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The Michigan Messenger going forward

By Staff Report | 11.16.11

I am writing today to announce the closure of the Michigan Messenger. After four years of operation in Michigan, the board of the American Independent News Network, has decided to shift publication of its news into a single site, The American Independent at Americanindependent.com. This is part of a shift in strategy, towards new forms [...]

Colorado-based abstinence program provided false and misleading information to Michigan students

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By Todd A. Heywood | 11.16.11

An abstinence-only presentation provided to numerous school districts in Calhoun and Eaton Counties in October of this year provided false and misleading information to students about HIV, experts allege.

Class action lawsuit filed against MERS over unpaid taxes

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By Todd A. Heywood | 11.15.11

Two county registers of deeds filed a class action lawsuit Monday on behalf of Michigan’s 83 counties alleging that the Mortgage Electronic Registration Services owes millions of dollars in property title transfer taxes.

Schuette fights important mercury regulations

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By Eartha Jane Melzer | 11.14.11

Despite evidence of the impact of mercury on children and public health, Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette last month joined with 24 other state attorneys general in filing a lawsuit to scuttle new EPA regulations that would reduce mercury emissions from power plants.

Granholm floats proposal to double beer tax

By Todd A. Heywood | 08.03.09 | 10:18 am

In a move to level out the state’s declining revenue stream, Gov. Jennifer Granholm is considering a proposal to double Michigan’s beer tax. While the state has relied on so-called sin taxes to bring in revenues, it has often done so by focusing on tobacco, while ignoring wine, liquor and beer taxes. The beer tax has not been touched since 1966, reports MLive.com.

Right now, Michiganders pay 1.9 cents on every 12 ouces of beer. Under the proposal from Granholm, they would pay 3.8 cents for every 12 ounces. The new tax could generate as much as $42 million annually. Speaker of the Michigan House Andy Dillon opposes the tax hike.

Comments

  • retired_Sgm09

    Where and when will stop?? Why is it the Governor looks at taxing only “some” of the people, and not “all” the people. How about taxing only the state Legislature and all those who are employed as staffers, assistances, appointees of the Governor, by the Governor. Call it a childish remark, so be it. Call it ridiculous, so be it. The point is, where is the line drawn?? There's been talk of increasing the gas tax. Well then, do it. But then if it's supported by the members of Congress, they run scared because it won't be popular and the threats of voting them out of office would soon be ringing in their ears. There are many ways to “tax across the board” and it needs to happen so that “all” of the people pay their share, not just the “some”.

  • kmannarbor

    Raising the beer tax = LOST BUSINESS FOR THE STATE OF MICHIGAN!!! Michigan's current tax 300% higher than Wisconson and none of our Great Lakes neighbors have the $2.40 deposit on a case of Beer. More tax = more people buying beer, cigarettes, gas… out of our state creating less tax revues for the state.
    Beer already contributes 900+ million dollars to Mighigan's economy and close to 70,000 jobs according to Beersevesamerica.com. Fix the foreign container problem so people will stop bringing in cans from out of state, costing the state 14 million dollars a year! This is 3x the amount of the money that is proposed to be raised by an increased tax. Fix problems costing the state and save jobs, lost revnue, and for that matter – give young people a reason to stary in our great state of Michigan.

  • smokehouse

    This is just one more example of why Michigan's business impairment is the worst in the nation.
    Do you really think that the bars and restaurants are going to raise prices 2 cents to make up for this new tax, hell no, we'll be forced to eat it just like the minimum wage increase. This is actually a sneaky tax on bars and restaurants. wholesalers and party stores will just raise prices, not so easy for bars, most of us have lowered prices and margins to try to stay alive in this economy Those who dare raise prices will do so in 25 cent increments not 2 cents per can so the the real looser is the consumer. GRANHOLM IS CANADIAN TRASH

  • smokehouse

    This is just one more example of why Michigan's business impairment is the worst in the nation.
    Do you really think that the bars and restaurants are going to raise prices 2 cents to make up for this new tax, hell no, we'll be forced to eat it just like the minimum wage increase. This is actually a sneaky tax on bars and restaurants. wholesalers and party stores will just raise prices, not so easy for bars, most of us have lowered prices and margins to try to stay alive in this economy Those who dare raise prices will do so in 25 cent increments not 2 cents per can so the the real looser is the consumer. GRANHOLM IS CANADIAN TRASH

  • smokehouse

    This is just one more example of why Michigan's business impairment is the worst in the nation.
    Do you really think that the bars and restaurants are going to raise prices 2 cents to make up for this new tax, hell no, we'll be forced to eat it just like the minimum wage increase. This is actually a sneaky tax on bars and restaurants. wholesalers and party stores will just raise prices, not so easy for bars, most of us have lowered prices and margins to try to stay alive in this economy Those who dare raise prices will do so in 25 cent increments not 2 cents per can so the the real looser is the consumer. GRANHOLM IS CANADIAN TRASH

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