No surprise here. Michigan is in the top 10 of highest property taxes of all the states. Wayne county, the highest property tax county in Michigan, is number 38 in the nation (among 790 counties). Is this a surprise? Wayne county is the most destitute, failed county – possibly in the nation. Kent county...
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The state’s monthly revenue report for February was released today and my reaction was, “Recovery? What recovery?” This statement from the report sums it up well: “Revenue from Michigan’s General Fund and School Aid Fund earmarked taxes totaled $474.3 million in February, down 28.8% from last year’s level . . . February tax collections...
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Exclusive to Grand Rapids Pundit: GR Pundit has come in to possession of a letter being sent to teachers and substitute teachers, preparing them for an impending illegal strike against Grand Rapids Public Schools. View the GREA Strike Letter. The letter, signed by Grand Rapids Education Association president Paul Helder on August 5th, laments the fact that Grand...
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Both the Detroit News and the Grand Rapids Press have articles today about the apparent near-meltdown occuring in Lansing over the state government’s budget. Apparently, late last night, the State House was flooded by all members of the State Senate, along with the Governor, in an effort to get the members of the House...
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The perfidy of the GRCC board of trustees was called out by the taxpayers of Kent County last night. Out of over 63,000 votes cast, the second millage request in three months failed by 361 votes. Perhaps it was the fact that everyone just paid their summer property taxes and that was fresh on...
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Brief summary of the election two weeks ago: The Rapid’s tax increase passed (but at 58% Yes, compared to 66% Yes last time). Of the six cities in The Rapid’s tax authority (Grand Rapids, East Grand Rapids, Kentwood, Walker, Wyoming, and Grandville), three of them voted NO on the Rapid – Grandville, Walker, and...
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Don’t forget to vote tomorrow (Tuesday, May 8th). There are three tax issues on the ballot in Grand Rapids, and everyone in Kent County gets to vote on the Grand Rapids Community College tax hike. If you live in Grand Rapids, East Grand Rapids, Kentwood, Walker, Wyoming, or Grandville, you get the pleasure of...
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Grand Rapids’ favorite son, Ambassador Peter Secchia, now appears as though he has changed his mind. Formerly the chair of “23 is Enough,” an anti-Wayland casino group, Secchia now seems to believe that 25 is just right. According to Sunday’s Grand Rapids Press, Secchia has resigned his position at 23 and is now campaigning...
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As our readers will know, we’ve pointed out some pretty ridiculous ways that the city of Grand Rapids spends its money. Now, last week the city manager, Kurt Kimball, went to the City Commission to say that the city needs to restructure the way it spends money. He says that by 2010 the city...
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Presidential Election Well, no surprises here in Michigan. Kerry won the state, garnering 51% of the vote to Bush’s 48%. In 2000, Gore got 51% of Michigan to Bush’s 46%. Nader got 2% that year, which interestingly points to the idea that Nader voters don’t necessarily take votes away from the Democrat. In Kent...
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