Will Voters Turn Down the Regional Transit Authority Master Plan in November? "There will be strong opposition to this Detroit regional tax increase," said former state representative, Tom McMillin today. McMillin said that one of the reasons the proposed property tax increase is so large is because the taxing authority is likely assuming riders will only end up paying 10% - 20% of the cost of service. "Why shouldn't riders pay at least 50% of the cost?" asked McMillin. McMillin noted, … [Read more...]
Where Prop 1 Failed, Rochester Hills May Succeed
May 27, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Almost no one was surprised when Proposal 1 failed on May 5, so with the roads still in desperate need of repair, the question became: now what? The City of Rochester Hills may just have the answer. In recent years, the city has repurposed dedicated millages three times to help take care of road repair and upkeep. Soon, a millage that was first approved back in 2005 will generate around $900,000 per year and help fund roads through 2020. Read the full story on The Oakland Press. … [Read more...]
McMillin Calls for a ‘Day of Action’ on April 15 to Help Defeat Proposal 1
April 7, 2015 by Leave a Comment
There's no escaping the clutching tentacles of government. Both the federal and state government assert their "right" to the fruits of your labor via income taxes. Unless you're homeless, you pay for the "privilege" to live on land, directly or indirectly, as property tax. And of course, just about every purchase you make in Michigan is taxed, often in more ways than one. The language in the May 5th ballot proposal reinforces that you are a subject, not a citizen, with numerous … [Read more...]
Op-Ed: Further Understanding Proposal 1
April 7, 2015 by Leave a Comment
by Sue Douglas Proposal 1 Will Cost Average Michigan Household Up to $525 a Year in Extra Taxes From Capitol Confidential at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy "...of which $1.3 billion would go to funding public roads." NO. $1.3 billion is going to "transportation" after specific allocations are taken off the top. Of the remaining funds, 79% goes to roads and bridges. Of that 79%, 39% stays at M-DOT for State Highways, 39% is divided up between the County Road Commissions and … [Read more...]
Proposal 1: Michigan Sales Tax Increase for Transportation Amendment
March 29, 2015 by Leave a Comment
The Michigan Sales Tax Increase for Transportation Amendment, Proposal 1 is on the May 5, 2015 ballot as a legislatively-referred constitutional amendment. The measure, upon voter approval, would increase the state's sales tax from six percent to seven percent, but eliminate the sales tax on gasoline, for the purpose of increasing transportation infrastructure funding. The measure would affect other vehicle-related fees and increase spending for education and increase the earned income tax … [Read more...]
CTM Chair McMillin to Snyder: Drop the concrete. Let’s debate.
March 27, 2015 by Leave a Comment
UPDATE from Tom McMillin: I'll be honest with you: when I first accepted the offer to become Chairman of Concerned Taxpayers of Michigan, my only hesitation was that I didn't want to criticize the governor. I intended to keep focused on the policy issue and avoid the politics. But seeing the governor holding a chunk of concrete, telling the people of Michigan that our lives and our families' lives will be in danger if Proposal 1 is rejected... that was too much for me. The "Vote Yes or … [Read more...]
Op-Ed: Proposal 1 Also Brings Higher Gas Tax
March 19, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Voters may not realize that if Proposal 1 passes on May 5, it will initiate 10 laws. The opinion expressed by Sue Ann Douglas in this Op-Ed is her own and does not constitute an endorsement by Rochester Media. The information Ms. Douglas is referencing comes from the Detroit Free Press article: Proposal 1’s passage would trigger these 10 laws. By Sue Ann Douglas Please note the section on the gas tax - Remove, replace fuel tax. While it is true that the new gas tax will go only to … [Read more...]
