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A review of the votes and proposals of the Michigan Legislature — Vol. 5 No. 2 — Spring 2011 DON’t tread on me

Messages from Space Needed to Remove Logs from Michigan Lakes By Tom Gantert or five years, Randy Stewart has wanted to expand his business. The 56-year-old Indian River man wants to take logs that have sunk to the bottom of lakes about 20 miles south of the Mackinac BridgeF and sell them. One of the stumbling blocks? The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality says that to be eligible for a permit he would have to provide GPS satellite coordinates for each log that he wanted to remove. Stewart said he could remove as many as 60 logs a week. The logs are usually about 16.5 feet long and sometimes covered in mud at the bottom of the lake. See “Message from Space” Page 8

Commentary INSIDE THE ISSUE Page 5 Union Bannering 13 Politician Puppy Teacher Union Training Prez: Stronger What the tea parties can learn from the dogs Emergency

By ken braun their masters have set an Financial Your Legislators 18 example by relieving themselves lmost everyone loves puppies, in the backyard. That type of Managers Will Tea Party Could Cut at least until they start “communication” would just Up the Federal Credit Card Amaking messes on the carpet. confuse a puppy (to say nothing Be “Just Like With every puppy comes the of the neighbors). Instead, an responsibility of training it to external system of rewards and Being in the become “man’s best friend.” The punishments is used to guide same can be said about legislators. the puppy toward doing the Slave Days” While they are, of course, not dogs, right thing. By tom gantert they do need to be trained in order There’s a lesson in this for to be turned into a voter’s best tea party groups who seek to uring a union rally in early friend. While most go to Lansing or communicate their concerns to March in Lansing against a Washington to do the right thing, politicians. You don’t need to billD that would give new powers to many will end up making messes explain the principles or speak appointed emergency managers, that result in less liberty. their language to get your point the president of a state teachers’ Training legislators, as with across. Indeed, this is often the union compared the legislation

last thing that will work. Midland, Michigan 48640 Michigan Midland, training puppies, must be done to slavery.

Permit #1776 Permit

P.O. Box 568 568 Box P.O. with care and common sense. While trying to speak their “It’s again a way to say to

Fenton, MI Fenton, 140 West Main Street Main West 140

PAID PAID language can take many forms,

Mackinac Center for Public Policy Public for Center Mackinac Puppies don’t learn to bark labor, ‘you don’t count,’” said Iris

U.S. POSTAGE POSTAGE U.S. See “Puppy Training,” Page 6 See “Slave Days,” Page 8

Capitol Confidential Capitol before going outside because NONPROFIT ORG. NONPROFIT Michigan Capitol Confidential Spring 2011 | 2 Are you new to Michigan Capitol Confidential?

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989-631-0900 [email protected] Michigan Capitol Confidential spring 2011 | 3 ad liberties Scaling back the incentive One of the first bills signed by His decisive move frees up to programs and removing a host the governor spends $25 million 40,000 workers from a union if of special exemptions from on the Pure Michigan tourism they don’t want to associate with the Michigan business tax will promotion campaign. The it, and stops letting the union How Is Gov. Snyder channel companies’ ingenuity tourism industry won’t fund use the state as its bag man. and wealth into creating jobs, the program, even though its Another decision, to not lobbying for loopholes or officials claim the ads are a big combine certain regulatory Doing So Far? currying favor with politicians. moneymaker. If the going gets and permitting functions in a means without extracting more It sends a signal to businesses tough on the budget, Gov. Snyder single department, missed a from the ailing private sector. everywhere that Michigan is a may wish he had that $25 million big opportunity. Environmental Not only would a tax increase place where everybody knows to fix potholes, pay pensions or permitting should have have been politically unpopular, the rules, and everyone plays train police. been brought into this new but my colleagues estimate by the same rules, which has However, Gov. Snyder made department to streamline that Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s not been our approach since at an outstanding decision when the process and make it By Joseph G. Lehman proposed sales tax hike, for least 1995. the Department of Human more responsive to the needs example, would have eliminated The few remaining business Services reversed a policy of of job creators. Unless the The following is an edited version 30,000 more jobs. Gov. Snyder’s subsides in Snyder’s plan would his predecessor that enriched Department of Environmental of a commentary that appeared proposed $1.1 billion business go through the appropriations unions at the expense of low- Quality becomes at least as in Dome Magazine (www. tax cut should help spur the process, not the tax code. This is income children and their concerned with protecting the domemagazine.com/features/ re-creation of some of the more a huge improvement because it caregivers. The Mackinac economic ecosystem as it is with cov03113) on March 19, 2011, than 850,000 jobs we lost in the subjects each subsidy to public Center has represented three protecting the rest of nature, the 10 weeks into Gov. Snyder’s term. last decade. scrutiny before (not after) the workers in a lawsuit against agency will act as a check on our The part of the budget with deals are done, and requires the state seeking an end to growth that could offset many of hat a governor does the most potential long-term lawmakers to take stands on this collection of millions of Gov. Snyder’s positive changes. means more than what impact, however, is the tax individual deals. dollars in so-called public- One cannot address the Wa governor says or what kind simplification. Gov. Snyder’s The governor kicked a sector union dues from private structural challenges of of people he brings to his plan largely reverses more than hornet’s nest when he proposed day care owners and workers. See “Gov. Snyder,” Page 4 team. Gov. Rick Snyder has a decade of failed attempts eliminating Michigan’s generous stated intentions and filled to create jobs through a income tax exemptions on appointments, but he must be constellation of special tax pension income, but the idea judged by his executive actions deals, credits, gimmicks and is entirely and admirably and signatures on bills. At this subsidies targeted at the ever- consistent with his approach early stage in his term, Gov. changing industries du jour. on the MBT: keep the rate low Snyder’s actions are painting a Loved by the politicians who and treat everyone pretty much picture of a chief executive who make friends by giving away the same. Meet the Authors could be quite strong on tax and goodies — and the companies Fiscally, raising pension taxes fiscal policy. that don’t want to leave goodies is unnecessary. Politically, it is His most consequential act so on the table — programs like a tough sell. Those whose taxes far has been the introduction of the Michigan Economic Growth go up because of it won’t care his state budget. Gov. Snyder did Authority and the film subsidies if his plan is a net tax cut. If he Ken Braun is the managing editor of Michigan three important things when he have not worked. Ironically, ends up having to compromise Capitol Confidential. He may be reached at sent his plan to the Legislature Republican Gov. John Engler on this point, he has plenty of [email protected]. only seven weeks after taking started us down this road room to cut spending elsewhere office. He led with his strength with MEGA’s creation. Gov. in the budget. as a CPA-minded business Granholm then doubled down For instance, my colleague executive, he announced his on his unsuccessful initiative, James Hohman has calculated Tom Gantert is the senior correspondent for Michigan Capitol Confidential. He may be most urgent priority, and creating boutique incentive that if public-sector workers’ reached at [email protected]. he gave momentum to truly programs for film, battery, solar, benefits were merely beneficial changes. windmill and other industries. benchmarked to private-sector His budget reduces spending While officials churned out averages, the state, public Patrick Wright is senior legal analyst at the by $1.2 billion, cuts taxes by a news releases touting Michigan’s schools and municipalities Mackinac Center for Public Policy, where he net $254 million in 2012 and aggressive inducement would save $5.7 billion each directs the Mackinac Center Legal Foundation. simplifies the tax structure. In campaigns and award-winning year. That’s enough to close He may be reached at [email protected]. all three areas, it’s a significant commercials, we bled more jobs the deficit, eliminate the MBT departure from current, failing than any other state. The more entirely, fix the roads and still policies, and the immediate we bribed certain companies have hundreds of millions of net fiscal effect is to close the to come, the more our other dollars left over. And it can James M. Hohman is a fiscal policy analyst projected $1.8 billion deficit. employers found Michigan too be done without cutting a with the Mackinac Center’s fiscal policy initiative. The spending reductions expensive a place to keep people single government job, wage He may be reached at [email protected]. allow the state to live within its on the payroll. or program. Michigan Capitol Confidential Spring 2011 | 4

States May Seize Control of Federal False Fears, ‘Runaway Deficit Spending Power Conventions,’ and By tom gantert Hills, said he will soon introduce thought the federal debt will a joint resolution that will be harm their children’s and he state of Michigan is joining modeled after RestoringFreedom the National Debt “If RestoringFreedom Ta growing number of states .org’s model bill. McMillin that have lawmakers who plan pointed to the problems of debt- .org’s National Debt Relief Amendment to draft and pass an amendment ridden countries such as Greece Relief Amendment tate Rep. Tom McMillin, R-Rochester Hills, has said he plans to soon to the federal constitution that and Ireland. “We need to get becomes part of the Sintroduce a proposal that, if approved by state lawmakers, would place would put states in the driver’s our spending under control,” U.S. Constitution, Michigan among a list of states proposing that the “National Debt Relief seat, and require their approval McMillin said. Hughes said he a majority of the Amendment” be added to the U.S. Constitution. as “co-signers” before the federal The text of the proposed NDRA reads as follows: hopes to get enough states in states would have government can increase the line within three to five years, “An increase in the federal debt requires approval from a majority of national debt. If RestoringFreedom and that lawmakers in Arizona, the power to dictate the legislatures of the separate States.” .org’s National Debt Relief Utah, Missouri, North Dakota, to Washington the In the simplest terms, this means that Congress and the president could no longer deficit spend without first getting permission from a majority Amendment becomes part of Pennsylvania, Indiana and terms and conditions of the states. This new plan for halting and reversing runaway federal the U.S. Constitution, a majority Tennessee already have plans to of increasing the spending was designed and is supported by RestoringFreedom.org and is of the states would have the get the process started. He said national debt.” gaining support in many state Legislatures. power to dictate to Washington he needs 34 states approving More information is available at the National Debt Relief Amendment the terms and conditions of grandchildren’s future. “This is resolutions to get a constitutional information page (www.mackinac.org/14578). the common ground we found increasing the national debt. convention, and then 38 states Two-thirds of the states must agree to propose new constitutional According to USDebtClock to ratify the amendment. Even with Democrats, Republicans and amendments by applying to Congress to call an Article V amendments .org, the U.S. is $14 trillion in though the proposal comes at a Independents,” Hughes said. “The convention — which is simply an assembly of state delegates, like an debt as of Jan. 12. That will cost time when politics has become vast majority say we are headed interstate task force, that is organized to consider a specific amendment each taxpayer $126,828 to pay divisive, Hughes points to for a cliff with this ever-increasing agenda. All fifty states would be invited to attend this convention. Three- + off. Glenn Hughes, co-founder of national polls that show reducing federal deficit.” quarters of the states (38 states) would have to ratify any amendment the RestoringFreedom.org in Texas, the federal deficit has across- convention proposed before it became part of the U.S. Constitution. The original version of this story was A common misconception surrounding the Article V amendments started the non-profit organization the-board appeal. A CNBC-AP posted online on Jan. 13, 2011. It is a couple years ago. Michigan state poll from November found that available with hyperlinks and more convention is that it risks the possibility of a total or substantial re-write of Rep. Tom McMillin, R-Rochester 85 percent of those surveyed info at www.MichCapCon.com/14313. the entire U.S. Constitution. Nick Dranias is a constitutional lawyer and director of the Joseph and Dorothy Donnelly Moller Center for Constitutional Government he signed is a step in the right own dues from members have at the Goldwater Institute in Arizona. He is an expert on the Article V gov. snyder direction of balancing unions’ stronger incentives to serve amendment process and an advocate for the budget restraining power of from Page 3 abilities to push schools and them well. the National Debt Relief Amendment. municipalities — and their Gov. Snyder has had a Dranias’ thoughts about the fears of a “runaway convention” are Michigan’s governments without taxpayers — into bankruptcy. promising debut, especially on noted below. confronting government unions. He should not stop with fiscal and tax matters. It’s clear A brief video is also available online at www.restoringfreedom .org/faqs-2. the EFM legislation. Several he’s the sort of person who is Dranias’ views are largely shared by several free-market constitutional “Gov. Snyder has had states do not confer collective honest with himself about what law experts, including Ilya Shapiro of the Cato Institute, and Robert G. a promising debut, bargaining privileges on balance sheets and cash flow Natelson, retired law professor from the University of Montana. especially on fiscal government unions at all, statements say. He views things Natelson has written a detailed report about the Article V process and and tax matters. It’s and Michigan could become through a fiscal lens, which is its history. (See related story on page 7) clear he’s the sort one of them with an act of a good place for a governor to the Legislature. Short of that, start. To encourage job growth The Myth of the convention.” Indeed, the words of person who is the governor could push for and permit fiscal breathing Runaway Convention “constitutional convention” honest with himself legislation that would create room in the future, he must be By Nick Dranias appear nowhere in the open government employment, equally strong on regulatory and Constitution. about what balance + sheets and cash flow where no union could get a union matters. Critics of an Article V Article V of the U.S. public employee fired just amendments convention Constitution gives a supermajority statements say.” because he or she doesn’t want Joseph G. Lehman is president of the claim the states could unleash of state legislatures the power to Mackinac Center for Public Policy. Gov. Snyder is taking a different to support the union. Another a runaway “constitutional force Congress to call a convention approach, at least in public, than option would be to simply convention” by exercising their to restrain an overreaching federal some of his fellow Republican stop performing the courtesy Article V powers. But the states government through targeted governors. The emergency of collecting dues for unions. do not have authority under constitutional amendments. financial manager legislation Unions that have to collect their Article V to call a “constitutional See “False Fears,” Page 14 Michigan Capitol Confidential spring 2011 | 5 Tea Party Could Cut Up the Federal Credit Card

By Ken Braun Institute — a free-market are much closer to the people proposing new amendments. just as effectively use an NDRA research think tank based in they represent and thus easier to Two-thirds of each house of to check the spending power of ndividual liberty advocates Arizona — to give it a look. influence if the taxpayers want Congress may propose new Republicans if and when they again are opening a new front in Goldwater was sold. Washington to reduce spending. amendments and submit them rule over most of Washington. theI tea party battle against the “They confirmed our belief Schlombach argues that this will to the states. Alternatively, the Dranias emphatically asserts federal government’s power to that this amendment would alter the way government borrows legislatures in two-thirds of the that the NDRA is designed to cut ring up bigger debts. They have actually lead to a balanced money in America. states may propose their own both ways, and should be used to created a proposed constitutional budget,” said Hughes in a “If the federal government amendment ideas by demanding check the spending habits of all amendment that would require series of videos produced thinks it is wise to deficit spend, that Congress call a “convention politicians. a majority of state legislatures by Goldwater to educate we will have a full out, national for proposing amendments.” “It doesn’t matter what to ratify any future increases in Americans about the idea. open debate over it.” Because it would significantly political party is in control,” he limit the power of federal federal borrowing. But unlike “Fifty states with 7,500 The main principle driving says. “The same old story repeats the “tea party” movement is a lawmakers to create debt, it seems many amendment proposals legislators will have the itself: A Congress that is unable backlash against federal debt and highly unlikely that Congress will that require Congress to get opportunity to look behind the to restrain itself and continues the ball rolling, supporters curtain and see what is going spending. It was inadvertently eagerly send NDRA to the states. to borrow and borrow from our of the “National Debt Relief on in Washington, D.C., when it launched in the spring of 2009 But this dynamic works the children’s future to the point Amendment” want to use local comes to mortgaging our future,” from the floor of the Chicago other way if it is state legislatures where government will no longer citizen activism and launch said Nick Dranias, director of Mercantile Exchange by CNBC that are being pressured to be sustainable at the federal level.” the amendment from state the Center for Constitutional reporter Rick Santelli, who called propose the amendment. In simplest terms, Dranias legislatures, as allowed under Government at Goldwater, in one for a “Chicago Tea Party” to RestoringFreedom.org and says the NDRA imposes on the Article V of the U.S. Constitution. of their videos. “[If] there was protest federal plans to bailout its allies will be asking state Created by Dallas-based ever a glaring omission in the imprudent home owners. It has lawmakers to support a proposal federal government something RestoringFreedom.org, the constitution, it is the omission continued with opposition to that will give them veto power that every household should have: proposal would add the following of any mechanism by which to the federal stimulus bills and the over federal spending — a Responsible adults to watch over language to the U.S. Constitution: control the ability of the federal passage of ObamaCare. substantial addition to their the spending. “An increase in the federal government to generate debt.” authority. And because those “The federal government, no debt requires approval from a deficit-averse tea party members matter who controls it, needs a majority of the legislatures of the are closer to state capitols, co-signer on any new credit card separate States.” pressure on state lawmakers to that they give themselves,” he RestoringFreedom.org was move the NDRA along toward says. “The co-signer is the branch co-founded by businessmen ratification can be more easily of government that is closest to James Booth of Dallas, Texas, and regularly applied. the people.” and Glenn Hughes of Scottsdale, But Goldwater’s RestoringFreedom.org is Ariz. Hughes says the two men constitutional experts see the actively soliciting members to join began by exchanging e-mails after support base for the NDRA as their cause. Membership is free, they became “real frustrated with potentially much larger than just but they do take donations. skyrocketing federal debt and the tea party activists who are in In the short term, members we saw it as a real threat to our the streets today. and sympathizers are being children and grandchildren and “It is a battle worth having, no encouraged to contact their our nation as a whole.” matter what,” says Clint Bolick, state lawmakers and urge them RestoringFreedom.org was born director of Goldwater’s Scharf- to pass resolutions to Congress Norton Center for Constitutional as the vehicle to set that right. demanding an amendments Litigation. He envisions a “[The] goal is to develop, bring convention that will debate and movement in favor of passing and sell solutions to some of propose a National Debt Relief America’s problems,” says Booth. Because the states cannot The politics of passing an the NDRA that will “galvanize Amendment. During March of last year, deficit spend and must balance NDRA would seem a natural the American people to express The American Legislative following nine months of research their annual budgets, state- fit for the work of tea party their concerns about a mounting Exchange Council is now in the and working on an ideal target level politicians are likely to sympathizers. federal debt.” This, he predicts, preliminary stages of drafting for their combined energy, they have a less profligate attitude Ratification of a new would provide the “broadest hit upon the idea of adding the toward mortgaging the nation, amendment requires approval popular consensus” that today’s model legislation that state lawmakers can introduce in favor NDRA to the U.S. Constitution. contends Byron Schlombach, from three-fourths of the states, Americans have ever seen in + Believing they had a winner director of Goldwater’s Center either through their legislatures support of a cause. of a NDRA. of a proposal that could force for Economic Prosperity. or popular vote, whichever Indeed, even though Democrats The original version of this story was Washington to put away the And then there are the voters method is chosen by Congress. now rule the White House and at posted online on Dec. 16, 2010. It is federal credit card, Booth and themselves. Rather than going to But Article V of the Constitution least half of Congress, skeptical available with hyperlinks and more Hughes asked the Goldwater Washington, D.C., state politicians lays out two methods for state legislatures of the future could info at www.MichCapCon.com/14190. Michigan Capitol Confidential Spring 2011 | 6

Puppy training tion deficit that is usually fatal and judge whether they made the audience, and not a whole lot off the straight and narrow regarding their ability to change right decision or not. If they barked of useful advice about bringing and ask: “What have you done from Page One the mind of a politician during a smartly and did their business about changes. for me lately?” the most common one is the legislative battle. Your lawmaker outside where it belongs, a tea party Instead, we wait until the dust 3. In some cases, there are issues misconception that activist has the “experts,” staff, lobbyists group can send a big important is clear and it is obvious what has so big and consequential that citizens outside the legislative and other lawmakers feeding him message by effusively praising them been done and how the votes have a well-informed tea party process can – in real-time – or her information that you do for it. But if they peed on the rug, come down. Then we tell you, and group can tell a politician easily influence lawmakers not and cannot know. When the an equally powerful and effective leave it to you to decide what to well in advance what is during the heat of a legislative situation changes – as it often message can be sent by rubbing do about it. We try to give you the generally expected of them. battle. You may have been does rapidly and without warn- their nose in it. information that the politician One example in the current subjected to this fallacy if you ing on complicated and/or con- With this past experience in had at the time of the vote, so you political environment would have ever received an email troversial legislation – he or she mind, a politician will learn what can make a fair decision about be public employee pay and “alert” or other communication knows this right away, but you is expected of them the NEXT whether that vote reflected the benefits. Gov. Rick Snyder has telling you to go call your may not know it for hours (or time an important vote comes metaphorical distinction between said this will be a major issue lawmaker “immediately” so days). Indeed, lobbyists who are up. Whether the issue is taxes, your puppy peeing on the rug or that he plans to tackle. The that you can make a difference paid large salaries to know these spending, regulations or what not, barking at the door. controversy will be immense regarding a vote that is taking things are not always up to speed a message has been sent to the And that’s when it is most and the potential savings is place “right now.” when it counts the most because politician regarding the type of effective for you to decide massive. For any person or It rarely works that way. they are not in the legislative conduct that is acceptable – and whether to scratch behind their group with an opinion on this In most cases, you got the chamber either. what is not. Either way, they learn ears or smack them on the nose. matter, there is no need to word too late. Your lawmaker A tea party group trying to that praise or punishment from a Either way, they’ll remember the wait for a vote before training may have already made up his chase these moving targets that tea party is a real consequence of next time. the legislative puppies how or her mind. Or he or she is they often cannot even see is their future actions. A few final points to keep in to bark. setting itself up for both failure and talking to another lawmaker, or Astute readers of Michigan mind so as to maximize your 4. Finally, it is important to frustration. Rarely is it effective. a lobbyist, who knows the issue Capitol Confidential will notice group’s effectiveness when remember that while you Like the trained puppy, your better than you do. Or it’s one of that this understanding of the communicating in this way: may regret having to rub lawmakers will follow the training those votes taking place late in process informs much of our 1. Because this is a training a puppy’s nose in a mess, the evening, long after the staff that has been driven into them work when we report to you method, there is no such you will swiftly learn that you think you are calling has beforehand. Trying to teach about legislation. We don’t thing as an “old” lesson. The the same is not true of already gone home. Or the vote these at the last minute is usually attempt to give you a blow- politician will learn what your politicians. Publicly calling you were told to call about is a as effective as racing out and by-blow, up to the minute, expectations are, even if the to account those who stray version of the bill that no longer peeing on your own backyard as accounting of what is happening. vote you are contacting them from what you want is not exists because new language or soon as you see the puppy lift his We do indeed hear a lot of about is two years old. Don’t just effective… It can also new amendments were added leg on the rug. Representative rumors, and a lot of informed hesitate to praise or punish be fun and addicting. Your or deleted. (And when that democracy, like puppy training, speculation, as bills are moving as soon as you discover what group will have a good time happens, you may get another means you teach the big idea well through the process. We has happened. if it gets a taste for policing urgent “alert” telling you to call in advance and then trust the certainly could pass all this along Michigan Capitol Confidential what it believes is the bad AGAIN about the NEW bill. politician or the puppy to do the to you … and then spend a lot of keeps an archive of every story conduct being done by Rinse, repeat). right thing with the specific details time backtracking, and changing regarding every vote we have Michigan legislators. And the Or it’s a combination of all of when the big moment arrives. the story as circumstances ever reported on. You can membership of your group is these, and much else. Counter-intuitively, this means warrant. Every word we wrote also likely to swell as others The brutal fact of representa- that you can often make the biggest would only be as good as the browse through it here: www learn of your exploits and tive government is that citizens difference well after the vote is over. next committee hearing or .MichCapCon.com/12541. want to join in. not on the floor of the legislature Afterward, you can find out what amendment. The result would be 2. As with training the puppy, This is why it is extra critical are suffering a massive informa- your lawmaker knew at the time, frustration for both us and our past performance is no guarantee of future results. to remember not to have too You should never assume much fun. One tea party leader that any puppy is beyond suggests finding one politician to Michigan Capitol Confidential redemption, but also never praise for each vote you criticize. (Conveniently, this can often be Editor: Michael D. Jahr assume that a puppy who is Senior Managing Editor: Kenneth M. Braun good once will always keep done with the same vote, because Graphic Designer: Daniel E. Montgomery on barking when he or she some legislators will vote in ways is supposed to. You expect that you approve of). As with the Michigan Capitol Confidential is published quarterly by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, a nonprofit, nonpartisan, tax-exempt politicians to change their puppy, you should deliberately research and educational institute devoted to analyzing Michigan public policy issues. Michigan Capitol Confidential is distributed to future behavior based upon seek out opportunities to praise Michigan residents who have expressed an interest in public policy matters, as well as members of the media and lawmakers and your reaction to their past politicians who bark when they policy staff in the Michigan House, Michigan Senate and Office of the Governor. All rights reserved. Permission to excerpt or reprint is are supposed to and don’t make conduct, so reserve the right + hereby granted provided that Michigan Capitol Confidential, the author and the Mackinac Center for Public Policy are properly cited. to change your opinion a mess. regarding them as new 140 West Main Street, Midland, Michigan 48640 The original version of this story was 989-631-0900 • www.mackinac.org • MichiganVotes.org • MichCapCon.com information is gathered. posted online on Dec. 24, 2010. It is It is also perfectly acceptable available with hyperlinks and more to look at one who wanders info at www.MichCapCon.com/14239. Michigan Capitol Confidential spring 2011 | 7 Ten Facts to Rebut the Mythology of a Runaway Convention

Prepared by Nick over the federal government are similar to Congress’ long- Dranias of the through their Article V established rulemaking powers. Goldwater Institute amendment powers. James Constitutional text, language and Madison in Federalist No. 43 custom make clear that Congress Article V does not authorize specifically argued that states calls the convention, setting a a constitutional convention; should use the power to correct time and location; states appoint it authorizes a convention for errors in the Constitution. And delegates by way of resolutions proposing specific amendments. Alexander Hamilton in the “final and commissions (or general When the Founders drafted argument” of the Federalist state law); delegates initially vote Put some the U.S. Constitution in 1787, Papers, in Federalist No. 85, as states at the convention; and they specifically rejected said the Article V amendment majority votes will decide what language for Article V that would process was the means by amendments are proposed for have allowed the states to later which the states would rein ratification. An amendments call for an open convention. in an out-of-control federal convention is simply an interstate news in your Thirty eight (38) states government. One cannot take task force. must ratify any proposal from the Constitution seriously and an amendments convention, contend that Article V was not “An amendments requiring a broad consensus meant to be used. It is a critical convention, because news feed. that makes sure an amendments and “deal closing” element of the it only proposes “Like” CapCon on facebook and get the day’s convention cannot “runaway.” balance of power created by the amendments and does stories and highlights. Easily share your favorite The limited scope of an Constitution. amendments convention is There is zero precedent that not make law, is not articles with friends — whether they think like underscored by the fact that it any convention of the states an effective vehicle for you do or need to hear news from a different specifically says amendments has ever “runaway” from its staging a government perspective. cannot alter the equal number assigned agenda. There have takeover.” of votes for each state in the U.S. been 12 interstate conventions in Senate without the consent of the the history of our country. All of The limited scope of an affected state. This establishes them stayed within their stated amendments convention is Informative. Investigative. Daily. Online. that an Article V convention agenda. Even the Constitutional similar to that of state ratification couldn’t simply rewrite the entire Convention of 1787 was not conventions that are also Constitution. convened to “amend” the authorized in Article V, but no A news service for the people of Michigan from the Mackinac Center for Public Policy Articles of Confederation, one worries about a ratification MichCapCon.com “The Constitution was but to “revise” and “alter” the convention “running away,” even sold by the Founders Articles to establish an effective though such a convention does to the ratifying states national government. This was make law. on the basis that they fully consistent with the Articles An amendments convention, of Confederation because the because it only proposes retained their ultimate Articles authorized alterations amendments and does not make New and Updated! authority over the – a term that had revolutionary law, is not an effective vehicle for federal government significance because it echoed staging a government takeover. through their Article V the language of the Declaration amendment powers.” of Independence. The broad Nick Dranias holds the Clarence purpose of the Constitutional J. and Katherine P. Duncan Chair The states define the agenda Convention of 1787 was for Constitutional Government of an amendments convention specifically mentioned in the and is director of the Joseph and through their applications for call of Congress and in nearly Dorothy Donnelly Moller Center the convention and through all of the commissions for for Constitutional Government at the commission of delegates. the delegates for each state. the Goldwater Institute. Amendments conventions can be The 1787 convention did not limited to specific topics. runaway at all; it did what it was The original version of this story was posted online on Feb. 20, 2011 It is The Constitution was sold charged to do – like all interstate available with hyperlinks and more Their votes, your views. by the Founders to the ratifying conventions preceding it. info at www.MichCapCon.com/14588. Engage. Join in. Get involved. states on the basis that they The procedures for conducting retained their ultimate authority an amendments convention Michigan Capitol Confidential Spring 2011 | 8 message from Slave Days space from Page One Michigan Teacher Pay from Page One Salters, president of the Michigan in the country and becomes Education Association. “It’s a way the highest when differences in 16.5 Percent Higher “It’s like looking for a needle in to say to employees: ‘get back.’ I state wealth are factored in. And a haystack,” Stewart said. “They are believe it’s just like being in the Van Beek added that only five buried for the most part. You’ve slave days.” states spend a larger portion of Than Indiana got to find these logs.” Salters didn’t respond to an instructional cost on teachers’ Paying teachers wages comparable to “That’s way, way over the top,” e-mail seeking comment. benefits than Michigan. Indiana’s could save $780 million annually he said of the GPS mandate. “We do a really good job However, the DEQ may now “It’s again a way to of compensating teachers,” by ken braun In a recent interview with agree with Stewart. say to labor, ‘you Van Beek said. MichCapCon.com, Gov. Rick According to the Michigan he average pay of a Michi- Snyder noted that he wanted Mary Dettloff, spokeswoman don’t count,’” said Iris for the DEQ, said that the state is Department of Education, the gan public school teacher to cut the MBT by $1.5 billion, going to change the requirement Salters, president of the average classroom teacher has Tis 16.5 percent higher than it to reduce the size of the state and no longer ask for the Michigan Education a $62,000 per year salary in is in Indiana, according to the government and to reign in coordinate of every log. Association. “It’s a way Michigan. Mackinac Center most recent salary comparison the cost of public employee compensation. U.S. Department To get to the logs under current to say to employees: research shows that the average from the U.S. Department of requirements, Stewart said he would family health insurance plan for a Education. If Michigan were to of Education data shows the ‘get back.’ I believe it’s Great Lakes State to be paying need permission of the landowner. teacher costs the school $17,000 compensate its average school its average teacher 6.3 percent He said he would also have to have just like being in the a year, of which the teacher teacher at what the federal more than the national average a marine surveyor to survey the slave days.” contributes about $680 a year – government reports as Indiana’s for the 2009 reporting period, property. Dettloff said the DEQ does or 4 percent. wages, annual savings for the Emergency managers are The average private sector and 16.5 percent higher than require surveys in certain situations. state budget would equal $780 appointed by the Governor to employee in Michigan with a Indiana’s average. The permit is $500. million. take over financially struggling health care plan contributes 20 This is happening as Stewart, who owns Great Lakes A family of four in Michigan schools and municipalities. percent of the cost of the plan. is annually paying $312 to make Michigan has become one of the Marine Construction, said once Salters’ union represents Most teachers contribute up the difference. 10 poorest states in the nation, the logs are brought up, they can Michigan’s public school about 7-percent of their salary A budget cut of this as measured by its ability to be used for furniture makers, teachers, which have the best towards the state’s defined- magnitude would be sufficient produce goods and services. cabinet makers and musical combination of salaries and benefit pension system. A 30- to wipe out a significant chunk When asked by MichCapCon instrument makers. benefits in the country when year teacher with a final average of the Michigan Business Tax, .com which state governor he “It’s not impossible,” Stewart compared to their peers, salary of $70,000 would get a which kicked $726 million into considers most worth emulating, said. “It’s just the government has + according to an expert from $31,500 annual pension. state K-12 school spending in Snyder singled out Indiana’s to let go of some regulations. They the Mackinac Center for 2010. Nearly all of the salaries Republican governor, Mitch can’t always get involved with The original version of this story was + Public Policy. for public school employee Daniels. everything all the time.” posted online on Mar. 11, 2011. It is Michael Van Beek, the available with hyperlinks and more info wages in Michigan are paid out The average teacher wage Mackinac Center’s education at www.MichCapCon.com/14735. of state government’s budget. reported for Michigan was The original version of this story was posted online on Jan. 31, 2011. It is policy director, said that the K-12 schools are the largest $57,327. This is $3,417 above available with hyperlinks and more average Michigan salary for single expenditure funded by the national average and info at www.MichCapCon.com/14457. teachers is among the highest general state tax dollars. See “Indiana Teacher Pay,” Page 16

news_ policy_ lawmakers_ taxes_ votes_ more...... www.MichCapCon.com Michigan Capitol Confidential spring 2011 | 9

can also be done by private contractors who often provide the Commentary: The Willie Sutton Rule same outcomes for significantly less cost. In one recently reported example, the Novi Community Cutting state spending requires going where the Schools signed a contract with a private custodial company for anticipated annual savings of money is: K-12 education $3.5 million over a two and a half By ken braun government — requires more states above it and the five states with different socio-economic year period. And the Southfield money than the people who work below it in the GDP rankings: characteristics by comparing Public Schools signed a contract n business, the “Willie Sutton at your local schools. Regardless The average annual teacher only students who qualify for estimated to save $14 million to $21 million over a three-year Rule” is a metaphor used to of whether or not they are paid GDP per Capita Rank free or reduced priced lunches. Idemonstrate that you can best fairly already — a point that will This is basically a comparison period because it privatized the Average manage your finances by focusing be examined in a moment — the of equally impoverished kids, district’s food, custodial and State Teacher Pay first on your highest-cost activi- Willie Sutton Rule dictates that regardless of the state where they busing services. 36 Missouri 44,712 ties. The rule is (probably falsely) you look there first when trying to go to school. Despite cost-saving attributed to the legendary bank balance the state budget. 37 Florida 48,126 Michigan did not meet opportunities such as these, robber, who when asked why he Michigan’s teachers have 38 Tennessee 46,278 the national average for this teacher unions often apply went into his line of work, report- historically been amongst the 39 Arizona 47,937 measurement on the 2009 NAEP significant pressure on school edly said, “Because that’s where highest paid teachers in the 40 Maine 44,731 exam, even though six of the ten boards to block these deals United States. The most recent states noted previously did. Seven the money is!” For the state of 41 Michigan 57,327 from going through, up to and data from the U.S. Department of the ten scored better than including targeting school board Michigan’s finances, application 42 new Mexico 47,341 of Willie Sutton’s Rule yields one of Education ranks us as the 10th Michigan and one (Alabama) was members for defeat at the ballot 43 Montana 44,426 obvious course of action: First highest spending state (excluding tied with Michigan: box. While contracting out for Kentucky 49,539 focus on public school employee the District of Columbia). The 44 So how might lawmakers these three services has grown compensation, because that is 2008-09 school year average 45 Alabama 48,906 apply the Willie Sutton Rule to steadily over the last decade, where the money is. salary of $57,327 for Michigan 46 Idaho 45,439 NAEP 4th grade reading it has still not happened in When comparing Michigan’s teachers was 6.3 percent above scores for students on more than half of the state’s the national average. salary for those 10 other states cost for this service against what federal free lunch program 551 districts. More widespread other comparably wealthy states is $46,744, a difference of application could yield at least State Score pay, Michigan’s annual price tag “These two data points $10,584 per teacher less than $100 million in annual savings Florida 217 looks to be $1 billion too high. reveal that one of the what Michigan pays. There are across Michigan — and perhaps This is no small chunk of change nation’s poorest states approximately 96,000 public Kentucky 215 much more than that. school teachers in Michigan. for a budget that is estimated to is paying some of the Montana 214 Another option that must be be $1.8 billion out of balance. It If each were being paid at the Maine 212 looked at: The total of all benefit country’s very highest average of those other states, the is the place to start cutting, given Idaho 211 packages paid to government teacher salaries.” savings to Michigan government’s the size of K-12 education relative Missouri 210 employees in Michigan is to the rest of state spending. state budget would exceed $1 estimated to be $5.7 billion per National Average 206 State government took $25.2 But in one significant measure billion per year. year more generous than the Tennessee 205 billion from Michigan taxpayers of ability to pay those salaries, But it is important to ask if this benefits given to private-sector in fiscal 2009-10 to spend on Michigan is ranked near the cost cutting would be “penny wise Michigan 204 workers who pay the taxes that pay each of its various programs. bottom. Gross domestic product and pound foolish.” Even though Alabama 204 for those public employee benefits. Nearly $10.8 billion of that went per capita is the dollar amount Michigan taxpayers appear to New Mexico 199 Public school employees account to K-12 schools, the single largest of goods and services produced be paying much more than they Arizona 197 for $2.5 billion of this total. expenditure of state government. per person. In November, the can afford for public school And leaving aside private-sector State spending on public schools U.S. Department of Commerce teachers, are they at least getting these facts? comparisons, Michigan is also out costs more than a billion dollars released a report showing GDP significantly better results? The $1 billion figure is not the of step with what the public sector on top of the total spending per capita for the 50 states, and One often used measure of end of the story. Teacher salaries receives in other states. According for the next four largest state Michigan ranked 41st — 10 spots student performance indicates may be too high compared to to the most recent data from the expenditures combined! (These from the basement. These two that the answer is clearly “no.” other states, and may constitute National Center for Education figures include state tax dollars data points reveal that one of the Fourth grade reading scores the largest portion of school Statistics, Michigan school districts nation’s poorest states is paying on the National Assessment employee costs, but that’s far only and exclude federal funding spend more on teacher benefits some of the country’s very highest of Education Progress exam is from the only option. for state programs.) than most other states. The average teacher salaries. the metric commonly used to First, there is the noninstruc- About three-quarters of the school district in America spends This is not a typical result for compare the K-12 academic tional staff at public schools: the total spent on K-12 schools was 22 percent of its instructional states that are most similar to quality between states because people who keep buses running, for salaries and benefits paid to dollars on employee benefits, but in Michigan in the GDP per capita it’s often considered a crucial schools cleaned and kids fed. public school employees. Michigan the figure is 28 percent. rankings. In fact, it is $1 billion out point of academic progression These tasks are often done Nothing paid for by state And finally, we must return of place. Michigan pays its teachers for students. Federal government “in-house” with the district’s government — and no group to the matter of reducing the of employees paid for by state significantly more than the five analysts control between states unionized employees, but they See “Sutton Rule,” Page 10 Michigan Capitol Confidential Spring 2011 | 10

Teacher Pay Hikes Sutton rule What Can from Page 9 Happen Despite Expired average teacher salaries so that $5.7 Billion Get You they align with what is paid by Union Contract states with comparable GDP in Michigan? rankings. Because salaries can By Tom Gantert And Michael Van Beek, widely vary between districts, a • A round of golf for every education policy director for more rational approach may be By james hohman Michigan resident at both n article in The Saginaw the Mackinac Center for Public to reduce each district by a set Arcadia Bluffs and Bay Harbor. ANews about teachers working Policy, said there is another percentage rather than mandate ichigan governments would • A brand-new 50-inch 3-D for the last three years without big bonus to not having a a specific dollar cut to every Msave $5.7 billion if the em- plasma screen T.V. for every a contract came with a headline new contract: Teachers have district’s average pay. ployment benefits of Michigan’s household in the state. that read: “Saginaw teachers avoided any of the additional If cutting teacher salaries state and local government workers still paid their 2008 salaries, not still seems a step too far, • A year’s worth of electrical bills heath care cost-sharing that has were set at private sector averages. for every household in Michigan. taking cuts requested by several occurred in other districts with then consider the case of board members.” newer contracts. South Dakota. But as a policy matter for “Here’s what But for many of those According to the school With an average annual salary legislators: teachers, working without a at $38,017 according to the most $5.7 billion can buy: • Michigan can eliminate the district, the cost of health care new contract has not meant recent rankings, South Dakota brand-new 50-inch 3-D Michigan Business Tax, resolve benefits has gone up 28 to working without pay hikes. ranks dead last in teacher pay — plasma screen T.V. for its budget deficit and still 36 percent since 2008, depending Teachers with less than 12 years 40 spots lower than Michigan. every household in have $2 billion left to spare. on the plan chosen by the of service in the Saginaw Public employee. In 2009, the district paid But South Dakota’s ability to • It can eliminate its personal the state.” Schools receive what are called pay far outstrips Michigan: Its income tax in its entirety. $1,325 a month for employees in “step increases,” which are wage the MESSA Choices II family plan. GDP per capita is 4.1 percent In a politician’s terms: every State and local governments increases based on length of A Mackinac Center survey reveals higher than the national average, currently employ roughly man, woman and child in service. Step increases are a that this is the most popular plan ranking it 18th highest. 400,000 full-time workers in Michigan could max out on their regular feature of teacher union for teachers in district. What results does South Michigan. It may be procedurally personal contribution to any state contracts and are provided in The MESSA plan is affiliated Dakota get for its money? difficult to attain all of the representative of their choosing. addition to the adjustments with the Michigan Education South Dakota fourth graders $5.7 billion in a single year, Governor-elect Rick to base salary that would Association, the state’s largest eligible for subsidized meals but a policy that public-sector Snyder said he will investigate typically be negotiated with teachers union. posted a reading score of 209 on employees will not be paid more this disparity, provided that a new contract. A Saginaw teacher pays $38.50 their recent NAEP exams. This in benefits than private sector consideration will be given to the If the terms, base wages and + a month for the family plan. That’s is above the national average and averages will eventually result in affected workers. step increases from an expired about 3 percent of the total cost higher than Michigan’s. these savings. contract remain in force, as they for 2009, with the district picking If Michigan paid the South Here’s what $5.7 billion do in the Saginaw Public Schools, The original version of this story was up the rest. In Michigan, private- Dakota average wage rate for its can buy: posted online on Dec. 9, 2010. It is then teachers will receive the sector employees pay an average teachers, the savings in the K-12 • A year’s clothing budget for available with hyperlinks and more step increase raises even though info at www.MichCapCon.com/14142. of 21 percent of their health care budget would exceed $1.8 billion every family in Michigan. no changes are made to standard premium costs, according to a per year. base pay. Kaiser Family Foundation survey. Three years ago, Michigan’s The Saginaw News mentioned And for fiscal 2009-10, personal income and business the “step” increases, but didn’t MESSA premiums increased taxes were raised a combined Become a Member Today! give details. by 13 percent. $1.4 billion as a method of In 2008, when the old contract We believe, as our country’s Founders did, “The school absorbs all of the balancing the state budget and expired, 347 of the 691 teachers supposedly fixing what was ailing that liberty and sound policy can never in the district had less than 10 rising health care costs, and the teachers take on none of it,” Van state government. Today, those be taken for granted. Their preservation years of experience, according tax rates are still in force, and yet to the Michigan Department Beek said. the state is in a new hole — this requires vigilance during each generation of Education. According to the Bureau of one is $1.8 billion deep. You can’t Here is an example of how step Labor Statistics, the vast majority from both us and citizens like you. find the money to fix that if you increases work for this district: A of the U.S. workforce was not apply Willie Sutton’s Rule to the teacher with six years of service unionized during 2010. More state’s beleaguered private-sector and a bachelor’s degree, if hired than 92 percent of private-sector If you share this goal, we would welcome your generous businesses and taxpayers again. after Jan. 22, 1996, would have employees and 60 percent of contribution to the Mackinac Center in any amount. Even They are tapped out. a $40 donation is a tremendous help. Contribute using the received a salary that increased public-sector employees were not + + The savings are in the schools. enclosed envelope or online at www.mackinac.org/give from $41,458 in 2008 to $43,585 represented by a union. in 2009, then to $45,866 in 2010 The original version of this story was The original version of this story was and $48,307 in 2011. That’s a posted online on Feb.9, 2011. It is posted online on Jan. 26, 2011. It is 16.5 percent increase over three available with hyperlinks and more available with hyperlinks and more years despite the expired contract. info at www.MichCapCon.com/14537. info at www.MichCapCon.com/14420. Michigan Capitol Confidential spring 2011 | 11

Check Pure Spending — GOP “Pure Spending”: Lawmakers who voted TO SPEND $10 MILLION MORE on Pure Michigan advertising: senate Republicans (26) Finds More for Tourism Booher, Brandenburg, Casperson, Caswell, Colbeck, Emmons, Green, Hansen, Hildenbrand, Hune, Jansen, Jones, Kahn, Kowall, Marleau, Meekhof, Moolenaar, Nofs, Pappageorge, Pavlov, Proos, Richardville, Robertson, Rocca, Schuitmaker, Walker Subsidies senate Democrats (9) By Ken Braun But Republicans voting “yes” Corporation. The survey Bieda, Gleason, Gregory, Hood, Hopgood, Hunter, Warren, Whitmer, Young were effusive in their praise of purported to show that $2.23 House Republicans (56) epublicans scored significant Pure Michigan. was spent in taxes by tourists Bolger, Bumstead, Callton, Cotter, Crawford, Daley, Damrow, Denby, electoral gains last November “Our economy is still fighting in Michigan for every dollar Farrington, Forlini, Foster, Gilbert, Glardon, Goike, Haines, Haveman, Rby promising to rein in runaway to rebound, and investing in Pure invested in placing Pure Michigan Heise, Horn, Hughes, Huuki, Jacobsen, Jenkins, Johnson, Knollenberg, spending and put state govern- Michigan has proven to provide advertising spots on television. Kurtz, LaFontaine, Lori, Lund, Lyons, MacGregor, MacMaster, McBroom, Moss, Muxlow, Nesbitt, O’Brien, Olson, Opsommer, Ouimet, ment’s fiscal house in order. Yet in an extra bounce,” said state Rep. But the legitimacy of that Outman, Pettalia, Poleski, Potvin, Price, Pscholka, Rendon, Rogers, an early spending vote, the Michi- Wayne Schmidt, R-Traverse City, return on investment calculation Schmidt, W., Scott, Shaughnessy, Shirkey, Stamas, Tyler, Walsh, gan Legislature — now decisively sponsor of HB 4160. has come in for criticism due Yonker, Zorn under GOP control — voted over- Schmidt’s statement is from a to concerns about the study’s House Democrats (39) whelmingly to increase the cost news release jointly issued with methodology. Ananich, Barnett, Bauer, Bledsoe, Brown, Brunner, Byrum, Cavanagh, of a government tourism industry freshman GOP state Rep. Frank An article in the Feb. 4, 2011, Clemente, Constan, Darany, Dillon, Durhal, Haugh, Hobbs, Hovey- Wright, Howze, Irwin, Lane, Lipton, Liss, McCann, Meadows, Melton, subsidy by 65 percent above what Foster of Pellston. edition of the MIRS Capitol Oakes, Olumba, Rutledge, Santana, Schmidt, R., Segal, Slavens, had already been allocated for the Capsule daily newsletter asked: Smiley, Stanley, Stapleton, Switalski, Talabi, Tlaib, Townsend, Womack year. New GOP Gov. Rick Snyder “Despite concerns “Is it possible Longwoods asked for the increased spending, about the basic fairness International has a vested interest Lawmakers who voted AGAINST SPENDING $10 million more and the bill awaits his signature. of the program, the in only giving rosy pictures for on Pure Michigan advertising: Despite concerns about the these expenditures? Is Longwoods propriety of spending senate republicans (none) basic fairness of the program, dependent on keeping the travel the propriety of spending more money on it, and industry happy?” Senate Democrats (1) more money on it, and its its overall effectiveness, MIRS said that these questions Anderson overall effectiveness, just seven just seven Republicans had not been asked by state House Republicans (7) Agema, Franz, Genetski, Hooker, Kowall, McMillin, Somerville Republicans voted “no.” voted ‘no.’ ” government officials. Noting At issue was House Bill 4160, that Longwoods provides similar House Democrats (6) legislation that increased the “Pure Michigan is helping us marketing surveys for “at least” Geiss, Hammel, Jackson, Kandrevas, LeBlanc, Nathan current year’s cost of the “Pure to reinvent our state by sharing 25 other tourism boards across Legislators who did not vote: Michigan” tourism promotion our great opportunities and the the nation, MIRS reported a Sen. Johnson (D), Sen. Smith (D) from $15.4 million to $25.4 positive attributes that are more remarkable similarity to the Rep. Lindberg (D), Rep, Stallworth (D) million. Snyder stated in his first the reality of living in and visiting reports: “If a study has been 2011 Senate Roll Call 24 on HB 4160 State of the State address that he our great state,” echoed freshman done that didn’t show a [positive] 2011 House Roll Call 4 on HB 4160 wanted the higher cost for the GOP state Rep. Matt Huuki of return on investment from program. During the Granholm Atlantic Mine. taxpayer-funded advertisement, it “The Longwoods ‘study’ “Old habits die hard,” said administration, spending for Pure State Rep. Bradford Jacobson, has not been made public.” (propaganda) is completely bogus Genetski. “I still need to see more Michigan and other promotional another freshman Republican “Michigan needs a study of and is done by a firm that gets transparency out of the MEDC.” advertisements had been as high from Oxford, said the extra Pure Michigan that’s transparent paid by many state governments But several Republicans as $33.2 million. spending would provide a and peer-reviewed,” said the across the country to produce voting for the program were “The people elected us to “tremendous” boost to the state’s Mackinac Center’s Mike LaFaive these non-statistically valid convinced that Longwoods got save money, not spend more,” economy, and state Rep. Ken to MIRS. “I have yet to see a study (which the MEDC admits), so- the details right. noted state Rep. Dave Agema Horn, R-Frankenmuth, stated bought and paid for by the MEDC called studies to support higher “I’m very happy that the vote of Grandville, one of the House that he was a “longtime advocate” that did not comport with its spending,” said McMillin. passed the House, because I Republicans to vote against for Pure Michigan and that $25 worldview.” Agema also said the return think that the math speaks for the bill. million in annual funding was a Republican state Rep. Tom on investment claims were itself,” declared freshman GOP Freshman Republican “good benchmark.” McMillin, R-Rochester Hills, “questionable.” Rep. Jon Bumstead of Newaygo. Rep. Tom Hooker of Byron Some of the legislative support an accountant, says he tried And while noting that he “The return we have seen on our Center agreed. for more funding was based numerous times to get the likes the Pure Michigan program investment in the campaign so far “I ran on cutting the budget upon a marketing study done text of the Longwoods survey itself, Rep. Bob Genetski, makes it a no-brainer to continue and decreasing the size of by Longwoods International in questions and other data from R-Saugatuck, cast one of the the funding.” government,” said Hooker. “For Toronto. The survey was paid for Travel Michigan so that he could votes against HB 4160 because of Freshman state Rep. Holly our first vote to be on more by Travel Michigan, the tourism try to independently evaluate concerns about the information Hughes, R-Montague, echoed spending — I couldn’t bring promotion agency within the the Longwoods claims, but was coming from the state agency the purported effectiveness of the myself to do that.” Michigan Economic Development given nothing. promoting it. See “Pure Spending,” Page 12 Michigan Capitol Confidential Spring 2011 | 12

the only valuable items now avail- Pure Spending able from the House website. Also House of Reps. Employee included are details about health from Page 11 care policies available to House survey itself: “For every dollar spent employees and detailed expense there is a two dollar-plus return.” Names and Salaries Posted reports for the House. “We are looking for something There is even a separate expense that can return a benefit back to By ken braun financial data on a monthly basis. names and salaries very shortly after report for the House Fiscal Agency. Michigan, and this is the best way For almost two years, Republican Shirkey, and agrees with the policy The fiscal policy analysis arm of to do it,” noted Greg MacMaster he financial secrets of state Rep. Pete Lund of Shelby Town- of the entire House following along. the House of Representatives was from Kewadin, another House government were opened up ship has been proposing to abolish “People want to know where rocked by scandal in 1993 when Republican freshman. justT a bit more this week when a the special FOIA protection for their money goes and what their a Detroit News investigation ulti- And GOP state Sen. John Proos mately exposed the director and his detailed accounting of expenses state politicians. He applauded the public servants make,” he said. “This of St. Joseph issued a statement staff for diverting nearly $2 mil- for the Michigan House of Rep- Speaker’s decision to be open with is a small way that we can do that.” claiming an even greater rate of lion from the HFA to a variety of resentatives was posted on the information that the House is legally Rep. Tom McMillin, R-Rochester return than advertised: “For every A bill to spend American Recovery and personal and other illegal causes. House’s official website. Included entitled to hide from public scrutiny. Hills, was the very first lawmaker in dollar we invest in Pure Michigan, Reinvestment Act money received bipartisan Amongst the revelations were support in the Michigan Legislature. in the “Financials” module is a “I am happy that the House Re- Michigan history to post the names the state gets back almost three payments to HFA director John listing of the names and salaries publicans are again taking the lead and salaries of his staff online, set- dollars in revenues.” Morberg’s live-in girlfriend, unap- of each House employee. While on transparency,” said Lund. “Soon ting an early standard followed by Meanwhile, McMillin was also proved bonus payments to other individual lawmakers in the House I hope to introduce my bill that many other trendsetters such as concerned about a bigger picture. staffers, purchases of weapons for have posted this information in will require the three branches of Lund, Shirkey, Poleski – and now “I don’t think we should be fighters in the civil war then raging the state government to open their Speaker Bolger. picking winners and losers by the past, this is the first time in in the Balkans, and more. Federal books to the public.” company, nor by industry,” he Michigan Legislative history that investigations and felony convic- Last term, Lund’s bill propos- said of the $25.4 million that the the public has been granted 24/7 “The House data is tions soon followed for Morberg ing to lift the FOIA exemption as it taxpayers will be spending to online access to such information now posted online for and others. applied to the staff names, salaries subsidize the advertising budget for every office in one of the state’s And yet, despite the rise of the and other financial details of state anyone who wishes of one industry. “The state isn’t Legislative chambers. Internet age shortly thereafter and politician offices was not given a to see it, and the new and should not pay for advertising In a news release, new House several different House Speakers hearing in the House, which was for non-tourist businesses in Speaker Jase Bolger, R-Marshall, said policy will be to update since 1993, it has still taken until then controlled by Democrats. Ari my district or elsewhere. If this that this should be just the start of the online salaries 2011 for the House of Representa- was such a great return, then the more openness in government. Adler, spokesman for Bolger, says tives to post the HFA’s expenses and the other House industry itself would spend their “As we adopt the government that the new leadership has not yet where the public can take a look financial data on a own money, which they’ve made reforms necessary to set Michigan considered whether the House will at them. clear that they will not.” on the right path for the future, we push to pass a bill that revises the monthly basis.” Today, any taxpayer can go A previous suggestion to will be calling on local municipali- FOIA exemption. online at any time of day or night “I am supportive of Rep. Lund’s fund Pure Michigan by way of ties and school districts to be more During the 2010 election cam- and learn that Mitch Bean, the efforts to make more information taxing the tourist industry itself transparent with the voters,” Bolger paign for governor, then-candidate current director of the House Fiscal from the Legislative and Execu- failed due to lack of interest from said. “We should not ask others to Rick Snyder said he would sign a Agency, is paid $126,218. He is the industry advocates, according to do something that we are unwill- bill like Lund’s if one reached his tive branches more available to the highest-paid House employee on Travel Michigan. ing to do ourselves. Our finances desk. His Democrat opponent, Virg public through FOIA,” said McMil- the list. If Bean or any other House are now readily available for review Bernero, also said he would sign lin. “It is the 21st century and the employee receives a raise, the The vote in favor of spending and I encourage all other taxpayer such a bill. government needs to stop trying to Speaker has pledged to reveal that the additional $10 million on Pure funded units to join us.” Rep. Mike Shirkey, R-Clark hide its activities from the taxpay- change in the next monthly filing of Michigan was 95-13 in the House For most levels of government, Lake, is one new lawmaker who ers – particularly how their money the House’s financial information. of Representatives. The other the state FOIA law requires that didn’t wait for the House policy to is spent.” But the FOIA exemption is still Republicans to vote against the the names and salaries of political change: The names and salaries of The Michigan Senate has not in place and it allows this House bill were Rep. Eileen Kowall of appointees and other public employ- his staff were posted earlier this year. posted names and salaries under Speaker or any who follow him White Lake, Rep. Pat Somerville ees be released to any person who While he says that some lawmakers previous leaders. Amber McCann, the legal authority to kill this new of New Boston, and Rep. Ray files a request. But FOIA specifically were mildly concerned that post- spokeswoman for new Senate Ma- openness policy. Little warning Franz of Onekama. exempts the House, Senate and ing this information could lead to jority Leader Randy Richardville, was given before Bolger made the There was no Republican Office of the Governor from this uncomfortable questions from nosy R-Monroe, said that the Senate is abrupt change in policy this week. opposition at all in the Michigan requirement. The House and Senate constituents, he welcomes scrutiny now working on its own revamping In the event of another scandal at Senate, where the additional have often granted specific requests of his spending. of the official website. Some finan- the HFA or any other office, the spending passed on a vote of 35-1. to anyone wishing to see the salary “I WANT people to question cial details regarding the Senate’s House’s financial information could The Michiganvotes.org roll data, despite the FOIA exemption, these details,” he said. “We should operations had been available in the be removed from the Internet as call vote for HB 4160 is shown on + page 11 with the beginning of this and Bolger has decided to advance have an ‘open kimono’ policy when past and no decisions have yet been suddenly as it went up. + this policy one step further. The it comes to spending taxpayer dol- made regarding how much more article. House data is now posted online lars. I am exceedingly proud that the the upper chamber may be putting The original version of this story was posted online on Mar. 12, 2011. It is The original version of this story was for anyone who wishes to see it, and Speaker posted everything online.” up when the new website is ready. available with hyperlinks and more info posted online on Mar. 4, 2011. It is the new policy will be to update the Fellow freshman Rep. Earl Names and salaries are some of at www.MichCapCon.com/14738. available with hyperlinks and more online salaries and the other House Poleski, R-Jackson, posted his staff the most interesting details, but not info at www.MichCapCon.com/14703. Michigan Capitol Confidential spring 2011 | 13

Union Bosses Outsource Hostility, Hiring Beneficiaries of Entrepreneur’s Charity to Protest His Business By Ken Braun

égagé Ministries provides a have ever been carpenters at all and MRCC is an accurate source of data “safe, Christian alternative don’t appear to have any clue that regarding what a “standard” wage Dto the streets” for many hard- the company they are protesting has for the work should be. luck cases living in the Heartside generously supported a local ministry Ritsema is aware of no labor neighborhood of downtown Grand that often provides a safety net for dispute with any of his employees, Rapids. With an $850,000 annual them specifically or people like them. whom he calls a “great group of budget, it helps provide blankets, Starting this summer, the MRCC guys,” and says that since his father Protesters outside Ritsema Construction sites. meals, shelter and more for those began to hold daily demonstrations founded the company in 1955, who can’t provide these necessities outside of the businesses, hospitals no effort has ever been made to for themselves. Dégagé is currently and schools that hire Ritsema to unionize its workforce. He suspects Ritsema has been a wonderful Palmerlee says she has never seen funded entirely by private dona- do construction work. None of that the “standard wages” accusation partner with us.” anything like this happen before. tions and not government help, Ritsema’s employees are MRCC by the MRCC isn’t really the issue, An MRCC member managing “It really baffled me. I still find according to executive director members, and the union does not noting that the MRCC started one of the crews of demonstrators it appalling that the union would Marge Palmerlee. claim to represent the employees of making trouble for him shortly after confirmed that demonstrators come in and do that.” One of those private donors is his customers. Yet, the MRCC says he successfully outbid unionized against Ritsema are paid hourly Undeterred, the MRCC Ritsema Associates, a construction the demonstrations are part of a contractors for a job in Indiana. wages by the union. appears to have approached and contractor headquartered in “labor dispute” directed at Ritsema “This is one of the most bizarre, “That’s so ironic,” says Palmerlee. recruited Dégagé’s patrons while nearby Grandville. because of the MRCC’s assertion one of the most disingenuous “Nobody who is picketing is an they were outside of its building. “Your company has supported that the company does not pay “area campaigns that we have seen actual carpenter, and they’re paying Palmerlee is very clear that her us both financially and with standard wages.” anywhere in the country,” said Chris them a flat rate per hour to walk the patrons have a legal right to take numerous in-kind donations for The union does not provide Fisher, president of the Associated picket line. Where are the actual the jobs and that it is not her role which we are very grateful” wrote any factual evidence to support Builders and Contractors of carpenters?” to discourage them from making Palmerlee in a recent letter to Bill this charge. And, given that they Michigan. “It is based on zero facts, Palmerlee says the ministry does money if the union is offering it. Ritsema, president of Ritsema do not appear to represent anyone and it is really shameful to see the allow local employers to come into However, when asked about Associates. She felt moved to involved the business transactions lengths to which these union bosses the facility and recruit day laborers, the role of the carpenters union write the letter because some that they are attempting to interfere are willing to go in our state.” but that such recruiting is limited to and what it is paying her patrons Dégagé patrons are being hired with, they have also provided no ABC-Michigan is a subsidiary work that is clearly “helping” and not to do to one of her ministry’s by Big Labor bosses as part of an explanation for why they should of a national trade industry group “hurting” the community. She says very good friends, she has “aggressive public information be considered an authority on for merit shop (non-union) that this ability to be choosy is one of another take: “It’s legal,” she says. “But it’s campaign” aimed at trashing the what the pay scales should be. As construction contractors. the best things about being a private + reputation of Ritsema Associates. noted in a previous MichCapCon. Palmerlee agrees with Fisher. institution. So when the union asked despicable.” Though hired by the Michigan com story on this matter (see “Fake “It’s sad that they can come in to recruit in their building so as to (See related story on page 17) Regional Council of Carpenters to Dispute: on page 17 of this issue), and spread lies about a company “picket a local company,” Dégagé The original version of this story was hold up signs and pass out fliers nearly 80 percent of Michigan’s that has been around for years and drew the line and refused. posted online on Feb. 16, 2011. It is denouncing Ritsema all over the city, construction workers are non- years and is reputable,” she said. In her 13 years of working available with hyperlinks and more info few of those doing the demonstrating union, making it unlikely that the “They care about the community. with and helping Dégagé patrons, at www.MichCapCon.com/14563.

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False fears the Constitution, all of them from Page 4 ultimately did. In the end, the FOIA Law Enhances Constitution displaced the There is no reason to worry Articles of Confederation on about a “runaway” convention the very terms prescribed by Center’s Research and because three-fourths of the the Articles. states—38 states—would have to Arizona and five other states ratify whatever amendment might are considering use of their be proposed. Moreover, nothing in power under Article V of the Reporting the nation’s history justifies fear of U.S. Constitution to initiate a “runaway” convention. an amendments convention. By Patrick Wright documents have been used strike. And the Center has been With the federal debt exceeding thousands of times by reporters, investigating whether a public “The power of $14 trillion, I believe nothing reedom of Information school officials and residents university is attempting to bury its the states to call short of state-initiated Act requests tend to be throughout the state. They have investigation of a professor who an amendments constitutional reform will stop F also been used by Michigan engaged in apparent plagiarism in fairly routine and innocuous, convention is no the impending fiscal train wreck. in a procedural sense. A recent Capitol Confidential to debunk a widely cited public policy paper. The power of the states to Mackinac Center FOIA request, various school districts’ erroneous It is an unfortunate fact that greater than the power call an amendments convention however, has drawn some media claims about funding cuts. the mere enactment of FOIA of Congress to propose is no greater than the power of attention. The Center has a long The Mackinac Center’s annual has not stopped state and local amendments.” Congress to propose amendments. history of using this important tool survey of Michigan school districts government officials from Both amendment powers operate for monitoring our government that privatize noninstructional committing crimes. For instance, It is a myth that the U.S. within the existing limitations of and has no intention of curtailing services is also compiled through a recent brief filed with Michigan Constitution was born of a the Constitution. Any proposed that use in the future. responses to FOIA requests. Supreme Court by the Center and “runaway” convention. The truth constitutional amendment, Michigan’s Freedom of After Gov. Jennifer Granholm the Michigan Press Association is the Convention of 1787 had whether arising from Congress or Information Act, like the federal highlighted a Grand Rapids arguing for a broad reading of an incredibly broad mandate from an amendments convention, law it was based on, was passed in film-studio project, the Center FOIA, set out numerous school from Congress—to establish must still be ratified by 38 states. the years immediately following used FOIA requests to begin district embezzlement scandals “in these states a firm national Opposition to states using the Watergate scandal, where an investigation that exposed involving millions of public dollars government . . . [and] render the their Article V power boils down government officials committed an alleged attempt to defraud and a $100 million settlement federal Constitution adequate to to a belief that Congress is more crimes in an attempt to cover up a the state out of $10 million. The related to state prison guards the exigencies of Government trustworthy than the states when it politically related criminal break in. investigation into Hangar42 sexually abusing female inmates. and the preservation of the comes to proposing constitutional The Michigan Legislature at that Studios has led to criminal charges Public awareness and public Union.” In proposing the amendments. I disagree. Congress time stated the purpose of the law: being filed. Similarly, the results policy in Michigan have both Constitution to amend the is driving our nation toward a It is the public policy of this state of a FOIA request triggered the benefited from the Center’s Articles of Confederation, the financial cliff. The states must take + that all persons . . . are entitled to full Center’s work on behalf of home- FOIA work, whether through 1787 convention stayed well the wheel. and complete information regarding based day care workers who were investigative reporting on within the congressional call, as Nick Dranias holds the the affairs of government and the forced into a government-employee government misconduct or well as within the commissions Clarence J. and Katherine P. official acts of those who represent union. In this case, emails showed through the accumulation of data of most delegates. Duncan Chair for Constitutional them as public officials and public that the Granholm administration to provide for accurate and timely Although the Articles Government and is director employees, consistent with this act. analysis. Thanks to a tool that of the Joseph and Dorothy worked with public sector unions required unanimous ratification Donnelly Moller Center for The people shall be informed so to illegally divert into union coffers allows citizens to keep track of the for alterations to it, and the Constitutional Government at that they may fully participate in the affairs of their government, you the Goldwater Institute. millions of dollars meant to aid low + Constitution only required democratic process. income families. can expect both to continue. ratification by nine states, the A Michigan court later Currently, the Center has Constitution was only binding The original version of this story was enhanced the description of The original version of this story was posted online on Feb. 20, 2011. It is issued a number of FOIA requests posted online on Mar. 30, 2011. It is on those states that ratified it. available with hyperlinks and more FOIA’s purpose: “to establish for information related to a available with hyperlinks and more info While not every state in the info at www.MichCapCon.com/14587. a philosophy of full disclosure proposed massive illegal teachers at www.MichCapCon.com/14837. Confederation initially ratified by public agencies and to deter efforts of agency officials to prevent disclosure of mistakes We believe, as our country’s Founders did, that liberty and irregularities committed by Become a Member Today! them or the agency and to prevent and sound policy can never be taken for granted. Their needless denials of information.” preservation requires vigilance during each generation The Center has used the FOIA from both us and citizens like you. law in a variety of ways. FOIA requests were used to obtain the collective bargaining agreements and health insurance information If you share this goal, we would welcome your generous contribution to the for Michigan’s 550 school districts. Mackinac Center in any amount. Even a $40 donation is a tremendous help. Contribute using the enclosed envelope or online at www.mackinac.org/give. Assembled into databases, these Michigan Capitol Confidential spring 2011 | 15

though this was nearly a year before privacy exemptions built into the recent events in Wisconsin Michigan’s FOIA law, including The Public Purpose of Our and long before the debate over exemptions for personal material the labor-related components of subject to doctor-client privilege, the emergency financial manager student privacy, social security ‘Professors’ Email’ FOIA Request legislation recently passed numbers, trade secrets or material protected by other statutes. In By Ken Braun hypothetical statements about one includes a handy list of ways for tea in Michigan. of these three departments: party and taxpayer groups to dig The unfolding of the Wisconsin any event, public employees are aware that their use of government (Editor’s note: The online version First hypothetical: The up dirt and embarrassing evidence turmoil and the pitched debate over of this piece, available at www department has a website that against labor unions. the Michigan legislation provided us resources can be constrained and monitored, just as private-sector .MichCapCon.com/14863, contains displays hyperlinks to tea party These are not generally the sort an opportunity to chase an old story employees know this about their use hyperlinks to Web material and groups and taxpayer advocacy of things that Michigan residents with a FOIA. Specifically, we were of their businesses’ resources. Web pages that were available on groups and elsewhere states would expect to find on the websites interested in determining whether In pursuing this FOIA request, Wayne State University’s website that the department’s official of the economics, business or the LSC and the labor faculty at we were not engaging in an on the morning of April 4, 2011. activities include helping “local history departments of public Michigan’s other two large public activity different from other FOIA In two cases, this material became leaders develop local strategies for universities, to say nothing of other universities had actively employed requests. We routinely ask for unavailable on the WSU website building power.” The website notes academic disciplines. Such activities university resources to enter the a variety of public documents, later in the day, and the remaining that if these taxpayer groups can would reasonably raise questions political debates. At a minimum, including financial reports, salary Web pages became unavailable continue “building coalitions” and about whether the department we thought a FOIA investigating data and union contracts. We have the next morning. In our online “mobilizing aggressive political had become sidetracked from its professors’ emails on these subjects also asked for emails, including version, we have substituted action,” they will be “laying the educational mission and whether might demonstrate whether state emails sent by academics at public groundwork for helping to lead the anyone — particularly union officials should ask questions about hyperlinks to the Mackinac universities. This has always been future of their regions.” members – should have their tax this use of tax dollars for public Center’s PDF copies of the original done with a desire to increase The dollars used to support political universities. In the worst-case WSU Web content.) Second hypothetical: the public’s understanding of department also has a specific fights that they do not believe in. scenario, we knew these emails why government adopts certain focus on helping tea party and In fact, this university department might suggest that the faculty had he Mackinac Center is policies or spends money in certain acted illegally, because certain a public policy research taxpayer groups fight against labor might appear to be operating more ways. Sometimes we have also T political uses of university resources and education institute, and unions trying to create living wage as a political action committee than been concerned that government are prohibited by Michigan law. one of our regular activities is campaigns and unions that are as a teaching and research resource. officials have engaged in activities Some of the concern expressed submitting requests to public blocking privatization efforts at Readers who have been contrary to their proper legal about our recent FOIA inquiry has institutions for public documents public schools. The department has following this issue will have already mandate. In this case and in others, had to do with our requesting emails under Michigan’s Freedom of “produced a comprehensive guide for realized that the five hypothetical we were not interested in some sort mentioning not just Wisconsin and Information Act. We typically activists for organizing” opposition to statements effectively reverse what of bizarre crusade to expose any Michigan public-sector labor topics, do not comment on the purpose living wage campaigns. has actually happened: The Wayne political bias of professors. of these FOIAs until we see the Third hypothetical: This State University Labor Studies but also Rachel Maddow. We asked Indeed, a search of the Mackinac results, but in the case of the academic research department has Center does everything noted above for these emails first because Ms. Center’s website and our work FOIA we submitted last week done the same thing for pressure except that its materials would Maddow had recently criticized at would have turned up no evidence to three public university labor groups that wish to see cost-saving favor organized labor and work in length Michigan’s governor and his of our using previous email FOIAs departments, we have decided privatization plans implemented opposition to the interests of many labor-related legislation in a TV in this way. And basic logic says to respond to what has become a in public schools and elsewhere taxpayer and tea party groups. For segment virally circulated on the that if this had been our objective, national debate over whether we and must defeat public union labor example, the campaign finance Web, and second because FOIA then we are rather bad at it. Why — or anyone — should be asking leaders in the ensuing political violation was filed by the Michigan requests are an inexact art, much go after labor studies centers alone for such information at all. Our battles. The department has Chamber of Commerce because the like a Google search. You can ask when there are so many naturally answer is that we should, and that created a guide to implementing Wayne State LSC was then using for everything, and get everything, opinionated political science these requests are not only proper, privatization plans over the a university website to promote a but not only is it costly to do so professors, economists and history but also respectful of the privacy objections of hostile labor unions. ballot proposal to hike the state’s (public bodies can charge the fair professors to look at? Indeed, why of the labor professors involved. Fourth hypothetical: In 2005, minimum wage. In fact, all of the costs of retrieving public records), limit our search to just those three The recipients of our FOIA a public employee union lodged quotes above come from the Wayne it is both time-consuming and centers at those universities? requests were the labor studies a campaign finance violation State University website, except that needlessly intrusive on the activities It is important to note that most centers at Wayne State University, complaint with the state against they are used to promote precisely of public employees. of the media did a very objective job the University of Michigan and this university department because the opposite cause. Hence, by including emails with the coverage of this story, due Michigan State University. In this the department was then using its The Mackinac Center published referring to Ms. Maddow, we no doubt in large measure to the fact FOIA action, we specifically sought website to advocate a statewide a piece on this more than a year were aiming to generate a more that they file FOIA requests as well. e-mails that these departments’ ballot proposal that would reduce ago available online at www. narrowly targeted set of emails that Some did an exceptional job digging members sent on university Michigan’s minimum wage. MichCapCon.com/12070. In the nevertheless didn’t depend closely up what our actual objectives were computers regarding recent labor- The public employee union was aftermath of what I wrote, the on exact phrases that she or the — even those who might not agree related events in the news, including concerned that a public university’s governor, Legislature and attorney letter writers might have used and with them, and even before we had the heated debates over Wisconsin’s faculty was using public dollars to general did not publicly investigate that would have excluded emails publicly discussed them. public-sector unions. To understand engage in political activity. whether taxpayer dollars were being relevant to our request. Nothing in But academics are not super- why we were interested in such Fifth hypothetical: The misused by the LSC. Our interest in our request intentionally impinged humanly thick-skinned; few of us a topic, imagine the following taxpayer-financed university website the story continued, however, even on or attempted to override the See “Professors’ Email,” Page 16 Michigan Capitol Confidential Spring 2011 | 16 professors’ potentially unfair. Moreover, in Indiana teacher in the bottom 10 of the 50 states “We are talking about people an extreme case, if we get a tip for this measure of economic and their families,” said Snyder email that evidence of illegal activity pay prowess, after being as high to MichCapCon.com, as he was noting that public employee pay from Page 15 might be hidden in a particular from Page 8 as 21st best back in 2000. public document, it would be both GDP per capita measures the would be a significant part of his are. Public employees subject to irresponsible and potentially libelous $8,129 above the average pay total goods and services being plan to reduce the cost of state open-records requests have been to publicize that concern prior to for Indiana teachers. The produced in Michigan and is government. “We have to do it known to get very upset when those receiving the FOIA’s results. Department of Education thus one good measure of the in a constructive fashion and requests touched too close to home. reports just over 96,000 public In sum, open-records laws state’s relative ability to pay its realize that we are asking people For example, when the Lansing State school teachers in Michigan. like FOIA are how a free people public employees. to make sacrifices. And we need Journal published the names and And these may be maintain their confidence The U.S. Bureau of Economic to all share in those sacrifices.” salaries of the state of Michigan’s conservative calculations. that government is working Analysis reports that GDP per When deciding how much 54,000-plus government employees The Michigan Department effectively and isn’t hiding capita for Indiana in 2009 was was needed, Snyder said two back in 2007, the reaction was highly of Education issued a revised questions should be asked: inappropriate activity from them. $37,495. This is still 9.8 percent negative from the public employees figure for 2009 teacher salaries, 1. What is comparasble with the Sometimes those inquiries will be higher than Michigan, but also who lived in Lansing, the seat of stating a new average of $62,272. private sector? uncomfortable for government well below the national average. state government. Measuring by the ability of 2. What is financially officials and other public Because Indiana is a stronger And our practice of remaining Michigan taxpayers to afford affordable? employees, but with reasonable producer of goods and services silent about the intent of our these salaries, it would appear to “I don’t think you can check safeguards like those already FOIAs — common enough among be more reasonable to compare per capita than Michigan, it is either of those boxes today,” established in state law, sunshine journalists and other policy groups Michigan to Indiana, rather than even arguable that a comparison he noted, in answer to his own remains the best disinfectant. This + — may have left some academics to the nation as a whole. with Indiana’s teacher questions. uncertain about our intentions. was the purpose when legislators As reported recently compensation still overstates There are several reasons for our passed FOIA laws following the online (see www.MichCapCon Michigan’s comparative ability The original version of this story was Watergate scandal, and it remains a posted online on Dec. 2, 2010. It is policy, however. First, for our sake + .com/14070), Michigan’s to pay its teachers. sound purpose to this day. available with hyperlinks and more and for the sake of the government annual gross domestic product It is unclear how far info at www.MichCapCon.com/14100. officials subject to a FOIA request, per capita in 2009 was just Michigan’s new governor will The original version of this story was we don’t want to publicly speculate posted online on Apr. 4, 2011. It is $34,157. The national average go toward bringing public about what we might find. This available with hyperlinks and more of $42,031 is 23.1 percent employee costs down in would be both imprudent and info at www.MichCapCon.com/14863. higher. This places Michigan Michigan. Health Care Compact Shifts Choices from D.C. to Michigan by JACK MCHUGH in health care regulations and On the budget side, in most There are some interesting critical decisions about the lakes programs by turning all of a state’s states the Medicaid health care constitutional features to interstate in the hands of the states (and tate Rep. Tom McMillin federal Medicaid and Medicare program for the poor has been compacts. If Congress approves provinces) that border them. (R-Rochester Hills) has sent a spending into a no-strings-attached growing at unsustainable rates. one, it supersedes existing federal Compacts have a long history in our memoS to House colleagues inviting block grant (indexed for future Replacing its open-ended grant of law in the member states. That nation, stretching all the way back to them to co-sponsor a multistate inflation and population growth). ever-increasing federal matching would include Obamacare. Also, the the Mayflower Compact. Health Care Compact he plans to Member states would have primary funds with an inflation-adjusted Constitution says nothing about the President Obama recently introduce shortly. The measure responsibility for regulation of all block grant would eliminate state president having to sign on. A good told a group of governors that has been introduced in 14 states, nonmilitary health care goods and politicians’ incentive to constantly information resource on compacts he favors giving states “the adopted by legislative bodies in services in their state, plus health- increase spending in pursuit of that in general is the study Shield of power to determine their own several, signed into law in Georgia related social welfare programs. additional federal money. Federalism: Interstate Compacts in health-care solutions.” The bill and Oklahoma, and submitted for So, for example, if Michigan so Similarly, these changed Our Constitution. he was endorsing actually does governors’ signatures in Missouri chose, it could replace Medicare’s incentives might cause the An interesting political dynamic no such thing, but the Health and Montana. If approved by restrictions and price controls Legislature to revisit a watered- also is created when a state adopts Care Compact really would. Congress, it would make the with a means-tested voucher-like down law that burdens taxpayers the Health Care Compact. Imagine The president also said, “I don’t federal “Patient Protection and insurance subsidy similar to that with the cost of providing welfare a U.S. senator who voted for believe that any single party Affordable Care Act” optional in proposed nationally by Republican to middle-class nursing home Obamacare, facing the decision of has a monopoly on good ideas.” the states that join the compact — Congressman Rep. Paul Ryan. residents — one of the biggest whether to vote against his own That is precisely the philosophy and theoretically, the president’s If our Legislature wanted to fix drivers of Medicaid cost increases. state government’s request to take behind a compact that would signature is not required on that Medicaid’s broken promises by The Health Care Compact would control its own health care choices. devolve health care choices congressional approval. converting it into a “cash and repeal those skewed incentives, The roll call vote results might from Washington to 50 state + Importantly, the Health Care counseling” program for the truly while transferring these and include some surprises. laboratories of democracy. Compact is much more than just indigent, it could do so. hundreds of other health care Michigan already belongs to an “Obamacare doesn’t apply here” As McMillin puts it, “Michigan program decisions from distant scores of multistate compacts that The original version of this story was posted online on Dec. 2, 2010. It is measure. It would profoundly shift leaders understand Michigan’s Washington to a state government have been approved by Congress. available with hyperlinks and more the balance of power between needs better than Washington — that in comparison is much closer The Great Lakes Compact is info at www.MichCapCon.com/14100. states and the federal government this is all about who decides.” and more accountable. probably the best known; it leaves Michigan Capitol Confidential spring 2011 | 17

demonstrations, the text of the flyer “They tell them [contractors repeats the allegation regarding such as Ritsema] that they are Michigan Carpenters’ Union Ritsema Associates’ alleged failure guilty until proven innocent to pay “area standard wages,” and without any basis of guilt,” makes no effort to assert that says Fisher. any actual workers of Ritsema “Legally, there is nothing I can Constructing a Fake Dispute Associates are involved. do except employ the same tactics,” By Ken Braun proper compensation should be for “We want you to be aware that Nonetheless, the flyer provides a says Ritsema, when questioned construction workers in the region. our new and aggressive public phone number and encourages the about how he is handling the s commonly understood, an The MRCC letter concludes information campaign against public to call Van Andel Arena and accusations. “That would just American labor dispute is a by presenting Ritsema Associates this company will unfortunately complain about Ritsema Associates escalate [the situation].” Arather simple matter: Employees — whose 120 employees are not impact all parties associated with workers on the arena’s property. Instead, he has been setting demanding a change in their pay or MRCC members — with two projects where they are employed,” “That they say they have a up meetings with his customers working conditions walk off the job alternatives: the notice warns. The impact dispute with me is a bald-faced to reassure them. He believes and begin to publicly demonstrate 1. Allow the union to examine is defined as “highly visible” lie,” said Bill Ritsema, president of that at least one customer has against their employer. But the Ritsema Associates’ private payroll banner displays and “distribution Ritsema Associates, who says he stopped using his employees Michigan Regional Council of data within seven days; or of handbills” at the jobsites of has never spoken with anyone from in order to make the MRCC Carpenters is no longer playing 2. After that point, Ritsema Ritsema Associates’ customers. the MRCC. demonstrations stop. by these rules. Since last summer, Associates will be considered by the Shortly thereafter, large banner “A labor dispute suggests that Ritsema Associates was founded the union has been organizing MRCC to be paying “substandard displays manned by teams of there are employees who have a in 1955, and its current president demonstrations against an wages and benefits.” demonstrators did begin to appear grievance against their employer,” says the employees have never employer that MRCC members Ritsema Associates declined to outside of several jobsites where said Chris Fisher, president of attempted to form a union. do not work for — supposedly on turn over its payroll information, employees of Ritsema Associates the Associated Builders and “We have very low turnover,” behalf of construction workers that and two weeks later more than a were working in downtown Grand Contractors of Michigan. “There’s says Ritsema of his staff. “We have the union does not represent — and dozen of its customers received a Rapids, including hospitals and Van no such example in this. There’s not a great group.” using demonstrators who are not “Notice of Labor Dispute” from Andel Arena. (In some locations, a single employee of any company Though the MRCC provides employees of the company being the MRCC. The notice makes roving lines of demonstrators holding that’s involved in this quote- no documentation for their targeted. Indeed, the demonstrators no attempt to claim that there picket signs have also been used.) unquote labor dispute. The only allegations against his company, are frequently not MRCC members is any dispute between Ritsema A banner being held outside dispute is a refusal of companies to and has not demonstrated an either, nor even construction Associates and its employees, nor Van Andel Arena during January hand over their payroll data to an ability to speak for any of his workers at all. that MRCC is acting directly on said “Shame on Van Andel” in outside entity [the MRCC].” employees, Ritsema believes he Welcome to “bannering,” a new behalf of any actual employees bold red letters. The letters were ABC is a trade industry group may have a clue as to what their method being deployed by Big of Ritsema Associates. Instead, each more than a foot high. And representing Michigan’s merit shop, real “dispute” may be with him. Labor bosses who wish to continue customers of Ritsema Associates in smaller font, the phrase “Labor or non-union contractors. Ritsema Associates now has exerting their influence over a were informed that the company Dispute” was noted on either side. “They are hired guns,” four offices, three in Michigan marketplace where employers, and the MRCC are in a “dispute” When asked, the banner holders said Fisher, referring to the and one in Indiana. Last year, customers and workers have turned because of the MRCC’s “solid denied being employed by Ritsema demonstrators. “They’re hired they submitted a bid on a job in sharply against using union labor. commitment” to “protect and Associates, or Van Andel Arena, protesters and who knows if they Indiana, and he believes this bid The employer being targeted is preserve area standard wages.” or any of the other contractors on even make a standard wage.” threatened to take even more work Ritsema Associates, a construction “[W]e are asking that you use the jobsite. They said they were He also notes that the whole away from the already shrinking contractor headquartered in your managerial discretion to not not carpenters, and that they were concept of the MRCC claiming union market share. Grandville, near Grand Rapids. allow these non area standard not even members of the MRCC. to be the enforcer for the “area “They were upset because we On July 13, MRCC sent a letter contractors to perform any work Despite being the public face of standard wage” is absurd because were bidding against work that they to Ritsema Associates, wherein on any of your projects unless this “new and aggressive public unionized construction workers considered their bailiwick.” the union claimed that it had and until they generally meet information campaign” by the are such a small (albeit very vocal) It was after this that the letter done an “investigation” and area labor standards for all their MRCC, they would say only that portion of the construction trade. accusing him of violating standard concluded that the contractor carpentry craft work,” reads the they had been hired by the MRCC Nationwide, unions now wages arrived. was paying “substandard wages MRCC notice. to “hold the banner.” They would account for just 13.7 percent of the Fisher accuses the MRCC of and fringe benefits,” and that Because the MRCC was not not reveal how much they had been construction workforce, according “threatening good companies this was “undermining the fair alleging to speak for the workers of paid to do this, but one revealed to a recent news release from the whose employees are happy construction wage and benefits Ritsema Associates, this effectively that it was better than his previous U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. to be there,” and says that the standards established by the means that the carpenters’ union wage, which he said was “nothing.” Fisher also references a recent report specific campaign against Ritsema Michigan Regional Council of is trying to get customers seeking Those asking them about the from UnionStats.com showing that Associates is “one of the most Carpenters.” The letter makes no carpentry work to kick carpenters nature of the so-called “labor unionized construction workers disingenuous and blatantly mention of how the investigation off of jobsites. And while this dispute,” were handed a flyer account for just 21.7 percent fabricated campaigns we’ve + was conducted, who was spoken to was couched as a request from from the MRCC. It depicts a rat of Michigan’s construction ever seen.” or what documentation supported the MRCC, the union also chewing on an American flag, and workforce. (UnionStats.com is its claims. informed the customers that there is titled, “Shame on Van Andel the work of researchers Barry The original version of this story was posted online on Feb. 2, 2011. It is It is also unclear why the would be consequences if they Arena for Desecration of the Hirsh of Georgia State University available with hyperlinks and more union should be considered an continued using the employees American Way of Life.” As with the and David Macpherson of info at www.MichCapCon.com/14458. authority regarding what the of Ritsema Associates. correspondence leading up to the Trinity University.) Michigan Capitol Confidential Spring 2011 | 18

09 19 29 34 Information appears as follows: Bieda, Steven M.: D nofs, mike: r Hildenbrand, Dave: R Hansen, Goeff: R 310 Farnum Building S-132 Capitol Building 920 Farnum Building 420 Farnum Building Why we give Party State Senate District 517-373-8360 517-373-2426 517-373-1801 517-373-1635 Last Name, First Name: Party [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Affiliations: Location The Legislature is managed Phone 10 30 35 Rocca, Tory: R 20 Meekhof, Arlan B.: R Booher, Darwin L.: R E-mail 205 Farnum Building Schuitmaker, Tonya: R S-8 Capitol Building 520 Farnum Building as a partisan institution. — 517-373-7315 405 Farnum Building 517-373-6920 517-373-1725 Lawmakers segregate New members highlighted in [email protected] 517-373-0793 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] themselves by party in matters yellow 11 31 36 Brandenburg, Jack: R 21 Green, Mike: R Moolenaar, John: R from daily meetings to seating. 605 Farnum Building Proos, John: R 805 Farnum Building 715 Farnum Building 517-373-7670 820 Farnum Building 517-373-1777 517-373-7946 They have separate and 01 [email protected] 517-373-6960 [email protected] [email protected] Young II, Coleman: D [email protected] taxpayer-financed policy staffs 410 Farnum Building 12 32 37 517-373-7346 Marleau, Jim: R 22 Kahn, Roger MD: R Walker, Howard: R to provide them with research [email protected] 1010 Farnum Building Hune, Joe: R S-324 Capitol Building 910 Farnum Building 517-373-2417 505 Farnum Building 517-373-1760 517-373-2413 and advice from differing 02 [email protected] 517-373-2420 [email protected] [email protected] Johnson, Bert: D [email protected] perspectives. As such, gaining 220 Farnum Building 13 33 38 a full understanding of the vote 517-373-7748 Pappageorge, John: R 23 Emmons, Judy K.: R Casperson, Tom: R [email protected] S-2 Capitol Building Whitmer, Gretchen: D 1005 Farnum Building 705 Farnum Building of an individual lawmaker 517-373-2523 S-105 Capitol Building 517-373-3760 517-373-7840 03 [email protected] 517-373-1734 [email protected] [email protected] requires knowing his or her Hood III, Morris W.: D [email protected] 710 Farnum Building 14 partisan affiliation. 517-373-0990 Gregory, Vincent: D 24 [email protected] 1015 Farnum Building Jones, Rick: R 517-373-7888 915 Farnum Building 04 [email protected] 517-373-3447 Smith, Virgil: D [email protected] 510 Farnum Building 15 517-373-7918 Kowall, Mike: R 25 [email protected] 305 Farnum Building Pavlov, Phil: R 517-373-1758 905 Farnum Building 05 [email protected] 517-373-7708 Hunter, Tupac A.: D [email protected] S-9 Capitol Building 16 517-373-0994 CASWELL, BRUCE: R 26 [email protected] 720 Farnum Building Robertson, David B.: R 517-373-5932 320 Farnum Building 06 [email protected] 517-373-1636 Anderson, Glenn S.: D [email protected] 610 Farnum Building 17 Who are 517-373-1707 Richardville, Randy: R 27 [email protected] S-106 Capitol Building Gleason, John: D 517-373-3543 315 Farnum Building 07 [email protected] 517-373-0142 Colbeck, Patrick: R [email protected] 1020 Farnum Building your 18 517-373-7350 Warren, Rebekah: D 28 [email protected] 415 Farnum Building Jansen, Mark C.: R 517-373-2406 S-310 Capitol Building 08 [email protected] 517-373-0797 Hopgood, Hoon-Yung: D [email protected] lawmakers? 515 Farnum Building 517-373-7800 [email protected]

Members of the Michigan House and Senate are the second highest- paid state legislators in the United States, behind California. Base member annual pay: $79,650 Additional annual expense allowance: $12,000 Supplements are paid to the following 12 legislative officers: Speaker of the House: $27,000 Majority leader in the Senate: $26,000 Minority leaders in both House and Senate: $22,000 To find out which lawmakers represent you and to Majority floor leaders in both House and Senate: $12,000 Minority floor leaders in both House and Senate: $10,000 view interactive legislative district maps, please point Chair of Appropriations Committee in both House and Senate: $7,000 House speaker pro tempore and Senate president pro tempore: $5,513 your web browser to www.mackinac.org/9313. In more than 30 states, the position of state legislator is a part-time job with a salary of $30,000 or less. Texas — the second most populous state and second largest geographically — pays lawmakers $7,200 per year. If you do not have Internet access, then you may obtain copies of legislative Some pay much less: New Hampshire legislators are paid a salary of $200 for a two-year term of office; district maps by calling 989-631-0900 or by sending a written request to us at: Alabama pays $10 per day; and New Mexico offers no salary at all — just expenses. + Mackinac Center for Public Policy, c/o MiCapCon District Maps 140 West Main Street, Midland, MI 48640 Did you know? Michigan Capitol Confidential spring 2011 | 19

018 038 058 078 095 Information appears as follows: LeBlanc, Richard: D Crawford, Hugh: R Kurtz, Kenneth: R Tyler, Sharon: R Oakes, Stacy Erwin: D N 0697 HOB / 517-373-2576 S 0887 HOB / 517-373-0827 N 0992 HOB / 517-373-1794 N 1097 HOB / 517-373-1796 N 1199 HOB / 517-373-0152 State House District [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Last Name, First Name: Party Location / Phone 019 039 059 079 096 E-mail Walsh, John: R Brown, Lisa: D Lori, Matt: R Pscholka, Al: R Brunner, Charles M.: D 251 CB / 517-373-3920 S 0888 HOB / 517-373-1799 N 0993 HOB / 517-373-0832 N 1098 HOB / 517-373-1403 S 1285 HOB / 517-373-0158 — [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] HOB = House Office Building CB = Capitol Building 020 040 060 080 097 Heise, Kurt: R Moss, Chuck: R McCann, Sean: D Nesbitt, Aric: R Johnson, Joel: R N 0699 HOB / 517-373-3816 351 CB / 517-373-8670 N 0994 HOB / 517-373-1785 N 1099 HOB / 517-373-0839 S 1286 HOB / 517-373-8962 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

001 021 041 061 081 098 Bledsoe, Timothy: D Slavens, Dian: D Knollenberg, Marty: R O’Brien, Margaret E.: R Gilbert, Jud: R Stamas, Jim: R S 0585 HOB / 517-373-0154 S 0785 HOB / 517-373-2575 N 0890 HOB / 517-373-1783 N 0995 HOB / 517-373-1774 S 1185 HOB / 517-373-1790 153 CB / 517-373-1791 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 002 022 042 062 082 099 Howze, Lisa L.: D Geiss, Douglas: D Haugh, Harold: D Segal, Kate: D Daley, Kevin: R Cotter, Kevin: R S 0586 HOB / 517-373-0106 S 0786 HOB / 517-373-0852 N 0891 HOB / 517-373-0854 141 CB / 517-373-0555 S 1186 HOB / 517-373-1800 S 1288 HOB / 517-373-1789 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 003 023 043 063 083 100 Talabi, Alberta Tinsley: D Somerville, Pat: R Haines, Gail: R Bolger, James: R Muxlow, Paul: R Bumstead, Jon: R S 0587 HOB / 517-373-1776 S 0787 HOB / 517-373-0855 N 0892 HOB / 517-373-0615 164 CB / 517-373-1787 S 1187 HOB / 517-373-0835 S 1289 HOB / 517-373-7317 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 004 024 044 064 084 101 Stapleton, Maureen L.: D Forlini, Anthony G.: R Kowall, Eileen: R Poleski, Earl: R Damrow, Kurt: R Franz, Ray A.: R S 0588 HOB / 517-373-1008 S 0788 HOB / 517-373-0113 N 0893 HOB / 517-373-2616 N 0998 HOB / 517-373-1795 S 1188 HOB / 517-373-0476 S 1385 HOB / 517-373-0825 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 005 025 045 065 085 102 Olumba, John: D Switalski, Jon: D McMillin, Tom: R Shirkey, Mike: R Glardon, Ben: R Potvin, Phil: R S 0589 HOB / 517-373-0144 S 0789 HOB / 517-373-1772 N 0894 HOB / 517-373-1773 N 0999 HOB / 517-373-1775 S 1189 HOB / 517-373-0841 S 1386 HOB / 517-373-1747 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 006 026 046 066 086 103 Durhal Jr., Fred: D Townsend, Jim: D Jacobsen, Bradford C.: R Rogers, Bill: R Lyons, Lisa Posthumus: R Rendon, Bruce R.: R S 0685 HOB / 517-373-0844 N 0790 HOB / 517-373-3818 N 0895 HOB / 517-373-1798 S 1085 HOB / 517-373-1784 N 1190 HOB / 517-373-0846 S 1387 HOB / 517-373-3817 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 007 027 047 067 087 104 Womack, Jimmy: D Lipton, Ellen: D Denby, Cindy: R Byrum, Barb: D Callton, D.C., Mike: R Schmidt, Wayne: R S 0686 HOB / 517-373-0589 N 0791 HOB / 517-373-0478 N 0896 HOB / 517-373-8835 S 1086 HOB / 517-373-0587 N 1191 HOB / 517-373-0842 S 1388 HOB / 517-373-1766 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 008 028 048 068 088 105 Stallworth III, Thomas: D Liss, Lesia: D Hammel, Richard: D Bauer, Joan: D Genetski, Bob: R MacMaster, Greg: R S 0687 HOB / 517-373-2276 N 0792 HOB / 517-373-2275 167 CB / 517-373-7557 S 1087 HOB / 517-373-0826 N 1192, HOB / 517-373-0836 S 1389 HOB / 517-373-0829 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 009 029 049 069 089 106 Jackson, Shanelle: D Melton, Tim: D Ananich, Jim: D Meadows, Mark: D Price, Amanda: R Pettalia, Peter: R S 0688 HOB / 517-373-1705 N 0793 HOB / 517-373-0475 N 0898 HOB / 517-373-7515 S 1088 HOB / 517-373-1786 N 1193 HOB / 517-373-0838 S 1485 HOB / 517-373-0833 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 010 030 050 070 090 107 Santana, Harvey: D Farrington, Jeff: R Smiley, Charles: D Outman, Rick: R Haveman, Joseph: R Foster, Frank D.: R S 0689 HOB / 517-373-6990 N 0794 HOB / 517-373-7768 N 0899 HOB / 517-373-3906 S 1089 HOB / 517-373-0834 N 1194 HOB / 517-373-0830 S 1486 HOB / 517-373-2629 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 011 031 051 071 091 108 Nathan, David: D Lane, Marilyn: D Scott, Paul: R Shaughnessy, Deb: R Hughes, Holly: R McBroom, Edward: R N 0690 HOB / 517-373-3815 N 0795 HOB / 517-373-0159 S 0985 HOB / 517-373-1780 N 1090 HOB / 517-373-0853 N 1195 HOB / 517-373-3436 S 1487 HOB / 517-373-0156 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 012 032 052 072 092 109 Tlaib, Rashida: D LaFontaine, Andrea: R Ouimet, Mark: R Yonker, Ken: R Hovey-Wright, Marcia: D Lindberg, Steven: D N 0691 HOB / 517-373-0823 N 0796 HOB / 517-373-8931 S 0986 HOB / 517-373-0828 N 1091 HOB / 517-373-0840 N 1196 HOB / 517-373-2646 S 1488 HOB / 517-373-0498 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 013 033 053 073 093 110 Kandrevas, Andrew: D Goike, Ken: R Irwin, Jeff: D MacGregor, Peter: R Opsommer, Paul: R Huuki, Matt: R N 0692 HOB / 517-373-0845 N 0797 HOB / 517-373-0820 S 0987 HOB / 517-373-2577 N 1092 HOB / 517-373-0218 N 1197 HOB / 517-373-1778 S 1489 HOB / 517-373-0850 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 014 034 054 074 094 Clemente, Paul: D Stanley, Woodrow: D Rutledge, David: D Agema, David: R Horn, Kenneth: R N 0693 HOB / 517-373-0140 N 0798 HOB / 517-373-8808 S 0988 HOB / 517-373-1771 N 1093 HOB / 517-373-8900 N 1198 HOB / 517-373-0837 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 015 035 055 075 Darany, George T.: D Hobbs, Rudy: D Olson, Rick: R Dillon, Brandon: D N 0694 HOB / 517-373-0847 N 0799 HOB / 517-373-1788 S 0989 HOB / 517-373-1792 N 1094 HOB / 517-373-2668 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Who Is Your Lawmaker? 016 036 056 076 Constan, Bob: D Lund, Pete: R Zorn, Dale W.: R Schmidt, Roy: D www.mackinac.org/9313 N 0695 HOB / 517-373-0849 374 CB / 517-373-0843 N 0990 HOB / 517-373-2617 N 1095 HOB / 517-373-0822 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 017 037 057 077 Cavanagh, Philip M.: D Barnett, Vicki: D Jenkins, Nancy E.: R Hooker, Thomas B.: R N 696 HOB / 517-373-0857 S 0886 HOB / 517-373-1793 N 0991 HOB / 517-373-1706 N 1096 HOB / 517-373-2277 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Michigan Capitol Confidential Spring 2011 | 20

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

House Bill 4325 would get $283.8 million, compared to House Bill 4152 House Version of Fiscal Year $295.8 million last year. $395 million of the Limit certain automatic government 2011-2012 Education Budget, as college and university budgets would come union employee pay hikes passed 59 to 50 in the House from tax revenue earmarked to the School Introduced by state Rep. Marty Introduced by state Chuck Moss, Aid Fund, in the past mostly used just for Knollenberg, R-Troy R-Birmingham K-12 schools.. The bill would establish that when a Passed 59 to 50 in the House on May 26, government employee union contract 2011, the final House-Senate agreement House Bill 4059 has expired and no replacement has been for the 2011-2012 school, community Ban putting union stewards on public payroll negotiated, any seniority-based automatic college and state university budgets. Introduced by state Rep. Marty pay hikes for individual employees (“step It appropriates $12.66 billion for K-12 Knollenberg, R-Troy increases”) may not occur. Also, that any increase in health benefit costs above the public schools, compared to $12.17 billion The bill would ban government or school former contract be borne by the employee, originally recommended by Gov. Rick employee union contracts that pay employees and establish that the wages and benefits Snyder, and $13.13 billion the previous year who are union officials for time they spend on under a new contract may be made retroactive (inflated by $420 million in “stimulus” and the job conducting union business. Among to the expiration date of the old one. other one-time money). Per-pupil grants other government employers, many public would be reduced by $300, but around $100 school districts give local union officials full of that would be “given back” as a pension teacher salary and benefits but do not require senate Bill 144 contribution subsidy, and another $100 them to teach or perform any other educational now public act 22 of 2011 to school districts that adopt specified function. Reportedly the City of Detroit pays $4 Expand 21st Century Jobs reforms including paying 10 percent million annually to these union officials. of health insurance benefits, refusing Fund corporate subsidies Introduced by state Sen. Michael Green. the policy terms of the teacher union’s senate Bill 140 insurance company, competitive bidding on R-Mayville non-instructional services, consolidating NOW PUBLIC ACT 16 of 2011 The bill would authorize granting “21st some services and more transparency. Appropriate $102 million for Century Jobs Fund” corporate subsidies in The budget includes $133 million to cover state land acquisitions the form of cash grants and loans to certain potential transition costs of a possible Introduced by state Sen. Darwin Booher, information technology and agricultural school employee pension reform. R-Evart processing firms selected by state “economic + The bill would appropriate $102 million development” officials. The bill also appropriates $1.36 billion for from the state Natural Resources Trust Fund state universities, compared to $1.58 billion for various land acquisitions and recreation the previous year, and more would be cut projects. State oil and gas well royalty money is from universities that raise tuition by more earmarked for this fund. than 7.1 percent. Community colleges