A news service for the people of Michigan from the Mackinac Center for Public Policy

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MEDC Consultant Busted for ‘Recycling’ Reports

… for more investment in MEDC programs. Specifically, … Kentucky involving the MEDC s winning bidder, a … in response to an MEDC request for proposal … recycled version of the MEDC s own deeply flawed … more

According to Beneficiaries, All Government Spending Is Worth the Investment

… third-world countries. The MEDC s analysis showed that … more
MEDC

Lawmaker Says 'Willful Neglect' Is the Rule at Embattled State Agency

… oversights. "MEDC has implemented enhanced … records, such as W-2s," MEDC spokeswoman Bridget … skeptical. "The MEDC is failing in administrating … Hohman said the MEDC failed to verify the … more

MEDC Questioned About Its Transparency

Questions about how tax dollars spent could warrant new legislation

… budget. On June 13, 2011, MEDC sent him a document … supplies." The MEDC describes itself as … most recognized of the MEDC's responsibilities is … Michigan. The MEDC website also has a section … more

Senator Says MEDC Should Stop Believing Its Own Press Releases

… hearing, Cassis told MEDC CEO Greg Main, "The press … reality." Michael Shore, spokesman for the MEDC, didn't respond to an … comment. Cassis said the MEDC didn't seem too concerned … would require the MEDC to state in its news … more
MCC2011-01

Thirty-One MEDC Salaries Top $100K

… Information Act request, the MEDC has 31 employees making … $100,000 or more. The MEDC has 351 positions. Greg … president and CEO of the MEDC, had the top salary, … $150,000. The MEDC was structured to incorporate … more

MEDC Removes Video of Obama, Top Dems Praising Failed Battery Company

YouTube promotion showed Obama, Granholm, Levin and Stabenow promising thousands of jobs

… few weeks ago, the MEDC made all of its promotional … been raised about the MEDC s lack of transparency . The … Michigan Advantage, the MEDC s (now defunct) YouTube … their operations. The MEDC previously promoted … more

The 'Pro Big Business' Myth Put to Rest

… Group found that three MEDC programs cost the … more

MEDC Still Using Questionable Benchmarks

'What they are about is trying to find press release opportunities for politicians'

… were reported by the MEDC were actually created. … reality. Despite that, the MEDC is using "jobs committed" on its 2012 MEDC MIScorecard Performance … is unclear why the MEDC would continue to use … more

Spotty Track Record Doesn't Stop State Agency From Doling Out Deals

General Motors has 'created' fewer jobs than promised on 5 of the last 6 MEDC-partnered projects

… the state. The MEDC's most recent beneficiary … Warren Tech Center. The MEDC is planning to amend … projections involving the MEDC has not been good. In … a tax deal with the MEDC in May 1999 for retaining … more

MEDC Programs Consistently Fall Short of Initial Claims

Michigan's 'corporate welfare' arm perpetually exaggerates its numbers

… exists instead. The MEDC oversees the 21st Century … programs overseen by the MEDC have not lived up to … more

Corporate Welfare to Increase $20M

Governor's 2013 proposed budget released Thursday. more

Interlocal Agreements – Good Intent, Bad Practice

… governments, the MEDC is a liaison with … state. But the MEDC does not provide public … government like the MEDC . ILA s have … more

Michigan's Job Loss Apocalypse Averted!

No thanks to the 'Department of Corporate Welfare.'

No thanks to the "Department of Corporate Welfare." more

Thirty-One MEDC Salaries Top $100K

… Information Act request, the MEDC has 31 employees making … $100,000 or more. The MEDC has 351 positions. Greg … president and CEO of the MEDC, had the top salary, … $150,000. "The MEDC was structured to incorporate … more

MEDC Response

… jobs. Michael Shore, MEDC spokesman, provided … more

MEDC vs. Kentucky

Michigan offers tax incentives worth five times the competition's

… Saginaw. At the time, the MEDC stated that GlobalWatt … the table before the MEDC offered its incentives. My … administration and the MEDC is desperate for any good … LaFaive said. The MEDC knows their press releases … more

Michigan Gives Unfair Tax Handouts To Try and Counter 'Right to Work' States

Democratic Rep. ignores millions in special deals for company picking Michigan over Tennessee

… Michigan without the MEDC tax handouts. That video … private on a MEDC website. In a column … deal." "Without the MEDC, this facility wouldn't … Gitter said. An MEDC memo said Ralco … more

A Bipartisan Disaster: Michigan 'Corporate Welfare' Program Rolls On

State's attempts at economic development costs plenty, returns little

… bureaucrats. The MEDC s website contains … promises panned out. The MEDC doesn't issue press … millions of dollars in MEDC handouts and lost tax … channel created by the MEDC itself, containing interviews … more

Commentary: 'Corporate Welfare' Hype Yields Few Economic Results

The companies promoted by the MEDC on Youtube are in financial trouble

… failures. The MEDC video on car battery … Vieau, praising the MEDC and former Gov. Jennifer … government loan. The MEDC video on a film studio … million . An MEDC video on converting … more

Commentary: Meet the New MEDC, Same as the Old MEDC

… scoop: In September, the MEDC issued a request for … government (and/or MEDC) should spend to be … of course, is to use MEDC s preferred tools of … and/or validate the MEDC s method of defining … more

Analysis: MEDC Letter an Admission of Failure

… specifically references the MEDC's Michigan Economic … average. If this is the MEDC's idea of success, we … failure. In March, the MEDC offered a refundable … a credit card, the MEDC placed him on stage … more

Bad Week for Michigan Corporate Welfare Machine

… creative sectors." MEDC Head Greg Main chimed … e-mails written by MEDC staffers were revealed … after receiving its own MEDC special treatment promises … ~~~~~~~ Another MEDC official, Michael Shore, … more

Economic Development a Campaign Tool

… up to the hype. The MEDC s own YouTube channel , … more

The Perils of Politicians' Promises

… 2010 and, citing the MEDC itself through September … claims posted by the MEDC amounted to one-third … listed below. MEDC Programs Consistently … note: A call to the MEDC seeking comment was … more

A123 Files for Bankruptcy

Yet another failure of central planning

… eventually taken down by the MEDC but saved by CapCon. Despite … more

MEDC-Endorsed Bet on Horse Track Now Under Investigation by Wayne Co.

… employees. However, an MEDC memo dated Sept. 23, … independent contractors." The MEDC memo states the course … racecourse. The MEDC estimated that the project … in tax credits. MEDC spokesman Michael Shore … more

GlobalWatt Claims on Applications for MEGA Deals Disputed, Raise Questions About MEDC Scrutiny

State Should Investigate GlobalWatt’s Claims, Says Center Analyst

… investigations by both the MEDC and the Attorney General's … Senator Says MEDC Should Stop Believing … more

Good, Bad and Ugly of Gov. Snyder's Budget

Gov. Rick Snyder’s first budget fell short of the “atomic bomb” promised by Lt. Gov. Brian Calley, in part due to the fact that a megaton of further spending and tax cuts were left on the table. Overall, the budget moves the state in a positive direction with greater tax simplicity, more transparency, less corporate welfare and fewer discriminatory tax policies.

 more

Embattled Agency in Charge of Special Tax Favors Snaps at Critics

… businesses. The MEDC's open letter comes … audit that found the MEDC awarded tax credits … that a $38 million MEDC tax credit program in … estimates that the MEDC gave out $150 million … more

Lawmaker Says $150 Million in Unearned Tax Credits Given Out by State

… the credits or the MEDC just gave them credits … more

Special Deals Yield Far Fewer Jobs Than Projected

About nine months before an Auditor General's report questioned the accuracy of job projections in tax incentives handed to companies by the state, the Mackinac Center for Public Policy did its own study highlighting the problem.

The Mackinac Center study states that for every 1,000 jobs companies projected they would create, about 294 jobs were actually created, on average — about 29 percent.

That report was vindicated by the Auditor General report that was released April 23. The report looked at company projections from 2005 through 2007 and concluded that about 28 percent of projected jobs came to fruition.

 more

State Websites Give History a Rewrite

… there is a link with MEDC CEO Greg Main's statement … "Statement by Greg Main, MEDC President and CEO." But … more

Google Jobs Lacking, Yet Some Locals Still Consider It a 'Badge of Honor' for Ann Arbor

… first five years. An MEDC press release stated, … announcement. According to the MEDC, Google brought in 163 … would yield. Using the MEDC's tax credit formula, … companies involved in MEDC tax credit deals fall … more

'Protect Our Jobs' Could Increase Gov't Secrecy

… intransigence see MEGA, the MEDC and the Loss of Sunshine , … more

GlobalWatt: How Corporate Welfare Hurts Real People

… Raise Questions About MEDC Scrutiny MEGA … more

A123 Logs Its Own List of Failures

Like Solyndra, hundreds of millions in government subsidies didn't stop company from going bankrupt

… company also used a MEDC tax credit to offset … Shore, spokesman for the MEDC, and A123 Systems Spokesman … more

State’s Economic Central Planning Agency Behaving Differently Under New Leadership

… staffing requirements. The MEDC shortened the company s … (www.MIRSNews.com), the MEDC reduced by one year … zone. MEDC spokeswoman Karla Campbell … punitive action the MEDC could take. But … more

State Loans Often Losers

… "uncollectible." The MEDC doesn't expect almost 33 … does make money, the MEDC can get its money back. For … example, in 2009 the MEDC stated that it has … also: Senator Says MEDC Should Stop Believing … more

Predictions of Success Are Public - Failures Are Secret?

Michigan Economic Development Corp. very open with predictions of success, growing more secretive with news of failure

… effectiveness of the MEDC's tax credits has come … of the 10 jobs the MEDC claims will be created … report. She questioned MEDC CEO Greg Main about … reality." The MEDC's responses to requests … more

Land Bank Loans Often Losers

… "uncollectible." The MEDC didn't expect almost … last year. The MEDC stated it will either write … does make money, the MEDC can get its money back. For … example, in 2009 the MEDC stated that it had … more

Lawmaker Lobbies Against Lobbyist

… lobbyists. The MEDC has been embroiled … Alliance, said the MEDC having its lobbyist prowling … with regard to the MEDC. State Rep. Tom … Shore, spokesman for the MEDC, said there are two … more

No Audits for Ten Years on Companies Getting Special Tax Breaks from State

… Wednesday. Greg Main of the MEDC said that is now changed … Hills, estimated the MEDC may have given out $150 … 1995 to 2005 because MEDC officials didn't believe … tax credits and the MEDC staff had a close relationship … more

Bouchard 'Would Not Hesitate' to End State's Economic Central Planning Agency

… dogged critic of the MEDC for more than a decade. … relations effort by the MEDC took place during the … it says." The MEDC definitely has something … Growth Authority the MEDC's primary method of … more

Green Bus Biz Fails: Government Planners Pick a Loser … and Stick With It

… becomes clearly perilous. MEDC officials reached out to … backed out. One top MEDC official reached out … then vice president at the MEDC, wrote in a March 2, … wrote in an email to MEDC staff. However, … more

Inflated Jobs Numbers Cost Michigan Taxpayers $7.7 Million

Over-reported numbers from Michigan's two largest auto companies

… in an audit of the MEDC performed by the CPA … working to make sure MEDC convinces me that this … McMillin said. The MEDC was criticized in two … jobs issue shows the MEDC s tax credit program … more

An 'Expensive Game' Providing the 'Illusion of Creating Jobs'

State economic development czars trusted the job projections provided by horse race track seeking special tax treatment

… be reviewing another MEDC project that has become … over 30 years. The MEDC trumpeted this project … reality." Is the MEDC giving away taxpayers' … job estimates? The MEDC didn't respond to e-mails … more

Analysis: Follow the Money - No Wonder Corporate Welfare Bosses So Defensive

… 2008). Prior to his MEDC appointment Finney was … also: Thirty-One MEDC Salaries Top $100K more

State Officials 'Stretch' the Law to Award Special Tax Deal to Troubled Business

… be reviewing another MEDC project that has become mired … over 30 years. The MEDC trumpeted this project … of the deal by the MEDC led to queries from … of the race track. The MEDC touted the project as … more

Super Speedway Notches Second State Subsidy

… favored business. MEDC spokeswoman Michelle … $972,500 came from the MEDC s investment income … gaming casinos gave the MEDC as part of a deal … Mackinac Center, said the MEDC was splitting hairs. … more

Troubles for Track Were Known to State Before It Granted Special Tax Deal

… claimed. In 2008, the MEDC approved up to $48 … operating. The MEDC operates in relative … deals years later. The MEDC claims that the actual … of the deal by the MEDC. The more than … more

Horse Race Track Says Wayne County “Perfectly Comfortable” With Controversial Land Deal

… Two Years MEDC-Endorsed Bet on Horse Track … Raise Questions About MEDC Scrutiny Mackinac … Against Lobbyist MEDC: 'Stop Pointing Out … State Thirty-One MEDC Salaries Top $100K State … more

Owner of "One Dollar" Race Track Property Was Not Sent Tax Bills for Two Years

… credits. In a memo, the MEDC stated its analysis … languish." ~~~~~ See also: MEDC-Endorsed Bet on Horse Track … Against Lobbyist MEDC: 'Stop Pointing Out … State Thirty-One MEDC Salaries Top $100K State … more

MEGA Careful?

… But this wasn't the MEDC's first major gaff this … on RASCO prepared by MEDC staffers shows just … Memo" prepared by MEDC bureaucrats suggests … single network." MEDC Briefing Memo : "RASCO … more

Debate: Could Union Costs Be Pricing Michigan Out of Auto Jobs?

… it not been for the MEDC s handouts. MEDC memos received through … unions. But the MEDC s own briefing memos … example, a July 20, 2010, MEDC memo made its case for … more

Legislation needed to address MEGA audit findings

… Development Corporation (MEDC) officials - who oversee … encouraged that the MEDC has made some corrective actions … year alone. If the MEDC and the governor created … about the impression of MEDC inflating job creation … more

State Taxpayers May Eat $1.6 Million Loan for Defunct Green Bus Company

… from the state. The MEDC had approved Fisher … Agencies Senator Says MEDC Should Stop Believing … Releases Analysis: MEDC Letter an Admission … more
MCC2010-04

State Taxpayers Eat $350K Loan for East Lansing Property Purchase

… approval from the MEDC to forgive $350,000 … Community Development, said the MEDC forgave half the loan. Bridget … spokeswoman for the MEDC, didn't return an e-mail seeking … more

State Taxpayers Eat $350K Loan for East Lansing Property Purchase

… got approval from the MEDC to forgive $350,000 … Development, said the MEDC forgave half the loan. Bridget … spokeswoman for the MEDC, didn't return an e-mail … more

Bad News About State Jobs Program "Not Heard" by Granholm

… deals announced by the MEDC came to fruition. And … more. A month later, the MEDC made headlines when … senator challenged MEDC CEO Greg Main to stop … creation numbers that the MEDC was citing in its press … more

Michigan's Mixed Messages on Trade With China

… Whalen, the former MEDC director of international … businesses. The MEDC went on six trips from … in an e-mail: "MEDC and its predecessor … better integrated with MEDC staff and local partners, … more
MCC2010-03

Lawmaker Says ‘Willful Neglect’ Is the Rule at Embattled State Agency

… oversights. "MEDC has implemented enhanced … payroll records, such as W-2s," MEDC spokeswoman Bridget … skeptical. "The MEDC is failing in administrating … Hohman said the MEDC failed to verify the … more

Projections vs. Reality — Should Politicians Make Job Creation Claims?

… News researched the MEDC's job claims under Gov. … and reported that the MEDC claim for total jobs … the practice of the MEDC quoting indirect … more

Are Michigan's Emergency Financial Managers Overpaid?

EFMs paid far less than other municipal workers

… then-president and CEO of the MEDC Greg Main had the top … Debra Dansby, then the MEDC s chief operating officer, … the new CEO of the MEDC and has a salary of … more

'Schizophrenic' State Planning

Horse racing industry is both victim of state efforts to kill gambling and beneficiary of state efforts to subsidize gambling

… reviewing another MEDC project that has become … over 30 years. The MEDC trumpeted this project … Years MEDC-Endorsed Bet on Horse … Disputed, Raise Questions About MEDC Scrutiny Mackinac … more
Capitol Confidential Vol. 2, No. 1

The Lowdown

… this implies that the MEDC is a typical Business … contest." The MEDC and many other state-based … Growth Authority, the MEDC's primary tool for granting … value. To date, the MEDC has not refuted a single … more

Upper Hand’ Michigan Economy Not Enough to Help Jeff Daniels’ Theatre

… and said that the MEDC could give the upper … help. But while the MEDC trumpeted the advertisement s … Daniels ads collected, the MEDC touted the state s … more
MCC2011-01

“Funny Numbers”

Critics of special business subsidies say state’s economic planners use shaky data to make decisions

… Shore, spokesman for the MEDC. In other words, … job projections in MEDC press releases occurred … Cassis, R-Novi, to tell MEDC CEO Greg Main, The … more

Analysis: Republican Vows — Seven Lean Years Later

… findings MEDC: 'Stop Pointing Out … Failures' Thirty-One MEDC Salaries Top $100K MEDC-Endorsed Bet on Horse … more

GOP Gov Candidates Kick Around Issues at Debate

… said he'd move the MEDC into the governor's … said he'd move the MEDC into the governor's … and he'd cancel the MEDC's advertising budget … more

What's in a Number? Job Projections Inflated as 'Job Years'

A case study in how media and researchers can exaggerate economic impact findings

… Development Corp. (MEDC) projected the battery … example, in 2007, the MEDC used an economic model … Ann Arbor. But if the MEDC had used job years, … projections in the MEDC s internal memos. And … more
House Floor: Justin Amash

Lawmaker Says Special Tax Favors Are 'Cronyism'

… HOUSE? MEDC needs accountability, … Editorial MEDC outdoes fiasco - Traverse … Gov. Granholm defends MEDC tax credits MEDC: 'Stop Pointing Out … more
MCC2011-01

Gov. Granholm Touted Jobs Costing Taxpayers $113,000 Each

… has shown that the MEDC s job projection can … projections by the MEDC only occurred 28 percent of … more

Michigan Governor Touts Jobs Costing Taxpayers $113,000 Each

… has shown that the MEDC's job projection can … projections by the MEDC only occurred 28 percent … more

“…Funny Numbers They Pull Out of Their Backside”

Critics of special business subsidies say state’s economic planners use shaky data to make decisions

… Shore, spokesman for the MEDC. In other words, … job" projections in MEDC press releases occurred … Nancy Cassis, R-Novi, to tell MEDC CEO Greg Main, "The … more

Critics Shoot at Special Tax Deal for Super Speedway

… Media Respond to MEDC Complaints Over … Purchase MEDC Letter an Admission … State MEDC Failures Lead to … more

Analysis: State of Embarrassment

… "3,000 new jobs"; an MEDC analysis suggested … announcements . The MEDC should be eliminated … more

E-mails Reveal That Film Office Chief Agrees With Criticisms of Embattled Studio Project

… credit." Mike Shore, the MEDC spokesman, replied that … and Growth for the MEDC, wrote, "Two step process … more

Government Pay Outpaces Private Sector

… $90k Thirty-One MEDC Salaries Top $100K We … more

One of America's 'Most Governed' States

… www.MichCapCon.com/13333 Thirty-one MEDC salaries top $100,000: … more
MCC2010-04

Mackinac Center Investigation Leads to Criminal Charge

… have exposed if the MEDC had not constructed … more
MCC2009-3

The Lowdown

… Development Corp. The MEDC is the state's main … LaFaive noted that the MEDC's media release displayed … discovered that the MEDC was going to give special … Michigan without the MEDC assistance. MIRS notes … more

Hangar42 Studios' Incentives Raise Questions

… about the deal. The MEDC denied the request, … phone calls to the MFO, MEDC and principals went … more

GlobalWatt Sells Someone Else’s Solar Panels – on eBay

… Raise Questions About MEDC Scrutiny MEGA … more

MEGA Questions Surround GlobalWatt

… RASCO scandals), the MEDC should be particularly … have been detected had MEDC staff exercised due … Lynch-Morin describes the MEDC's insistence that it … strongly suggest that MEDC's review processes may … more

Mackinac Center Investigation Leads to Criminal Charge

… we have exposed if the MEDC had not constructed … more
MCC2011-02

Pure Spending — GOP Finds More for Tourism Subsidies

… and paid for by the MEDC that did not comport … non-statistically valid (which the MEDC admits), so-called studies … more transparency out of the MEDC. But several … more

Pure Spending GOP Finds More for Tourism Subsidies

… and paid for by the MEDC that did not comport … non-statistically valid (which the MEDC admits), so-called studies … transparency out of the MEDC. But several … more

Michigan Government Program Gives $30 Million To Seven Universities, Creates Less Than Half of Projected Jobs

… Century Jobs Fund for the MEDC, declined to comment. The … more

Mich. 'Green Jobs' Subsidy Winner Evicted from Saginaw Headquarters

… Raise Questions About MEDC Scrutiny MEGA … more

Filmmaker Tax Subsidy Also Pays for Out-of-State Spending

… Studio Senator Says MEDC Should Stop Believing … more

Tea Party Reaction to Gov. Snyder's First State of State

… about expanding the MEDC and doing other incentives … more

Film Transparency – Just say No?

… Film Studio Senator Says MEDC Should Stop Believing … more
MCC2010-02

I'm Just a Bill

A sampling of proposed state laws, as described on MichiganVotes.org

… Civil Rights and the MEDC, and representatives … more
MCC2009-05

The Lowdown

… at the data that the MEDC was giving to lawmakers. … greater oversight of the MEDC, and this time he claimed … more

Tight security locked out dozens of anti-right-to-work protesters from the State Capitol as Governor Snyder was delivering his "State of the State" address. Protesters tried to disrupt the speech by banging and chanting outside the building.

Most Popular

SEIU TAKES $33M AND COUNTING
FROM MICHIGAN HOME HELP PROGRAM PROVIDERS — OFTEN FAMILY MEMBERS

ATTORNEY GENERAL ORDERED THE STATE TO STOP TAKING MONEY ON MAY 25, 2012
[clock1]
Skimmed since November 2006
[clock2]
Skimmed after reaching the MI Senate in June 2011
[clock3]
Skimmed after the bill was signed April 10, 2012
[clock4]
Skimmed after the Attorney General
opinion May 25, 2012

The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) "organized” Michigan's self-employed Home Help Program providers for the purpose of skimming dues from their ailing and disabled clients' Medicaid subsidy checks. The majority of these providers are relatives or friends taking care of loved ones. It’s been estimated that less than 25 percent of the providers are hired in an employment setting.

The first counter tallies SEIU dues skimmed since the union and state officials first launched this scheme in late 2006. The second shows the amount skimmed since June 9, 2011, when the Michigan House passed and sent to the Senate a bill to ban this and all similar “stealth unionization” efforts. The third counter shows the dues skimmed since the Governor signed the bill into law on April 10, 2012. The fourth counter shows the amount skimmed since May 25, 2012, when the Attorney General opinion was announced.

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