Getting Mighty Crowded
Episode Number: 1793Publication Date: Wednesday, April 25, 2007
It's getting mighty crowded at state capitols in Michigan and Minnesota.
Politicians in both states want to raise just about every tax ever dreamed up. And they're even dreaming up brand new ones.
Which means citizen leaders in both states are mobilizing taxpayers.
Michigan government faces a $686 million deficit, in no small part caused by already sky-high taxes that are driving people and businesses right out of the state. At a Michigan Taxpayers Alliance rally, Eric Tubbs, a car dealer from Sandusky, carried a sign that read "Not Another Penny, Jenny." Tubbs says Governor Jennifer Granholm's tax-raising will "drive more people out of Michigan. It's hurting my business. It's hurting our economy."
But even with a looming deficit, legislators are proposing new spending. Including — I kid you not — buying an iPod for every student. This brilliant idea led the Detroit News to argue "the crisis Michigan faces is not a shortage of revenue, but an excess of idiocy."
In Minnesota, taxpayers just held the largest capitol rally in state history, organized by "Mr. Right," radio talk show host Jason Lewis. Even though the state has a surplus and legislators gave themselves a pay raise, legislators are now clamoring for more money.
And the state's aggressive Taxpayers League is mobilizing opposition to the legislature's grabby fingers.
If you're a taxpayer headed to the capitol to talk taxes with your legislator, be sure to give yourself extra time to find a parking space.
This is Common Sense. I'm Paul Jacob.
