Comments on: Republicans propose late year cut for schools, plus many more cuts http://www.leelanau.com/blog/republicans-propose-late-year-cut-for-schools-plus-many-more-cuts/ News, Weather, Events & Photos from Leelanau County & Northern Michigan Fri, 25 Jul 2008 06:48:32 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Andrew McFarlane http://www.leelanau.com/blog/republicans-propose-late-year-cut-for-schools-plus-many-more-cuts/#comment-2273 Andrew McFarlane Wed, 11 Apr 2007 12:03:34 +0000 http://www.leelanau.com/blog/republicans-propose-late-year-cut-for-schools-plus-many-more-cuts/#comment-2273 I think that a big part of the problem is that our modern political discourse is all about hiding from the world. We have no idea what will be done to fix Michigan's budget because we refuse to really look at the whole picture and address root causes like the skyrocketing cost of pensions and insurance. I am certainly NOT advocating cutting pensions and such - just saying that we need to recognize that these increasing costs are major drivers of our fiscal troubles. Likewise, we have no idea to what extent global warming will affect us because we can't get beyond how much power Al Gore's house consumes and other mindless non-issues. Until we take the time to be honest with ourselves and address the real challenges we face in energy, geopolitics, food, education and health care we will constantly be in crisis mode. Aren't we big enough boys and girls to take an honest and dispassionate look at our world? I hope so because I have a little boy and girl who are tired of people looking at them and saying "You'll have a lot to fix when you get big." I think that a big part of the problem is that our modern political discourse is all about hiding from the world.

We have no idea what will be done to fix Michigan's budget because we refuse to really look at the whole picture and address root causes like the skyrocketing cost of pensions and insurance. I am certainly NOT advocating cutting pensions and such - just saying that we need to recognize that these increasing costs are major drivers of our fiscal troubles.

Likewise, we have no idea to what extent global warming will affect us because we can't get beyond how much power Al Gore's house consumes and other mindless non-issues.

Until we take the time to be honest with ourselves and address the real challenges we face in energy, geopolitics, food, education and health care we will constantly be in crisis mode.

Aren't we big enough boys and girls to take an honest and dispassionate look at our world? I hope so because I have a little boy and girl who are tired of people looking at them and saying "You'll have a lot to fix when you get big."

]]> By: jaydee http://www.leelanau.com/blog/republicans-propose-late-year-cut-for-schools-plus-many-more-cuts/#comment-2272 jaydee Tue, 10 Apr 2007 15:24:15 +0000 http://www.leelanau.com/blog/republicans-propose-late-year-cut-for-schools-plus-many-more-cuts/#comment-2272 No doubt Michigan is in financial distress. And neither party in Lansing ever gets real about managing the state budget. For instance,with respects to proposed budget cuts: It would be a mere pittance, I know, but how about taking all those state cars away from our supreme court and appellate judges? (and other employees who don't need this perk.) A cost of over $350,000 for the judges, and that probably doesn't include the costs to the state of insuring and maintaining this fleet. Let them practice corporate law if they want those perks. And let the legislators examine their own expenses...what does it cost us as taxpayers when these folks get elected? No doubt Michigan is in financial distress. And neither party in Lansing ever gets real about managing the state budget.

For instance,with respects to proposed budget cuts: It would be a mere pittance, I know, but how about taking all those state cars away from our supreme court and appellate judges? (and other employees who don't need this perk.) A cost of over $350,000 for the judges, and that probably doesn't include the costs to the state of insuring and maintaining this fleet. Let them practice corporate law if they want those perks. And let the legislators examine their own expenses...what does it cost us as taxpayers when these folks get elected?

]]> By: Andrew McFarlane http://www.leelanau.com/blog/republicans-propose-late-year-cut-for-schools-plus-many-more-cuts/#comment-2060 Andrew McFarlane Tue, 03 Apr 2007 10:34:55 +0000 http://www.leelanau.com/blog/republicans-propose-late-year-cut-for-schools-plus-many-more-cuts/#comment-2060 This is what the Senate Republicans are talking about for this year, Susan. I have heard cuts as high as $50 for this year. If the state cannot align revenues and expenditures, I would expect more cuts for the next fiscal year. This is what the Senate Republicans are talking about for this year, Susan. I have heard cuts as high as $50 for this year. If the state cannot align revenues and expenditures, I would expect more cuts for the next fiscal year.

]]> By: Susan Och http://www.leelanau.com/blog/republicans-propose-late-year-cut-for-schools-plus-many-more-cuts/#comment-1877 Susan Och Mon, 02 Apr 2007 01:16:03 +0000 http://www.leelanau.com/blog/republicans-propose-late-year-cut-for-schools-plus-many-more-cuts/#comment-1877 Andy, is this the Republican's alternative to the 2 cent tax on services? Or is the alternative $34 per student now and more cuts next year? Would the services tax mean no cuts to school funding? Andy, is this the Republican's alternative to the 2 cent tax on services? Or is the alternative $34 per student now and more cuts next year?

Would the services tax mean no cuts to school funding?

]]> By: Andrew McFarlane http://www.leelanau.com/blog/republicans-propose-late-year-cut-for-schools-plus-many-more-cuts/#comment-1426 Andrew McFarlane Fri, 23 Mar 2007 15:26:45 +0000 http://www.leelanau.com/blog/republicans-propose-late-year-cut-for-schools-plus-many-more-cuts/#comment-1426 I recommend that you call your school superintendent or school board and ask them how they plan to deal with this. Then consider calling your legislators. I recommend that you call your school superintendent or school board and ask them how they plan to deal with this. Then consider calling your legislators.

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