As reported by Michigan Independent Research Service last night:
HB4361 is being considered in the Senate:
The original plan was to kick HB 4361 out of committee on Wednesday after two days of hearings. Now that might be Thursday -- the day the bill was supposed to be before the full Senate. It appears two of the Republican members on the panel -- Sen. Patrick COLBECK (R-Canton) and Sen. David ROBERTSON (R-Grand Blanc) -- are "no" votes, which would mean the bill can't get out of committee. A source told MIRS today that Robertson railed against the bill in caucus today as a tax increase. It appears there still aren't the votes to pass it in the full Senate, so waiting until Thursday will give leadership more time to get the 19 minimum votes needed for passage, which would mean Lt. Gov. Brian CALLEY would have to break the tie.
The pension tax compromise remains the sticking point in the bill. Calley argued that the current tax system is unfair because seniors -- the fastest-growing population -- are exempt. He said Michigan is heading for a "demographic explosion" and by 2030 nearly 20 percent of Michigan's population will be retired.
On Monday, the House Fiscal Agency released its quarterly Revenue Review which showed that the state has collected $455 million more in total state revenue than was projected in January of this year. These are actual revenues, not projections and are in addition to any additional revenue that comes out as part of the Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference on Monday, May 16.
TAKE ACTION and send an email to your lawmakers and tell them to use this existing money to offset cuts to K-12 education. FIND ADDRESSES OF SENATORS UNDER THE LETTER!!! Please use your home email!
A Sample letter:
Dear Senator:
Use surplus to restore education cuts.
On Monday, the House Fiscal Agency released its May 2011 Revenue Review which showed that the state has collected $455 million more in total state revenue than was projected in January of this year. These are actual revenues, not projections and are in addition to any additional revenue that comes out as part of the Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference (CREC) on Monday, May 16.
Please use the existing surplus revenue and any additional revenue that comes out of the May CREC to backfill the devastating cuts that the legislature has proposed.
Our children's education is too important for these games. Thank you in advance for your support and I look forward to hearing your response.
WRITE THESE PEOPLE or CALL!!!!
The Governor!!!!
Rick.Snyder@michigan.gov
PHONE: (517) 373-3400 PHONE: (517) 335-7858 - Constituent Services
State Senator Mike Kowall R-White Lake Twp, 517-373-1758
Other "KEY” Senators to write:
Sen. Howard Walker, R - Grand Traverse - Chair
SenHWalker@senate.michigan.gov
Sen. John Pappageorge, R – Troy
SenJPappageorge@senate.michigan.gov
Sen. Bruce Caswell, R - Hillsdale - Vice Chair
SenBCaswell@senate.michigan.gov
