Michigan GOP ‘Exercise In Reprioritization’ Fixes Roads By Raising Taxes Only On The Working Poor

[Purveyor]

Last edited Fri May 15, 2015, 02:07 PM - Edit history (1)

Source: Raw Story

Michigan House Speaker Kevin Cotter (R) announced this week that Republicans had put together a plan for Michigan road funding by raising part of the money on the backs of the working poor.

“We have to determine what are the core functions of state government and let’s budget accordingly,” Cotter said at a press conference on Wednesday. “This plan is an exercise in reprioritization.”

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But the most controversial part of the plan was the call to raise $117 million by eliminating the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), which provides a refundable tax credit for the working poor. In some cases, the credit can be greater than tax paid through withholding, providing the worker with a small amount of additional earnings.

While the EITC is one of the largest anti-poverty programs in the country, it is also opposed by many conservatives.

Read more: http://www.rawstory.com/2015/05/michigan-gop-exercise-in-reprioritization-fixes-roads-by-raising-taxes-only-on-the-working-poor/

[sakabatou]

1. Ugh!

[LiberalElite]

2. Jesus Fkg Christ

how DO we get rid of these "Christian" freaks ?:???? .

[project_bluebook]

3. They had to pay for the big corporate tax breaks

buy stealing 3 years of money meant for MI roads. They tried to increase the sales tax but that didn't fly so now they are desperate. MI roads are some of the worst in the nation. People and businesses are leaving MI in droves. All that is left is a booming Meth trade. Too bad there isn't a DOW stock for that.

[winterwar]

10. You nailed it

It's getting real methy in Michigan. Too many people that had good manufacturing jobs are now hopeless. Turning to anything for a quick buck or a quick escape from reality. But you know the Repubs spend more time trying to undermine medical marijuana protections for users then combating the epidemic that meth has been for 20 plus years now.

[roamer65]

4. I knew they would try something stupid.

They are Rethuglicans.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

5. There would be a torch bearing mob if they could afford the gas.

[jwirr]

6. Okay! But since the poor have to pay for it they can also collect tolls from everyone else.

[Triana]

7. link...

http://www.rawstory.com/2015/05/michigan-gop-exercise-in-reprioritization-fixes-roads-by-raising-taxes-only-on-the-working-poor/

[MichMan]

8. The defeated Prop 1 would have increased the EITC

The defeated Proposal 1 that went down in flames last week would have increased the EITC to offset the 1 cent sales tax increase. it would also have increased funding for K-12 education and hired workers for infrastructure i.e. road repairs. The bill was actually supported by members of both parties.

Since it was voted down 80-20, yes you read right 80-20, and lost big across both political parties and all income levels, apparently voters preferred the staus quo.

[winterwar]

11. I think it's a little more complex than that

Most of my progressive friends voted against it because of the ridiculous extra fees they want to put on hybrid cars and electrics. Why should they have to pay more? Also it would have given Snyder a bipartisan victory, and nobody wanted to see that. We wanted to force the Republican controlled legislature to govern so we can see what they are going to do. Now we see, shockingly, they want to put out on the backs of the poor and working class. I hate to say it, but maybe the pain of having Republicans in charge fucking over everybody but the 1% will finally get people of their ass and vote. Democratic turnout has been pathetic for the 2010 and 2014 elections. I am sickened by my deep blue state becoming blood red because the dems in our state won't show up.

[etherealtruth]

15. I struggled with this ....

in the end I was one of the few people that voted YES on Prop 1 .... not because I like the proposal, but because I did not trust our right wing psychos in Lansing to do anything to protect the poor. At very least Prop 1 assured that the EIC would be in place for our most fragile citizens.

god , I hat the republicans in this state (and in this country)

[Demeter]

9. Read My Lips---Tax the Rich

[romanic]

12. Of course.

Expected of the MI GOP.

[TexasTowelie]

13. Locking thread.

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[etherealtruth]

14. K sand R

[tclambert]

16. Yes, but only the working poor will be allowed to drive on those roads.

Rich people must ride in the back.

[maddogesq]

17. Ladies and gentle, the fix was in.

They made that Prop 1 so unpalatable--wasting $5M on a special election in the process--that it would go down in flames. Michigan voters weren't savvy enough to realize that our far-right leaning thugislature can now really screw us peeons.

Let's hope our state Dems can grow a spine and stop this slash-and-burn band of maniacs...a tall order indeed.

[yellowcanine]

18. Trickle up economics.......