The Thrilla' in the Villa

A Boy... His Dog... and A Cat!

An epic tale of three stomachs

When it comes to food, kids and pets aren't all that finicky, it seems. Flavor seems to take a back seat to curiosity. 

My grandson, Liam Kenneth Horn, is about as curious a child as the world has ever known. So, it's no surprise that he doesn't mind dipping his fingers into any kind of dish that happens to be sitting on the kitchen floor.

Equally nosy is our new Bassett puppy, Riley Cooper. Better known simply as Riley. Riley was blessed with a exaggerated sense of smell. She finds her way into every corner of the house and backyard, always just a half step behind her inquisitive snout.

Then there's the allusive (and always hunting for a meal) Truman Horn. Even as a kitten, Truman was a spitfire, quickly defending a position under the piano stool. It caused us to comment, "Give 'em hell Harry!" With Harry being a poor name for a female cat, we settled on naming her Truman.

These three would keep any adult busy as they try to manage all of the high-energy escapades. However... as Liam, Riley and Truman criss-cross each others paths, it's quite dizzying. The following battle for dining room dominance will give you an idea of what it's been like at the Horn residence for the past several weeks.

The Tale of the Tape

In THIS corner… weighing in at about 30lbs… standing tall at 2’-8”, the “Matador from Ecuador”, the “Youth from 'Muth”… the most famous grandson on Facebook… LIAM “OWL EYES” HORN!!!

And in THIS corner… weighing in at 14lbs (give or take)… and standing 10” tall at the shoulder, the “Online Feline”, the “Sis with a Hiss”… the ever aloof… TRUMAN “THE BOSS CAT” HORN!!

FINALLY… in THIS corner… weighing in at 8lbs-2oz, soaking wet… standing a full 6 inches tall ('cause of her short Bassett-puppy legs)… the “Galloping Pup”, the “Princess of Mess”… 

RILEY “THE MONGOOSE” COOPER

The Belly Rumble

Round 1: As the bell rings, Liam takes the first jab by crawling over to Truman’s cat dish. He reaches in and grabs a whole handful of Friskies. The turkey/cheddar-shreds squish easily in grasp. He’s got this early battle in the palm of his hands, until… grandpa and dad pull young Owl Eyes back to his corner saying, “NO Liam NO… Leave the cat food alone!”

Round 2: Truman makes the next big move as she sneaks under Liam’s highchair to snatch up any stray chicken that Liam happens to toss her way. Seeing Truman’s stealthy cat-moves, Liam starts whipping food at his opponent. He giggles every time he makes a direct mashed potato-hit into the cat’s fur. Momma Ruth stops his pitching arm, saying, “NO Liam NO… quit throwing food at the cat!”

Round 3: In this round, Riley demonstrates her mongoose-like, lightning-fast moves as she darts to the cat dish the instant she comes inside from her regular potty-training session in the backyard. Acting like a canine vacuum, Riley downs the entire content of the bowl in seconds, while three voices shout, “NO Riley NO… Don’t eat the cat’s food!” 

Round 4: Liam grows weary as round four begins. He fumbles his bottle... it hits the floor and in an instant... Riley seizes the bottle by the nipple. In a heartbeat... puppy and bottle disappear around the corner, as the grownups holler, “NO Riley NO… bring that bottle back here!”

Round 5: With the napping human out the way for a couple of rounds, Truman slinks into the kitchen from her double-super-secret hiding spot upstairs to catch an afternoon snack. As her dish is placed in front of her, in her well-established corner, she spits and hisses at Riley. At the same time that Riley counter-barks and belly-slides a couple of paces away from a swinging set of sharp talons. The parents yell, “NO Riley NO… jeepers... that cat still has all of its claws. You leave her alone while she’s eating!”

Round 6: This round goes to the boss-cat. Truman after being annoyed just enough to leave her own dish behind, takes a calm, easy stroll right over the dog’s dish. She gracefully sets herself down and begins to nibble Riley’s puppy-cuisine. Riley barks at the unaffected feline, as the rest of us jump in, saying “NO Truman No… leave the dog dish alone! I promise… we’ll make sure you get some quiet time, for your own food!”

Round 7: Fresh from a nap, Liam takes charge of the contest again as he toddles to the dog dish, newly vacated by the cat. The Youth from Frankenmuth promptly pops a handful of turkey/rice puppy bits into his mouth. “NO Liam NO… don’t eat the dog food! YUCK!”

Round 8: Well… in a totally unexpected move, Liam tosses orange slices to Riley. One by one, the slices hit the floor, serving as a distraction to take the “mongoose” away from her bowl. With the puppy’s back turned, ol’ Owl Eyes makes for the dog dish a second time. This time, Liam did not eat the food, as earlier counseled, but grabs handfuls of dry puppy food… plop plop, right into the water dish! “NO Liam NO… good grief… quit throwing the dog food into the water dish!”

Round 9: In the final round of this match… the referees mistakenly think they can take charge; the bottle, the cat dish and the puppy’s food bowl are soon sitting neatly on the counter. 

Just as we grownups breathe a sigh of relief, we hear the splashing/giggles of Liam slapping his palms into Riley's water dish. Riley, soaked from nose to tail, dances in circles, barking happily. Truman sits on a chair, which is tucked under the dining room table, fussing at all the noise. “No Liam No… quit playing in the water dish... Truman, quit your hissing, and for crying out Riley... stop that barking!”

The moral of the story is…

 Even if it’s a madhouse… there’s no place like home!

For Good or Bad... Road Funding to be on May 2015 Ballot

Senate Begrudgingly Agrees To Ballot Proposal

(From the Michigan Information Resource Service - MIRS: Michigan's oldest and most comprehensive newsletter)

The main piece of the legislative agreement designed to put more money into Michigan's crumbling roads nearly stalled in the Senate Friday morning as Senate Republican leadership scrambled to get 26 votes needed to put a one-penny sales tax proposal on the May ballot. 

Nearly 18 hours after legislative leaders and Gov. Rick SNYDER gleefully proclaimed a deal designed to raise $1.2 billion for roads while giving an extra $300 million for schools (if voters approve it), the Senate barely received the 26 votes needed on  HJR UU. 

The problem was roughly half of the Senate Republican caucus thumbed their nose at the agreement, agitated that three of their bills needed to be completely altered to pacify the House Democrats needed to make the deal fly in the lower chamber.  

The feeling among some members is the Democrats simply got too much in the negotiations and they refused to sign off on the deal. Sen. Jack BRANDENBURG (R-Harrison Twp.) said between the Democrats getting more for education and $260 million in an Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), "It was just too much." 

So Brandenburg was among the members who supported a penny sales increase ballot proposal at one time, but voted no on  HJR UU. 

Even though all 13 bills and both resolutions flew through the House early Friday morning, Senate Republicans needed to get the House to pass a few last-minute bills to get the three votes need to get to 26. 

Senate Democrats were willing to provide two-thirds of its 12-member caucus or nine-members, but to get two more votes, it cost some bills. 

Sen. Glenn ANDERSON (D-Westland) only pledged his vote after  SB 0074, his anti-cyberbullying legislation, passed the House. The lower chamber did pass it 65-45, with overwhelming Republican opposition. 

Likewise, Sen. Hoon-Yung HOPGOOD (D-Taylor) gave up his vote after the House hastily passed his bill that essentially ends what he called "speculative investments" in a controversial hazardous waste injection well in his district. The House passed that, 70-40 with a majority of Republicans in opposition. 

Still,  HJR UU went up for a vote in the Senate and was one vote short. It was only after Sen. MikeGREEN (R-Mayville) heard his bill banning county concealed weapon licensing boards was passing in the House did he switch his no to a yes. 

Several measures, including the registration fee increases and a new education study bill also had trouble in the Senate. 

On two occasions, Senate Republicans pulled their names off bills, which had been completely changed to give House Democrats the goodies they wanted to support the one-penny sales tax increase ballot proposal. 

The Republicans who voted against  HJR UU included Sens. Brandenburg, Patrick COLBECK (R-Canton), Dave HILDENBRAND (R-Lowell), Joe HUNE (R-Brighton), Jim MARLEAU (R-Lake Orion), John MOOLENAAR (R-Midland), Phil PAVLOV (R-St. Clair), John PROOS (R-St. Joseph), DaveROBERTSON (R-Grand Blanc), Tory ROCCA (R-Sterling Heights) and Tonya SCHUITMAKER (R-Lawton). 

Sen. Coleman YOUNG II (D-Detroit) declined to support the measures, saying he felt like the sales tax was too regressive for his constituents and the restoration of the EITC could have been done another time. 

To earn his vote, Young said he wanted a bill requiring Detroit police officers and firefighters to live in the city limits, which wasn't going to happen. 

"I'm like the kid in school trying to talk his D into an A on the last day of school," he said. 

The following is a breakdown of the bills that advanced as part of the package. 

-  HB 4251 allows for a township to require a county road commission to award road projects through competitive bidding. It passed the House, 108-2, with Rep. Ray FRANZ (R-Onekama) and Rep. Rose Mary ROBINSON (D-Detroit) voting no. The Senate passed the measure 38-0. 

-  HB 4539 eliminates the sales tax on gasoline after Oct. 1. It passed the House 88-22 with four Democrats -- Reps. Scott DIANDA (R-Calumet), Rep. Paul CLEMENTE (D-Lincoln Park), Robinson and Bill LAVOY (D-Monroe) joining 18 Republicans in voting no. The Senate passed it 23-15 with Sen. Glenn ANDERSON (D-Westland) and Sen. Coleman YOUNG (D-Detroit) joining half the Republican caucus in opposition. 

-  HB 5477 would create the new 14.9 percent wholesale tax on gasoline as opposed to the 19-cent-per-gallon tax used now. The initial rates would be 41.7 cents per gallon for gasoline and 46.4 percent for diesel. 

It passed the House, 93-17 with the same four Democrats voting no. It passed the Senate, 23-15 with Young and Anderson voting with 13 Republicans in opposition. 

-  HB 5493 would rope diesel gasoline into the new wholesale rate. It passed 87-23 with a few additional Democrats joining the "no" vote. The Senate passed it 25-13 with Young voting with 12 Republicans. 

-  HB 5167 requires MDOT and local road agencies to bid out any project over $100,000 unless the locals believe they can do the work for less. The bill also requires MDOT, the city of Detroit and the county road commissions in Genesee, Kent, Macomb and Wayne to start a program that ties payment of 20 percent of the agency's road project to the quality work.  

The House made some changes that push back some of the implementation dates. It passed the House, 107-3 with Reps. Ray FRANZ (R-Onekama), Tom MCMILLIN (R-Rochester) and Robinson voting no. It passed the Senate 38-0. 

-  HB 4630 freezes the depreciation schedule on vehicle registration fees for $45 million and Increases fees on heavier trucks from between $150 to $1,000 to collect another $50 million. A new $75 fee is created for electric cars and a $200 fee for larger electric vehicles. It passed the House 67-43. The Senate watched it move 23-15 with Anderson and Sen. Steve BIEDA (D-Warren) voting with half the Republican caucus in opposition. 

-  HB 5460 requires MDOT, county road commissions and city road departments to have warranties for all pavement and reconstruction projects. County and local road departments must pass along heir warranty programs to MDOT for approval. 

The bill was changed to allow "small businesses" and "disadvantaged business enterprise" to better compete on projects. Original language that emphasized "minority" businesses was struck for "small." 

The House passed it 99-11 with Reps. Jon BUMSTEAD, Franz, Bob GENETSKI (R-Saugatuck), MartinHOWRYLAK (R-Troy), Tim KELLY (R-Saginaw), Greg MACMASTER (R-Kewadin), McMillin, PetePETTALIA (R-Presque Isle), Phil POTVIN (R-Cadillac), Robinson and Pat SOMERVILLE (R-New Boston) voting no. 

-  SB 0080 set aside the new $40 million for "at-risk schools." It passed 102-8 with Franz, Genetski, Howrylak, Rep. Joel JOHNSON (R-Clare), Kelly, McMillin, Dave PAGEL (Berrien Springs) and Robinson voting no. In the Senate, the bill passed 26-11 with all the no votes coming from Republicans.

-  SB 0847 increases the state's Earned Income Tax Credit to 20 percent of the federal level. The credit was reduced from 20 to 6 percent in 2011 as part of the budget balancing deal. 

The original bill adjusted the homestead exemption credit. With the new change, Sen. DaveHILDENBRAND (R-Lowell) removed his name as the sponsor. The new sponsor is Senate Minority Leader Gretchen WHITMER (D-East Lansing). 

It passed the House 78-32 with all 32 no votes coming from the Republican caucus, meaning a majority in the House GOP caucus did not support the measure. 

The Senate passed it 23-15 with 15 members of the 26-member Republican caucus opposing the measure. 

-  SB 0423 creates the study on how much it takes to properly educate a student to the point where he or she should be able to show successful completion of the Michigan Merit Standard. The one-year study must also show whether public money is distributed in a way where all children have an equal opportunity to succeed in school. 

Eight of the original 12 sponsors to the bill, which started off as legislation from Sen. Patrick COLBECK(R-Livonia) to encourage schools to teacher the U.S. Constitution, state Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, asked their names be dropped as co-sponsors. Ultimately, Sen. JohnPAPPAGEORGE (R-Troy) ended up being the sponsor. 

It passed the House 72-38 with 35 Republicans -- a majority of the caucus -- and three Dems -- Reps. Paul CLEMENTE (D-Lincoln Park), LaVoy and Harvey SANTANA(D-Detroit) voting no. It barely passed the Senate, 20-18, with only eight Republicans siding with the Democrats in support. 

-  SB 0658 and  SB 0659 and the "Main Street Fairness" bills, which require retailers with a "nexus" in Michigan to collect from their customers Michigan's sales tax. Both passed 83-27 with 20 Republicans voting no along with Reps. Theresa ABED (D-Grand Ledge), Winnie BRINKS(D-Grand Rapids), Charles BRUNNER (D-Bay City), Dianda, Tim GREIMEL(D-Auburn Hills), Rep. Henry YANEZ(D-Sterling Heights) and Robinson. 

 SB 0658 passed the Senate 25-13, with half of the 26-member Republican caucus voting in opposition.  SB 0659 passed, 24-14. All 14 were Democrats. 

-  HJR UU puts the 1-cent sales tax increase on the ballot and then directs where the money goes. It passed 94-16 with Dianda and Robinson joining 14 Republicans in voting no. 

- HCR 39, which offers to the Board of State Canvassers suggested ballot language, passed the House on a voice vote. 

-  HB 5492, exempts gasoline from the use tax and earmarks 12.3 percent of 4 percent of the sales tax (as opposed to 2 percent from Proposal A) for the School Aid Fun. The Senate passed the bill 24-14 with Young joining half the Republican caucus in opposition. 

Michigan Farm Bureau AgriPac Endorsement

The Michigan Farm Bureau AgriPac chooses

Ken Horn (R) Frankenmuth

for Michigan's 32nd Senate District

LANSING — AgriPac has announced its selection of candidates to receive the "Friend of Agriculture" designation and endorsement for the Nov. 4 general election.

AgriPac is the non-partisan political action committee of the Michigan Farm Bureau (MFB), the state’s largest farm organization, encompassing nearly a half-million voters. “Friends of Agriculture” represent qualified candidates who have demonstrated basic beliefs and/or actions consistent with farmer-developed MFB policy.

“Every election is important, but from agriculture’s point of view, this year’s general election here in Michigan is of particular significance,” said Sarah Black, AgriPac secretary and director of MFB’s Public Policy and Commodity Division. “Our state’s ongoing comeback has built up a great head of steam over the past four years, and as one of the state’s leading industries, agriculture has a vested interest in maintaining that forward momentum.

“As the political voice of our farmer members statewide, AgriPac looks for those candidates who are most willing to roll up their sleeves and contribute to Michigan’s recovery. A true ‘Friend of Agriculture’ is a leader who understands, appreciates and embraces our industry’s contribution to Michigan’s economy, and who will represent our farmers’ interests in Lansing and Washington, D.C.”

In making its 2014 general election endorsements, AgriPac conducted personal interviews, reviewed candidate questionnaires, incumbent voting records and recommendations from county Farm Bureaus, heavily weighting the local recommendations of our county Farm Bureaus’ candidate evaluation committees.

Did the State of Michigan Cut Education?

Myth Buster of the Day

Friends called me this week to tell me that they had received a “push-poll” from the Democratic Party in Lansing. A push-poll is one where they ask who, if the election were held today, would you vote for, Candidate A or Candidate B?

When you don’t choose their particular candidate, the volunteer is scripted to ask a negative question to bring you back. In this case the first question was, “Would you be more or less likely to vote for Candidate B... IF... you knew he voted to cut education by $100’s of millions of dollars?”

Well… my friends hung up on the “pollster”, knowing that the question is false in Michigan. 

First of all… this type of negative-polling is not new and not restricted to any one party. This tactic is used by both sides, and is as annoying as any robo-call. However, I'm constantly reminding new political candidates of the Tom Hanks famous line, “THERE'S NO CRYING IN BASEBALL!!!”

That’s right! This is part of the political playing field and, by golly, this is a rough and tumble business. I have no complaints. My reason for bringing this up is only to dispel the myth that the State of Michigan cut $100’s of millions of dollars from education.

When Michigan Democrats talk about $1 billion dollars being cut from school budgets, they are partly referring to the removal of federal stimulus money that was given to Michigan under a previous administration. This money was to go to “shovel ready” jobs, but was spent on protecting existing government spending. The money that should have gone into fixing potholes was spent on just about everything but roads.

When you read the charted information (below) from Lansing you’ll see that education spending has been rather flat. No one is claiming that school funding has risen to new heights, but the state was forced to pick up the slack when the extra federal spending faded into the sunset. (You can see in the footnotes which years ARRA money was used to supplant general funds)

In either case... we can always chat about whether or not $13 billion is the perfect amount to spend on education, or not. But… it is quite disingenuous to claim that decisions made by the legislature, in 2011 to current, have dramatically cut the schools.

Judge for yourself… here’s a chart on state school spending from the Senate Fiscal Agency:

We have a lot of work to do to regrow our economy and give rise to the middle-class family. Time to talk the truth. As you have ideas to grow manufacturing, agriculture and tourism in Michigan... I'd love to work with you!

Primary Election 2014

Yes... it's only a Primary Election, but... it's still important

Tomorrow is an election day in America. If you’re thinking, hey… it’s “only a ‘Primary Election' so it’s not that important”, well, that's half the problem. Lots of people do think that way... and it’s kind of sad.

Did you know that my kids, Kevin and Andrea have never missed an election? That's right! Even when they were babies, We’d carry them into the basement of city hall, where the polling booths are. 

One year, When Andrea was about four years-old, she looked around the polling place and in tears cried out, “Where are all the boats?”  My fault… when I said that we were going voting, she thought I said boating. Yah... I had a little explaining to do that morning.

About the time Kevin and Andrea were in high school, it got just a little bit embarrassing to be seen with mom or dad in the polling place. But... they gutted it out and have a clean lifetime record of participating in every single election up to the time they turned eighteen. 

My family was trapped behind the Berlin Wall for almost 30 years

Why is it so important to vote? Voting is important for every American citizen of voting age, but for my family, voting has a particularly special meaning. My father and mother came to America, fleeing a communist country and the Berlin Wall. East Germany was made a part of the huge Soviet Empire, and my ancestors lived through some turbulent decades, never sure of who was next going to be in charge of their government. 

In the United States of America, we don’t have that problem. Even when we fuss over it, we know who owns this government. We do… you and me! To be sure of it… we vote! My father's proudest moment was becoming an American Citizen and voting for the very first time. 

I know that there are lot of people out there that are really worried that they don’t have much say in their government, anymore. I hear it everyday, as we visit the front-steps of my neighbors throughout the 32nd Senate District. People feel sad, angry and frustrated at the government, these days. Especially senior citizen's, who feel like the world is upside down. The most common thing I hear, almost everywhere I go is, "Ken... I don't recognize the country I grew up in." We need to fix this!

I don't claim to have all the answers to all the problems we're facing. I do know that we can only fix this ailing nation together. Now, more than ever, is the time to study, ask a bunch of question and get involved. Trust me... voting is a precious and sacred gift that is given to all American citizens. 

Just for Fun: Here are the top 10 complaints, I hear, about voting

10) I don’t have a driver’s license or Michigan ID (Get one… they're like ten bucks, or free, for a standard ID )

9) They should make it easier... I should be able to vote online (If you're going out of town, or you're a senior that's shut-in, ask for an absentee ballot. Otherwise... go to the polling station. There are soldiers that leave their families for months, in order to protect you and me. A half-hour of our time, every two years, isn't a huge burden)

8. There’s nobody worth voting for (Fine... then run for office)

7. I forgot to register to vote (Really? … get registered. It’s easy)

6. The last time I went, the candy dish was empty and the “I Voted” stickers were gone (Okay… admittedly, this is problematic :)

5. I don't know who is running (Pick up a voter guide... they're all over the place)

4. I don't have a ride (We’ll find you one)

3. I am too busy (Aren’t we all… See #2)

2. You feel guilty when the person you voted against loses (You win some… you lose some! That’s life)

And... (Drum Roll) the number one reason for not voting... 

1. My vote won't make a difference (It does, actually! While the vote tally is simply a matter of math, again... the American vote is a sacred and precious thing. It makes you part of something extraordinary, exceptional and historical. For me it’s a matter of pride. You may have a different reasons, but... voting is the most American thing you can ever do)

Remember... you're a Great American... VOTE!

Ballot Proposal 1 in a Nutshell

A non-accountant's view of Proposal 1

by Ken Horn

Recently, on Facebook, I posted my support of Proposal 1, the elimination of the Personal Property Tax (PPT), which will appear on the August 5 ballot. As part of the discussion, my friend and former Mayor of Saginaw, Greg Branch, chimed in with his concerns. I once referred to Greg as (wicked smart), though he seemed to think I forgot a comma between words. He expressed some concerns with the proposal (Which you can view at Greg's blog), which caused me to clarify my opinions.

We’ll explain what the PPT is, but the most important thing to remember about Prop 1 is that it represents two major ideas:

1.      Elimination of the PPT - which is likely to be one of the most difficult taxes to calculate and manage. This tax is often referred to as the dumbest tax in America. The PPT is not related to your personal taxes at home. It is charged to equipment at all Michigan business. It was described once this way… “If you could take your local business or factory, lift it up, turn it upside-down and shake it… everything that fell out is subject to the PPT” Forever!!! Everything that isn’t bolted down or part of the "Real Property", is charged an equipment tax.

2.      Keeping Communities and Schools from Failing – Many communities are highly dependent on the PPT revenue. Especially towns and cities that have a large industrial base, such as the City of Saginaw and Thomas Township (Hemlock Semi-Conductor), just to name a couple. In fact, all local units of government have seen all forms of revenue shrink. It is a huge problem of shifting populations that no longer match the existing infrastructures.

To fully explain the problems with the PPT, I would have to share with you the hours of testimony that I heard as I sat on the House Tax Policy Committee. To put it in its simplest form, the PPT taxed newest equipment at the highest rate... and the oldest equipment at the least. This sets the stage for major investments to be made in other states, around the country, that charge no PPT or… it causes cities to compete, head to head, for these same investments by offering local tax abatements.

Between the U.S. Census years of 2000 – 2010, Michigan lost around a half-million hardworking, taxpaying residents to jobs in other states. To get these people to come back to Michigan requires good, high-paying jobs. Good, high-paying jobs require heavy investment in both equipment and technology. These investments are the beginning of the rejuvenation of the middle-class. What else is? So… dis-incentivizing investments in real manufacturing becomes a very bad thing.

Well… getting rid of the PPT is a good for another reason, it’s the hardest tax EVER to try and manage. Millions of dollars are wasted every year just to create the Schedule of Inventory. Townships and cities are just as hard pressed to calculate and verify the tax as the businesses that have to pay it. Every factory, dentist’s office and restaurant has to walk around its property each year, with a clipboard, to re-count equipment they own. All basically for the purpose of paying a sort of sales tax on stuff they bought many years ago, sometimes dating back to the mid-1940’s, right here in Saginaw and Genesee Counties.

In 2012, the PPT was eliminated. It was to be phased out over a 10-year period of time. Cities and schools were alarmed that they may lose a huge chunk of revenue at a time when budgets are growing and sources of funds are shrinking, as well. The easiest thing for Lansing to do, was simply cut the PPT, give the tax break to job-providers and not worry about its replacement.

That’s where Proposal 1 comes in. It is designed to protect police, fire and schools budgets during the transition and beyond. A YES vote on Prop 1 is not a tax increase. A big portion of the replacement revenue comes from the old Michigan Business Tax (MBT) credits that were created during the previous administration. As these credits expire, Prop 1 will dedicate those freed-up dollars to public safety and education. Undedicated “Sales Use Tax” on cell phones and internet sales will make up the rest. Where’s there’s a gap, a small, simpler Essential Services Assessment will be placed on large manufacturers, as gladly agreed to by the industry.

This is on the ballot to give the people of the State of Michigan a voice in how their government is run. Communities are held accountable for their spending, the State ensures stable budgets without tax increases and large manufacturing facilities will pay a fair share for infrastructure while it has incentive to actually grow. It’s a win/win/win situation that has no organized opposition.

I’d be happy to share my thoughts further, but I’m including a bit of information for you to review. I hope you’ll support Proposal 1  on August 5, 2014.

http://www.michamber.com/personal-property-tax-reform