Michigan Budget SNAFU

The Final Countdown

It has been a scary summer wading in the cesspool that is the Michigan State budget. On October 1st, the budget year starts and we have yet to see our legislature cope with the looming 1.7 billion dollar deficit. In the past the state has relied too heavily on the restricted funds (gas, lottery, hunting licenses, etc.). Now that those resources are dried up due to our tanking economy, both sides of the aisle need to take direct responsibility for the general fund. If we ever get past this current partisan pissing match, the end result will have to be a combination of spending cuts and increase in the income tax. Now we just got to get someone to pull the trgger and act.

After lunch I checked the current agendas for today’s Senate (Republican majority) and House (Democrat majority) sessions:

-Sentencing guidelines for child abuse & abuse exacted by caregivers on old people or caregivers stealing their bank accounts.
-Give business a tax credit for actual expenses incurred for equipment necessary to collect those old dirty pop/beer cans & bottles.
-Provide for interim funding in the event no budget agreement is reached by the deadline.
-A resolution to encourage pharmacists to warn parents about the dangers of prescription drugs.
-A resolution to urge the Federal government to give money to the US Army Corp of Engineers so they can keep recreational harbors dredged deep enough for big luxury boats.


What budget? Hence my frustration! Way to get on it, guys!


Note to self: Next election do not vote for any incumbents!

Never Forget

A Great Light Has Gone Out - Shakespeare

I have been playing Puccini’s Nessum Dorma on repeat today. I wrote a paper in college about Pavarotti's ability to bring opera to the masses. Regardless of your taste in music it is impossible not to be moved every time you hear Pavarotti tackle this piece. Below is a link to his last performance.

Nessun Dorma by Pavarotti at Torino 2006
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaufjDVYivc

Quote of the Day

“Democrats are people with no ideas where as Republicans are the people with bad ideas.”

–Lewis Black