Top 5: Michigan's most unproductive reactions to Gov. Rick Snyder's budget
Michigan got a look at its new Gov. Rick Snyder's first budget proposal this morning, and a whole lot of people are angry. The cuts go across the board, and they’re delivering on the promised pain. But will the final budget look like this? At this point, it’s questionable - there’s plenty of negotiating to come.
But in a time of fiscal crisis, we appreciate the effort to be bold and balanced. And this is the type of document that will generate serious discussion about reform - if we can avoid falling into the old political traps.
Here are Business Review's picks for the Top 5 unproductive reactions to this budget:
Michigan's State Capitol.
From galenfry.com
2. Surprise. Really? You didn’t know the state faced a crisis? We’ve been heading in this direction for years. We’ve watched the Legislature bungle the budget year after year (remember the threat of government shutdowns?) We act like we want change. We know it has to come from somewhere, and it arrived today.
3. Partisanship. The elected officials who immediately start to point fingers and denigrate the opposite party are sending voters a clear message. It’s saying: I’m here to ride the party lines and won’t be evaluating the needs of the state or solutions to them on their own merit.
4. The knee-jerk. The fixed-income crowd can always be counted upon for a strong reaction, so anything affecting pensions is going to trumpet panic. Ditto education, public employees, and municipalities. Many of us will think something’s unfair. We also owe it to the state and its future generations to ask: “Why shouldn’t this be changed?” and reasonably answer it. We might still say a cut is unfair. But it needs throughtful vetting.
5. Rigidity. I’ll be devastated if my child’s elementary school closes, disappointed if city services are further cut and concerned if my library limits acquisitions. But nothing should be left “off the table.” Michigan can’t prioritize every funding category. It needs to choose the most meaningful among many important categories; but while facing $1.5 billion in cuts, not all programs will survive. My firm stance on my priority means I’m willing to sacrifice someone else’s priority. That’s not productive. I’m watching to see who can advocate without strongarming.
Paula Gardner is Business News Director of AnnArbor.com. Contact her at 734-623-2586 or by email. Sign up for the weekly Business Review newsletter, distributed every Thursday, here.
Comments
LarryJ
Fri, Feb 18, 2011 : 10:11 p.m.
SNYDER SOLUTION to budget shortfall: 1. Give $$$ to business. 2. Take from the elderly. 3. Take from low-income workers. 4. Take from the schools. 5. Give more to business. Is this really spreading the pain? Is this, by any imagination, the way to build a good future for our state? If the state needs $$$, why doesn't the state take it from those who have $$$ and who will feel the least pain? Those with high income!
Andy
Fri, Feb 18, 2011 : 9:32 p.m.
I'm with Paula. Per Jack Lessenbury's recent column: 'The only other states with income taxes that don't tax pension income are Alabama, Mississippi and Pennsylvania.' Why should everyone else have to pay more because retirees aren't willing to pay their fair share?
Audion Man
Fri, Feb 18, 2011 : 8:57 p.m.
My God... this "new media" has been completely co-opted by corporate tools. Journalism has been replaced by incessant sucking up to the business world. Shut up and take your tax increases and services cuts, slaves!
jcj
Fri, Feb 18, 2011 : 9:16 p.m.
Take a pill! And go to bed!
Alan Goldsmith
Fri, Feb 18, 2011 : 4:27 p.m.
The 'fixed income crowd'? Paula, were you holding your nose when you typed that phase? Sounds like it.
Cash
Fri, Feb 18, 2011 : 5:15 p.m.
Bwahaaaa...it does, doesn't it?
Alan Goldsmith
Fri, Feb 18, 2011 : 4:25 p.m.
This explains why the AnnArbor.com business coverage is so clueless. Thanks Paula for the assistance.
Awakened
Fri, Feb 18, 2011 : 4:01 p.m.
Do not forget that media outlets are businesses.
jcj
Fri, Feb 18, 2011 : 3:37 p.m.
Everyone throws around the term "fixed income" as if everyone on a "fixed income" gets the same amount of money! THE TRUTH is their are many on a "fixed income" that are doing quite well! I count myself in this category. I know "middle class" couples that are drawing a pension and SS that are making $6,000 to $7,000 a month. I am not one of them! The OTHER TRUTH is there are many on a "fixed income" that are barely getting by! I know "middle class seniors" that are getting by on about $800 a month or less. I do not expect someone that is having a hard time making ends meet now to pay more. But I do not have a problem with those that are doing quite well on a fixed income paying more to help this State get turned around.
A2Since74
Sat, Feb 19, 2011 : 4:53 p.m.
In 1994 Gov Engler's solution to the budget crises was create jobs and balance the budget was to create income tax exemptions for pensions and limit property tax increases , to equalize property taxes across richer and poorer parts of the state, and to increase taxes on Businesses. In 2011 Gov Snyders solution to the budget crises is to create jobs and balance the budget is to do just the opposite. Go figure!
DJ6227
Fri, Feb 18, 2011 : 2:39 p.m.
What did the Govenor mean by private pensions being taxed? That goverment worker pensions, teachers, police, firefighters ect. are excluded?
A2Since74
Sat, Feb 19, 2011 : 4:40 p.m.
I believe Private Pensions are exempt from Michigan Income tax up to something like $75K for a joint return. Typically, private pensions are NOT indexed for cost of living so they are truey fixed income. Public Pensions have no limit on exemptions, and typically they ARE indexed for cost of living. Why there is this fundamental difference in the way Public and Private pensions are handled I do not know. This is common practice all over the county, and has been for some time.
russellr
Fri, Feb 18, 2011 : 2:23 p.m.
This is how the truth goes. I'm a senior, I get $7.75 hour working. We pay $2,400.00 a year in property taxes. We have our own well (no city water) We pay for our garbage pickup (private contractor) We live on a dirt road ( no paved road no gutters no street lighting) College and School ( no children in school for last 10 years) My kids and I paid for there college education( no help from state or Feds) I could go on. Now your telling me we have to sacrifice more???? I don't know where its going to come from. Thanks for putting the screws in deeper for the seniors. There is other places you can take money from this is just the most conveinient. I have learned to live on my small pay, its all you people making these choices for us that do not know how to save money and stop spending. May I quote the Bible Ecclesiastes 12:1-14 Please read I don't have space to type. Thank you
John Q
Fri, Feb 18, 2011 : 2:21 p.m.
"This is a tough budget that is making everyone unhappy about something in it. It is what was expected. " You've got this wrong. What in this plan would make businesses unhappy? They got about everything they wanted.
DonBee
Fri, Feb 18, 2011 : 2:11 p.m.
This is a tough budget that is making everyone unhappy about something in it. It is what was expected. It is no fun and it will not be fun to watch it go through the process in Lansing. Every group from AARP to the Employee Unions will pour millions of dollars into their lobbyist hands to change this budget. The only people getting rich off this budget will be the lobbyists. If you need a job, apply to the lobby firms in Lansing, they have, I am sure openings. MESSA and others will be throwing money at keeping the status quo. If we get this right, and a number of other changes to the way Michigan treats people, companies and others, then we should see jobs come back. The only positive thing I can see is the debate is starting 2 months earlier than usual, so there is a chance there will be a budget for people to plan with and with a two year budget in place, there is certainty for next year - unhappy certainty for sure.
Ed Kimball
Fri, Feb 18, 2011 : 1:43 p.m.
As a member of the "fixed-income" (i.e., retiree) crowd, I have long felt that the Michigan tax code is unnecessarily generous to those of us whose income is "fixed" but still more than adequate. My wife and I are willing to pay more in taxes to help balance the budget. But the Governor asked for shared sacrifice. I see us sharing the sacrifice with the poor, students in school (both K-12 and college) and the employees who serve the public. How are businesses sharing the sacrifice? They certainly share the benefits of a public who can afford their goods and services, an educated work force, and public safety workers. But, according to the budget, their taxes are going down by $1.8 billion! Sure, the government is phasing out the tax credit to filmmakers, but on last night's news I heard the state Budget Director explain how the state will make up much of the difference. The budget says that "Governor Snyder believes Michigan can no longer afford to exempt any segment of the population from supporting an equitable share of public services." Aren't business owners a segment of the population?
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Fri, Feb 18, 2011 : 12:50 p.m.
Marie Antoinette: Let them eat cake Paula, et. al.: The "fixed income crowd" can always become WalMart greeters Good Night and Good Luck
Craig Lounsbury
Fri, Feb 18, 2011 : 11:44 a.m.
Dear Fixed income crowd, you should all stop jerking your knees and just be happy the "fluid income crowd" throws you a bone. In fact if this passes you'll become a member of the fluid income crowd. Your income will flow down.
Cash
Fri, Feb 18, 2011 : 12:53 p.m.
Cin, I should add that I have had private insurance foe years. Private insurance is WAY more restrictive than Medicare....not to mention the huge copays and deductibles. When health goes down the tubes everything falls apart fast. If you are blessed enough to get really old, you will find that out. All of the big ideas about it's every man for himself seem very selfish then.
Cash
Fri, Feb 18, 2011 : 12:46 p.m.
Cin, You should tell you Corporate pals that message! Corporate welfare is killing taxpayers! If the elderly should not depend on government, then neither should big business. Case closed.
cinnabar7071
Fri, Feb 18, 2011 : 12:35 p.m.
cash its to bad your doesn't have his own health ins, now hes stuck with what ever the gov't decides. Thats the result of depending on other people, sometimes they have their own best interest in mind. Want control over your life? Take it back from the gov't or take what you get.
Cash
Fri, Feb 18, 2011 : 11:48 a.m.
Craig, Excellent comment!! LOL And I could use that bone, thanks! My friend is 70 and needs a repair and can't afford it. Medicare doesn't deem it necessary that she can walk. Happy days are here again..............Old age ain't for sissies!
Cash
Fri, Feb 18, 2011 : 11:25 a.m.
Dear Paula, " The fixed-income crowd can always be counted upon for a strong reaction, so anything affecting pensions is going to trumpet panic." I have never seen a more insulting comment in a "blog". Panic? Remember the story about the old man whose wife died in the fire and how the hospital and funeral home brought him to see her body? We were all crying. Then a day later you think a reaction to a 100% tax increase on top of the pain of the elderly is PANIC?? Let me tell you this clearly... The fixed income crowd as you call us, are the very people who still subscribe to your rag. That is certainly an expense we will have to cut. Why would we continue to pay you to insult us?
Cash
Fri, Feb 18, 2011 : 11:17 a.m.
I have one question: Why is it when the Republican governor wants to raise state tax on elderly by 100% it is called SHARED SACRIFICE and when the president wants to raise taxes on the richest 10% of Americans it is called SOCIALISM?
Cash
Fri, Feb 18, 2011 : 12:36 p.m.
Cutting the budget is good as long as helps major corporations and the wealthy? Good thinking. Corporate America ALWAYS looks out for us.
cinnabar7071
Fri, Feb 18, 2011 : 12:31 p.m.
It's because his cutting the budget at the same time. I have no problem paying more in taxes as long as the spending stops. If a person is bleeding out you don't just keep giving them blood, you also patch the hole.
tim
Fri, Feb 18, 2011 : 4:22 a.m.
Hey Snyder if your going to destroy the public schools then at least give us vouchers so we can send our kids to private schools--- it wouldn't cost the state any more.
braggslaw
Fri, Feb 18, 2011 : 3:43 a.m.
As do I, let's see the process play out.
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Fri, Feb 18, 2011 : 3:40 a.m.
I rest my case. Good Night and Good Luck
macjont
Fri, Feb 18, 2011 : 3:33 a.m.
"Tough times call for tough measures Anybody at the public trough is going to call foul." Teachers, police officers, and fire fighters ---- people at the public trough? You have got to be kidding me! That is the most disgusting reaction one can imagine.
braggslaw
Fri, Feb 18, 2011 : 12:59 p.m.
The slime of our tax dollars... sheesh All those tax dollars are not from the state... they are from people paying income taxes. Your argument is based on taking money from other people and giving it to other people.
Cash
Fri, Feb 18, 2011 : 11:58 a.m.
the public trough is busy right now....Corporate America is covered with the slime of our tax dollars and continues to eat at it's pleasure.
braggslaw
Fri, Feb 18, 2011 : 3:42 a.m.
All people make choices in their profession and are subject to market forces. There are no sacred professions.
braggslaw
Fri, Feb 18, 2011 : 2:54 a.m.
The social contract was broken long ago... I for one did not sign up for a social contract where I pay a 45% tax rate so I can take care of people who made poor decisions or are just plain lazy. I have empathy for children, but not for teacher's unions. When the minority pays to take of the majority, how is that a social contract? 80% of federal services are paid for by 20% of the people. The median income of the U.S. is in the top 10 in the world. While the per capita GDP is even higher. These conditions are skewed in Michigan due to the lack of skills and education of a large portion of Michigan residents. But whose fault is that? From my vantage point, I am in the majority, which is why Snyder was elected. God help us if the majority believes they deserve the money others earn. I might buy a shack on the Huron, collect welfare and fish all day.
golfer
Fri, Feb 18, 2011 : 1:47 a.m.
i think the golden years are now when we were in high school. i know we have to do something but when you make the poor much more poor. the retires from being watch our money to the poor class. that is a no no. if you do not have money now how can you do the basics. medical is going up. so is the plan. if you do not have money for rx's. that will help out michigan. you do not have to move out of state just die.
1bit
Fri, Feb 18, 2011 : 12:46 a.m.
1. The State does not have the money to meet funding demands 2. Cuts and/or increases in revenue are necessary ergo: Angst The budget proposal is exactly that: a proposal. The elected legislators can debate the details, but at the end of the day we need a balanced budget. This isn't about winners and losers, because we all lose if we can't get our house in order.
1bit
Fri, Feb 18, 2011 : 12:48 p.m.
johnny: I am unfamiliar with any contracts or agreements that stated that pension income would never be taxed.
johnnya2
Fri, Feb 18, 2011 : 3:50 a.m.
1 bit The reason it is not equitable, is because when you signed up for that contract within the state of Michigan, you accepted the offer BECAUSE it was not a taxed item. Imagine your boss offers you a job, but then tells you AFTER many years on the job that you will be required to pay for a $75k car each year. Would you negotiate a higher salary, or maybe make decisions that are different? A retiree accepted that pension in place of the chance to get a higher paying job BECAUSE they were thinking long term. The Snyder crowd is thinking short-term as most "ceo types" do. They think quarter by quarter. The entire structural deficit is because of the Engler failed plan at lowering property taxes by giving us a FIFTY peer cent sales tax increase.
1bit
Fri, Feb 18, 2011 : 2:37 a.m.
Craig: If the budget were truly balanced then we wouldn't be in this mess. A balanced budget doesn't just plug holes, it plans for future deficits. The "new tax" you describe is indeed a revenue generator - something that also needs to be done in addition to cutting spending. For a retiree bringing in $20,000/yr in pension income, this equates to a $71/month increase (note that Social Security benefits will not be taxed). Why do you believe it is equitable that pension income is not taxable? Although it may be popular to bash businesses, they are the ones who hire people. People with jobs pay taxes - that helps everyone. It seems pretty clear in this budget proposal that the idea is to stimulate businesses to come to (or stay in) Michigan and hire people here.
Craig Lounsbury
Fri, Feb 18, 2011 : 12:50 a.m.
The budget gets balanced every year angst and all. Its just been awhile since the balancing act included a new tax on the elderly to help offset a significant tax decrease for business.
Craig Lounsbury
Fri, Feb 18, 2011 : 12:39 a.m.
I think my favorite part is: "4. The knee-jerk. The fixed-income crowd....." If only that pesky " knee-jerking fixed income crowd" would pay their fair share we wouldn't be in this mess. If we could just rid of them all together along with that state required price sticker on their box of prunes the world would fall in to place.
Cash
Fri, Feb 18, 2011 : 11:19 a.m.
You've got that right. Shared sacrifice? HA!! Big corporations are eating at the public trough now and the elderly are thrown into it.
Craig Lounsbury
Fri, Feb 18, 2011 : 4:12 a.m.
I'm 59 and I was trying to be sarcastic. Evidently I failed to get that across to you. She used the term "knee jerk" and "fixed income crowd" because it sounds much more sanitized than to call them our retired senior citizens. I find it reprehensible to add a tax to them and reduce a tax on business.
macjont
Fri, Feb 18, 2011 : 3:37 a.m.
This one takes the cake. The fixed income crowd has been working and paying taxes since before you were born. (Assumption: with your attitude, you must be far from retirement.) What you have to say is a product of far too many prunes. Or, as my mother used say, you are full of prunes.
E. Manuel Goldstein
Fri, Feb 18, 2011 : 12:34 a.m.
Michigan = Gateway - The Sequel
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Thu, Feb 17, 2011 : 11:23 p.m.
I wish I were surprised by the utter lack of empathy shown by posters in this discussion and in others toward those for whom the proposed cuts are disastrous. Unfortunately it is not at all surprising that the "usual suspects" have responded with such poorly disguised glee. Just one more piece of evidence that our civil society is becoming less so. Just one more piece of evidence that the social contract that binds us together is in shreds. Good Night and Good Luck
snapshot
Sat, Feb 19, 2011 : 5:22 a.m.
What amazes me is that citizens allowed the "system" to become so unmanageable due to the unfair influences of "special" interest groups. Now that someone in power has the guts to put forth equitable funding measures, the special interest groups who have been enjoying a free ride are calling "foul". Now one wants to relinquish the power of the buck. They'd rather see people die from lack of health care and medication, lose their homes, go without dental care, and eat crappy food, than not be able to dine out 5 days a week, travel to foreign lands, or drive a new car every two years.
Cash
Fri, Feb 18, 2011 : 12:31 p.m.
Ed for governor!
cinnabar7071
Fri, Feb 18, 2011 : 2:57 a.m.
Ed it's the spending thats disastrous, the cuts are reality.
1bit
Fri, Feb 18, 2011 : 12:49 a.m.
To whom are the proposed cuts "disastrous"?
DFleming
Thu, Feb 17, 2011 : 10:40 p.m.
Cinnabar, I would help pay for my parents meds: I can't work , have no health care for my asthma drugs can't afford them.. I get no help from anyone, when I went to apply for help for meds, they told me I was from the wrong country , only immigrants get free med. care in Michigan......... I worked paid into the system in Michigan for over 40 years never asked for help now I can't get it, why isn't this program stopped, we pay fro immigrants pregnancy the more they have the more cash they get they get free housing, meds food, I get noting when I asked and paid into it for like I said 40 years...... The lady at the office said I was born in the wrong country .....
tommy_t
Thu, Feb 17, 2011 : 10:03 p.m.
Typical perspective from a comfortable biased perch. Fluff it some more.
cinnabar7071
Thu, Feb 17, 2011 : 10:33 p.m.
DFleming feel free to help your mother out with meds. Really I mean that, she raised you and your going to let stop taking her meds?
DFleming
Thu, Feb 17, 2011 : 10:20 p.m.
Wow so many retired people who live on very little already, are in panic mode. My mother for one who is disabled has a meager pension lives pay check to pay check will now have to go off some of her meds to make up for the cut to her income, which is at poverty level already . Can't we take from the top tier of income earners this time? This would make more sense than to devastate the lowest income earners.......
catfishrisin
Thu, Feb 17, 2011 : 10 p.m.
"Michigan can't prioritize every funding category. It needs to choose the most meaningful among many important categories" Huh??? Isn't choosing the most meaningful the same as prioritizing??? Programs should be prioritized because some programs ARE more important than others. It's called "strategic cutting".
kmgeb2000
Thu, Feb 17, 2011 : 9:32 p.m.
So it labeled a "Column", under which has a subheading "Topic: Business Review, Government, News, Opinion". I would have to agree with Hot Dice on the premise that it cannot be both news and opinion. One or the other should be clearly identified otherwise it's propaganda - opinion hidden under the guise of news to move forward a specific agenda. I guess the formal task of creating a physical paper took a more attention to detail, as what was printed was permanent. Now the internet text can eb and flow from one state to another depending on the moment viewed - not a good thing for a democracy.
Paula Gardner
Thu, Feb 17, 2011 : 9:41 p.m.
Those "subheads" are titles of sections where this appears. We regularly use the "Top 5" format to react to news issues, and believe the ranking structure on its own conveys subjectivity in the content.
Hot Dice
Thu, Feb 17, 2011 : 8:40 p.m.
Paula, if you think delegitimizing half of a debate by calling it unproductive is objective news reporting, I'd like to show you where the opinion section is. And before you start pointing frantically at the fact that your information is sourced, why don't you go ahead and consider the source.
Awakened
Fri, Feb 18, 2011 : 4:06 p.m.
You all seem to have forgotted that media outlets in Michigan are businesses not disinterested parties.
Cash
Fri, Feb 18, 2011 : 11:14 a.m.
100% tax increase to the elderly to hand over to big corporations is NOT thoughtless opposition. It is outrage. Paula if you are very LUCKY you too will be old and find out what it is like to pay for Medicare to get only basic care, still pay property taxes, still pay federal taxes, still pay sales taxes, know your income will NEVER increase...and now Snyder raises your Mich tax 100%. Outrageous.
catfishrisin
Fri, Feb 18, 2011 : 12:35 a.m.
Totally agree with Hot Dice...but before getting too worked up remember to consider the source..an annarbor.com reporter isn't going to provide deepest thinking.
Hot Dice
Thu, Feb 17, 2011 : 8:58 p.m.
So before you labeled it a "column", were we supposed to guess? It seems as though this should be explicitly stated every time, without the need for a comment asking you to correctly label your work.
Paula Gardner
Thu, Feb 17, 2011 : 8:46 p.m.
This is a column and it's also on the opinion page. There isn't a "column" on it now, but I'm adding it to make it clear. Thoughtful opposition should happen. And I hope it does. Special-interest bickering shouldn't play anymore.
Hot Dice
Thu, Feb 17, 2011 : 8:44 p.m.
Oh wait, I just realized; the final "tag" on this article is "opinion". Even though this isn't mentioned anywhere else, I guess my concerns are unfounded. Great reporting(?).
braggslaw
Thu, Feb 17, 2011 : 8:29 p.m.
Tough times call for tough measures Anybody at the public trough is going to call foul.
rusty shackelford
Thu, Feb 17, 2011 : 8:20 p.m.
Top 5: Ways to to Get Your AnnArbor.com Article for the Day Out of the Way: 1. Assume whatever anyone in a position of authority says is true, and to be taken at face value. 2. Do as little independent verification or investigation as possible. 3. Assume the only choice is to take or leave a given proposition. 4. Make sure not to ask why the poor and middle class take the cuts, not those who can afford it more. 5. Glibly deride anyone who has the temerity to stand up for their own interests. Is that...300 words? Done!
cinnabar7071
Thu, Feb 17, 2011 : 8:15 p.m.
Well it wont take 5 years to be blown away with this Gov'ner. About time we realize that we have to either pay for the services we get or forgo them. If you don't have a job now then get one!
HaeJee
Fri, Feb 18, 2011 : 8:44 p.m.
Spoken like a true Tea Partier..........
DFleming
Thu, Feb 17, 2011 : 10:41 p.m.
I have several friends who are now leaving the state because there are no jobs here, they are all educated at the U of M and all in their 40's...... with kids to raise.....
zeeba
Thu, Feb 17, 2011 : 8:02 p.m.
Eh. This is a business magazine's reaction. Of course they're going to call criticism of the budget "unproductive," because they're the ones getting a big fat $1.8 billion tax cut. This is an effort to sell the budget as is. Just more spin to make sure they get all the goodies while someone else has to eat all the lima beans.
snapshot
Sat, Feb 19, 2011 : 5:07 a.m.
I'm not sure what you are saying
upgremlin
Thu, Feb 17, 2011 : 7:50 p.m.
I am so pleased that some Republicans who early on thought that "others" would suffer the consequences of the budget ax are instead going to get it themselves. Will they understand their sacrifice as necessary for the greater good of Michigan? Not hardly. So they end up spending less at the local casino. It's wasted money anyhow. I agree with Snyder's plan so far. There may be aspects that will need improvement later, but we can cross those bridges when we get to them.
xmo
Thu, Feb 17, 2011 : 7:50 p.m.
Michigan has a problem with money. So, LOVE IT or Leave US!
macjont
Thu, Feb 17, 2011 : 7:34 p.m.
Want to balance the budget? Raise taxes!
snapshot
Sat, Feb 19, 2011 : 5:05 a.m.
On who?
Cash
Fri, Feb 18, 2011 : 11:10 a.m.
Yes 100% tax increase to the elderly. That's what he did.
FattyJ
Fri, Feb 18, 2011 : 2:12 a.m.
Our government workers gain more, on average, than private sector employees. We need to level the playing field. Throwing money at the situation doesn't help anything.
Bob Martel
Thu, Feb 17, 2011 : 7:32 p.m.
I for one am not surprised about the Governor's proposal. It appears that he has offended almost everyone (possible exception: certain business interests.) It will take a few days to sort through the details and get some credible facts on the table. I'm looking forward to the debate and have only three non negotiable desires: 1 - Snyder stands firm on his objective of producing a long lasting solution to Michigan's long lasting structural deficit problem, 2 - the Legislature acts in the best interest of the State as a whole, and 3 - that this all works.