LSJ Blogs: Derek Melot is Just Asking

Meadows says no to 'promise'

Students at Michigan State University may want to have a chat with their state representative, Mark Meadows.

The East Lansing legislator was one of only a handful of Democratic votes that made it possible today to pass a higher ed budget (by a 57-51 vote) that eliminates the Michigan Promise Scholarships.

I doubt Meadows has ever campaigned around MSU on the plank of “reducing college scholarship funds.”

Lansing's own Brooklyn Bridge deal

And if you buy that, I’ve got some Lake Michigan frontage for you to buy outside Gaylord ...

Booth Newspapers is reporting that House Speaker Andy Dillon and his team is trying to sell House Democrats a bill of goods on mitigating budget cuts.

The deal would go something like this — approve the big, Senate-desired cuts right now, to avoid a government shutdown, then we will come back later and approve some taxes and fees to mitigate them.

Please.

Let’s say House Dems vote for the big cuts. Then, in two weeks, they push for some tax changes. What do you think the Senate will do?

That’s right ... absolutely nothing. The 2010 budget will be locked in and the game is over. The one constant in this budget battle has been Senate Republicans’ insistence in acting on cuts, but not taxes. Dillon essentially surrendered on that point a couple of weeks ago. Does his caucus actually believe he would, after a government shutdown is averted, then go to the mat with Senate Republicans?

Any House Democrat who is unhappy with any part of the Senate/Dillon package, such as Lansing Rep. Joan Bauer, should be withholding votes on the budget now if they want to get their way.

Stop and enjoy the view

Today, I’m offering up my own version of what blogger Andrew Sullivan calls “mental health breaks.” With all the gloomy news about the budget, we all can use a reminder of grander things in Michigan, such as the wonders of all.

The state’s Pure Michigan site maintains a fall color tracker here. It provides reports on where the leaves are turning and advises on scenic drives. The photo with the “Peak color for Sept. 23-30” report of the Au Sable Lighthouse is stunning.

Times may be tough, but Michigan still pours out the beauty this time of year.

Are Republicans the Spartans?

House Republicans say they have a new poll of 600 Michigan residents that shows a clear majority favoring big budget cuts over any tax increases to balance the 2010 budget.

Polls are tricky things, though, especially when it comes to how questions are asked.

Being a politician is oh so expensive

Rep. George Cushingberry, Gongwer News Service reports, was the only Democrat today on a key budget committee to help push through a plan to eliminate the Michigan Promise Scholarships. But students and their families should cut the Detroiter some slack. I doubt Cushingberry has much feel for what it means to make ends meet anymore.

I make that claim for the following reasons.

Want change? Go after the mortgages.

Just a reminder to all those advocacy groups who are protesting at the Capitol about the effects of budget cuts to various programs:

No matter how the budget turns out, the members of the Michigan Legislature will not suffer any disadvantage personally. They will still get their $79,000 salary (more for the likes of Andy Dillon and Mike Bishop). They will still get their $12,000 personal slush funds, er, expense accounts. They will still receive their retirement benefits — benefits that are far in excess of what these lawmakers could ever find working in the private sector.

Legislators again excel at procrastination, futility

What exactly has changed between today and, say, July 30, when it comes to the state budget? Isn’t it the truth that state legislators could have chosen to do their work this summer, but simply did not?

According to the Gongwer News Service today, “Deep spending cuts to Medicaid reimbursement rates, nursing homes, community mental health and revenue sharing might need to be lessened from the spending targets set under last week’s agreement, House Speaker Andy Dillon said today.”

Oh really? Then why did Dillon agree with Bishop to have funding committees work from the $1.2 billion Senate reduction plan at this late hour? What exactly was happening on July 5, July 10, July 18, Aug. 1, Aug. 15? The state faces a government shutdown because Mr. Dillon and his colleagues simply do not know how to do their work.

Lansing's Oliver Twist problem

All of us Lansing residents want more services. My personal priorities are putting cops on actual walking beats in neighborhoods and general street repair. Others want more maintenance on parks, restored golf courses, better neighborhoods, etc. etc.

The point is, we all want more. But where does it come from?

Consider your answer in the  context of this nugget from the city budget proposal this year: “The costs of employee compensation — wages, health insurance, pension payments and other benefits — comprise 75% of General Fund expenses, and have been rising nearly three times faster than the City’s income.”

Now, it seems to me that if we want more services, either something has to be done in the compensation world, or the city has to look at raising taxes to generate more revenue to do the things we all want, right?

This fall’s election offers a prime opportunity to discuss just how the city allocates the money. I don’t think we will get much of a debate, since the open differences of opinion on actual major budget items are quite rare at City Hall, but it would be great if we did have one.

Where's the wedge for November?

Due to space constraints, my column on the latest city election campaign finance reports will not appear until Sept. 22. Sorry for the confusion.

Speaking of the election, does anyone have a sense of things other than a cruise for all of the incumbents? Heck 2nd Ward Councilwoman Sandy Allen says she hasn’t even raised any money. I still don’t see a defining issue to be used against the mayor or any council incumbent. What are the most notable disputes between Virg Bernero and Carol Wood? Golf courses? The North Capitol ramp? The City Market project? None of those seem to have the oomph to resonate with general election voters.

It took Bernero two tries to take down Tony Benavides. And I would argue that the success in 2005 had little to do with changes in Bernero’s plan. Rather, I think enough voters were feeling uneasy about the course (or lack thereof) at City Hall that they chose a different face.

If Wood is to make the case that City Hall is off course and in need of a change, what specifics will she show with citywide impact? The council has generally gone along with all the major trends at City Hall ... for tax deals for developers, for budget plans that eliminate vacant jobs rather than raise taxes or wipe out the city reserve fund, etc.

Remember, Wood has the passionate “anyone but Virg” vote already locked up. But that won’t be enough to win in November. She’ll need the votes of people who aren’t as engaged in city politics, too.

What’s the wedge issue to move them?

No contest in Lansing -- money-wise

If money is any indicator on the Lansing mayoral race, incumbent Virg Bernero is sitting pretty. According to documents filed early this month, the mayor has raised nearly $280,000 this election cycle for another four-year term.

By contrast, his November opponent, Councilwoman Carol Wood, has raised less than $40,000 to unseat Bernero.

I’ll have more on the campaign finance reports in Tuesday’s LSJ, but suffice to say that the pattern of donations gives clear direction as to how each of the mayoral candidates would govern.