A Question and Answer session with Mike McGonegal

This an advance copy of the questionnaire Mike submitted to Gannett for their voter’s guide that should be published in early October.

Q- What makes you the most qualified to hold this office.
I bring more than 28 years of business experience with Fortune 200 companies to the office. Working for key suppliers to the automotive market, I have in-depth, first hand insight and understanding of the problems facing this industry and our region.
I have negotiated complicated contracts, and I have demonstrated an ability to work well with people at all levels. This real-world experience will serve me well in Lansing in working with my colleagues across the aisle to find solutions to the structural problems facing our state. I also have public service experience, working in law enforcement before entering the private sector.

Q- If you had to choose between tax incentives to encourage Michigan’s auto-based manufacturing industry and emerging industries, what would you do?
We need to keep the current manufacturing base we have, while attracting high-tech, knowledge-based industries. I see tax incentives as a viable tool to meet that goal. We need to reward companies that create good-paying jobs and we need to strengthen the state’s job creation effort and bolster efforts to diversify our economy with advanced manufacturing, life sciences and research and development. I would support tax credits, eliminate personal property tax for emerging industries; and fully fund the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. The most important thing we can do is to have a diverse, expanding economy of non-exportable high skilled, high wage jobs.

Q-The Single Business Tax is on the way out. Should a replacement business tax recover all of the $2 billion the SBT generates for the state, effectively shifting taxes from one business sector to another, or should there be a net tax cut for business?
We need to determine what portion of the tax burden business needs to carry. This needs to be done by interaction between the Legislature, the Executive and the private sector to avoid any unintended consequences that would be harmful to our economy. Any replacement tax should not generate more business tax revenue than business taxes being replaced, and tax compliance must be simplified. . We need to bring all of the players to the table in finding a solution that’s fair to the private sectors and keeps Michigan an attractive place to do business.

Q-Proposal A. of 1994 strictly limited school districts from seeking more taxes from voters. Districts say they’re hurting. Should the tax restrictive be lifted?
Proposal A was sold as a way to decrease property taxes and equalize funding of schools. However, it has only decreased a $6,000 per pupil difference between school districts by $1,000 per student. It took a static view of school districts. This doesn’t work for Livingston County that has become the highest median household income county in the state while simultaneously getting the lowest total funding of any county in Michigan. Moreover, some districts can still run millages for their district only while Livingston County Schools are not allowed to do this. This needs to be addressed.

Q -Will you vote for a state ballot proposal that would ban race and gender preference in university admissions hiring, promotions and contracting for the state, counties, cities, schools, community colleges and universities?
No. Like Gov. Granholm, Dick DeVos, both major political parties and more than 200 organizations around Michigan, I oppose Proposal 2 and the out-of-state interests using deceptive petition tactics to get it on the ballot. I am less concerned with state contracts and more concerned with education opportunities for women and minorities that would be adversely affected. Mr. DeVos said it best when he said, "we need to be looking to increase opportunities for people in Michigan, not decrease them." A close look at this type of legislation in other states demonstrates why there is such wide bipartisan opposition.

Q- Will you vote for a ballot proposal to mandate state funding for public
schools, community colleges and universities to be increased at least
the rate of inflation?
Yes. We need stable funding for schools not constant cutbacks. You name me one more important thing for our economy than a highly educated workforce. Bill Gates recently said, "Business and jobs of the future will settle in states with world-class universities and a highly educated workforce, not because of tax abatements and incentives." Proposal 5 holds the legislature accountable for all the "reforms" and reductions they’ve made to education over the last 12 years. No more shell games. You get what you pay for. Education is simply crucial to our state economy and the kind of jobs and companies we want to attract.

Q - How will you vote for a ballot proposal to amend the Michigan Constitution to define life as beginning at conception?
As a member of the Roman Catholic Church, I believe that life begins at conception. Within the church there is debate among theologians on this subject, but the church has long ago made peace with the secular state. I believe in the separation of Church and State, and I feel that this debate belongs in the church and not in the Legislature or in the halls of government. Therefore, I would vote no on this proposition should it ever be proposed and placed on the ballot.

Q - What type vehicles do you own.
A 2006 Ford 500 limited.
1999 Ford Taurus
1997 Ford Taurus

Q - What was the last book you read?
"The World Is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-first Century," by Thomas L. Friedman

Q - What is the best movie you’ve seen in the last 12 months?
Syriana

McGonegal announces plan to create jobs

BRIGHTON – In a move to fight outsourcing and put Michigan’s economy back on track, State Representative candidate from the 66th District Mike McGonegal today unveiled a jobs creation plan that will stimulate the state’s economy and move Michigan forward. The plan rewards companies that create good-paying jobs, strengthens the state’s job creation effort, and bolsters manufacturing and research and development. The McGonegal plan also strengthens education by ensuring students are prepared for 21st century jobs.

“The number one job of a state representative is to create jobs,” McGonegal said. “Michigan needs a strong job creation strategy that fights outsourcing, rewards investment and prepares our kids for jobs of the future.

“The status quo, do-nothing Legislature led by my opponent is simply not working for Michigan’s working families,” he said. “ It is time for a change.”

The jobs creation plan will create a good-paying jobs tax credit; eliminate the personal property tax for manufacturers, research and development and small businesses; fully fund the Michigan Economic Development Corporation; and strengthen the Michigan Merit Scholarship.

“Companies tend to locate in states that have a strong educated workforce,” McGonegal said. “A strong well-educated workforce will act as a magnet in Michigan for job providers and keep our best and brightest in the state.”

Ward again forgets his party controls the House and blames Detroit for problems

Chris Ward recently played the race card, and he used the old, stale wedge issue with the myth that the predominantly black Detroit schools are getting a bigger piece of the money pie leaving less for Livingston County students.

In a story that appeared in the Sept. 26 edition of the Daily Press & Argus, Mr. Ward says he’s frustrated over the Detroit teachers strike. Mr. Ward claims, “he proposed a budget line item for the state's 2007-2008 budget that would have gone toward increasing funding equity in Michigan's schools.
That plan was mostly dashed by the Legislature, Ward said, and replaced with one to allocate greater state funding for Detroit's schools, which are losing enrollment and suffering in other areas as well.
"That could have been a significant amount of money for all the districts in Livingston County," Ward said, adding that the county's schools receive either the lowest, or slightly higher than the lowest amount of state foundation, or per-pupil funding in Michigan.
"Basically, the equity money was cut in half and the balance was given to Detroit," he added.”

We know this is merely another political grandstand play by Mr. Ward, but we’re not sure if the rant is an anti-union one or an anti-Detroit one. Most likely both, but it’s typical of the wedge issues so familiar to those trying to hang on to power. It also smacks of what we have seen time after time as Detroit is used as a scapegoat for his failures. He plays Detroit off of Livingston County because they are an easy target, and no one in Detroit can vote for him.
Here’s the real truth, the education budget totals $13.2 billion, including an increase of $210 for every single student in the state. Also included in it is $20 million to be paid to a number of school districts with declining enrollments. That’s a problem facing quite a number of school districts in Michigan, but Livingston County is not one of them. As costs go up, we see the financial problems facing school districts whose enrollment numbers are stagnant or only increasing by a few students, like Brighton and Fowlerville, increase. Can you imagine the problems experienced with those districts actually losing even a few students? Of that money set aside $7 million is to go to the Detroit Public Schools.
This is so typical of Mr. Ward blaming someone else for things he made happen and has complete control over that we have seen in the past. He’s the floor leader of the party that controls both the House and the Senate. He not only personally controls what goes on the floor to be considered by the full House, but he is also a member of the majority party that can stop and pass almost any legislation they want. In fact, the plan he said was “mostly dashed by the Legislature” was clearly supported by his party, 107-2 and 103-3, respectively.

You can expect this to be a wedge campaign issue over the next 42 days, and a newly formed 527 group – remember these are groups Mr. Ward says he is trying to stop with his alleged campaign finance bills- called “Working for Michigan's Future” is running adds blasting the legislature for setting aside the $7 million for Detroit schools. Ironically, the ads are only airing in swing districts and where the Republicans have targeted certain Democrats.

The spokesperson for this stellar group is one Bill Nowling. Readers of the Livingston County Daily Press & Argus may remember Mr. Nowling. He briefly worked as a reporter for that newspaper, hired by editor Buddy Moorehosue when he was between conservative political jobs. He may also recall he worked for a group called Persuasion, Inc. that represented one of the large telecommunications companies. He allegedly tried to blackmail U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers by pressuring him to vote for a bill favoring the company he represented. He allegedly said if Rogers did not vote with his company, he would have every employee out marching for and supporting his opponent.

The bottom line to all of this is simply this, is there anything Mr. Ward will not say or do to keep and get more power? Is there anything Mr. Ward will not play politics with to stay in power?

The answer is clear.

Newspaper tells Legislative leadership to take flying leap sans parachute

As we have said before, it’s a positive affirmation when the state’s newspapers agree with the positions we have been taking and agrees with the job killing moves by Mr. Ward and the rest of the Legislative leadership. The latest is the Kalamazoo Gazette. Its editorial Sunday confirms what we have been saying about jobs and the Single Business Tax.

We've said all along that Michigan's Single Business Tax should be eliminated -- but not before the Legislature and governor agree on an alternative source to replace the SBT's $1.9 billion in annual revenue.
Yet the Legislature dove ahead and passed a veto-proof elimination of the SBT without any replacement for the revenue it generated.
Without the SBT or any other business tax to replace it, the Michigan Economic Growth Authority is offering tax credits to entice companies to move to Michigan -- but with a big maybe. After all, it's tough to guarantee the size of a tax credit when there's no tax against which to credit.
So the state's economic developers are having to be vague about tax incentives.
Trouble is, other states are not vague about what they can put on the table. So what's a smart business owner likely to do? Locate in the state that can offer a concrete tax-incentive package? Or opt for the state that can offer only a vague promise?
The longer Michigan goes without a replacement business tax, the harder it will be to get prospective companies to move here. And how many new jobs are we losing right now because of the uncertainty?
What irony. The lack of a replacement for the SBT makes the state unable to guarantee tax credits to prospective employers, which becomes a huge disincentive for out-of-state companies to create jobs here.
We suggest lawmakers try skydiving sans parachutes themselves and let us know how it works out.

Time to blanket the 66th District with signs

To quote that immortal ‘70’s group the Five Man Electrical Band, “Sign, sign Everywhere a sign,” and you can come and get your “Mike McGonegal for State Representative” signs. We want to blanket the 66th district with the blue signs.

Call (810) 229-3324 to get a sign or send an e-mail us with your name and phone number to mcgonegal4the66th@yahoo.com

Repeal of the SBT continues negative effects

BRIGHTON – The negative fallout from the early and irresponsible vote by Michigan Legislature to repeal the Single Business Tax two years ahead of schedule continues to be felt in the state and hinder economic development.

Mike McGonegal, candidate for the Michigan House from the 66th District, said his opponent’s so-called leadership that helped lead the charge in its irresponsible early repel of the SBT has placed tax credits and incentives offered to companies to expand and relocate in Michigan in jeopardy. The Michigan Economic Development Corporation said credits based on the state’s main corporate tax couldn’t be guaranteed because the state can’t guarantee a credit against a tax that does not exist.

“What the House leadership has done is create an unstable business environment in a state suffering from a serious downturn from its biggest employer,” McGonegal said. “Companies want to know the cost of doing business before they make any major expansion decisions, and the longer Mr. Ward and the rest of the leadership drags its feet on this important issue the harder it is to correct the structural problems facing our state.”

Replacing the tax and the $2 billon in lost revenue will not even be addressed until after the Nov. 7 General Election as the House and Senate adjourn this week until Nov. 9, and it ensures the Legislature will be insulated from any accountability for cutting essential services necessary to balance the budget.

McGonegal, who has more than 28 years of business experience as a manufacturing sales representative for the auto industry, said it left many businesses in limbo not knowing what the replacement for the complex tax that combines seven different taxes into one will cost them.

“It’s so sad that businesses that actually want to expand are being put on hold because so-called leaders like Mr. Ward are playing politics with our state’s future,” McGonegal said. “Why the state struggles to survive and people stand in the unemployment line Mr. Ward and the others can campaign using the myth that they actually cut taxes.”
* * *

McGonegal calls Ward out on vote against jobs

BRIGHTON – Mike McGonegal, candidate for the 66th District seat in the Michigan House of Representatives, said he was amazed that his opponent would not only vote against economic development and keeping jobs in Michigan but criticized the Governor for signing the bill that made it happen.

Chris Ward and his Livingston County colleague, Joe Hune. issued a joint press release Tuesday for criticizing the Governor for signing Public Act 351 that would open the Michigan Youth Correctional Facility in Baldwin that was closed last year, devastating the local economy of the small community 65 miles north of Grand Rapids. The prison is one of Lake County's largest employers with more than 230 full-time people and pays $5.3 million in property taxes. The non-partisan House Fiscal Agency that analyzed the bill said the prison is “vital to the economic development” of the area.

“My entire campaign is about keeping and creating jobs, and this is a clear vote against it,” McGonegal said. “It also further demonstrates Mr. Ward’s inability to work with other people to benefit Michigan, as well as an apparent lack of understanding of how government works.”

House Bill 5800 was introduced by a member Ward’s party that has a clear majority in both the House and Senate, passed the House by a vote of 72-31 and after passage it was moved by Ward to give the bill immediate effect. The Senate passed it by a vote of 36-1, including a yes vote by Sen. Valde Garcia, R-Howell.

Ward and Hune objected to the bill because it allows inmates or detainees from other local, state or Federal agencies to be housed at the prison, and they rationalize if Hamburg Township’s Camp Brighton, which employees more than 60 full-time employees, were ever closed this could be used to re-open it if it were ever closed. The press release also compared human beings to Canadian trash.

“This is a cheap, political trick to criticize the Governor for doing what’s best for the state and working with the opposition party to do that,” McGonegal said. “Comparing human begins to trash is just disgusting.”
* * *

Mike McGonegal to debate opponent at newspaper forum

From the Sept. 17 edition of the Livingston County Daily Press & Argus

The Livingston County Daily Press & Argus, in collaboration with the Livingston County League of Women Voters, is presenting two candidate forums for the Nov. 7 general election.

The first forum — featuring legislative candidates — will begin at 6 p.m. Oct. 9 at the Howell High School auditorium, 1400 W. Grand River Ave. in Howell.
The second event — with the county's judicial candidates — takes place at 6 p.m. Oct. 10, also at the auditorium.

For both events, the Daily Press & Argus is continuing its practice of soliciting questions and areas of concern from readers. You can e-mail your questions to elections@livingstondaily.com. These questions will be used to formulate those used in the event. The LWV will also solicit questions at the forum.

Both forums will also be cablecast for Comcast and Charter Communications customers.

I’m a little disappointed that the LWV partnered with the newspaper, not that the paper does not put on an excellent program that serves as a much-needed public service, but because I like the League’s format better and the exposure two major debates will afford Mike McGonegal.

The League traditionally held its forum in the courtroom at the Historic Livingston County Courthouse in downtown Howell, a wonderful setting, and their format calls for those who actually took the time to attend the debate to get their questions answered. With the format next month, readers mail their questions to the newspaper, and in the end the editorial board selects the questions that will be asked not the voters.

Also, in the past the LWV partnered with WHMI Radio with station news director Jon King as the emcee, and that ensured it was broadcast on the radio and archived for replay on their View Point radio show, plus Comcast broadcasted it many times leading up to the election increasing the exposure and allowing more people to be informed. I hate to see the radio shut out because they, like the newspaper, also do an excellent job informing people about the issues, so we would love to meet Mr. Ward on their View Point program for a debate.

The good news is Comcast is taping it. The other good thing about the newspaper’s forum is they have tables set up in the lobby with campaign material, and if you live in the 66th District while the debate between Mary Andersson and the incumbent for the 47th District is going on you can network in the lobby without disturbing people listening to the candidates they are eligible to vote for talk.

The bottom line is this, Mike McGonegal will debate Mr. Ward any where at anytime even if there is only two people in the audience. We want to see Mr. Ward try and defend and justify his atrocious record to the voters.

Please attend the forum, and thank the newspaper staff for providing a great public service.

McGonegal calls recent Ward vote irresponsible

BRIGHTON – Mike McGonegal, candidate for the 66th District seat in the Michigan House of Representatives, said the voters deserve an explanation for why his opponent refused to support an amendment banning all foreign sources of contributions to political campaigns in Michigan.

A package of six bill passed the House last week aimed at campaign finance, but only the bill sponsored by Chris Ward, House Bill 6128, received any opposition, passing by just six votes 56-50. Democrats supported the other five bills, but they voted against Ward’s bill aimed at so-called "soft money” because the amendment addressing the danger of foreign campaign contributions influencing state elections as many foreign companies look to locate to Michigan was not included.

“I think this really demonstrates his lack of people skills and his inability to work with people who disagree with him,” McGonegal said. “If you truly want meaningful campaign finance reform you sit down with the party across the aisle and find a compromise solution that truly benefits the state, not just with the goal of keeping you in power in mind.”

McGonegal said all Ward basically did was insert Michigan in the appropriate space of the 2002 McCain-Feingold Bill, and this is nothing more than grandstanding to allow Ward to falsely tell voters he was responsible for real campaign finance reform. But the package of bills does nothing to address the corrosive influence of money in politics that allows groups like the Michigan Beer and Wine Wholesalers Association that provides the bulk of Ward’s campaign contributions in exchage for Ward pushing a failed bill that would have banned consumers from ordering a bottle of wine directly from a winery unless you went through a wholesaler first.

“We need a Legislator who understands the world of business in our quest to bring jobs here, and who can work with all parties to help us grow a healthy, diversified economy,” McGonegal said. “Mr. Ward is not that man.”

* * *

Fundraiser features good food and good conversation

Come and meet and support Mike McGonegal and the rest of the candidates running on the Nov. 7 General Election ballot under the banner of the Democratic Party for a fundraiser from 5-8 p.m. Thursday at the Brighton House Restaurant, 10180 E. Grand River Ave. in Brighton.

The raising money part of politics is the part Mike truly despises. However, we are up against an incumbent who has access to thousands and thousands of dollars from the special interest groups he really represents in the state House. In addition, as an incumbent he has access to paid staffers to do the little campaigning he actually does at taxpayer expense, and access to thousands of dollars worth of free – to him that is – mailings at government expense in the form of public service announcements that are really thinly disguised campaign pieces.

The good news is, unlike our opponent who holds his fundraisers outside of the county and the district, we are holding the fundraiser at a local restaurant and helping a local businessman.

Call (810) 229-4212 or (248) 887-5745 for information and to RSVP. Donations can also be accepted by mail to;
Livingston County Democratic Party
PO Box 5027
Brighton, Mi. 48116

McGonegal calls campaign finance reform a fraud

BRIGHTON – Mike McGonegal, candidate for the 66th District seat in the Michigan House of Representatives, said a package of so-called campaign finance reform bills that were approved by the House Wednesday is nothing but partisan politics at its worst, and empty reforms his opponent will use as a campaign prop to mask his atrocious record of questionable ethics.

As McGonegal predicted when the package was first introduced in June, Chris Ward immediately fired off a press release upon passage of the bill he sponsored - House Bill 6128 that allegedly regulates so-called "soft money” – taking credit for “restoring trust and accountability in government.” The bill only passed by five votes, and Mcgonegal said he was appalled that Ward, with his record, has the audacity to lecture the Democrats, or anyone else, about their ethics and reasons for voting against the bill.

Rich Robinson, Director of the non-partsian Michigan Campaign Finance Network, said in published reports in June that the bill favors Republicnas because they rely on wealthy individuals for contributions. He also said an individual who violates the law faces up to three years in prison and fines of up to $5,000 or both, but if a large corporation or company violates the law all they face is a fine of up to $10,000. Huge corporations like Enron, other energy companies and pharmaceutical companies that funnel huge amounts of cash to Republicans would have no deterrent to continuing that practice

House Democrats also attempted to make the bill a little fairer and to protect our security with an amendment that would have banned all foreign sources of contributions to political campaigns in Michigan, such as Communist China, but it was defeated.

“Having Mr. Ward lecture anyone about ethics is like having Pete Rose lecturing kids about the evils of gambling,” McGonegal said. “It’s outrageous and an insult.”

McGonegal said Ward’s attempt two years ago when he tried to sneak an amendment into a bill that would have given a developer title to 286 acres of property in the Island State Recreation Area in exchange for 37 acres of less desirable property, a recent report that put Ward at the top of the list of state Legislators accepting free meals and his attempt to pass a bill that stronhgly favored the Michigan Beer and Wine Wholesalers Association because they were and continue to be the major financial contributor to his campaign speaks louder than any bill he ever gets passed.

But McGonegal said veteran and well-known journalist Jack Lessenberry said it much better than he could in a column he wrote when he heard that Ward was sponsor of the bill, saying “that is the moral equivalent of Monica Lewinsky opening a charter school of chastity. If Chris were in another occupation, he might have a mattress strapped to his back.”

“It’s just simply outrageous for someone with his record to lecture anyone on ethics and accountability and to try and take the high ground,” McGonegal said. “Any cursory examination of his record shows a lack of candor and a habit of stealth moves to benefit those who support him.”


* * *

Campaign finance reports show the real difference between candidates

The post-primary election campaign finance reports were due Aug. 30, and a quick look at them illustrates the real differences between the two candidates. Chris Ward has more than $14,000 cash on hand - between his committee and the “Chris Ward Majority Fund,” and Mike McGonegal has $1,995 cash on hand going into the General Election.

Mike is actually meeting and greeting voters and constituents of the 66th District, and Mr. Ward is collecting money from PACs and buying slick mailings and staying away from voters.

Among Mr. Ward’s larger contributions to his campaign committee were $4,325 from the Real Estate Political Action Committee (PAC) and $1,000 from the Michigan RJ Reynolds Tobacco Co. PAC. Among the most interesting contributions from an individual was that from the wife of the Executive Editor of the Livingston County Daily Press & Argus, Rich Perlberg. Granted, I know the people at the Press & Argus to be dedicated, fair-minded journalists, but it raises the doubt that there appears to be little chance of getting a fair shake there or receiving their endorsement.

Among the most interesting expenditures was for web page design to Republican Michigander Consulting. Some of us here also post and try to debate on the blog ran by Dan Wholihan, a member of the executive committee of the Livingston County Republican Party – if we can handle and stomach the personal attacks – but no where is it disclosed on his blog that he does work for Mr. Ward. We know it’s a partisan site, but we didn’t know he was paid to be partisan.

If you remember the post on this blog called “It was raining candidates at Melonfest” posted Aug. 19 it was interesting to see how much Mr. Ward spent on the cheap, plastic fire hats to hand out to kids during the parade. In the post we took him to task for handing out these cheap hats that had “made in China” stamped inside of them instead of actually showing up himself, like everyone else - from U.S. Rep Mike Rogers and Attorney General Mike Cox to County Commissioners and School Board members - did. We also noted the irony of Ward volunteers handing out fire hats when his irresponsible vote on the SBT will require cuts to local fire departments. The good news is the $868 he spent on the trinkets was spent with a Michigan company in Owosso.

The biggest contributor to the Chris Ward Majority Fund was $5,000 from the Michigan Beer and Wine Wholesalers Association on July 3, to make $10,000 he has received from them during 2006. That must be in payment for the bill he pushed that would have made Michigan residents only able to order a bottle of wine from a wholesaler. If you want to read more about that scansdal check out our post on July 5 called “Veteran journalist calls out Chris Ward on campaign finance scam.”

The biggest contribution Ward made from the PAC is $12,000 to the House Republican Campaign Committee. Now, to me that’s a lot of money.

To earn his leadership position as Floor Majority Leader he was required to raise lots and lots of money for the party, and he has obviously done that. It’s also very obvious that the leadership position is not based on actual leadership ability, competence or how he represents his constituents.

State House shows no discipline

This excellent letter appeared in today’s Daily Press & Argus, and in four short paragraphs, Sally York sums up Chris Ward’s irresponsibility. Great job Sally.

Regarding the Single Business Tax, Phil Power has hit the nail on the head and it again points out the irresponsible actions of our Legislature. It is to be noted that the sponsor of the bill to eliminate the Single Business Tax is none other than state Rep. Chris Ward, R-Brighton Township.

It was stated that a great deal of discipline would be needed to get this tragedy fixed before the old tax runs out.

This Legislature, especially the House side, has shown no discipline and no leadership. The only important issue to this body is political and getting a change in the governor's mansion, at any cost or any untruth.

I, on the other hand, think that we need a change in the leadership of the House and we need to give a lot of consideration to Mike McGonegal, who is running against Chris Ward.

He knows what the real world is about. Chris only knows what he is told to do and, unfortunately for us, those telling him do not have the good of the state in mind; only the good of the party.

Sally A. York
Brighton

Real problems ignored in the House in favor of discriminatory resolution

Despite the clock ticking to find a replacement for the Single Business Tax or face $2 billon in cuts to local and state essential services with only nine session days left before the General Election, Chris Ward and the rest of the leaders of the do-Nothing Michigan House continue to waste valuable time on trivial maters.

Last month Ward introduced a Joint Resolution to “petition the U.S. Congress to call for a convention to amend the U.S. Constitution to require congressional districts to be apportioned on the basis of U.S. citizens in the district, rather than on the basis of raw population.”

It’s ironic that the Michigan House is failing to do its own job in addressing the dire problems facing our state, and now they want to tell the U.S. Congress how to do their job. This resolution is nothing more than a ploy to stay in power and to write discrimination into a document that has stood as a beacon against discrimination.

However, Rep. Jack Hoogendyk, R-Kalamazoo, had introduced the same resolution in June of 2005, and that resolution, resolution 97, was approved last week.

Rep. Gary McDowell introduces a substitute on the House floor that actually would have helped working families, and his substitute would “Memorialize the President and the Congress of the United States to enact legislation to bring the price of gasoline down for consumers by capping oil profits.” The staggering gasoline price increases are being realized despite the total combined profits of $111 billion in 2005 for the big five oil companies. The largest of these companies, Exxon Mobil, reported $36.1 billion in profits in 2005, making it the largest corporation in the world; and Exxon Mobil’s net income last year came to $1,146 per second.
But Ward, as floor leader, never even allowed that amendment up for a vote, and the amendment embracing discrimination was approved. Instead of getting something that actually helps everyone we get something that discriminates and helps keeps them in power.

As we said in an earlier post, the resolutions are the same discriminatory move that was introduced last summer by U.S. Rep. Candace Miller in the form of U.S. House Resolution. 53. Miller’s resolution was heard by the House Government Reform Subcommittee on Federalism and the Census in December, and thankfully, it hasn’t been heard from since. The data gathered through the census is used to determine how the 435 members of the United States House of Representatives are divided among the states.

It’s ironic that this discriminatory amendment would most likely supercede the 14th Amendment that was passed after the Civil War because southerners would not recognize African-Americans as citizens. It would do away with an amendment that stands as a beacon for eliminating prejudice for one that encourages discrimination.

This resolution and Ward’s driver’s license bill and voter ID bill show a pattern of discrimination, and it discriminates against the many noncitizen, legal residents living in the country who are married to service members, work here or study here.

Does anyone honestly believe that illegal aliens respond to Census Surveys? Or they answer the door to a representative of the government to tell them how many people live in the residence?

This is just another waste of time and power grab by Mr. Ward and the rest of the leaders of the do-nothing House.

Campaign rest includes taking in Boot Camp graduation

Mike and his family took a few days off from his daily visits to the doors of voters in the 66th District in his quest to meet every voter in the district to watch his son, Brian, graduate from Navy Boot Camp at the Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes Ill.

It was fitting that the family took the time off on Labor Day – a day dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers that pays annual tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country – to take in the special day filled with pride, military drill and precision.

As a working family where both parents work, Mike is well aware of the obstacles facing the middle class as companies, with the help of the government, look for the absolute rock bottom in wage costs as they continue to offshore jobs and assets in the race to the bottom.

As a father of four children with all four in college at one time, he is well aware of how hard it is to achieve the American dream in the quest for a college education. Mike will fight for those values in Lansing.

Seeing the photos of Mike and his family bring memories rushing back to me as I remember my parents coming up to Great Lakes to watch me graduate from boot camp on an oppressively hot day in August 30 years ago. The pride I felt that day remain with me to this day, and I wish Brian fair winds and following seas on his Navy career.

McGonegal praises deal that included EIC

RIGHTON ­- Mike McGonegal, candidate for the Michigan House of Representatives in the 66th District, praised the Legislature for its compromise this week that saw the so-called “Minimum Wage Fix-it bill,” the Youth Minimum Wage Training Law and the income tax credit for low-income workers approved. However, he criticized his opponent, Chris Ward, as one of only three Representatives and Senators to vote against the income tax credit and working families.

“Compromising and working with people who disagree with you to get things accomplished is how this country was formed more than 200 years ago, and it’s how all the great and lasting legislative accomplishments have been achieved,” McGonegal said. “Mr. Ward has proved time and time again he does not have that ability, and he also continues to show his lack of caring and respect for working families.”

The overtime fix-it bill will maintain the status quo for workers who were ineligible for over time pay under the lower federal minimum wage. Under the Senate Bill 453, low-income workers would get to claim a 20 percent earned-income tax credit on top of the existing federal credit starting in January 2008. In 2004, about 663,000 families with incomes below $35,458 received federal refund checks for earned income tax credits, and based on those numbers, families would get a refund check from the state for just above $350 on average, according to published reports.

The Republican leaders in both the House and Senate praised the bill as a good deal that touches on both Republican and Democratic philosophies because it cuts taxes and stimulates the economy, but it also helps poor people.

“This is economics 101 because it puts money right back into the economy,” McGonegal said. “This is how effective government really works, and it shows what can be accomplished when you bring reasonable people from both sides to the table.”

***

Legislature has been clumsy in handling SBT

The daily newspaper published in Livingston County, The Daily Press & Argus, finally joined the rest of the state’s newspapers and condemned the cowardly act of eliminating the Single Business Tax (SBT) without a replacement by the Legislature where Mike’s opponent is one of its so-called leaders in an editorial Tuesday.

Just hours after the rash act last month the immediate negative effects were felt, and Standard & Poor's gave Michigan a negative outlook on its credit rating just hours after the State House and Senate voted to repel the SBT two years ahead of schedule.

"There is some concern that when and if Lansing decides how to replace the Single Business Tax, there won't be time to put the mechanism together to collect the revenue.
The SBT, as it is sometimes called, raises nearly $2 billion annually. But Republican lawmakers got rid of it prematurely, so it is essential that replacement revenue be found.
We aren't that worried about the timing. Lansing will surely find a way to get tax dollars from business.

But we are still irked by the way the SBT elimination came about. It was already scheduled to die by the end of the decade, but Republicans used a looming petition drive to justify getting rid of it two years early.

But the Legislature dumped it without replacing the revenue it generated. It's not clear what type of tax will take its place. It's not clear who will pay more and who will pay less. And it's not clear if the change will be revenue-neutral or a tax cut.

Those are decisions that should have been made — and debated — before scrapping the tax. It didn't happen, so now lawmakers will have to make good on their argument that the elimination of the SBT will force them to come to a decision.

Ward’s show legislation DOA

By Dan Meisler DAILY PRESS & ARGUS 9/4/06

Just more than two months after introducing what he called a comprehensive reform of Michigan's campaign finance laws, state Rep. Chris Ward is scaling back his proposal.
The Brighton Township Republican said he is abandoning for the moment the most ambitious part of his plan — to ban the use of so-called soft money by union- or corporate-funded nonprofit groups like Moveon.org and the Swiftboat Veterans for Truth in the two months before a general election.

"I'm just not getting the support I was hoping for from some colleagues," Ward said.
But the rest of the package, which includes stricter disclosure requirements on campaign spending, has a brighter future, said Ward, who serves as House majority floor leader.
"Disclosure (reform) is broadly supported by politicians of both parties," he said. "I think that's something that can get done, and get done before this election. I want to get something done."

The latest plan is based on the so-called McCain-Feingold reforms approved in 2002.
Democrat Mike McGonegal, an industrial components salesman who is challenging Ward in the November election, said McCain-Feingold-style reforms would be a good first step. But he criticized Ward for introducing bills that never get acted on and then taking credit for trying to change the system.

"He just proposes laws that never get anywhere and passes that off as leadership," McGonegal said. "It's a start, but I don't really think Republicans have their heart into (campaign finance reform)."

When Mr. Ward proposed this legislation in late June on the second to last day of the Legislative sessions before summer break, we correctly pointed out this was nothing but something to use on the campaign stump. This proves us partially right. He used it in his slick, expensive brochure, but he hasn’t actually done any campaigning.

It’s also worth remembering how veteran journalist Jack Lessenberry called out Mr.Ward on his campaign finance reform show and tell and his close ties to special interests in the column he writes for midwestern newspapers

“State Rep. Chris Ward, a Brighton Republican, has introduced a package of bills designed to provide — ta da! — meaningful campaign finance reform!Be still, my sloshing heart. Actually, my personal blood pump never even skipped a beat once I noticed that the sponsor of these bills was Chris Ward. That is the moral equivalent of Monica Lewinsky opening a charter school of chastity. If Chris were in another occupation, he might have a mattress strapped to his back.

Turns out most of his “reforms” are actually aimed at limiting the activities of groups that favor Democrats, like labor unions. To be fair, old Chris does have a few ideas worth considering, like rules requiring more frequent reporting of where candidates get their money, and random audits of campaign committees.But mainly his “reforms “are boilerplate you-know-what, for election year consumption and fragging the Democrats.”

Happy Labor Day: Ward is no friend of working families

Happy Labor Day. It’s fitting that we celebrate organized labor that brought us such things as the 40-hour week, weekends, decent pay and benefits and simply basic workplace safety protections.

Organized labor helped create the middle class that most of us belong to, but there is an assault on both labor and the middle class. I think it is fitting to bring you some of Chris Ward’s worst votes against working families on this holiday, and we should truly reflect what this day is celebrating and remembering.

He voted against a plan that would increase unemployment benefits to 52 weeks, from the current 26 (HB 5438, RC 0686, 12/01/05, Espinoza Amendment).

He voted against a plan that would increase unemployment protections for families of military personnel. (HB 4415, Spade Amendment, RC 0027, 03/09/05). So much for supporting the troops.

He voted to give tax breaks to companies that outsource our good paying jobs to other states and countries. (Angerer Amendment HB 4982, RC 0728, 12/07/05).

He voted to give corporations tax breaks even when they violate federal pension laws (HB 4982, Miller Amendment, RC 0730, 12/07/05).

Ward shuns his Michigan House campaign for Presidential campaign

Straight Talk America, the political action committee for likely presidential candidate U.S. Sen. John McCAIN (R-Ariz.), announced that four state representatives from Michigan will join the organization as legislative co-chairs.

Rep. Chris Ward was named co-chair of the Straight Talk America Michigan Legislative Advisory Team along with three others from the Michigan House.

“Senator McCain is very popular among members of the Michigan state legislature and we look forward to working closely with him in the 2006 Elections,” said Representative Chris Ward. Representative Ward is in the GOP leadership as the House Majority Flood (sic) Leader.

I found some common ground with Chris Ward. As a career Navy veteran, I have always had a lot of respect for John McCain. However, it would be nice to see Mr. Ward addressing Michigan’s problems and being accountable and responsive to the voters of the 66th District instead of worrying about a race two years away. But I’m sure Mr. Ward’s already running for his next office beyond the state House. It would be nice to see Mr. Ward work in the private sector for the first time in his life and experience life like the rest of us, and we are doing are best to make that happen.