A blog post by Jarrett Skorup yesterday pointing out the dubious nature of a study propping up Pure Michigan tourism subsidies is noted in Crain’s Detroit Business.
Crain’s also cited taxpayer money being given to Michigan International Speedway, which hosts NASCAR races. Michigan Capitol Confidential addressed this issue almost six months ago.
Senior Economist David Littmann writes in today's CapCon:
If the unions get the signatures but state voters reject their position in November, then emergency manager work will proceed. However, if the unions win, Gov. Snyder will have to decide whether to toss Detroit into federal bankruptcy court.
During a debate in the state House over legislation that would ban the “stealth” unionization of independent contractors who receive subsidy payments, Rep. Vicki Barnett, D-Farmington Hills, reportedly argued that the bill is unnecessary because individuals opposed to unionization can simply seek to decertify the union.
A new study claiming that the Pure Michigan advertising campaign funded by taxpayers returns a sizable investment for the state is dubious for several reasons.
The projections are based on an online survey from Longwoods International, a travel consulting firm that found that every dollar spent by the state returns $4.90 in tax revenue. This is actually up from their previous 2010 study that found that each dollar returns $2.23.
Paul Kersey, director of labor policy, was a guest recently on "The Lynn Rivers Show" on WEMU Public Radio, where he discussed several right-to-work issues, including a proposed union-backed ballot initiative that he has described as "self-centered and reckless."
Senior Economist David Littmann told The Detroit News that recent mild weather could have both positive and negative impacts on the economy.
People could “get a whole lot more confident” as spending increases at places such as golf courses and home improvement stores.
Perhaps I’ve been toiling too long in the public policy salt mines, but my take on "The Hunger Games" is that it’s less an adolescent dystopian adventure/love story than an allegory of government rules run amuck.
I may be trying too hard to squeeze a square peg into a round hole, but bear with me:
MichiganVotes.org sends a weekly report to newspapers and TV stations around the state showing how state legislators in their service area voted on the most important or interesting bills of the past week. Y = Yes, N = No, X = Not Voting
Senate Bill 1018, Ban unionization of contractors paid with government subsidies: Passed 25 to 13 in the Senate
To establish that a person whose private employment compensation comes from a direct or indirect government subsidy is not considered a government employee, and so is not subject to being inducted into a government employee union. Such a scheme involving home day care providers was ended by the Snyder administration subsequent to a Mackinac Center legal challenge, and the bill would (eventually) end a still-ongoing one extracting SEIU union dues from home health care providers who are mostly relatives of disabled individuals.
Patrick J. Wright, director of the Mackinac Center Legal Foundation, was a guest on "The Frank Beckmann Show" on WJR AM760 this morning, discussing passage of Senate Bill 1018, which clearly defines home health aides as private individuals, rather than public employees, thereby saving them from being forced into a government union.
Thousands of home-based health care providers have been forced into a union because they receive assistance from the state while they take care of loved ones who are disabled. The Service Employees International Union receives close to $6 million annually in forced dues from this abusive arrangement.
Inside Higher Ed today writes about the victory graduate student research assistants at public universities won after Gov. Rick Snyder signed House Bill 4246 to protect them from forced unionization.
The Midland Daily News also reported on the development.
MLive.com ran a Viewpoint commentary about Michigan’s alcohol wholesale monopoly by Michael LaFaive, director of the Center’s Morey Fiscal Policy Initiative, in the Grand Rapids Press, Saginaw News, Bay City Times, Flint Journal and Jackson Citizen Patriot. The Advisor & Source newspaper chain also ran the piece in the Sterling Heights Source and the Shelby Township Advisor.
Patrick J. Wright, director of the Mackinac Center Legal Foundation, told MIRS Capitol Capsule that he will “monitor the situation” as the Service Employees International Union attempts to enshrine its forced unionization of home health aides.
“They recognize that there’s a movement for a legislative end to this and they have money to spend,” Wright said.
New data released by The Chronicle of Higher Education help compare colleges in terms of effectiveness and efficiency by looking at both completion rates and spending per degree earned.
On average, about 61 percent of first-time students earn a degree or certification from a four-year public university within six years of enrolling, and these universities spend about $75,900 for each degree they issue.
Senior Legislative Analyst Jack McHugh was a guest this morning on "The Tony Conley Show" on WILS AM1320 in Lansing, where he discussed the possibility that Michigan could eventually have the highest gas taxes in the nation.
Education Policy Director Michael Van Beek writes in this Detroit Free Press Op-Ed why the “Michigan2020” college subsidy plan won’t increase the number of college graduates in the state or boost Michigan’s economy.
He has more details here.
MichiganVotes.org sends a weekly report to newspapers and TV stations around the state showing how state legislators in their service area voted on the most important or interesting bills of the past week. Y = Yes, N = No, X = Not Voting
Senate Bill 756, Ban hands-on cell phone use by new drivers: Passed 28 to 10 in the Senate
To prohibit an individual with a level 1 or 2 graduated drivers license status (new drivers age 17 or younger) from operating a motor vehicle while using a hands-on cell phone.
Thousands of home-based health care providers have been forced into a union because they receive assistance from the state while they take care of loved ones who are disabled. The Service Employees International Union receives close to $6 million annually in forced dues from this abusive arrangement.
James Hohman, assistant director of fiscal policy, was a guest on "The Lucy Ann Lance Show" on WLBY AM1290 in Ann Arbor this morning, discussing his new study explaining why the Michigan Public School Employees' Retirement System should be converted from a defined-benefit plan to a defined-contribution plan.
March 11-17 is Sunshine Week, a “national initiative to promote a dialogue about the importance of open government and freedom of information.” One government body that deserves praise for embracing a spirit of transparency is Oakridge Public Schools, just east of Muskegon.
Thousands of home-based health care providers have been forced into a union because they receive assistance from the state while they take care of loved ones who are disabled. The Service Employees International Union receives close to $6 million annually in forced dues from this abusive arrangement.
Paul Kersey, director of labor policy, was a guest this morning on "The Vic McCarty Show" on WMKT AM1270 in Traverse City, where he discussed a proposed union-backed ballot initiative what he has said is "self-centered and reckless."
The proposed constitutional amendment would establish collective bargaining for government employees as a "right" and undo several reforms that have saved taxpayers millions of dollars.
Thousands of home-based health care providers have been forced into a union because they receive assistance from the state while they take care of loved ones who are disabled. The Service Employees International Union receives close to $6 million annually in forced dues from this abusive arrangement.
Patrick J. Wright, director of the Mackinac Center Legal Foundation, was a guest this morning on "The Frank Beckmann Show" on WJR AM760, where he discussed a new law signed yesterday by Gov. Rick Snyder that saves graduate student research assistants at public universities from forced unionization.
James Hohman, assistant director of fiscal policy, was a guest on "The Charlie Langton Show" on WXYT AM1270 this morning, discussing his new study explaining why the Michigan Public School Employees' Retirement System should be converted from a defined-benefit plan to a defined-contribution plan.
