MTA 2008 Candidate Questionnaire Results
The August 5th primary election is fast approaching and you may soon have a new state representative. Your vote for state representative in the primary election may be more important than your November vote because so many state house districts are so solidly Democrat or Republican that the real race is in the primary.
The Michigan Taxpayers Alliance mailed questionnaires to 387 candidates running for state representative in ‘open’ house seats (districts where the incumbent cannot seek re-election) and in seats where there are reasonably competitive primary campaigns. Approximately 100 candidates responded to the questionnaire.
State senators do not face reelection until 2010.
You can find the results here. The MTA asked questions on tax and spending issues only. We hope that you find the candidates answers helpful as you decide who to support in the upcoming elections.
Many candidates did not respond to the MTA questionnaire. We encourage you to contact candidates seeking your vote and to ask detailed questions of your own before you make a voting decision. Please contact us at mitaxpayer@yahoo.com if you have any questions regarding the MTA questionnaire or the upcoming election in general.
Sincerely,
Leon Drolet
Michigan Taxpayers Alliance
View the questionnaire results here... |
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Andy Dillon Recall Effort Collects Over 15,000 Signatures
The citizen's of Redford, Dearborn Heights, and Livonia needed to collect 8,720 signatures in order to have a 'recall Andy Dillon' question placed on the August 5th ballot.
I am ecstatic to announce that today Rose Bogaert, Sandra Eggers, and members of the Wayne County Taxpayers Association were able to submit 15,498 signatures to the Michigan Secretary of State - 77% more than required!
Everyone who helped make this possible is to be congratulated and thanked - including YOU if you pitched in.
Sorry, Andy. You made the choice of putting Lansing and bigger government ahead of the citizens' budgets. Now the citizens - over 15,000 of them - have asked for a choice on whether you should be fired ASAP.
Andy Dillon will become the first House Speaker in the United States to be recalled from office. And it will happen because he raised taxes on suffering Michigan citizens.
Congratulations to all who are helping!
– Leon Drolet |
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Video of Tax Day Protest!
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TAX HIKE PROTEST ON APRIL 15!
Please join the Michigan Taxpayers Alliance (and Mr. Perks) for a Tuesday, April 15th protest of Granholm and House Speaker Andy Dillon’s tax increase!
The protest will take place at the Redford U.S. Post Office from 5:00pm to 7:00pm. The Redford Post Office is located at 12245 Beech Daly Road, Redford, MI 48239.
See you there! |
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House Speaker Recall Effort Approved
Wayne County Court rules that recall language is clear, recalls move forward.
January 18th, 2008 – Wayne County Circuit Court Judge William J. Giovan approved petition language against House Speaker Andy Dillon (D-Redford), clearing the way for recall efforts to move forward.
Judge Giovon ruled that the recall language was clear, overturning the Wayne County Board of Electors previous ruling which declared that the language was “unclear”.
The Wayne County Taxpayers Association (WCTA), a local grassroots organization supporting the recall effort, will now proceed with signature gathering. Said WCTA Chair Rose Bogeart, “We are thrilled to finally be able to move forward with signature gathering. For too long now the Wayne County Board of Electors attempted to deny our constitutional rights and block the democratic process for their own political goals.”
Judge Giovon’s ruling also approved language for petitions to recall State Representitives Marc Corriveau (D-Northville) and Ed Gaffney (R-Grosse Pointe). |
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New Citizen Recall Website Launched!
A new website has been launched dedicated to providing information on the latest citizen recalls. The website address is: www.michiganrecalls.com. People can view all the politicians that have had recall petitions filed against them and can sign up to join a recall campaign.
Check it out!
www.MichiganRecalls.com |
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Who Voted to Raise your Taxes?
In the quiet hours of Sunday night, while most people were asleep preparing for another week of work, certain lawmakers were plotting to raise your taxes. Without any citizen input or debate, the Michigan Legislature passed two bills that will dramatically increase the financial burden on Michigan's families.
The first, House Bill 5194, raises the state income tax from 3.9% to 4.35% – an 11% increase in your overall tax bill! I wonder how many Michigan workers will receive an 11% increase in their pay this year?
The other, House Bill 5198, imposes a new 6% sales tax on many services, a full list of which can be viewed here. The full impact of what this will have on Michigan's already struggling economy is unknown.
A full list of everyone who supported House Bill 5194 (income tax increase) in the House of Representatives can be viewed here and everyone who supported it in the Senate here.
A full list of everyone who supported House Bill 5198 (sales tax on services) in the House of Representatives can be viewed here and everyone who supported it in the Senate here.
Both bills were signed into law by Governor Granholm. |
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| Donate to the MTA Online |
Help lead the fight against higher taxes! Donate to the MTA online today!
Click to donate online.
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| MTA in the News |
| May 28th, 2008 – Wall Street Journal: Granholm's Tax Warning |
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| May 7th, 2008 – Associated Press: Recall group criticizes Michigan House speaker's vacation |
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| May 4th, 2008 – Townhall.com: Political rights, and wrongs |
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| May 2nd, 2008 – Detroit News: Bid to recall House Speaker Andy Dillon takes historic step |
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| May 2nd, 2008 – Detroit Free Press: Dillon recall effort advances |
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| May 2nd, 2008 – Associated Press: House Speaker Andy Dillon's opponents claim overwhelming number of signatures on recall petition |
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| April 25th, 2008 – The Detroit News: House speaker's foes criticize Dems for hiring felon |
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| February 26th, 2008 – Jackson Citizen Patriot: Recall attempt against Simpson halted |
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| February 25th, 2008 – Grand Rapids Press: Lawyers to appeal recall-campaign ruling |
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| February 14th, 2008 – Observer & Eccentric: Taxpayers Alliance draws help for Dillon recall |
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| February 12th, 2008 – Observer & Eccentric: Taxpayers alliance gets help with recall |
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| January 18th, 2008 – Associated Press: Judges let recall efforts proceed against House speaker, others |
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| January 18th, 2008 – Detroit Free Press: Recall petitions get green light |
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