Michigan Capitol Confidential

House GOP Leaders Vote With Dems To Pass Medicaid Expansion

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 06:30:00 -0500

First in a series

By Jack Spencer | 6/19/2013

Last week, 28 Republicans in the Michigan House helped pass House Bill 4714 to expand Medicaid in Michigan. http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/18769

Vehicle Tax Increase Unnecessary

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 06:29:00 -0500

Spending cuts can provide more than enough

By Michael D. LaFaive | 6/19/2013

The Michigan House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee is considering legislation to raise taxes on vehicle owners as a way to get more money for roads. Roads may need the extra attention but there is no need to increase taxes on net balance. http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/18766

Government Report Shows Film Jobs Stagnant Despite Incentives

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 06:30:00 -0500

State has pledged approximately $400 million from taxpayers for little return

By Tom Gantert | 6/18/2013

There were 290 jobs in "post production and other related industries" in 2004. However, that number dropped to 153 jobs in 2008 and then increased to 160 jobs in 2011, the most recent year data is available. http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/18765

Commentary: Court Decision Could Unplug Green Energy Mandate in Michigan

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 06:29:00 -0500

By Kevon Martis

Prominent advocates of renewable energy received a harsh blow from Federal Judge Richard Posner on June 7. He wrote in a case involving renewable energy: "Michigan cannot, without violating the commerce clause of Article I of the Constitution, discriminate against out-of-state renewable energy." http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/18761

Misplaced Blame for Albion Schools Problems

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 06:30:00 -0500

District spends much more than state average, surrounding schools

By Tom Gantert | 6/17/2013

Consider in 2011-12, Albion Public Schools spent $12,447 per student, which includes local, state and federal general fund dollars. By comparison, the state spending average was $9,531. And Albion spent 30 percent more in 2011-12 than it did in 2000 when the district spent $9,541 per student when factoring in inflation. http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/18758

Commentary: Whitehall Township Residents Should Say 'Yes' To Wal-Mart

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 06:29:00 -0500

BY Steven Horwitz

Local businesses would like nothing more than to block the competition that Wal-Mart represents so they are not pressured into changing their own business practices to keep their customers happy. They would love to keep their limited hours and selection and higher prices, but they also know that consumers will flock to Wal-Mart if given the opportunity. http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/18759

Cornerstone Charter Schools

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 00:00:00 -0500

This video profiles Madison-Carver Academy and Cornerstone Health High School, two public charter schools in the City of Detroit. Both schools make use of blended learning, which allows each student to move at his or her individual pace through coursework. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tiJQLuCeiE

MichiganVotes: On Pensions, Hunting and High School

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 06:30:00 -0500

By Jack McHugh | 6/15/2013

Legislation has been introduced that would allow pension double-dipping by some retired prison workers; reduce the rigor of high school graduation requirements and increase hunting and fishing license fees. http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/18721

Vast Majority of Fastest-Growing U.S. Cities Are In Right-to-Work States

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 06:29:00 -0500

77 of the top 100

By Tom Gantert | 6/15/2013

Eighteen right-to-work states had cities crack the top 100. There were six non-right-to-work states and Washington D.C. that made the top 100. Texas has the most cities in the top 100 with 27. California had nine cities and Georgia had eight. http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/18757

MEA Ignores Socioeconomic Status In Claiming Public Charter School is 'Failing'

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 06:30:00 -0500

Cesar Chavez Academy is a highly-rated school based on comparable students

By Tom Gantert | 6/14/2013

The union didn’t take into consideration that charter campuses like Cesar Chavez take on student who are disproportionally from circumstances of poverty, abuse and neglect and serve high percentages of children from low-income families, http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/18745

Commentary: Resolution For 'Talk Like A Pirate Day' Introduced

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 06:29:00 -0500

Best proof yet for a part-time Legislature

By Michael D. LaFaive | 6/14/2013

Sen. Roger Kahn playfully sported an eye patch while his proposal for a "Talk Like A Pirate Day" was discussed, but the moment of frivolity is bound to remind observers of how members of a full-time Legislature can be full-time mischief makers, whether they intend to or not. http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/18728

Medicaid Expansion Bill Heads to the House

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 06:30:00 -0500

House Republicans help Obamacare provision move to a vote

By Tom Gantert | 6/13/2013

The House Michigan Competitiveness Committee voted 9-5 Wednesday to send House Bill 4714 to the House of Representatives for a vote.

That action contradicts what many Republicans have said about Medicaid expansion the past few weeks. http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/18746

Michigan Outspends Florida on Education But Does Worse Than The Sunshine State

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 06:29:00 -0500

Study: Despite lowest increase in education spending, Florida students had second highest gains over past two decades

By Jarrett Skorup | 6/13/2013

Over the past two decades, public school students in the state of Florida have made the second highest gains in the nation on standardized test scores while increasing overall spending on education the least. Meanwhile, despite the impression given by unions and officials in the conventional public school system, district spending in Michigan increased substantially higher while returning lower results. http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/18744