Bishop: ‘Angry mobs’ could return if Granholm sin tax increases pass

Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop is defending protesters at health care town halls, and implying they could come back against state leaders. On WJR Radio this morning, the Republican from Rochester told Frank Beckmann that the protests were what the founding fathers imagined when they wrote the Declaration of Independence. As quoted by MLive.com:

McCotter wants tax deduction for pet care expenses

U.S. Rep. Thaddeus McCotter, has introduced legislation to create a tax deduction for pet owners’ expenses related to their pets. According to the pet industry trade magazine, Pet Product News, McCotter, a Livonia Republican, introduced the legislation July 31 in conjunction with a Pet Product News survey on the industry.

Soda pop tax being floated as possible budget fix

LANSING — The state legislature is considering a change in state law which would reclassify soda pop as a non-food item, thus making it eligible for a 6 percent state sales tax. Democratic State Rep. Terry Brown of Pigeon argues the move will raise an estimated $66 million in revenues for the state. He wants [...]

Granholm floats proposal to double beer tax

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 [...]

State revenues decline faster than expected

The state took in $120 million less than expected in May and June according to a newly published report by the Senate Fiscal Agency. The decline outpaces the downwardly revised projections made in May that resulted in emergency cuts including furlough days for state employees.

Cox says if elected governor he won’t raise taxes, other GOP candidates decline to make promise

In a private debate, held at a fundraiser for the Detroit Chamber of Commerce Political Action Committee, Attorney General Mike Cox said if elected Gov he will not raise taxes. But three other GOP candidates for governor — State Sen. Tom George, of Texas Township; U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra of Holland; and Terri Lynn Land, [...]

Economic crisis hitting local governments

With tax revenues declining up to 20 percent, service cuts and fee increases seen as likely

Ads Obama needs

Let’s face it. Right now the Obama campaign seems to be outpunched by the McCain campaign, what with their nasty but effective lies, their clever use of Sarahmania, their terrifying images of wolves, their distractions about pigs, and their overblown patriotism. Between now and election day, it’s going to come down to the debates and [...]

Elitism, indeed

As McCain continues to try to paint Obama as an “elitist” and criticise him for wanting to raise taxes on those who make over $250,000 a year, perhaps it’s worth pointing out that when Cindy McCain spoke to the Republican National Convention the other day the outfit she was wearing cost more than a very [...]

Is it the Vernors? Naah. McCain at Livonia defense contractor: ‘This will be a battleground state.’

In Michigan yet again, McCain talks about reducing corporate taxes, while ignoring shocking findings of GAO study released Tuesday.