Ready for Another Midnight Tax Hike? There is a way to stop it!

Two years ago, after squandering away the entire Summer, the legislature passed a budget that included $1.5 billion in new taxes. They did it in the dark of night, hours AFTER the October 1st deadline.

Here we are, just five days away from going over the cliff, and it's "Deja vu all over again." The legislature spent most of the Spring and the Summer NOT addressing the budget, and in fact, not even holding session. As of this writing, there is still no budget resolution.

It is my opinion that leaders in the legislature, who do not have the intestinal fortitude to make drastic reductions in state government are running out the clock. They are going to put the proverbial gun to our heads on September 30 and tell us we must accept a tax increase to preserve all those "essential services" or face a government shutdown.

There is a way to stop them. May I suggest the following courses of action:

1. Stay informed. Two years ago, I was blogging up-to-the-minute reports on the process from the floor of the House. Nearly 2,500 readers stayed up past midnight to read every post. Most of them were telling me to "shut 'er down." This year, I encourage every conservative blogger in Michigan to converge on Lansing on the 30th. Sit in the gallery of the House and the Senate and blog to the world the blow-by-blow events. Make sure all your followers know instantly if there is a proposal to raise taxes. I will likely be blogging from the gallery on www.jackformichigan.org.
   
2. Watch the proceedings live on your computer. Go to Michigan Government TV (MGTV). Legislative sessions are usually streamed live.
   
3. Call, write, email, fax...flood the legislature with communications that expresses your opposition to more taxes and fees on your family, your business, your community to pay for their fiscally irresponsible ways. Here are the House and Senate links.
   
4. "Storm the Castle." Come to Lansing Wednesday night and stand outside the capitol with your home made signs. Let them know what you think. Every day, the taxpayer-funded lobbyists are calling, visiting, buying coffee and lunch for lawmakers to convince them "not to cut MY budget." Now you need to lobby them not to cut YOUR budget. Because if your taxes go up, that's exactly what will happen. (Stay tuned for announcements of a rally to take place, if needed.) Who knows? Maybe they will settle this over the weekend; maybe they will pass a "continuation" budget, which is essentially kicking the problem down the road. But, if we get to Wednesday without a settlement, you may be needed in Lansing!

 

This Government Belongs to You!

You elected these lawmakers. They are accountable to you. They knocked on your door to ask for your vote. Now you need to "knock on their door" and remind them what you elected them to do. When it comes to the state budget, spending and taxation, this is the most crucial five days of the entire year. Now is when you need to be watching Lansing.

Thanks for being part of the solution.

Thanks for holding your elected officials accountable!