On energy, bridges and taxes, voters spoke volumes on Tuesday. Defeat of Proposal 3 means, for the foreseeable future, that Michigan will pursue a more limited investment in wind power and renewable energy than neighboring states. Defeat of Proposal 5 means a simple legislative majority remains the threshold for statewide tax increases, perhaps opening the […]
Moroun
Posted inMichigan Government
Truth Squad: Foul on pro-Prop 6 ad; no foul on anti-Prop 6 ad
MICHIGAN TRUTH SQUAD ANALYSIS: “Katie Explains” and “This Land” Who: The People Should Decide, Taxpayers Against Monopolies What: TV/Internet ads Truth Squad call: Foul on PSD ad; No foul on TAM ad Proposal 6 would require all new international bridges and tunnels built in the state to be pre-approved by voters statewide and in the […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Ballot battles buried in cold, hard cash
A variety of special interests, including business and environmental groups, organized labor and — who can forget him — billionaire Manuel “Matty” Moroun have raised and spent more than $100 million in their attempts to either pass or defeat six proposals on Michigan’s November ballot. Campaign finance records through Oct. 26 show that ballot committees […]
Posted inGuest Commentary
Final arguments on Proposal 6
Proposal 6 is a constitutional amendment to require a public vote before the state of Michigan could participate in an international bridge or tunnel project. The proposal is aimed at the Next International Trade Crossing, a bridge between Detroit and Windsor that will compete with Manuel Moroun’s Ambassador Bridge for freight and passenger traffic. For […]
Posted inPhil's Column
Reserve constitutional changes for serious matters; reject Props 2-6
I urge statewide voters to make a forthright statement at the polls on Nov. 6 that the Michigan Constitution is not for sale. Voting no on Proposals 2 through 6 stops special interest groups from hijacking the constitution, which is the state’s basic governing document. None of the matters addressed by these amendments belongs in […]
Posted inLand O Links
Land O Links
“To know that we know what we know, and to know that we do not know what we do not know, that is true knowledge” — Nicolaus Copernicus, 16th century Polish scientist. * This map highlights, to my eye at least, one of the more fascinating transportation situations in Michigan today. From pretty much all reports, […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Blizzard of cash obscures bridge issues
The list of supporters for the planned New International Trade Crossing in Detroit reads like a roll call of distinguished Michigan stakeholders. Five governors. Five automakers. Twenty-three chambers of commerce. The state’s largest newspapers, corporations and most influential movers and shakers all have signed on in agreement that the state needs a new, modern link […]
Posted inPeter Luke: Eye on the Capitol
Snyder’s reinvention plans for Detroit tied up in two ballot props
A local sports page reader, commenting on the lack of attention Miguel Cabrera’s Triple Crown bid was receiving nationally last week, lamented: “Detroit on the whole has been nationally defined in the cultural consciousness as the ashtray of the United States.” Or it can be defined as tragically beautiful, according to the publicity for two […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Attempt to link teachers to Detroit-Windsor bridge earns flagrant foul from Truth Squad
MICHIGAN TRUTH SQUAD ANALYSIS: “So why” Who: People Should Decide, pro-Proposal 6 ballot committee What: Mailer Truth Squad call: Flagrant foul As reported previously at Truth Squad, “The People Should Decide is a ballot question committee funded, according to available campaign finance statements, almost entirely from interests linked to Ambassador Bridge owner Manuel Moroun and […]
Posted inMichigan Government
'Steel' ad on Proposal 6 gets technical foul from Truth Squad
MICHIGAN TRUTH SQUAD ANALYSIS: “Steel man” Who: The People Should Decide, pro-Prop 6 ballot committee What: TV/Web ad Truth Squad call: Technical foul As reported previously at Truth Squad, “The People Should Decide is a ballot question committee funded, according to available campaign finance statements, almost entirely from interests linked to Ambassador Bridge owner Manuel […]
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