Senate Republicans cost Michigan jobs and make our roads more dangerous

All I have to say is: What the hell, Mike? What. The. Hell.

Today, MDOT had to cut over 243 road funding projects, projects to put Michigan workers to work, make commutes for the rest of us to and from our jobs/leisure spots safer, and save us from having to buy new tires and suspension setups every time our cars hit a huge pothole.

What, pray-tell, would cause our state government, staring down the barrel of 15% unemployment and worsening roads, to do such a thing?

From the Detroit News:
"The commission was forced to cut the projects due to continued declines in state gas tax revenues and the state's inability to match federal dollars beginning in 2011."

In other words, the state had to cut these projects because they weren't able to raise enough internal money to receive a free grant from the federal government.

Chief reason for this? Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop, whose dogged determination to cut taxes and government services has just cost Michigan free money and hundreds of jobs. By refusing bi-partisan proposals to restructure our state road funding system, we weren't able to raise the revenues necessary to qualify for federal funds needed to make these projects a reality in our cash-strapped state.

This isn't a new problem. For a long time, Michigan has known its gas tax funding system, which last saw a rate increase over a decade an a half ago, was inadequate to deal with the changing structure of our state's finances. In 2008, Michigan lost out on road repair revenue when gas was topping $4- a time when other states with percentage excise taxes were solvent despite the decrease in gas consumption. 2009 saw no improvement, and with the general fund continuing to decrease, road groups tried to lobby to maintain the funding needed to keep our infrastructure afloat.

Of course, this fell on deaf ears. The Senate's majority caucus's slavish adherence to the mythic "Read My Lips: No New Taxes" mantra has cost Michigan thousands of jobs and will continue to for years to come. The canceled projects would have been creating jobs through 2014.

For a caucus that talks about 'running government like a business', you'd think they would know a thing or two about investing in your future. Successful business owners know that you have to be willing to spend a buck to make two- maybe not tomorrow, but a month or a year down the road. Businesses that don't know how to do this quickly fold. By refusing to make the relatively small investment needed to keep our vital lifelines, our roads, safe and smooth, the Senate leadership has proven it is determined to drive Michigan to the point of collapse.

Hansen Clarke for Governor 2010

Despite loosing a great contender for the Democratic nod to become the next Governor of the State of Michigan, we've gained another.

State Senator Hansen Clarke (D-Detroit) has just filed papers to run for Governor. From his personal Facebook status:

Hansen Clarke filed papers at 2:31pm today in Lansing to run for the Office of
Governor in the great State of Michigan.

As well, MIRS picked up on the story as well. Expect other media outlets to follow. The final confirmation came from Hansen's wife, Choi, who wrote:

Choi Palms-Cohen is extremely proud to announce that her husband, Sen. Hansen
Clarke, has filed papers today to run for the Office of Governor of the great
State of Michigan!


I think this is not just great for Senator Clarke, but also for Michigan. Hansen has been a long-time advocate of the little guy in Lansing, and, while others 'play the game' to get bills passed, he's stuck to his guns and refuses to do anything that violates his moral or ethical principles. Furthermore, I've never seen him turn away an idea without giving it proper consideration- given the status of our state's economy, a leader who is willing to listen and consider all options before making a decision is exactly what we need.

I personally worked with the Senator for two years in his office. Beforehand, I had worked in other government offices and for other candidates, and since have left to join the private sector. While some may think this makes me biased, I believe it gives me a lot of credibility in assessing his merits to attain to the highest office in the state. My assessment is that he is one of the most decent and honorable people I've met in my life, and a true example of a concerned citizen who broke into politics with a message that hasn't let that message be muddled by special interests or insider politics. I believe he will make a great Democratic candidate and a strong leader to take Michigan out of its Lost Decade and into a prosperous future.