Cut to the bone?

Detroit Public Schools $1.7 million in hotels, catering, travel to places like San Diego, Miami, Reno. Including $100,000 in catering by an unlicensed business that just happened to be in the home of a Detroit school principal. (Can you imagine catering $100,000 worth of food out of your home?) Detroit Free Press, February 9,2007

Michigan Ave. Fountain, $400,000. This is the state's share of multi-million dollar road improvement project in downtown Lansing. It includes a fountain in the middle of the street on Michigan Avenue, one block from the Capitol. Lansing State Journal, February 21, 2007

Art Work for Detroit Public Schools, $1.6 million. The district spent taxpayer approved bond money to buy art for the walls of the districts buildings. How many pieces are there and where are they hanging? Hmm...nobody knows for sure. Detroit Free Press, February 24, 2007

New State Police Headquarters, $116.7 million. MSP is currently housed in buildings on the campus of MSU. State pays $1.00 per year (yes, I said one dollar) for the very serviceable HQ complex. Nevertheless, the Governor went ahead (and the Legislature's capital outlay committee approved) a $116.7 million project to build new headquarters, which will be leased for 25 years. The contract was let as a "no-bid contract". Oh, by the way, that one dollar lease lasts until 2030. WXYT, Channel 7, September 26, 2007

Surgeon General, $159,000. A ceremonial position. The SG advocates for healthier lifestyles. Granted, the Governor did come to her senses and eliminate this position this year. Gongwers, March 27, 2007

Foot baths for students, $25,000. U of M, Dearborn is constructing two foot-washing stations on campus for Muslim students. Yes, these are taxpayer funds. Washington Times, August 7, 2007

First Gentleman's staff, $209,000. Dan Mulhern has three taxpayer-funded staffers. What do they do? How does this state benefit? Don't know. Mr. Mulhern is exempt from the Freedom of Information Act. But, he says, they are "dedicated, hard-working state employees..." Michigan Taxpayer Alliance, September 2007