DEVILISH DETAILS! Voter Approval on Road Plan Goes South When Details Heard

Paul Mitchell, Saginaw Political Activist, Launches "Anti" Campaign

February 23, 2015
By: Dave Rogers

The devil is in the details.

And so it is with the Michigan road proposal that already is facing Tea Party tinged opposition organized by Paul Mitchell, Saginaw businessman and political activist and a Grand Rapids group headed by political consultant John Yob using the website: nomiddleclasstaxincreases.org.

A majority of voters who would vote yes on the plan change their minds after hearing the details, reports EPIC-MRA's Bernie Porn, a leading state pollster.

On Proposal 1, when first asked their opinion, 46% would vote "yes" -- 41% would vote "no."

Among certain May voters, 46% would vote "yes" -- 44% would vote "no."

After hearing details, 47% would vote "no" -- 38% would vote "yes."

Among certain May voters, 49% would vote "no" -- 37% would vote "yes."

Is Michigan headed in right direction? 60% said "yes," up from 52% in December.

Soon after the Anderson Economic Group's economic analysis, warning of federal tax consequences, made headlines, the large lobbying firm leading the effort to get the roads measure passed this May backed out.

Bi-partisan lobbying group Truscott Rossman said creative differences with the governor led to their abrupt departure.

Michigan Public Radio's Jack Lessenberry thinks there's more to it than that.

"I'm a little suspicious they didn't want to be on the losing side of something," Lessenberry said. "It's not good for a firm like that to throw their energies into something that's a loser."

Crain's Detroit Business reports that the Coalition Against Higher Taxes and Special Interest Deals, a group opposing Proposal 1, announced last week that it's launching a statewide ad campaign on TV, radio, and digital platforms.

Proposal 1 would increase Michigan's sales tax from 6 percent to 7 percent, giving the state $1.3 billion a year more to mend transportation infrastructure.

In the ad, opponents argue that approval of Proposal 1 would send nearly 40 percent of the money raised to special interests.

Mitchell announced the addition of Scott Hagerstrom, former head of Americans for Prosperity in the state, to the opposition team.

Americans for Prosperity is described by sourcewatch.org as "a right-wing political advocacy group founded by billionaire brothers David and Charles Koch, the owners of Koch Industries."

Mitchell said, "In just 3 weeks, over 100,000 Michigan Taxpayers have already reached out to us at www.SayNoToHigherTaxes.org and via social media. Adding Scott to our team will help the Coalition turn these passionate supporters into mobilized voters. We intend to use a unique blend of traditional media efforts and a strong grassroots organization to combat the Lansing special interests."

Yob has been active in Snyder's two election victories and now is seemingly opposing the governor who is desperately trying to save the state from chaos and get the roads repaired in any way possible.

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