Thursday, January 21, 2010
Michigan Senate GOP: Cut all public workers' pay, benefits | lansingstatejournal.com | Lansing State Journal
Michigan Senate GOP: Cut all public workers' pay, benefits
"Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop said Tuesday the pay of teachers, professors and state and local government workers should be cut by 5 percent and held at that level for the next three years to save money."
The Rochester Republican told reporters he is proposing a constitutional amendment to go to the voters in August that would suspend collective bargaining rights and allow the pay cut to take effect.
Another constitutional amendment would be needed to require that all public employees pay 20 percent of their health care premiums unless they participate in a health savings account or wellness program.......
It's all part of a plan Bishop said would save up to $2 billion, enough to eliminate the estimated $1.6 billion deficit in next year's budget.
Both the pay cut and the higher premiums cost would affect lawmakers.
Bishop said he's not trying to be mean-spirited, but wants to solve the money woes of public institutions, including state government, by decreasing costs rather than raising taxes.
"We cannot afford the government that we have today," he said.
"We're asking that our public servants ... step up to the plate to be a part of the solution."
Our problem is too many state employees making too much money and benefits.
This is an excellent first step.
And an shrewd political move by the republicans.
"Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop said Tuesday the pay of teachers, professors and state and local government workers should be cut by 5 percent and held at that level for the next three years to save money."
The Rochester Republican told reporters he is proposing a constitutional amendment to go to the voters in August that would suspend collective bargaining rights and allow the pay cut to take effect.
Another constitutional amendment would be needed to require that all public employees pay 20 percent of their health care premiums unless they participate in a health savings account or wellness program.......
It's all part of a plan Bishop said would save up to $2 billion, enough to eliminate the estimated $1.6 billion deficit in next year's budget.
Both the pay cut and the higher premiums cost would affect lawmakers.
Bishop said he's not trying to be mean-spirited, but wants to solve the money woes of public institutions, including state government, by decreasing costs rather than raising taxes.
"We cannot afford the government that we have today," he said.
"We're asking that our public servants ... step up to the plate to be a part of the solution."
Our problem is too many state employees making too much money and benefits.
This is an excellent first step.
And an shrewd political move by the republicans.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Rep. Frank lashes out over accusations that Mass. Dems would stall a Brown certification
Rep. Frank lashes out over accusations that Mass. Dems would stall a Brown certification
"'That is the stupidest thing I've been asked in a long time.
That is insane, the suggestion could only come from a demented right wing source,' erupted Representative Barney Frank (D - MA), when asked by The Washington Times about what he thought of assertions that Massachusetts Democrats would stall the certification process should Mr. Brown win.
'There isn't the slightest possibility of it happening---a way of doing it.
That is conspiracy theory at its most contemptible.'"
We'll know just how contemptible real soon.
"'That is the stupidest thing I've been asked in a long time.
That is insane, the suggestion could only come from a demented right wing source,' erupted Representative Barney Frank (D - MA), when asked by The Washington Times about what he thought of assertions that Massachusetts Democrats would stall the certification process should Mr. Brown win.
'There isn't the slightest possibility of it happening---a way of doing it.
That is conspiracy theory at its most contemptible.'"
We'll know just how contemptible real soon.
Unions nab sweetheart health-care deal
Unions nab sweetheart health-care deal
"In another major concession to labor, the value of dental and vision plans would be exempt from the tax even after the deal expires in eight years, negotiators said."
"In another major concession to labor, the value of dental and vision plans would be exempt from the tax even after the deal expires in eight years, negotiators said."
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Residents pack Shelby meeting to voice opposition to offshore wind farm proposal
Residents pack Shelby meeting to voice opposition to offshore wind farm proposal
"Another benefit as outlined by the wind farm developers is a “compensation” agreement where the wind farm owner would pay local units of government.
That would be on top of royalty or lease payments to the state of Michigan, which controls the bottomlands of the lake.
But such economic benefits are many years down the line, if they ever materialize, the developers said."
Quick question:
How much money is our bankrupt state and our bankrupt country going to funnel to these scam artists?
"Another benefit as outlined by the wind farm developers is a “compensation” agreement where the wind farm owner would pay local units of government.
That would be on top of royalty or lease payments to the state of Michigan, which controls the bottomlands of the lake.
But such economic benefits are many years down the line, if they ever materialize, the developers said."
Quick question:
How much money is our bankrupt state and our bankrupt country going to funnel to these scam artists?
A Dollar Crisis?
Investors.com - A Dollar Crisis?
"Recession: As federal spending and debt soar to new highs, many economists have alarmingly concluded that the dollar will soon collapse and take the economy with it."
"Recession: As federal spending and debt soar to new highs, many economists have alarmingly concluded that the dollar will soon collapse and take the economy with it."
Illinois enters a state of insolvency
Illinois enters a state of insolvency
"As Illinois' fiscal crisis deepens, the word 'bankruptcy' is creeping more and more into the public discourse.
'We would like all the stakeholders of Illinois to recognize how close the state is to bankruptcy or insolvency,' says Laurence Msall, president of the Civic Federation, a fiscal watchdog in Chicago.
'Bankruptcy is the reality that looms out there,' Republican gubernatorial candidate Andrew McKenna Jr. says."
"As Illinois' fiscal crisis deepens, the word 'bankruptcy' is creeping more and more into the public discourse.
'We would like all the stakeholders of Illinois to recognize how close the state is to bankruptcy or insolvency,' says Laurence Msall, president of the Civic Federation, a fiscal watchdog in Chicago.
'Bankruptcy is the reality that looms out there,' Republican gubernatorial candidate Andrew McKenna Jr. says."
Monday, January 18, 2010
US accused of 'occupying' Haiti as troops flood in
US accused of 'occupying' Haiti as troops flood in
"The French minister in charge of humanitarian relief called on the UN to 'clarify' the American role amid claims the military build up was hampering aid efforts.
Alain Joyandet admitted he had been involved in a scuffle with a US commander in the airport's control tower over the flight plan for a French evacuation flight.
'This is about helping Haiti, not about occupying Haiti,' Mr Joyandet said."
How soon before our "dear leader" accuses US soldiers of "an error of judgement" ......or even war crimes?
"The French minister in charge of humanitarian relief called on the UN to 'clarify' the American role amid claims the military build up was hampering aid efforts.
Alain Joyandet admitted he had been involved in a scuffle with a US commander in the airport's control tower over the flight plan for a French evacuation flight.
'This is about helping Haiti, not about occupying Haiti,' Mr Joyandet said."
How soon before our "dear leader" accuses US soldiers of "an error of judgement" ......or even war crimes?
Can We Afford Web Access for All
Can We Afford Web Access for All
"When you pay your phone bill each month, a small percentage goes to a federal fund that subsidizes phone service for people in remote areas and for the poor.
Now the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is considering expanding this $7 billion Universal Service Fund to give all Americans access to high-speed Internet."
"When you pay your phone bill each month, a small percentage goes to a federal fund that subsidizes phone service for people in remote areas and for the poor.
Now the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is considering expanding this $7 billion Universal Service Fund to give all Americans access to high-speed Internet."
Chile Elects A Conservative President
Chile Elects A Conservative President The Foundry: Conservative Policy News
"On January 17, voters in Chile’s presidential run-off selected conservative Sebastián Piñera to become their next chief executive.
The win for Piñera ended the 20-year hold on the presidency exercised by the center-left Concertación coalition and made Piñera Chile’s first elected conservative president in 52 years."
"On January 17, voters in Chile’s presidential run-off selected conservative Sebastián Piñera to become their next chief executive.
The win for Piñera ended the 20-year hold on the presidency exercised by the center-left Concertación coalition and made Piñera Chile’s first elected conservative president in 52 years."
Unions Get Exempt from Cadillac Tax
Unions Get Exempt from Cadillac Tax
"Democrats seem impervious to embarrassment as they buy votes for ObamaCare, but their latest move makes even Nebraska's Ben Nelson look cheap:
The 87% of Americans who don't belong to a union will now foot the bill for a $60 billion giveaway to those who do"
"Democrats seem impervious to embarrassment as they buy votes for ObamaCare, but their latest move makes even Nebraska's Ben Nelson look cheap:
The 87% of Americans who don't belong to a union will now foot the bill for a $60 billion giveaway to those who do"
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