Michigan Politics

Sen. Levin Speaks Out Against Using 'Nuclear Option' in U.S. Senate

By Bill Nowling

03/03/2010

As President Obama threatens to use a Parliamentary procedure known a “reconciliation” to end debate on healthcare reform and force an up or down vote, it’s good to note that Michigan’s senior senator opposes such a naked power grab.

In 2005, Michigan U.S. Sen. Carl Levin called the use “reconciliation” to end debate — as the president and some Democrats have suggested be done with regard to the healthcare — a “nuclear option” that would “destroy” the institution of the Senate.

health care, Michigan Politics, President Obama, Sen. Carl Levin

A wicked good Senate win

By Bill Nowling

01/20/2010

It was the final nail in Martha Coakley's coffin and it came around 3 p.m. yesterday when I got an e-mail update that Ray Flynn just announced he voted for Scott Brown in the special election to fill the U.S. Senate seat left open by the death of Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass.

Who the heck is Ray Flynn, you ask? He was the 52nd mayor of Boston until President Bill Clinton appointed him U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See (that's the Vatican). Think Big Democrat and even Bigger Irish Catholic.

Michigan Politics

A $36 Billion Question

By Bill Nowling

10/15/2009

There sure is a lot of talk going on about the 'T' word. Our own Pastor David Swink blogs about how he's thankful for what his taxes buy in our community. Others are talking about how we need to either: 1) Cut taxes; 2) Raise Taxes; or, 3) Restructure Taxes.

It's a pretty rigorous debate in Lansing right now with the state's cupboards bare and a lingering recession making futile any attempt to forecast our financial future.

Budget, Michigan Politics, Taxes

Pay Now or Pay Later

Bill Nowling

10/08/2009

The Fram Filer Guy said it best in the old TV commercial: You can pay me now or pay me later.

That's what is going on in the fight in Lansing to get a K-12 funding bill passed and on the governor's desk this week.

The School Aid Fund (which is how school districts get about 60 percent of their operating funds) is in a deficit for the 2010 Fiscal Year, which started on Oct. 1.

Budget, Michigan Politics, School Funding

Anatomy of a Budget Buster

Bill Nowling

10/02/2009

Since I am already on the Labor-Has-Too-Much-Political-Schwack jag I figured why not just lay blame for the blink-of-an-eye brief government shutdown this week at the feet of the Michigan Education Association -- the teachers' union?

The Wheels on the ‘Dem’ Bus Go Round and Round

By Bill Nowling

09/28/2009

It's time Michigan Democrats kick organized labor off the bus, or a least pry its white-knuckled fingers off the steering wheel before they all go careening -- and the state with it -- off the Mackinac Bridge.

I know, I know. “Them are fightin words.” In the land of Walter Reuther and Doug Fraser, one does tempt the gods with such musings. But, for the sake of Michigan, we have to ask whether we are better off with a political system -- and by that I mean a state legislative political system -- that must genuflect toward that hallowed ground known as Solidarity House?

Andy Dillon, Healthcare, Labor, Michigan Politics, Reform