Part 3 of series. Part 1 is HERE and Part 2 is HERE.
I have been writing about my strong support of Proposal 1 over the past couple of weeks. I have found few issues that have so divided the progressive community as much as Prop 1 has. Those of us, like me and Tony Trupiano, who have advocated for it have been widely maligned by people who we would normally consider allies.
As I have said before, I believe that the progressive choice is a YES vote. For those who say they don’t trust Republican legislators to do the right thing if it passes illogically seem to trust them just fine to do the right thing if it doesn’t. I contend that their actions over the past five years prove that they will hurt the groups and causes that progressives support in predictable ways. And today’s Michigan legislature is more conservative and anti-government than it was before last November’s election.
But don’t take my word for it. Have a look at the list of those who are supporting Proposal 1. In that list are a host of progressive groups who see this as our best chance to do the right thing regarding getting our roads fixed without doing harm to schools and local governments, etc. It’s environmental groups and labor and education supporters and others:
- AFL-CIO
- Business Leaders for Michigan
- Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce
- Michigan Environmental Council
- Michigan League for Public Policy
- Michigan Sheriff’s Association
- Lansing State Journal editorial board
- Michigan Sierra Club
- West Michigan Environmental Action Council
- Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association
- University of Michigan College Democrats
- American Federation of Teachers – Michigan
- The Tri-County Alliance for Public Education (Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties)
- Business Leaders for Michigan
- League of Michigan Bicyclists
- Grand Rapids Business Journal
- Michigan Municipal League
- Michigan Education Association
- Detroit Free Press editorial board
- Michigan Road Preservation Association
- Michigan State Building and Construction Trades Council
- Michigan Transportation Planning Association
- MLive Media Group (representing 8 newspapers)
- Michigan Trucking Association
- Midland Area Chamber of Commerce
- Washtenaw County Democratic Party Executive Board
- Disability Advocates of Kent County
- Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce
- Grand Valley Metro Council
- Home Builders of Michigan
- International Brotherhood of Teamsters
- Michigan Public Transit Association
- Michigan School Business Officials
- Michigan Association of Justice Executive Board
- Police Officers Association of Michigan
- Michigan Farm Bureau
- Michigan Townships Association
- Operating Engineers Local 324
- Road Commission for Oakland County
- Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG)
- Tourism Improving Michigan’s Economy (TIME) Alliance, Inc.
- Troy Chamber of Commerce
- Washtenaw Area Transportation Study
- AAA of Michigan
- Washtenaw Bicycling and Walking Coalition
- West Michigan Policy Forum
- Michigan Association of School Administrators
- Traverse City Chamber of Commerce
- Michigan Association of School Boards
- Michigan Association of Intermediate School Administrators
- The Small Business Association of Michigan
- Michigan Infrastructure & Transportation Association
- Michigan Junior Chamber
- Michigan Laborers’ District Council
- Michigan Licensed Beverage Association
- Michigan Lodging and Tourism Association
- Michigan Manufactured Housing
- RV & Campground Association
- Michigan Agri-Business Association
- Michigan Association of Counties
- County Road Association of Michigan
- Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals
- Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce
- Marquette County Road Commission
- Utica Community Schools Board of Education
- Washtenaw County Road Commission
- Washtenaw County Intermediate School District
Here’s former U.S. Senator Carl Levin, a progressive lion, making a very reasonable and thoughtful pitch on behalf of Proposal 1:
Here are some of our fine Democratic state legislators explaining Prop 1 and why a YES vote is so important:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMs26L1pAmI
Former Dean of the House John Dingell is also a supporter.
As you consider your vote tomorrow, make sure if you want to “send a message” to state legislators that you are sending the RIGHT message to them. The message they will take away if it is voted down is that Michiganders want them to cut the state budget to fix the roads. And when Michigan Republicans make budget cuts, they invariably go after education and vulnerable groups like seniors and children and low income families and workers, the very groups that progressives fight for every day.
You may wish to “send a message” that they need to “do their jobs”. For Republicans, slashing essential government services that benefit these groups IS “doing their job.” We can help mitigate the damage by voting for Proposal 1.
The choice is ours to make. Please vote YES ON PROPOSAL 1.
[Photo credit: Anne C. Savage.]
