"We'll Get It Done," Says Rep. Mayes About State Budget Agreement
Poll Shows Voters Would Shut Down State Government Rather Than Raise Taxes
September 26, 2009
By: Dave Rogers
"Well get it (the budget) done," said State Representative Jeff Mayes (D- Bay City).
State Rep. Jeff Mayes, D-Bay City, is confident the legislature will reach agreement on a state budget before the deadline of Oct. 1.
"Well get it done," said Mayes. "We have some good people who are responsible and I'm sure we can bring enough of them together to agree on a budget."
Time is running out, however, as the 67 Democrats and 43 Republicans in the Michigan House of Representatives arm wrestle over how to keep the ship afloat. The Senate makeup is 21 Republicans, 16 Democrats.
An IMP/MRG poll taken earlier this month showed voters, by 51 to 45 percent, preferring a shutdown to raising taxes to keep government services intact.
On the question of supporting or opposing tax hikes in Gov. Jennifer Granholm's budget proposal, the following results were posted by IMP/MRG:
Strongly support, 17 percent;
Somewhat support, 22 percent;
Neither support nor oppose, 1 percent;
Somewhat oppose, 12 percent;
Strongly oppose, 46 percent;
Don't know, 2 percent;
TOTAL SUPPORT: 39 percent;
TOTAL OPPOSE: 58 percent.
Voters polled also were against raising additional revenue through expansion of the state lottery with pull-tab games at bars and horse racing tracks. The idea has been pitched as raising $1 billion for the state and also reviving the horse tracks. The totals were 43 percent in support, 52 percent opposed.
Gov. Granholm's proposals call for:
A 25 cent increase in the cigarette tax;
A 6 percent tax on all sports and entertainment tickets;
A new tax on vending machine purchases;
A new tax on services such as landscaping and home and car maintenance;
A new one percent tax on bottled water; and
A 12 percent reduction in all business tax credits, including film industry incentives.
A shutdown of all but essential services (police, fire, prisons, emergency services) would be necessary if the legislature and governor don't find common ground by Oct. 1.