MICHIGAN sometimes appears as the forgotten state, the 'example of:
....what_not_to_do_in_state_government.
....how to muck_up_the_business_climate
....line up for "Cash from his stash" as seen recently on national TV
....new idea to charge those who bottle Michigan Waters for resale, a $.10 per bottle
charge; as a way to raise revenues for the state.
....the State previously spoke of charging a $.10 deposit per bottle. Wisely, that was not voted in as law.
Time to set the Record Straight;
Michigan does have high "Under Water" homeowners, joining with CA, AR, FL, GA, NV, VA, we do have one of the highest number of borrowers owing more than Home is presently worth. That is sad & hard on all involved,
BUT it is not special to our State & the others in the "Sad Seven". In fact, the WSJ. less than a month ago [Nov.24] Vol.CCLIV No.124 states that 1 in 4 borrowers are under water; about 23% of U.S. homeowners.
According to First American CoreLogic, nearly 10.7 million households had negative equity in their homes in the third quarter of this year. These statistics are hard to read & harder to live with for those involved,
BUT Again, this is NOT to say that Michigan residents who are Homeowners are any less capable of owning a home, than any other State's residents.
Michigan has many spokesmen who are "High" on our State; they use their skills in Business, Career Coaching, Education, Legislature, News Paper Writers, & other categories to reach all State residents.
...a plan to cut two Macomb County Circuit Court judge-ships [as suggested to save $2M. in Co. Budget],
has been side-lined by the stand-up actions of Sen. Alan Sanborn {R-Richmond] in garnering enough votes in the Senate-18 to 15--against as of 15 December, 2009. His opposition is based on exaggerated
savings & delays in justice for Macomb residents. The Macomb county Circuit Court is the most overworked in the state; the State Court Administrative Office this past September said out court should have 4 / 5 more judges. This not being realistic, suggested that it add one judge & convert on Probate judge to post to Circuit Court.
...2 recent articles on the subject of state Education Reform openly speak of the back & forth motions within the House-under Democratic control & the Senate-under Republican control.
... At stake is the $400M. in federal-stimulus money -"The Race to the Top". The need to "Race" is the sticking point for many and due to the release of the dismal Math scores for 4th & 8th graders in Detroit recently, the pressure in on to get this done.
Mr Steve Wasko-district spokesman-Detroit has said "There needs to be a sense of urgency, and it would appear that the fastest way to have clear lines of accountability is for there to be an individual who oversees academics in the same way Mr. Bobb oversees finances." article by Karen Bouffard-Det.News
Lansing Bureau
...an article by Kathy Barke Hoffman- AP, wrote earlier in December..."Michigan lawmakers are in such a frenzy to qualify for up to $400M in one-time money for schools from...the President's --Race to the Top program that they're rushing through complex changes to the state's education structure in a matter of weeks."
This approach to government changes seems contagious these days.
The governor was quoted as saying :..We have to rise to the top among the states that are competing for these important resources. No state needs it more than we do--not just financially, but from the long-term perspective of changing our economy. We must win."
one wonders just what she is speaking about--these funds are for school related program, yet this sounds like 'all financial areas--another rob Peter to pay Paul in the works
She does not seem to understand that "...fewer than half the states are expected to get a SHARE of the $4B. federal pot, and the states that [do] win will spread the money to only a small number of school districts."
[ Note: in typing this, I just noticed that one article states it is $400 M & one says $400 B]
Both articles talk about a rush to do something--a Rush to Judgement; may stronger heads prevail in our legislature.
One point Post here is- that MICHIGAN is 'taking steps' to improve the state's financial & economic status;
...some steps forward
...some steps slide backwards
...as long as those Going Forward are MORE
...and those slipping backward are MUCH LESS
then Michigan is looking at a much better future for all of us who live here.
This is another post about the Movements & Moments in Michigan
A prayer for those who are in the capacity to change or make the rules / laws here:
...may their hearts & BRAINS be open to the facts
...may they choose wisely for the 'good of all in the state'
...may they be smart enough to know the difference between what is good for their political positions
and what is good for the residents of the State.
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