Billion Dollar Deficits and Rising

As the great ship Michigan continues to wobble, our legislators in Lansing still can't seem to work together to right the ship of state. Are they just rearranging the deck chairs or will they finally work together, in a bi-partisan way, to solve the budget crisis.

It is a crisis. I heard that the Detroit Historical Museum got an email from the state yesterday announcing a complete end to funding, including funds promised from last Fall.

The Governor has threatened to shut down the state if the budget problems are not fixed.

Do I send my staff home for a few weeks unpaid holiday if the state closes the doors?

Michigan has cut taxes over the years to the tune of billions of dollars. Our income taxes went down under Engler, and the Republican repealed the single business tax. Fine. But at some point we need to pay for services that we all need and deserve.

Hot lunches are at risk for low income seniors. Infant mortality programs are at risk.
HIV AIDS funding has been cut year after year. Our roads and bridges are a mess.
Libraries can be shut down.

Is this the kind of state we want? Is this the kind of place that will attract 21st century businesses and young creative types?

The House Democrats, the Governor, and especially the Republican Senate has to stop with the sound bites, and the ranting, and take their heels out of the ground and work together.
Our gasoline taxes are not high. The wealthy are doing great. Business has to do its fair share.
Even us beer drinkers will pay our fair share. But lets quit screwin' around and get it done.