Michigan Retailers Oppose Governor's Plan to 'Tax 'Em While They're Down'

MarketWire ^ | Feb. 16, 2009 | Tom Scott

[MaryFromMichigan]

Michigan's hard-hit retail sector would suffer the double whammy of higher taxes and fees under the governor's budget plan...
...the state intends to raise upwards of $97 million more from retailers, who have been mired in a years-long slump and just experienced a poor holiday season.

[MaryFromMichigan]

"Does it make sense to raise taxes on an industry that is suffering through its worst slump in decades? Is that the way to create jobs and new businesses in this state? We know it's the wrong plan," said James P. Hallan, president and CEO of Michigan Retailers Association.

Well, it makes sense to our governor.

[truthingod]

More of the same old failing policies—this time courtesy of Lansing? Granholm does not get it, she will leave this state in the worst condition—right back to being the “welfare” state of the past.

[cripplecreek]

High taxes drove a lot of people to roll your own cigarettes and now the price is going to more than double with new taxes.

I think it’s time for a 90% officeholder tax on elected officials.

[snoringbear]

“Well, it makes sense to our governor.”

By your use of the word “our”, I assume that you are a Michigan resident. My question is this; “why do the residents of Michigan continue to reelect this incompetent person? I don't get it...

[bert]

.....I think it’s time for a 90% officeholder tax on elected officials......

You are duped into playing by their rules. The one fact we have learned is they don’t pay taxes.

The rules must be overturned and a more permanent solution imposed.

[Abathar]

I miss Michigan and would love to move back there someday.

That day keeps getting moved back further and further when things like this keep happening.

[joe fonebone]

because more than half the people in this state draw cash from the state, weather working for the state or drawing welfare.....the cash grabbers outnumber the cash earners..and we are one of only 2 states that offer lifetime welfare benefits, kinda like hitting the lottery when ya move here....

[MaryFromMichigan]

Why do we vote for such incompetent people?
There are a few exceptions, but Michigan tends to be a liberal, democratic state.
Think Detroit.

[MaryFromMichigan]

Remember this ad?
Are you blown away yet?

[screaminsunshine]

Michigan deserves it for electing her. Same with the USA for electing Obama. And the rest of the Socialists running the show.

[screaminsunshine]

That pretty much explains it.

[NoControllingLegalAuthority]

Michigan deserves it for electing her. Same with the USA for electing Obama. And the rest of the Socialists running the show.

I agree completely.

"Spreading the wealth" means most people have to be hurt financially. Behold and reap the bitter harvest.

Michigan keeps pursuing the same economic approach that has never been successful anywhere in the world.

Michigan voters=Suckers!

Please keep voting for the same people who screw you over and over again.

Lots of brilliant folks up there in Michigan!

[justiceseeker93]

Seems like Jenny got her MBA from the Karl Marx School of Business.

[cyclotic]

Just before the last election, I came up with the perfect bumper sticker slogan.

“A Vote for Granholm is a Vote for Lower Traffic Volumes.”

I realized the other day how right I was. My 16 mile commute is far easier now.

[justiceseeker93]

Ping!!!

[smithandwesson76subgun]

I don't think that you should put all MI voters in the same basket. Take out our east and west coasts and I think we are quit conservitive. The large population areas make the rest of us look bad. Some of us didn't want blondie and more than 0bama.

[Michigan Bowhunter]

screw u mr sunshine. I didnt vote for the bitch .....or StabMeNow either. I dont deserve it. I work my butt off for nothing to advance conservative issues and foster growth here in Michigan.

I would love to see somebody with conviction stand up....lets say somebody like a Meijer or DeVos and just say “I aint gonna pay it and if you dont reverse your idea I will shut my entire operations down”
There is no tax revolt.....they just raise prices to people with less in this state and Detroit votes DEMONCRAT and Michigan gets screwed.

[cripplecreek]

Only 9 or 10 of our 83 counties tend to vote democrat. After all it wasn’t liberals who voted to ban gay marriage, agffirmative action, and in favor of concealed carry.

[cripplecreek]

As far as I’m concerned the GOP in Washington gets all the blame for my shiny new socialist democrat congressman (Mark Shauer). The clowns in Washinton withdrew funding from conservative Walberg because they said he was a lost cause. I’d sure like to know what kind of lost cause loses by a whole 2%.

[Fee]

I think the GOP lost MI when they supported NAFTA, WTO, MFN and free trade with no alternative for all the people who lost manufacturing jobs since the 1980’s. Granted the state did not help out with their regs and taxes, but corporate America abandoned MI for cheaper overseas labor. Now with Wall Street destroying the banking system and selling toxic assets all over the place, the last thing the GOP needs to do is to defend Wall Street concepts to the unemployed in MI or US.