With Democratic Allies Like These…

I’m calling it right now. Republicans will get a budget passed without a road funding measure. The Michigan Republican leadership is working on passing a bunch of budget bills without road funding, hoping Michigan Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer will cave. I have hope she won’t cave. Whitmer professed to being a fighter in the campaign,…

Republicans Have No Plans For Michigan Roads–And That’s The Point!

Sam Inglot from Progress Michigan is right-on with this take: If Republicans don’t like Whitmer’s plan, what’s their idea? We need $2.5 billion to stop the bleeding as soon as possible and that’s just a harsh reality. Without a fix soon, our roads may reach a point of no return with the cost of repairs…

Michigan Conservatives’ Hope Stall Tactic On Roads Will Stifle Progressive Policies–And Voter Enthusiasm

The Huffington Posts’ Jonathan Cohn wrote an expose on Michigan Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s dilemma of trying to fix the state’s “damn roads” in today’s political climate. It’s a climate conservatives have owned for decades, thanks in-part to corporate media playing willing accomplices in pushing the conservative “no tax” mantra. Conservatives have also enjoyed owning…

Raising Taxes On Michigan Businesses Won’t Bring On The Armageddon

So says Michigan Advance’s business writer, and friend of the LOL podcast, Rick Haglund. Governor Gretchen Whitmer is proposing a 6% income tax increase on small businesses. Business groups and Republicans are warning of economic peril if Whitmer gets her way. But Haglund refutes critics of the tax increase proposal by saying: Nonsense. None of…

Left Of Lansing Podcast: Episode 5–Rick Haglund from Michigan Advance

Here’s Episode 5 of the Left of Lansing podcast! This week, Rick Haglund joins us to talk Michigan economics. Rick is the business columnist for the fantastic Michigan Advance news site. I’m telling you, check it out. They do some awesome work over there. I talk about how conservatism is no longer based on solid…

Yes, Gas Taxes Suck, But What’s The Alternative?

As I stated in my weekly podcast, I’m not crazy about Governor Whitmer’s 45-cent tax increase either. Like my guest, Democratic state Rep. Laurie Pohutsky correctly described it, the proposed tax is regressive. The tax really won’t hurt rich Michiganders, but it will affect the rest of us in a negative way. Which is why…