Michigan Resource Guide
Sam Adams State Resource Guides are designed to help citizens get involved in their home state. Do you have additional information that you'd like to see on this list? Please email your tips to resources@samadamsalliance.org .
BACKGROUND
Michigan, home to over 10 million people, is a beautiful place--but it is also in the midst of a harsh economic downturn that has pushed anunprecedented number of people and jobs out of the state. While state residents struggle with an oppressive tax climate, government employees and unions are riding high. Many state politicians, meanwhile, argue that evenhigher taxes will solve the state's woes.
When it comes to reforming Michigan's current political scene and holding the state government accountable, there is a lot of work to be done.Fortunately, Michigan also boasts a great number of local groups and citizenleaders working to make real change.
KEY ISSUES
Tax recalls:
Tax-hike talk in Lansing fires up prospects for recalls
Organizers of prospective recall campaigns are increasing the volume of their saber rattling, showing up Monday at a Macomb Community College budget forum sponsored by a Detroit lawmaker wearing "Recall Lansing" T-shirts and setting dates for "Recall Boot Camps" next week to train volunteers.
Leon Drolet, a former state representative from Macomb County and leader of the Michigan Taxpayers Alliance, said the boot camps will provide practical information about how to conduct a campaign. Leading them will be a pair of Wisconsin grassroots activists with a 75% success ratio. Click here to learn more.
City Charters: Saginaw residents will have the opportunity to vote on a new city charter on August 7, 2007. The charter is designed to bring more government accountability, and to give the Saginaw residents a say in how things are managed. Learn more here.
ACTION GROUPS
Michigan Taxpayer's Association
Wayne County Taxpayers Association or here
Kalamazoo County Taxpayers Association
Michigan Citizens for Tax Reform
Bay County Taxpayers' Association
Michigan Education Action Group
Delta County Citizens Reform Group
(906) 789-9742
Macomb County Taxpayers' Association
(586) 463-1950
THINK TANKS
Mackinac Center for Public Policy
TOOLS
Michigan Votes! Search through this session's legislation, check your legislator's voting record, or even stay updated by email as bills move through the legislature.
A Michigan School Money Primer
Lansing State Journal's Public Employee Salary Search
Kalamazoo Gazette's FOIA guide
Letter to the editor contact information
Right to Work - Michigan
BLOGS
Politics through Michigan eyes
POLTICAL NEWS
Please note: The Sam Adams Alliance is not responsible for and does not necessarily agree with the opinions and ideas that are expressed on these links.
