (insert fringe group here). 6. The need is too important to ignore. 7. We can pay for it in the future. 8. Only government can fix the problem. 9. I was "forced" to increase taxes against my will (but I won't do it again). 10. I'm on your side, & against the other guy. When you hear these, hold on to your wallet & run!

Alma Smith, Warren, Meadows, Bauer, Miller, Meisner, Vagnozzi, Clack, Hammel, Hammon, Robert Jones, Young, Donigan, Lindberg, Lahti, Bieda, Condino, Bennett, Lemmons, Byrnes, Tobocman, Gonzales, Leland, Hopgood, Kathleen Law, Sheltrown, Jackson, Accavitti, Cushingberry and Scott. If one of these is from your district, REMEMBER, REMEMBER COME TUESDAY IN NOVEMBER THE TAX INCREASE THESE LOSERS HATH WROUGHT. I KNOW OF NO REASON TO PUT UP WITH TREASON 'GAINST CITIZENS THESE 'REPS HAVE SOUGHT.

While it is interesting to consider the many varied issues discussed in this forum, such as leghold traps and early prisoner release, let us not forget that the State budget deficit IS the seminal issue in the State today. What the legislators decide on this matter will profoundly affect the future of Michigan. The State must come to grips with reality; it cannot afford, nor its citizens afford, the current level of spending. Citizens, keep your eye on the ball- if you let the legislature off the hook with tax increases because your pet issues such as leghold traps and the like are being promoted, you are just being duped.

State spending cuts must take place. Citizens: if your legislator is among those who support higher taxes, let them know that you cannot afford it, the State of Michigan cannot afford it.