This Saturday, May 7, 2011, is the Blossomtime Grand Floral Parade. As I previously reported, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder will be the “Grand Marshal” of the parade. I have also learned that Representative Al Pscholka, the father of Michigan’s odious Emergency Financial Manager Law, will also be in the parade. The appearance of both of these men in the parade […]

A recall petition against Michigan state Congressman Al Pscholka has been filed. You can view the official letter HERE (pdf). Here’s the text: April 28,2011 Representative Al PscholkaMichigan State House of RepresentativesP.O. Box 30014Lansing, Ml 48909-7514 Re: Receipt of Recall Wording Dear Representative Pscholka: You are hereby notified that pursuant to provisions of Section-168.952 of Public Act 456 of 1982, […]

Great turnout at the anti-Snyder Rally at the University of Michigan commencement. Easily 1,000 people and more coming in. Crowds assemble The “Koch Brothers” entertain. “Rick Snyder, our #1 purchase!” Congresswoman Rebekah Warren takes the microphone. Next up, Lexi Salazar, 5th grader from Murphy School in Haslett, future zoologist. Says she wears red every Tuesday to show support for her […]

This Saturday, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder will be the commencement speaker at the University of Michigan, quite a departure from last year when President Obama was the speaker. A massive protest is being organized that involves a rally as well as action by the students themselves. The protest rally is being organized by the Washtenaw Community Action Team, Working Michigan, […]

There’s a developing story in Allegan County, home of the Saugatuck Dunes that I have been writing about. A Michigan law passed in 2008 called the Michigan Planning Enabling Act PA 33 of 2008 (discussed at length HERE [pdf]) requires county Planning Commissions to be created by Ordinance rather than by a Resolution and this must be done by July […]

Video I shot today from one of the holes on the Harbor Shores golf course that were built on public land donated to the City of Benton Harbor for use as the Jean Klock Park. I should note that I made an error in the commentary I was giving while I shot this video. The City of Benton Harbor did […]

The good news is that Michigan’s tax revenues this year may actually be a half billion dollars higher than was previously predicted. The bad news is, rather than offsetting some of the $470-per-pupil funding cut Governor Snyder proposes in his budget with the windfall, he wants to save it. “I don’t want to speculate on us having more dollars,” Snyder […]

Really, people, what the hell did you think you were going to get when you voted for a Republican? Some excellent analysis with lots of numbers and lists of Ann Arbor-area folks who contributed to Snyder’s campaign at A2Politico. I’m just sayin’…

I have been writing pretty intensively about the dismissal of the Benton Harbor City Commission by the Emergency Financial Manager, Joe Harris. Like many of you, I am incensed at this draconian step being taken, a disenfranchisement of the residents of Benton Harbor and an abridgement of what I think most of us understand as democracy. Taxation without representation is […]

I’ll give Rick Snyder credit. The dude displays a whole lotta chutzpah. He’s going to be the Grand Marshal at the Benton Harbor Grand Floral Festival next month Gov. Rick Snyder plans to take part in the 2011 Grand Floral Parade on May 7 as its grand marshal. Blossomtime Executive Director Sabrina LaSota said the governor’s office has confirmed his […]

We could all learn a little bit about negotiating from the Republicans, I suppose. Michigan Governor Rick Snyder’s proposed budget eliminates the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) which helps the working poor, especially those with kids. In a dramatic concession, he’s agreed to give qualifying families $25 per child . This represents 5.8% of the EITC the average family would […]